Ms. Rodriguez, why, when you
start to tell a lie, I always
have a saying, and that saying
is, "If you tell the truth, you
don't have to have a good
memory."
I'm gonna read what you swore to
in your answer.
>> Okay.
>> Judge Judy: "On the day of
the incident, I was walking Nala
and pushing Alana in her
stroller.
As plaintiff's son approached, I
pulled Nala's leash and kept her
on my left side."
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: I directed him to
pass on my right side.
Once he passed, I started
walking again.
All of a sudden, his son came up
from behind us and scared Nala.
When he startled us, Nala
reacted to protect us."
Now, what part of that didn't
you put in?
You want to look at it?
You signed it. You swore to it.
>> No, I-I-I have a copy,
Your Honor.
>> Judge Judy: Wait just a
second.
What part of that didn't you
tell me?
>> I just gave you the simple
story.
>> Judge Judy: No.
That was very specific.
"I was swinging to the right!
I was swinging to the left!
I turned around.
He walked away."
What part of all that, that "my
dog was protecting us 'cause he
came up from behind," didn't --
You see, when you have a
truthful story, you don't have
to have a good memory.
You don't want to read this
again, and you don't want me to
read it again, right?
>> You're right. Yes.
>> Judge Judy: Were you cited
once or twice for your dog
biting somebody within a week's
period?
>> Once.
>> Judge Judy: Once?
And that was this child?
>> Yeah, the one --
>> Judge Judy: That was this
child?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: And what happened
with the other incident?
>> Nothing came to be of it.
The dog was not on a leash, so
it was really nothing to be had.
>> Judge Judy: Can I see the
bite, please?
You have photographs and the
medical bills.
>> Yes. Added with those are the
requests in regards to the
payment made by the insurance
company -- the requests for
those dollar amounts being
returned to them.
>> Judge Judy: Actually, the
amount...
>> With the wrong name.
>> Judge Judy: Okay.
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: Your insurance
covered most of that?
>> The out-of-pocket for the
medical...
>> Judge Judy: Yes?
>> ...was just a hair over
$1,346.
That includes all the medical
and my missing time from work.
>> Judge Judy: No, no, no, no.
>> Medical alone?
>> Judge Judy: I just want what
you were out of pocket on your
medical.
That doesn't mean that I'm
discounting --
>> Your Honor, I have the e-mail
where he sent us the
out-of-pocket expenses
that he...
>> Judge Judy: I'd like
to see it.
>> ...expected of us.
>> Here's a copy of the true
medical record.
>> Judge Judy: Shh!
Just a second.
This out-of-pocket was $300.
Now, this is my problem with
you, Ms. Rodriguez.
First of all, 'cause you either
lied in your deposition or you
lied when you told me your
story.
I'm not so offended by that,
although I should be for the
court -- be offended by that.
What I'm offended by for this
young man is I believe you
sensed in your dog that your dog
was uncomfortable as Sammy was
approaching.
Either you knew that because
your dog had been aggressive
before...
>> No.
>> Judge Judy: ...or you knew
that because your dog, at that
moment, was agitated.
Now, how long have you had the
dog?
>> Five years.
>> Judge Judy: Well, then, maybe
it's because when you have a dog
for five years -- and I assume
that this is your first baby?
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: And the dog has
been your baby for five years
and you have a brand-new baby,
that the dog is not happy.
Been there, done that.
The dog's personality changes.
The dog's personality changes
because the dog is jealous of
the new baby in the house, and I
can guarantee you that you've
seen signs of that change in
behavior since your new baby
came home.
Whatever it is, when Sammy
passed, Sammy did not come back
in an aggressive way.
Sammy did not double back to a
barking dog.
That's not the kind of child
this is.
And if you sense that your dog
was agitated, you cross the
street!
You don't direct the child to
walk around you.
You get your baby buggy and your
dog, and you move them out of
harm's way.
>> I understand.
>> Judge Judy: Well, I'm glad
you understand.
I'm glad you understand.
Do you still have the dog?
>> Yes, I do.
>> Judge Judy: Well, you just be
careful with that baby.
I'm just telling you.
>> I have pictures here of my
dog and the baby, and she
absolutely loves --
>> Judge Judy: Do you know how
many pictures I've seen --
>> So, I'd just like to say that
my dog's not a dangerous dog.
>> Judge Judy: Your dog bit the
child for no reason.
>> I disagree.
>> There was a reason.
>> Judge Judy: Listen.
So far, your wife hasn't given
me a reason.
She's given two different
stories but not one reason!
>> It's the same story.
Just one story is more elaborate
than the other.
>> Judge Judy: No, madam!
[ Laughter ]
There are two different
stories -- two entirely
different stories --
and, fortunately, this is on
tape, so the 10 million people
who are gonna watch this case
will see that you told two
distinct stories, but neither
one of them suggests that this
child did anything wrong.
>> The true story's on the
the blue, your daughter is gonna
be crawling on the ground and
Nala, Nola, whatever the dog's
name is, is gonna say,
"You know what?
It was much better around here
before I had competition."
And then you're gonna say,
"Well, well, she never did that
before."
The truth is you've been
forewarned.
Judgment for the plaintiff in
the amount of $2,500.
We're done.