No decision yet on Decoy's future

The future home of the Alaskan husky named Decoy, a former sled dog with Logan Creek Sled Dogs, was not determined during a hearing in Door County Circuit Court Thursday.

During the three-and-a-half-hour session, which was recessed to be finished at a later date, four witnesses were questioned by lawyers. Circuit Court Judge D. Todd Ehlers oversaw the proceedings, which were prompted after Decoy was taken from his foster home on the basis of mistreatment.

Decoy, an 8-month-old male, is owned by Louise Borgmann and Lance Alfredson, owners of Logan Creek Sled Dogs, but was under the care of Troy Betancourt on a foster agreement when he was seized.

County Humane Officer Bridget Isaksen took Decoy into custody on Jan. 13 after the Sturgeon Bay Police Department was called twice within a month to check on the dog’s welfare. Decoy has been living at the Door County Humane Society since then.

Judge asked to decide sled dog's fate

Borgmann and Alfredson filed a petition Jan. 15 claiming wrongful seizure, and they are seeking that Decoy be returned to their care as experienced dog owners and caretakers. The County of Door filed a petition for “disposition of animal” on Jan. 19 asking for a judge to decide Decoy’s future home. Door County is also asking for the owners/caretakers to pay for Decoy’s cost of living while in custody, approximately $30 per day.

Isaksen, along with veterinarian and Humane Officer Dr. Deb Johnson, Humane Society Kennel Manager Rachel Asher and veterinarian Dr. Randy Dietzel testified during the hearing.

Isksen said she decided to take Decoy into custody based on extremely cold temperatures, no food or water available, and that he had a low body score. Dr. Johnson examined Decoy after his seizure, stating he was close to entering stages of hypothermia. She also located a large heart murmur and later learned from Borgmann he had been recovering from a slipped disc in his back.

Johnson said she had concerns as to how Decoy was handled, and that since entering the care of the Humane Society he has gained weight and has a healthier body score. Johnson also said she believed Isaksen was rescuing Decoy from the cold weather, and she would have done the same thing.

Asher reported about Decoy’s condition upon entering the Humane Society and his condition since then.

Dr. Dietzel testified that he also examined Decoy upon request after he was seized, stating that he believed Decoy looked healthy and not malnourished based on his breed. Dietzel explained that Alaskan huskies are typically lean.

Decoy has been found to have obtained giardia, a parasite that causes diarrheal illness, and there was questioning in court about where he may have obtained it.

The hearing is scheduled to resume at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, and it is expected to include three more witnesses – Borgmann, Alfredson and Betancourt.

-abloechl@doorcountyadvocate.com, Twitter@alyssabloechl, FacebookAlyssa Bloechl