By Sentinel Staff
Superior Court Judge Trevor Stephens has scheduled a pretrial conference for Aug. 5, and a three-day court trial in Sitka starting Aug. 26, in a civil claim against the City and Borough of Sitka by Arthur J. Kinnan seeking return of his German shepherd dog.
A scheduling conference was held Monday in Sitka.
Kinnan, who is representing himself, said he is the sole owner of Loki von Fritsch (nicknamed Scout), a German shepherd registered with the American Kennel Club. Kinnan said the dog is his service dog as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and that he never signed a document or agreement surrendering or transferring ownership of the animal to any party, including the city’s animal control officer “or his associates.”
The city, represented by Anchorage attorney Michael Gatti, denied the allegations in a response filed in February, stating that the claims are barred or that Kinnan failed to state a claim for relief.
City officials said the dog has been placed in another home but didn’t want to comment further on the case.
