Dog Gets Lawyer For Rabies Case
Animal Could Be Beheaded If It Is Wolf-Dog Hybrid

POSTED: 3:25 pm EST May 21, 2004

CROWN POINT, Ind. -- Plenty of lawyers have dogs -- but how many dogs have lawyers?

At least one. And his name is Cabic.

Lake Circuit Judge Lorenzo Arredondo appointed an attorney Thursday to represent Cabic at a hearing to determine whether the animal is a wolf-dog hybrid -- the outcome of which will be a matter of life and death.

Authorities say Cabic bit one of his owner's neighbors in Cedar Lake. If Cabic is just a dog, he will be put under a 10-day quarantine to determine whether it has rabies.

But wolf-dog hybrids, which are considered wild under Indiana law, are treated differently. If Cabic is a wolf-dog, his head has to be removed and sent to the state Health Department for testing.

Arredondo appointed Merrillville attorney Priscilla Herochik to look after Cabic's rights.