Posted 4/26/2008 03:29:00 PM by Douglas

Panchito is Puddles again, and all is right in South Texas.

ALICE — The high-profile tug-of-war over a small dog ended abruptly here Thursday when an irate judge ordered the city's former mayor to give up the Shih Tzu she has kept since a neighbor asked her to care for it 10 months ago.

State District Judge Richard Terrell blistered both sides after presiding over a brisk two-hour lawsuit trial that included testimony about flea infestation and degrees of house-brokenness.

The bizarre story of puppy love drew international media attention earlier this year, from the front page of the New York Times to the Geraldo Rivera show, much of it at the expense of the city's image.

'Just plain, flat ridiculous'

And Terrell was clearly ready to bring it all to a quick end at trial, holding the lawyers on a tight leash and keeping the legal focus narrow.

And when both sides rested, he unloaded.

"I can't tell you what a spectacle this has been and the multitude of jokes that I've had to hear," Terrell said, adding, "A lot of this is just plain, flat ridiculous."

Yeah, but never underestimate the extent to which local politicians will engage in pointless, petty bullshit.

Labels: Panchito