By Paige Orr, Fox23 News
WAGONER COUNTY, Okla. — A goldendoodle named Daisy who became the face of a viral social media campaign after being found emaciated in a Broken Arrow backyard may finally see movement in her legal case.
On Thursday, the Wagoner County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that a formal charging decision is expected by next week.
The case began in October when neighbor reports and social media posts highlighted the dire conditions of two dogs who were chained in a backyard.
While Daisy was eventually rescued, her brother was found deceased at the scene.
Summer Ipok, who stepped in to save Daisy, said the journey to justice has been a slow and frustrating process.
“I just want them to be held accountable,” said Ipok. “I want there to be something on record so that they can’t get another animal. You had a dog that died outside your window and you’re letting it stay there, and you had another dog that was about to go down that same path.”
Ipok eventually paid the owners $500 to surrender Daisy, a move she felt was necessary to ensure the dog’s survival.
Since then, Daisy has undergone a complete transformation. She was adopted into a permanent home in December where she now lives healthily with a new sibling.
Despite her recovery, legal experts and advocates argue the initial response from authorities was insufficient.
Kevin Easley, an attorney representing Ipok, claimed the justice system initially failed Daisy.
He accused law enforcement of not taking immediate action until District Attorney Jack Thorp personally intervened.
Easley explained, “Daisy’s story is sadly a story that’s all too familiar with animals in Oklahoma. The dog that she was living with had died on the chain from malnourishment and neglect. Per the statutes in Oklahoma, it qualifies as felony animal abuse or neglect, in my opinion.”
While the legal team is pushing for felony charges, the District Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing the evidence to determine the exact level of prosecution.
First Assistant District Attorney Richard Incremona stated that the office is waiting on final pieces of information before moving forward.
“I have a timeline that I’d like to have this resolved by next week one way or the other as to what we’re doing.”
Incremona noted that if a conviction is reached for such crimes, penalties can include fines, probation or jail time not to exceed one year.
For Ipok, the case is about more than just a single dog; it is about ensuring the owners are held responsible for the animal that did not survive.
“It’s not about them paying a fine or money,” Ipok stated. “It’s truly about accountability.”
