Suit: Dog was killed without reason

Erica Johnson

Wednesday, July 18, 2001 | 10:12 a.m.

A lawsuit filed in Justice Court on Tuesday says a cocker spaniel was euthanized for no justifiable reason.

The woman against whom the suit was filed, however, said the dog was menacing her twin babies and that her action was taken to protect them.

Carole Gambardella of Las Vegas filed the suit. She claims that her son's girlfriend, Colleen Sequerth, had no justification for having the 12-year-old dog named Anna put to sleep.

The suit seeks more than $2,000 in damages.

"I realize that at some point you're going to have to say goodbye to your dog," Carole Gambardella said. "But she took it upon herself to make a decision that wasn't hers to make."

Sequerth, in a signed statement, said she gave Carole Gambardella plenty of opportunities to pick up her dog before she had it put to sleep.

Sequerth and Paul Gambardella, Carole's son, are the parents of twin boys aged 18 months. In her statement, Sequerth said she witnessed the dog growl and bark at the twins and that she feared for her sons' safety.

Carole Gambardella said she's had problems with Sequerth in the past, but the couple agreed to let the dog stay at their home while she pursued a move to California.

During that period, Carole Gambardella said, she visited the dog frequently and assured her son she'd be taking Anna back within the next few months.

Carole Gambardella said her son called her March 12 and informed her that Sequerth had Anna destroyed by Rebel Animal Service, a local company that euthanizes and cremates animals.

"I was devastated," Gambardella said.

Sequerth says she thinks the lawsuit was filed for ulterior reasons.

"(Carole and I) have been arguing over money situations since 2000. I feel this case has been brought against me for that very reason."

Paul Gambardella has signed a statement saying he was unaware of Sequerth's plans to have the dog killed.

"To my knowledge, Colleen never attempted to call my mother or any other member of my family to give them a chance to pick Anna up or to advise them of what she intended to do," he stated.