
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, October 17, 1993                   TAG: 9310170039
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: D-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: TRENTON, N.J.                                LENGTH: Short

BARDOT JOINS PLEADERS FOR DEATH ROW DOG

Growls of protest have been raised worldwide over the case of the "Death Row Dog," and now Brigitte Bardot has asked Gov. James Florio to intercede.

The French animal-rights activist and former actress asked that he release Taro, a 100-pound Akita accused of hurting a 10-year-old girl.

The dog has been held in the Bergen County Jail's K-9 unit since February 1991. The Japanese government has offered to take Taro, whose breed originated in that country, and a Kenyan businessman is reportedly mobilizing support in Africa to save the animal.

Taro's troubles began Christmas 1990, when Brie Halfond said her grandparents' dog attacked her during a party. She was found with her lip torn and her face bleeding.

Bertha and Bernard Halfond, Taro's owners, have said the girl antagonized the dog and exaggerated the incident. But authorities found Taro to be vicious and ordered the dog destroyed.

by CNB