Bardot Asks N.J. Governor’s Help in the Case of ‘Death Row Dog’

TRENTON, N.J. — Growls of protest have been raised worldwide over the case of the “Death Row Dog,” and now Brigitte Bardot has asked Gov. James J. Florio to intercede.

“It seems to me that the one condemned to death, after 2 1/2 years of incarceration, is someone who has paid his debt to society,” the French animal rights activist and former actress wrote.

Bardot faxed the letter to the governor, Florio spokesman Dave Schratweiser said Saturday.

She asked that he release Taro, a 100-pound Akita accused of hurting a 10-year-old girl.

The brown-and-white dog has been held in the Bergen County Jail’s K-9 unit since February, 1991. The Japanese government has offered to take Taro, and a Kenyan businessman is reportedly mobilizing support in Africa to save the animal.

Taro’s troubles began on Christmas Day, 1990, when Brie Halfond said her grandparents’ dog attacked her. She was found with her lip torn and her face bleeding.

Bertha and Bernard Halfond, Taro’s owners, say the girl antagonized the dog and exaggerated the incident. But authorities ordered the dog destroyed. A municipal judge agreed, but Taro’s owners appealed. After losing in Superior Court, they filed a second appeal.

Legal and prison costs have exceeded $100,000, and the court has yet to set a date for a decision.

Schratweiser said the governor has no plans to intervene before a ruling is issued.