Fur ruffles over escaped service dog

BRAIDWOOD, Ill., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- A dog being trained to aid the disabled has pitted volunteers against animal control officials in Will County, Ill., after his escape wearing blue pajamas.

Billy, a 10-month-old Chinese Crested, had spent most of his life inside the Dwight Correctional Facility for Women in nearby Livingston County.

Last month, his trainer, Marcia Ramirez, took him for a walk in Braidwood, Ill., as part of his acclimation for his future life at the Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota School.

Billy, flustered by life on the outside, escaped from Ramirez in his blue pajamas, worn to keep him warm, and ended up at Will County Animal Control, where it cost Ramirez $150 to spring him, The Joliet (Ill.) Herald-News reported Tuesday.

Animal control officials have refused to refund the $150, citing the cost of capturing Billy and caring for him for four hours until his owner was located.

Sister Pauline Quinn, of Marinette, Wis., Billy's official owner and a longtime advocate of service dogs, said such fines may discourage people from helping with such programs.

"This was not done on purpose or out of neglect," Quinn said. "He got away from her after panicking."