City of Springfield, pet owner settle cat euthanization lawsuit.

Byline: Bill Bishop The Register-Guard

A Springfield woman who sued the city for $640,000 after an animal control officer forged her name on documents that resulted in 14 of her cats being euthanized has settled her lawsuit for $2,750.

Pet owner Donna Esauk charged the city and its animal control officer at the time, Linda Marian Gallacher, with fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress and constitutional rights violations.

Portland lawyer Geordie Duckler, who specializes in animal law, said the settlement highlights the common difficulty pet owners face in the legal system - proving the worth of their pets.

"It's been a big fight with every case I have and every defendant I face," Duckler said Monday.

But Esauk's case also had another big legal hurdle - whether the city can be held legally responsible for the illegal acts of an employee, Duckler said.

The lawsuit bounced between state and federal courts for more than two years before it was settled over the weekend. It had been scheduled for trial today in Lane County Circuit Court. Lawyers for Springfield did not return a message requesting information about the case. Duckler estimated that the city's legal fees were at least $23,000.

Springfield Police Chief Jerry Smith, who supervises animal control activities, described the incident with Esauk as "a one-time aberration in services."

Gallacher resigned as animal control officer after the incident, pleaded guilty to theft and official misconduct, and was sentenced to 10 days in jail and probation, according to court records.

The incident began in 2001, after neighbors complained to the city about unsanitary conditions caused by the number of cats Esauk kept in her N Street home. Gallacher found more than 40 cats in the house. Duckler said Esauk has an intense interest in helping distressed cats.

Esauk could not be reached for comment on Monday.