>> Byrd: All parties in the
matter of Jablon vs. Palos,
step forward.
>> Announcer: Leonard and
Stacie Jablon are suing their
neighbor Louis Palos for vet
bills and punitive damages,
claiming his golden retriever
attacked their bull terrier.
>> Judge Judy: Mr. and Mrs.
Jablon, that's your dog?
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: And it is your
claim that the defendant's dogs
attacked yours.
Their dogs were off-leash?
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: It happened when,
I think, you were walking the
dogs?
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: On what date?
>> October 2, 2016.
>> Judge Judy: Your defense is,
it wasn't your dogs.
>> Yes, they were my dogs.
>> Judge Judy: Oh, so, they were
your dogs.
Then why didn't you take care of
the vet bills?
>> Because, Your Honor, I don't
believe that my dogs attacked
his dog.
>> Judge Judy: Well, I thought
you said, "It was my dogs."
It's not relevant what you
think.
What's important is, she says in
her complaint that she saw dogs
that were running loose, and you
subsequently turned around and
saw the same two dogs which she
described going back to your
house.
Is that what happened?
>> That's correct.
>> Judge Judy: And if my memory
is correct, you took a
photograph of them?
>> My husband did.
>> Judge Judy: You did?
>> Yes. I have the photos.
>> Judge Judy: Do you have the
photograph?
>> Mm-hmm. These are the two
dogs, but it was the retriever
mix that did the damage.
This one was just with it.
>> Judge Judy: Okay, but I'm
only interested in the retriever
mix.
>> Okay.
That's...
>> Byrd: This one?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Judge Judy: Would you show
that picture to the defendant,
Byrd?
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: That's your dog?
>> That's my dog, Your Honor.
But can I say something?
>> Judge Judy: Yes.
>> Okay, my dog was in the yard.
And you know, I do not owe the
plaintiff's --
>> Judge Judy: Just
>> Judge Judy: What time of the
day did this happen?
>> 6:30 in the evening.
>> Judge Judy: Where were you at
6:30 on the 2nd of October?
>> I wasn't home, Your Honor.
>> Judge Judy: You were not
home, so you don't know
where your dog was.
>> But my mother and my daughter
were there.
>> Judge Judy: Fine, let's talk
to daughter.
>> [ Speaking indistinctly ]
>> Judge Judy: Right.
Your first name is?
>> Cassandra.
>> Judge Judy: Cassandra, we're
gonna start with what we call,
in the trade, a stipulated set
of facts, which are that
Mr. and Mrs. Jablon's dog was
being walked by its owner.
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: And this little
dog was attacked.
It was attacked by a larger dog
and seriously injured.
Mr. and Mrs. Jablon, I see, have
the vet bills, and what they're
asking for are the vet bills
and punitive damages.
Vet bills were $910, and you're
suing for $2,000.
Mr. Jablon took a picture of the
dog that attacked their dog.
Did you see the picture?
>> No, I have not.
>> Judge Judy: Would you like to
see the picture?
>> Please.
>> Judge Judy: I'm gonna show it
to you.
So let's be very careful,
Cassandra, because...
[ Paper rustling ]
...we're at a place where you
don't want to make anything up.
Do you understand?
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: You were home?
>> Yes, I was home.
>> Judge Judy: You were home on
October 2nd?
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: What were you
doing at 6:30 in the evening.
>> I was in my room, listening
to music.
>> Judge Judy: So you were
unaware of anything that was
going on outside?
>> I was unaware 'cause I had my
speaker on, and I didn't really
hear anything.
>> Judge Judy: And this is the
dog that attacked your dog?
>> That's correct.
>> Judge Judy: Do you work,
Mrs. Jablon?
>> Yes, I do.
>> Judge Judy: What kind of work
do you do?
>> I'm licensed as a marriage
family therapist.
I work for an insurance company.
>> Judge Judy: And what do you
do, Mr. Jablon?
>> I'm semi-retired, but I was a
teacher for 15 years and
currently am a docent on a
museum ship.
>> Judge Judy: Do you own or
rent your home?
>> We own it.
>> Judge Judy: You have a car?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: Do you have
medical insurance?
>> I have insurance for
everything.
>> Judge Judy: For everything.
And I'm not suggesting -- I want
you to listen to me very
carefully, Mr. Palos and
Cassandra.
$900 is a lot of money, but it's
not going to break them, which
means I'm practically positive
that you've already paid this
vet bill.
>> We have.
>> Judge Judy: Correct?
And life goes on for them.
They want the people who are
responsible for the dog being
out to be responsible and pay
for the vet bill.
That's what they want.
They don't want the wrong person
to be responsible.
They want the right person to be
responsible.