Sentenced to Death for a Scratch: Inside the Hachi Case Shaking Rosenberg, Texas
Hachi, a German Shepherd known for his gentle temperament and his close bond with his pet bunny, has become the center of a growing public outcry after a municipal court judge sentenced him to euthanasia following a single scratch incident involving a neighbor.
The case has drawn widespread attention, raising questions about animal control enforcement, proportional punishment, and the use of discretion in cases involving family pets.
The Incident
According to the dog’s owner and a witness, the incident occurred after a neighbor allegedly struck Hachi with a stick. Hachi reacted out of fear and scratched the neighbor. There was no bite, and no medical treatment was sought.
Despite that, the incident was characterized by prosecutor Lora Jean Lenzsch as a dog bite that caused serious bodily injury during court proceedings, a description disputed by the owner, animal bite experts, medical doctors, and supporters.
Under Texas law, a “serious bodily injury” is defined as one involving death, life threatening harm, serious permanent disfigurement, or long-term loss or impairment of a bodily function. Advocates and medical experts argue those criteria were not met in this case.
Medical Opinion
Editorial Note Regarding Medical Opinion
The following medical opinion was provided by a licensed medical professional who reviewed the photograph and the video released by the Rosenberg Police Department. The physician’s name is being withheld at this time due to concerns about potential retaliation or harassment related to the public nature of this case.
The physician has indicated that their identity and credentials can be disclosed during court proceedings if necessary and that they are prepared to testify if required by the court.
"Based on review of the provided photograph and the video released by the Rosenberg Police Department, the observed injury appears consistent with superficial skin abrasions or scratches. The visible marks are linear and shallow, with no evidence of deep puncture wounds, tearing of tissue, avulsion, or crushing injury.
The injury does not demonstrate characteristics commonly associated with severe dog bite trauma, such as deep penetration, multiple puncture wounds, significant tissue damage, or the need for advanced medical intervention. Based on visual assessment alone, this injury would typically be classified as minor in nature and consistent with a superficial scratch rather than a severe bite.
From a medical standpoint, injuries of this type generally require only basic wound care and do not meet criteria commonly used to define serious bodily injury. This opinion is based solely on review of the referenced photograph and video and general medical standards for wound classification, and it is not intended to substitute for an in-person clinical examination."
No History of Aggression
Hachi’s owner operates a business from her home and says Hachi has been around hundreds of people, including clients, children, grandchildren, and other animals such as dogs, rabbits, chickens, and cows, without a single prior incident.
Multiple character witnesses have come forward attesting to Hachi’s calm and affectionate nature.
Kevin, a close family friend, said:
“I’ve been around Hachi for years. I’ve watched him interact with so many people, known and unknown, and never once saw him be aggressive. He went to training school. He cuddles with cats, rabbits, dogs, and humans.”
“My 11-year-old son and I were around Hachi for over eight months. He was the sweetest, most loving dog. We both spent time loving on him, and he returned that love every time. We are absolutely heavy-hearted and are praying that nothing happens to him," Tara Phillips.
“Hachi is a sweet, happy dog. I’ve been around a lot of shepherds, and Hachi is a big, sweet baby. His personality makes you want to hug him,” said Janet Learman.
"One gentle giant! Just a big baby who is a cuddly lapdog! He thinks he is a human baby. My kids came to your house just to hang with him for hours," Jen Macdonel.
"I’ve been around Hachi several times. I always thought he was smiling. Such a sweet dog. I never was concerned that he is an aggressive dog. Just the opposite," Lori Oaks Bisewski.
Professional Training Testimony
Professional training records further support those claims.
Cody Baxter, a former obedience trainer with Hendricks Kennels, said he trained Hachi for approximately two months and observed no aggressive behavior:
"I was an obedience trainer for Hendricks Kennels. I trained Hachi for about 2 months. He did really well in training. He is very smart and a sweet dog. To start the kennels do an evaluation on all dogs that come into the kennel to check for signs of aggression and other behaviors. If there were any signs of aggression during the evaluation, we would not have taken Hatchi into training for liability reasons. During training, he never showed any form of aggression towards myself nor any of the other trainers or any other dogs.
I believe if he were to be an aggressive dog, he would have shown it to me during training. Training can be a little tough on dogs and will show characteristics of a dog that we may not have known were there. I worked with many dogs in my 2 years of training, and I would say Hachi is not an aggressive dog by any means. If he was aggressive in any way, something would have to have provoked him.”
A Shocking Court Outcome
The owner has said she entered court believing the matter would be handled like a minor citation and expected to pay a fine. Wanting the situation resolved, she pled guilty only to be stunned when the court ordered Hachi to be euthanized.
Animal advocates argue the outcome was disproportionate, particularly given the absence of serious injury and the availability of humane alternatives.
Appeal and Public Scrutiny
An appeal has since been filed and signed, temporarily halting Hachi’s euthanasia. However, public concern intensified when Rosenberg Animal Control and Shelter declined to provide proof of life or confirm Hachi’s location, despite repeated requests from the owner and her attorney.
The lack of communication has fueled speculation and increased calls for transparency from city officials.
A Growing Movement
What began as a local dispute has grown into the Save Hachi movement, attracting supporters across Texas, the United States, and internationally. The case has united people across political lines, with many framing it as an issue of fairness rather than ideology.
Prominent figures in the animal advocacy community, including renowned dog trainer Omar von Muller and his painting dog Monkey, have publicly supported Hachi, bringing national attention to the case.
A Question of Proportionality
At the heart of the controversy is whether a healthy dog with no history of aggression should be put to death over a single scratch when alternatives such as secure placement, professional supervision, or strict containment exist.
Advocates warn that the case sets a troubling precedent for pet owners and raises broader concerns about how similar cases may be handled in the future.
What Comes Next
As the appeal proceeds, supporters are calling on the City of Rosenberg to pursue humane alternatives, arguing that the sentence imposed is disproportionate to the alleged incident. Grassroots efforts, including petitions and community outreach, continue as supporters press for a resolution they believe better reflects both public safety considerations and the circumstances of the case.
For many, Hachi has come to represent more than one dog.
“If this can happen to Hachi,” one supporter said, “it can happen to any family pet.”
