Supreme Court ruling paves way for Onion the dog.

Onion the dog and Jeremiah Shahan

Supreme court issues ruling on Onion the dog

The case of Onion the dog has been been sad for everyone involved.

One one side is the City of Henderson that has kept Onion confined for nearly two years, and on the other side is The Lexus Project who wants to free Onion from his confinement.

Get more Las Vegas News at Las Vegas World News

Jobs from Indeed

jobs by

Both sides believe they have “custody” of Onion and a court battle has ensued.

In breaking news, the Supreme Court of Nevada has reversed the decision of District Court Judge Joanna Kishner and ordered the court to hold an evidentiary hearing on whether the transfer of Onion to the city was made under duress.

That means the case will go to trial.

Onion the dog attacks and kills 1-year-old

Onion, a Mastiff and Rhodesian mix, was 6-years-old in April 2012  when he fatally attacked little Jeremiah Eskew-Shahan who was celebrating his first year birthday.

The family of Jeremiah said they had never witnessed Onion being aggressive.

After the attack, Onion was placed on a standard 10 day observation and was scheduled to be euthanized because the family turned the dog over to the shelter on the day of the fatal attack.

Jeremiah’s father Chris Shahan said at the time that he felt like he lost two family members.

The Lexus Project became involved in the case because Jeremiah’s grandmother, Elizabeth Keller, subsequently signed Onion over to them because she said the Henderson Animal Control was not being truthful in their statements about Onion’s temperament.

The Lexus Project contends that her initial decision was made under duress.

During all of this time Onion the Dog has been confined at the Henderson Animal Shelter and many believe the dog is being treated inhumanely since the 120 pound dog is confined to a cage.

Shelter staff have said that Onion is well-cared for and has adequate space.

We had asked the Lexus Project in 2012 why they were fighting so hard to keep Onion alive after he fatally attacked a 1-year-old child.

Robin Mittasch said,

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.

(Read the full statement)

According to the Save Onion Facebook Page, The Lexus Project is grateful for the ruling but acknowledges that they still have a long way to go.

Related articles

• Animal Rights Activists Petition Judge to Send Toddler-Killing Dog to Sanctuary Instead of Euthanizing It
• Nevada Supreme Court hears case of deadly dog attack
• Date Set for ‘Onion’ Arguments
• Supreme Court to decide fates of dog that killed toddler, Caesars’ taxes and Sun City Summerlin property

About Chellie Cervone

A Las Vegas "native" by way of New York, I'm a professional blogger who favors all things Las Vegas and offers a unique, witty and sometimes controversial perspective. You can count on me to tell it like it is. Please visit my other sites Chellies World, Celebrity Feast