Sheba the 11 year old German Shepherd is at the center of a lawsuit between San Bernardino County Animal Care & Control and Sheba’s owner, Pepe Sanchez. San Bernardino County Animal Care & Control (otherwise known as Devore shelter) intends on killing Sheba, for the “crime” of escaping out of her home and inflicting a MINOR bite wound on another pup. Sheba has been under lock and key in a 5 x 10 concrete kennel (often partitioned in half to only 5x5 about enough to turnaround) at Devore shelter for over one year now without even a sniff of daylight, of grass beneath her paws, of the taste of freedom… It may shock you to hear that, until June 2020, Sheba didn’t even have a bed or blanket to lay upon. There was nothing but a cold, hard concrete floor for Sheba.

Rewind to July 2019, when Sheba was confiscated by Devore animal control from her 81 year old owner, for escaping into the local neighborhood. On this occasion, her escape was without incident. On a single other prior escape in 2018 however, Sheba had got into an altercation with another dog in the neighborhood, which resulted in a vet visit to address several bite wounds.  Devore animal control had warned Mr Sanchez, Sheba’s owner, that upon a subsequent escape, Sheba would be confiscated. Unfortunately for Sheba, that is indeed what happened.

Sheba was sentenced to death at a hearing in July 2019, with the hearing officer claiming that Sheba is a danger to the community. Mr Sanchez, distraught at the loss of his beloved best friend, embarked upon a lawsuit in an attempt to save Sheba’s life. This lawsuit has dragged on for over one year, with Sheba tragically suffering, confined in isolation as a result.  During this time, Mr Sanchez’s dedication to Sheba has not waned; he travels 40 miles to Devore shelter 3 times a week to remind Sheba, she is not alone. It is what has kept her alive. During these short visits of just a few minutes, as inflicted by Devore, Sheba cries out to be reunited with her family.  

Since Sheba’s lockdown, the owner of the dog that Sheba attacked in 2018 has come forward to Devore animal control and pleaded for Sheba’s release, to no avail. Even Priscilla Presley, former wife of Elvis Presley, was so outraged at Sheba’s inhumane extended incarceration that she has spoken twice to the San Bernardino Board of Supervisors at recent meetings, imploring them to free Sheba.

501c3 All About the Animals recently spoke to the Office of Curt Hagman, one of the San Bernardino Board of Supervisors. Mr Hagman’s Office appeared deeply concerned by Sheba’s situation, although cited the issue of “liability” with Sheba’s release, due to his bite history.

There is also a meeting of the Board of Supervisors September 15th with Sheba’s case on the agenda: your attendance is encouraged (10 am Open meeting time), Covington Chambers, First Floor, County Government shelter, San Bernardino, bring “Free Sheba” signs).

An earlier final hearing on September 11 and judge decision on the lawsuit  has been continued to December 14 to buy more time and possibly eliminate the need for that hearing. That was in response to "Sheba's team" bringing the case to not only local but national attention. In recent days, following that immense public pressure, the San Bernardino County Attorney has indicated a potential willingness to negotiate Sheba’s release to a qualified rescue group (but not to Mr Sanchez, despite him securing his property since Sheba’s second escape).

There is one major hurdle though; they are expected to demand the $5,000 in boarding fees (typically levied upon owned “strays” at municipal animal shelters) for the one year plus stay Sheba has endured. This is where we need your help to rightfully free Sheba; your donation will be used, should the need arise, to settle the boarding bill and facilitate Sheba’s release. If the boarding fees are reduced or waived by the County Attorney, we will refund every excess dollar donated. This fundraiser is for the sole purpose of freeing Sheba.

Thank you for donating and playing a part in our hoped outcome, for Sheba’s freedom and survival. This is a stark reminder to us all, hold your furbabies tight tonight, keep them close. Because one misstep could cost them their freedom, and their life.