RJ Sangosti,The Denver Post
CENTENNIAL, CO – JUNE 01: Charlie Christensen plays with his foster dog, Secret, as his home in Centennial, June 01, 2016. Secret is trained to be a companion to children with autism and is at the center of a lawsuit. The non-profit organization that placed her, Disco’s Dogs, claims that troubling behavior in its adoptive home has made the dog a potential threat to harm a child and possibly be euthanized as a result — and wants to reclaim her. The Texas family with whom Secret was placed wants to keep the dog. Pending a hearing on Thursday in Arapahoe County District Court, the dog has been returned to foster care in Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post) 
Getting your player ready...
An assistance dog named Secret, a 2-year-old Labrador retriever at the heart of an ownership dispute, will remain with a foster family in Colorado pending resolution of her from the home of a Texas family.
A hearing in Arapahoe County District Court on Thursday determined that the dog, trained by a nonprofit called Disco’s Dogs Inc. to help children with autism, will stay with the organization for now. Disco’s Dogs placed the dog with the Texas family, which says they bonded with the animal, but the nonprofit later filed a lawsuit to reclaim the dog amid concerns that her behavior had changed dramatically.The family wants to keep the dog even if she can no longer function as an assistance animal. But Disco’s Dogs contends that the more recent behavior could pose a threat to the child and, if she happened to bite someone, lead to the dog being euthanized. Both sides claim ownership of Secret.
The judge ordered the parties to mediation, but attorneys for each side noted that they remain firm in their positions. If the case goes to trial, it would not be for another six to eight months.
