Randolph pitbull lawsuit is settled

OMAHA — A Randolph resident’s dispute with the city about keeping her emotional support pitbull in the city limits appears to be resolved with the woman able to keep her dog but not receive any compensation.

According to a filing last week in the U.S. District Court of Nebraska, Kandice Cooke and the City of Randolph have resolved their differences and an official dismissal of the federal lawsuit is expected within 30 days.

Cooke moved to Randolph in March from Minnesota and was unable to obtain a city dog license due to Rufus’ breed. She provided documentation by the Assistance Dogs of America Registry which lists Rufus as a boxer mix. However, Rufus’s vaccination records, signed by a licensed veterinarian, indicate his breed as pitbull and thus banned by city ordinance established in 2015.

She was unsuccessful in her appeal to the city council and in a civil suit filed in Cedar County Court. Cooke’s latest court filing in federal court sought more than $13 million with the majority of her claim resting on emotional stress brought on by her inability to keep her dog.

In settling the lawsuit, Cooke is allowed to keep her dog but is subject to abiding by all other city ordinances. No money is being exchanged.