The Katoba Story

This story has literally consumed my life the past 2 years. It seems very important at this time that I post the major outcomes of my business dealings with Katoba Dobermans. Please note the timeline provided below and that Katoba had more than enough time to negotiate and hire a lawyer. She also had funds to defend herself. By the end of June 2007 she had approximately $20,000 in puppy sales including one puppy she sold twice. Katoba has yet to refund Lori Kilburn of White Rock, British Columbia whom, after discovering several acts of dishonesty by Katoba, decided against taking delivery of a puppy from Katoba in May of 2007 and requested a refund of the $2,000 purchase price. Feel free to contact Lori [604-514-3275] if you have any questions.

February 14, 2007: Katoba Dobermans (Kathy and Todd Babbitt) V. Skaer lawsuit filed in Whitman County District Court. Process server hand delivers the documents to Katoba.

March 15, 2007: Katoba responds to the court. It was later discovered that one of the health documents provided to the court from Katoba had been significantly altered.

June 1, 2007: Kathy Babbitt emailed the Notice of Trail documents after certified letter sent two (2) weeks prior is returned unopened even with correct address printed on the face of the envelope. This is the third time this has happened over the past 10 months when attempting to correspond with Katoba.

June 11, 2007: Sudahr's Raindance "Echo" finally gets an OFA record after the fact (note timing to notice of trial above). As expected, Echo is no longer CERF certified as advertised and promised. Additionally, thyroid, and cardiac testing are signifantly out-of-date for breeding of the litter. Echo is finally OFA certified in June, 2007 but was not as advertised in 2005. Interestingly, Katoba claims cardiac and thyroid workups on Echo in June 2005 just prior to breeding the litter on her Dobequest record but why weren't the most recent tests submitted to OFA or provided as evidence at trial? Why indeed?

September 17, 2007: Trial date: Katoba brings no legal counsel nor evidence to support their case other than Kathy Babbitt's testimony. Katoba Dobermans (Kathy and Todd Babbitt) found guilty of fraud (in cival law this is often refered to as a tort) today and in violation of the Consumer Protection Act.

October 10, 2007: Katoba Dobermans V. Skaer Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and Order filed in Whitman County District court. This document along with the full instructions on how to file an appeal were provided to Katoba at this time. Click here to view pdf.document

November 9, 2007: The time for appeal of the case has elapsed and no appeal has been filed. The judgement is now finalized. AKC notified to transfer registration of Katoba's Fire Roller into my name.

November 21, 2007: It was Thanksgiving weekend just one year ago that I made the last attempt to work things through with Kathy Babbitt face-to-face. So I give thanks to the Lord that this nightmare is over and I offer you all this brief accounting of my thoughts and feelings of my struggles with Kathy Babbitt and Katoba dobermas. Tracy's Thoughts

June 9, 2008: It has been brought to my attention that a significant amount of disinformation concerning this case is being broadcasted to the pubic by Ms. Elaine Greenwood publisher of the Dog Show News Network website. To avoid further confusion in this matter here are the facts concerning the issues of the case and the judgement made. Case Summary and Judgement If you have any questions, I would be happy to talk to you. (dragonheartdobermans-2007@yahoo.com).

 

    
Photos by Martin Hershberg and Dr. Tracy L. Skaer

Copyright 2007 TLSkaer. All rights reserved.
Created June 20, 2007