December 26, 2024
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Wayne man whose dog, Ludwig, was shot to death by neighbor gets a new puppy - named Justice

Female Dogo Argentino pup soothes surviving dog’s grief after Ludwig’s death

By Brenda Schory

Wayne resident Joe Petit with puppy Justice. A breeder in New York heard about Ludwig’s death and gave Petit a Dogo Argentino puppy. His surviving dog, Philotimo, is bonding with her, Petit said. (Provided)

WAYNE – Joe Petit, whose dog Ludwig was shot to death by a neighbor this summer, has a new addition to his family. The Wayne resident now has a Dogo Argentino puppy, the same breed as Ludwig and his surviving dog, Philotimo.

A breeder in New York brought him the puppy after his girlfriend contacted him about Ludwig’s death.

Joe Petit's beloved dog, Ludwig, who was killed by a bullet, allegedly shot by Petit’s neighbor, Hal Phipps, husband of Wayne Village President Eileen Phipps.

Joe Petit's beloved dog, Ludwig, who was killed by a bullet, allegedly shot by Petit’s neighbor, Hal Phipps, husband of Wayne Village President Eileen Phipps. (Photo provided)

“We have a little female now, her name is Justice,” Petit said.

Philotimo, who was heartbroken by the loss of his littermate, Ludwig, is bonding with the new dog, he said. Petit said he decided to accept the offer of a new pup to help Philotimo.

“At first, he was kind of nervous about her, but now (has) accepted her as his sister,” Petit said. “He loves her.”

Dogo Artentino puppy Justice snoozes with Philotimo at Joe Petit's Wayne home. Petit's other dog, Ludwig, was shot to death in August. A breeder donated the puppy to him after learning about Ludwig's death, Petit said. (provided)

While Justice is helping Philotimo’s trauma of losing his brother, the new pup has not eased Petit’s grief over Ludwig’s death. Petit said he hopes that will happen over time.

“I am bonding with her, of course I am,” Petit said of the new puppy. “I think of Ludwig every day.”

Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser and Sheriff Ron Hain held a press conference Sept. 15 to announce that no charges would be filed against Petit’s neighbor in the shooting of Ludwig after determining it was in self defense.

Petit’s girlfriend, Julie Kelsey-Fish, reached out to the breeder about donating a dog from a new litter. Kelsey-Fish said the breeder did not want to be identified.

“I thought that would be the ultimate gift so he (Petit) can start healing,” Kelsey-Fish said.

Justice was born Aug. 9, the day before Ludwig’s death, she said.

The breeder personally delivers his puppies so he can do a home-check, Kelsey-Fish said.

Julie Kelsey-Fish with puppy Justice and Philotimo, Joe Petit's Dogo Argentinos at Petit's Wayne home. A breeder gifted Petit with a puppy after learning about his other dog, Ludwig, being killed this summer. (provided)

And that’s what he did in this case, arriving in Wayne on Nov. 11 with a litter of Dogo Argentinos, she said.

“I got to pick my puppy,” Petit said. “I picked the one with the red collar – like Ludwig had.”

Kane County