A Denver family are fighting to save the life of their cherished 10-year-old English setter, Watson. But after they turned him into the Denver Animal Shelter, the shelter claim they have the legal right to euthanise the dog.
A family is frantically campaigning to save their dog from being euthanised after it bit their two-year-old child in the face.
Watson the 10-year-old English Setter was given up to the Denver Animal Shelter (DAS) by his owners Nicole and Lars Ellingson, after biting their sleeping toddler in the face.
The couple declare the DAS consented to keep the dog for 10 days and let him out when an ideal home is discovered – regardless of likewise being informed there was a “risk he could be euthanised”.
Nicole and Lars discovered what they believed is an ideal home for Watson, with the Southwest English Setter Rescue – however the shelter said Watson was to be euthanised.
They have actually implicated the shelter of altering their story, and now unfortunately feel they have actually offered their own dog a “death sentence” under “false pretences”.
Lars explained it to Fox 31 News as a “big misunderstanding” as there is a “good home for Watson, it’s a home without children and there is no reason he should not be allowed to enjoy that”.
“But I think their mind is made up. We hope that they can reconsider,” he said.
Protests happened outside the shelter total with indications and placards, and chants of: “Free Watson… save his life… do what is right.”
But the shelter informed Fox 31 they are thinking about euthanising the dog due to the fact that he bit the kid two times, and for the security of the public.
They said in a declaration: “Watson was given up to the Denver Animal Shelter recently after he seriously bit a kid in the face.
“When he was surrendered, it was made clear to the owner that this was a permanent decision. Denver Animal Protection is charged with protecting both the safety of people and animals in our community.”
A city representative declared the family signed a main file which gave the shelter ‘full legal custody of the animal’.
The file checks out: “I launch complete legal custody of the animal explained above with the demand that this animal be humanely euthanised by DAP.”
In their declaration, the shelter included: “Because of the seriousness of this bite and the history that his owner revealed to us upon surrender – he has actually bitten the very same kid in the face in the past – we are carefully examining whether it is safe to launch him back into the neighborhood.
“We take this decision very seriously and will act in the best interest of our community.”
Watson’s 10-day quarantine ends today however the city representative said no decision has actually been made and the case will continue to be evaluated.
Southwest English Setter rescue – with whom Nicole and Lars wish to rehome Watson – launched a declaration advocating individuals to support Watson’s cause.
It read: “IMMEDIATE – Possibly just HOURS to live – SAVE Watson’s life! Call and email Denver Animal Shelter Director Melanie Sobel right away! Watson need to not be killed!
“Numerous English Setter specialists have actually all been interacting to her given that Thursday that this was not an aggressive event.
“Not a SINGLE ES breed expert has agreed with the shelter’s aggressive assessment, including DVMs. Watson does NOT have a history of aggression.”
One member of the neighborhood reacted, pleading with Mayor Johnston to intervene in the event.
The Ellingsons’ Facebook page reveals a happy Watson next to the couple, with numerous publishing their assistance for him.
