Ex-lovers file in court over Boston terrier

Published 12:00 am Monday, January 29, 2018

A dispute between ex-lovers over who owns their purebred Boston terrier has grown so contentious, it’s landed in Deschutes County Circuit Court.

Jeff Martin, a local real estate appraiser, filed a small claim last month seeking $4,000 and return of the 3-year-old dog from his ex-girlfriend, Kari Renee Walden, with whom he shared residences in Eugene and later Bend.

Walden hired a lawyer and responded with a counterclaim seeking $45,000 for injuries she claims to have sustained in November, when Martin confronted her attempting to retrieve the terrier, a female named Gracie Pearl.

Due to the dollar amount sought by Walden, the case was transferred this month to the Circuit Court’s civil docket.

Walden, 52, states in her counterclaim she is “functionally blind” and Gracie is her service animal.

She said when she and Martin ended their co-habitation in March, they agreed she would keep the dog but Martin would get the pick of the litter when Gracie was bred.

While they lived together, Walden writes, she “provided all care for the dog and took on all responsibilities and obligations as to the dog, but additionally utilized the dog as her assistance animal to aid her with her disability.”

Walden lived in Bend until November, when she moved with her boyfriend to Portland.

She states that as she was preparing for the move, she went to Martin’s house to pick up a few items she’d left there, and brought Gracie along. As she walked to the mailbox at the house, she claims Martin ran toward her “at a high rate of speed” in an ambush.

Martin allegedly struck Walden’s right shoulder with “a folded set of papers,” while attempting to wrest control of the leash from her hand, according to the counterclaim.

“The force of defendant’s pull on the lead attached to plaintiff’s left arm caused plaintiff to fall backward to the ground and land with a significant impact on her butt cheek,” states the counterclaim.

Walden said Martin persisted in his attack while she attempted to retreat, causing her additional distress and injury. She’s seeking damages for assault, battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and theft of a service animal.

Walden and Martin met through an online dating service when they lived in Eugene, according to Martin, who spoke by phone Friday.

He said Walden didn’t call police that day because she’s making most of the story up. He said he called police several times that day to report Walden was attempting to leave town with his dog, but said they didn’t take his concerns seriously.

He questioned Walden’s disability, saying “she sees real well when she wants to.”

He’s adamant Gracie is his dog, registered under his name with the American Kennel Club.

Martin, who breeds Bostons, said upon retirement, he planned to travel the country showing his dogs in competitions. Gracie was to be his top contender.

“I’ll take a lie detector test. I’ll pay for it,” he said. “I just want my dog back.”

Walden did not return a message seeking comment. Her attorney, Portland-based Geordie Duckler, a specialist in animal law, declined to speak about his client or the facts of the case.

— Reporter: 541-383-0325, gandrews@bendbulletin.com