Andrus names D.A. Assistant

Bob Maloney successfully prosecuted the Pippin case.

Pioneer Press, Fort Jones, California

Wednesday, January 18, 2005

Vol. 33, No. 10

Page A1, column 3

Prosecutor and cowboy

Maloney praises cowdog “Samie.”

By Liz Bowen

Pioneer Press Assistant Editor, Fort Jones, California

YREKA, Calif. - Robert “Bob” Maloney’s silver buckle and worn cowboys boots are not for show.

The new Siskiyou County Assistant District Attorney is a horseman and ran cattle for years. Beefmaster were his purebreds of choice and he utilized Angus as well in his commercial herd, calling them “black gold.”

But it may be a touch of his Irish ancestry that saw this tough cowboy through an ordeal that would have killed most men, including tough cowboys.

For 16 hours, Bob lay in a March-cold stream, before he was found by Shasta County Search and Rescue. The year was 1995.

The previous afternoon, he had been checking his cattle in the rugged hills east of Redding in Shasta County. His horse reared over backwards and slid down the bank into the stream crushing the rider. At first he was paralyzed. His legs, protected by chaps, wouldn’t work. Then using his arms, the cowboy was able to pull himself to the bank, but that was all his broken body could attain.

Samie, a Border Collie cross McNabb cowdog, was his companion. She wouldn’t leave her owner, even when he heard four-wheelers above him and encouraged it. Samie curled-up next to her man and laid her head on his chest. When Bob’s hands were numb, he was able to warm them in her fur and stomach.

Yet, three times in the night she did leave her cowboy to protectively bark at an unknown … and then return. There were mountain lions in the vicinity. Bob had chased them from his herd. A calf had been recently killed by one.

By the time Bob was found the next morning his toes and fingers were suffering from frost bite. The doctors found a shattered upper leg, broken pelvis and cracked vertebrae; they were shocked that he survived the wreck and long, cold hours in the water.

When the story became widespread, Samie received accolades for protecting her man.

“She was given the Shasta County Hero Dog Award for 1995,” said Bob, because she is lauded for saving his life. And he believes it.

Healing took months and three surgeries. The cattle were sold. Currently, Bob and his wife, Karen, have five horses and several mules. He is a member of the Backcountry Horsemen of America and a life member of the American Quarter horse Association.

From his early California Highway Patrol days, Bob still has an interest in motorcycles, but spends most of his off-duty time with the four-legged animals.

He worked hard to regain his strength, although one leg is now about a half-inch shorter than the other. All the time, he continued his work as a lawyer and trial prosecutor.

So cowboyin’ isn’t the only thing that Bob knows how to do. He has been involved with the prosecution side of the court system, since 1970. And he has served as Glenn County District Attorney, Napa County Assistant District Attorney along with other stints in Shasta County and in private practice.

District Attorney J. Kirk Andrus said he was impressed with Bob’s expertise in trial prosecution. Bob Maloney has been working as a “special prosecutor” for the Siskiyou County District Attorney’s office, after being contracted to prosecute several homicide cases in 2004.

“Bob brings a mature insight and remarkable amount of practical experience,” said D.A. Andrus, “and will be a great benefit for the citizens of Siskiyou County.”