A former pest controller employee has been jailed after having a legal fight with the company over a pit bull.
The pest-sniffing pooch named Roxy was provided by M&M Environmental to Barry Myrick as part of his job helping to inspect residential and commercial properties.
Roxy lived with Barry and his wife Joana for four years and she became a member of the family.
The 37-year-old described the pooch as his ‘best friend’ and the ‘closest thing to kids’ they will have.
But when the pandemic hit, Barry decided to be laid off from the company instead of working as a ‘coronavirus cleaner’ which would’ve required him to return Roxy to the company.
Barry returned the vehicle, equipment, and credit cards, but he refused to give Roxy back to M&M.
He admitted that he signed a contract that states he would give Roxy back if he left the company or his contract was terminated.
But he claims that the company forfeited its claim to her when M&M laid him off.
Barry said that a company manager had asked him: “You’re going to keep Roxy, right?”
The company then demanded that he return the pitbull and sent him a letter referring to the pooch as ‘company property.’
The company took legal action after Barry refused to return the dog and accused him of stealing.
M&M attorney Gary Port says the company owns the dog and claims training a canine can cost $15,000.
Barry surrendered to the New York Police Department and spent 15 hours in jail.
In an interview with the New York Post, he said: “I spent 15 hours in jail. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.
“The stories I heard were unreal — someone beat their stepdad with a baseball bat. I couldn’t tell anyone I was there for a puppy.”
Barry has been allowed to keep the dog pending a court investigation but he insists that he does not want to give Roxy back to the company despite his family members advising him to return the pooch.
“She’s not a golden retriever who will be happy-go-lucky with just anyone.
“I’ve emptied out my bank account, spent time in jail . . . what else can they throw at me? I’ll fight this to the end.”
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