She notes that practiced statements can sound stupid.
"They sound stupid," Judge Judy repeats.
She says Ms. Rodriguez is getting away from herself.
Ms. Rodriguez was turning around because the dog barked.
Judge Judy asks what happened as she turned around.
Ms. Rodriguez says she pulled her dog back.
Samuel just walked off.
He did not react.
He did not tell her anything.
She assumed nothing.
She carried on with her walk.
"And that's what happened," she concludes.
Judge Judy Confronts the Defendant with Her Sworn Statement
Judge Judy addresses Ms. Rodriguez directly.
She talks about telling a lie.
"If you tell the truth, you don't have to have a good memory," Judge Judy states.
She reads from Ms. Rodriguez's sworn answer.
On the day of the incident, Ms. Rodriguez was walking Nala.
She was pushing Alana in her stroller.
As Samuel approached, she pulled Nala's leash.
She kept Nala on her left side.
She directed Samuel to pass on her right side.
Once he passed, she started walking again.
Suddenly, Samuel came up from behind them.
He scared Nala.
Nala reacted to protect them.
Judge Judy asks what part of that Ms. Rodriguez did not tell her.
She emphasizes the specificity of the sworn statement.
She contrasts it with Ms. Rodriguez's in-court story.
"What part of all that that my dog was protecting us because he came up from behind didn't you see when you have a truthful story?"
Judge Judy asks.
The Dog's History and the Defendant's Denial
Judge Judy asks about citations.
She asks if Ms. Rodriguez was cited once or twice.
This was for her dog biting someone within a week.
Ms. Rodriguez says "Once."
She confirms it was for Samuel.
Judge Judy asks about the other incident.
Ms. Rodriguez says nothing came of it.
She claims the other dog was not on a leash.
Judge Judy's Assessment of the Situation
Judge Judy reviews the medical bills.
She notes Samuel's out-of-pocket medical expenses.
She then addresses Ms. Rodriguez.
She states Ms. Rodriguez either lied in her deposition or in court.
Judge Judy says she is not as offended by that as she should be.
What offends her is for Samuel.
She believes Ms. Rodriguez sensed her dog was uncomfortable.
This was as Samuel approached.
Either Ms. Rodriguez knew her dog had been aggressive before.
Or she knew the dog was agitated at that moment.
Ms. Rodriguez denies prior aggression.
Judge Judy asks how long she has had the dog.
Five years, Ms. Rodriguez replies.
Judge Judy suggests a reason for the dog's behavior.
She asks if this is Ms. Rodriguez's first baby.
Ms. Rodriguez confirms it is.
Judge Judy posits the dog was the baby for five years.
Now there is a new baby.
The dog is not happy.
She says the dog's personality changes due to jealousy.
She believes Ms. Rodriguez has seen signs of this change.
Judge Judy states Samuel did nothing wrong.
He did not come back aggressively.
He did not double back to a barking dog.
If the dog was agitated, Ms. Rodriguez should have crossed the street.
She should not have directed the child to walk around.
She should have moved her baby buggy and dog out of harm's way.
Ms. Rodriguez says, "I understand."
Judge Judy is glad she understands.
She asks if Ms. Rodriguez still has the dog.
"Yes, I do," Ms. Rodriguez replies.
Judge Judy warns her to be careful with the baby.
Ms. Rodriguez offers pictures of the dog and baby.
Judge Judy dismisses them.
"Your dog bit the child for no reason," Judge Judy states.
Ms. Rodriguez disagrees.
"There was a reason," she says.
Judge Judy points out Ms. Rodriguez has given two different stories.
Neither story provides a reason.
Mr. Rodriguez interjects.
He claims it's the same story, just more elaborate.
"No, madam," Judge Judy corrects him.
She says there are two entirely different stories.
She notes the case is on tape.
Millions will see the two distinct stories.
Neither story suggests Samuel did anything wrong.
Judge Judy warns Ms. Rodriguez about the future.
Her daughter will crawl on the ground.
The dog might react to the competition.
Ms. Rodriguez has been forewarned.
Watch the Full Judge Judy Case Below
The conflicting stories are a must-see.
Scroll down.
Press play.
FULL VIDEO
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgAbbrfOt7Q
