Pam Bondi's bizarre court battle over dog she 'stole' from Hurricane Katrina survivors

If Donald Trump thought that selecting Pam Bondi as attorney general would settle the ongoing debates about his actions, he might have been mistaken.

The decision has shed light on a strange legal dispute over a dog, where a lawyer from Tampa faced harsh criticism from Hurricane Katrina survivors. They accused her of lacking any empathy and claimed she had taken their large St. Bernard without permission.

Bondi, 59, held the position of attorney general in Florida from 2011 to 2019 and was also a legal representative for Trump during his initial impeachment trial in the Senate.

She has found herself in the public eye once more following the controversy surrounding Trump's first Cabinet selection, Matt Gaetz, who is facing serious accusations related to an alleged sexual relationship with a minor. Gaetz maintains that the allegations are false.

However, Hurricane Katrina survivors Steve and Doreen Couture were already familiar with Bondi well before she took on her prominent political roles.

In 2005, when the hurricane struck, Steven chose to stay behind with the dogs while his family left to evacuate.

He believed he had made the right choice until the levees failed, causing the St. Bernard Parish to flood and filling his house with around seven feet of water.

The family chose to temporarily place their St Bernard dog, Master Tank, in a shelter registered in their name until the dogs were eventually transferred to the Pinellas Humane Society.

In 2005, following Hurricane Katrina, Pam Bondi, who is 59 years old, found herself entangled in a legal dispute regarding the custody of her adopted St. Bernard dog.

Bondi held the position of attorney general for Florida from 2011 to 2019 and was also a legal representative for Trump during his initial impeachment trial in the Senate.

"He was suffering from heartworms that had taken over his heart. That was the issue he faced even before the hurricane hit. If I believed I could bring him to a safe place where he would receive the care he needed, no matter how difficult it might be, I would load him into my car and take him back myself," Bondi explained.

In the middle of the storm's turmoil, Bondi took in the dog and named it Noah, following the loss of her cherished St. Bernard, Donovan, who had passed away from cancer.

In January 2006, the Couture family located their dog at a home in Bondi, Tampa Bay, and asked for him back. However, the owner declined their request and instead claimed that the family had neglected the dog.

She informed the St Petersburg Times that she 'rescued a dog who looked like a walking skeleton', according to the Independent.

He was suffering from heartworm disease, which had taken over his heart. That was the reason he was unwell before the hurricane hit.

"If I believed I was sending him to a safe place where he would be looked after, then as difficult as it might be, I would personally get in my car and take him back," she continued.

"I promised him that I would keep him safe."

The Coutures refuted the claims and disclosed that the dog had been dealing with heartworms since he was just 10 months old.

This was the moment when the Coutures took legal action against her, marking the start of a 16-month struggle in court.

The lawyer eventually welcomed a new St. Bernard named Luke, who has been spotted with her numerous times, including during her time in politics.

The dog was brought back to its owners in 2007 after Bondi agreed to cover the costs of its medical care and food. However, the family insists that she never fulfilled that promise.

Just a few days after the trial date was announced, Bondi's team reached out to the original owners, suggesting it could be beneficial to hold an important conversation, according to the Coutures' attorney, Murray Silverstein, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

In May 2007, the dog was brought back together with the Couture family.

The plans for Bondi to get regular photos and updates about the dog's health quickly fell through when the Coutures accused Bondi of not keeping her word regarding financial support for his food and medical expenses for life.

"It was definitely a heavy load," Doreen shared with the St Petersburg Times in 2010, as mentioned by the Independent.

"It was an incredibly challenging period both financially and emotionally."

When inquired whether there were intentions to inform Bondi about the St Bernard's well-being, Couture replied, "Why would I do that? She took my dog... She shows no care whatsoever."

The attorney eventually adopted a new St. Bernard named Luke, who has been spotted with her on several occasions, including during her recent political events.

In reflecting on the situation afterward, she mentioned, "I've gotten a lot of encouragement from both individuals and animal rights advocates, and haven't faced any backlash. Honestly, it hasn't been a concern at all."