AURELIA, Iowa (KTIV) -
"Snickers" the dog can stay. That's thanks to a settlement reached by the city of Aurelia, Iowa, and the pitbull's owner.
Jim Sak, Owner says, "God bless you." Those were Jim Sak's first words to his legal team after learning the city of Aurelia, Iowa settled is case against Sak, and his dog, Snickers. Jim Sak, Owner says, "That dog has been through a ton, and we've been through a ton."
Last November, Jim, and his wife Peggy, moved to Aurelia to be closer to her aging mother. What they didn't know was Aurelia city code banned the breed Jim used as a service dog after a 2008 stroke. Now they faced life without the dog. Peggy Leifer, Wife says, "He never was away from us except for one week." That's because Jim needed Snickers. Jim Sak, Owner says, "Got a couple of people that don't understand what a service dog is." Jim is prone to falls when not in his scooter. Snickers helps Jim get back up if he takes a tumble. Jim Sak, Owner says, "I get to grab his collar, and help me drag myself to a table and I can pick myself up."
The Saks fought the city of Aurelia all the way to federal court... and won. But, the city persisted. Then, on Thursday, the city settled. Jim and Peggy can keep Snickers at their home. Peggy Leifer, Wife says, "It's like you get air again." Even if Jim passes away, Snickers gets to stay. The only stipulation of the settlement is an 8-foot high fence in the backyard of any home the Saks own in Aurelia.
But, a few months ago, while the family fought their legal battle, Jim had a different battle to fight." It was Snickers that first noticed something. Jim Sak, Owner says, "Snickers was licking my face constantly... on this side constantly." That's when Jim felt the lumps. A specialist confirmed their worst fears. Peggy Leifer, Wife says, "I'm telling you I'm 99.9% certain this is cancer."
The cancer was in his throat... on the very spot Snickers had been licking. That was February. Radiation, and chemotherapy followed. And, in a twist of fate, right after the settlement was reached, Jim got the results of his latest tests. Jim Sak, Owner says, "After I found out I got to keep my dog, I found out my biopsy was clean."
So, the Saks can return to their retirement, putting cancer and court cases behind them, knowing one thing to be true. Peggy Leifer, Wife says, "Life is good."
In Jim's words his prognosis is "better than good." He'll have some tests in August to make sure the cancer hasn't come back.
