LOS ANGELES, Aug. 28 -- The owner of a tiny Chihuahua dog that was swallowed by a boa constrictor earlier this month has been awarded $1,500 in damages from the snake's owner on the televised 'People's Court.' Snake owner Angus Johnson and dog owner Flossie Torgerson faced off today before the 'People's Court,' which is presided over by former New York City Mayor Ed Koch.
Torgerson had been seeking damages for the value of her dog, emotional distress and costs to circulate a petition to outlaw pet snakes in residential neighborhoods. Johnson had countersued for defamation of character. Johnson had acknowledged Wednesday that he thought he was going to lose, but he still won't have to pay a dime. A producer for 'People's Court' has said the show will pay the loser's damages. The episode is set to air next month on syndicated TV. The two have been at odds since Johnson's 7 1/2-foot snake, Alissss, crushed Torgerson's beloved 2-pound dog, Babette, outside her home earlier this month. Torgerson captured part of the attack on film. Animal control officials are still trying to figure out what to do with the snake, which got out of Johnson's home and somehow slithered into Torgerson's enclosed patio. ---
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