Las Vegas killer dog Onion gets a reprieve, Lexus Project replies

By Chellie Cervone - Posted: Aug 27, 2012 at 11:33 pm

Jeremiah Shahan and Onion

Las Vegas killer dog Onion gets a reprieve

Little Jeremiah Eskew-Shahan was a baby. At the celebration for his very first birthday, he spent it as many other young babies do – at his grandmother’s house.

Then something went horribly wrong and Onion, a 6 year old Mastiff and Rhodesian mix who had been owned by the family since he was puppy, attacked Jeremiah and the young boy died.

His father Chris Shahan had appeared on TV devastated at the loss of his son and also nearly equally as devastated at the thought that his dog could kill his son. He said, at the time, that he felt he lost two family members.

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He said that Onion had no history of aggressiveness and also said that both the dog and his son slept together and were very close.

It is not known what caused or provoked the attack however however Shahan said that his son was trying to get up and used the dogs fur to help steady himself.

After the attack which occurred at the end of April of this year, Onion was placed under a standard 10 day observation and was supposed to be euthanized after the observation period.

That is until the Lexus Project became involved, fighting for Onion’s life.

Elizabeth Keller and Onion (photo: 13 Action News Las Vegas)

Elizabeth Keller, the grandmother of Jeremiah allegedly signed Onion over to Lexus because of lies she claims were perpetuated by Henderson Animal Control regarding Onion’s temperament.

The Lexus Project, at one time was involved in protecting the rights of greyhounds and has expanded their focus to include all dogs. Their new tagline is “The Lexus Project, Legal Defense for All Breeds”

According to Fox 5 Vegas, today the city of Henderson lost their motion to dismiss the appeal of the Lexus Project because the Judge in the case ruled that the Lexus project has a right to appeal.

Why has the Lexus project taken such a keen interest in the Onion case?

If they win, what will happen to Onion?

Can he ever be trusted around young children ever again?

We’ve reached out to Robin Mittasch, Lexus Project President & Co-founder and Larissa Scharikin Vice President & Coordinator to find out why they want to save Onion.

Is it merely because they believe in second chances or the supposedly non-violent nature of Onion or is something else?

Robin Mittasch of the Lexus project responded and here is her response as to why the Lexus Project has taken up the cause for Onion,

The Lexus Project has been representing dogs that are deemed “vicious” or
“dangerous” for 3 years. We have never represented any “vicious” or
“dangerous” dog, but rather owners who set their dog up to fail or freak
accidents that occur that could not be reasonably foreseen. That is
exactly what happened with Onion. This was an accident, a freak accident.
The medical examiner agreed that this was an accident and a full hearing
of the facts proves it.

Why should a dog who has been a loving family member be subject to
execution over something he had no idea he was doing. Dogs don’t think,
they react. Onion has no idea of what he did, all he knows is that there
was mass hysteria and he was ripped from the loving home he has had since
he is 4 weeks old.

Onion is a sweet, happy and well adjusted pup who is loved dearly by his
family. Taken in at 4 weeks old, he was bottle fed, just like you would a
baby.

After the initial shock of what happened, we were contacted by Onions
owners asking us to please help Onion.

We have made arrangements for an out of state sanctuary to take Onion
where he will live out the rest of his days and be well cared for, rather
than be adopted so there will never be a chance of any other incidents.

If the babies father and grandmother can find it in their hearts to
forgive Onion and actively fight to save Onion, maybe the city of
Henderson needs to reevaluate their position.