Baby Girl Is Mauled To Death By Pitbull: Neighbours Say They Warned Police Of The Danger As Couple Are Arrested

“How many times do we have to go over this; it’s the bloody owners that give this breed a bad rap! Irresponsible owner’s are one of the major causes for all the problems the breed faces today.  Pitbulls have long been selectively bred, over the years to be fighting machines, they are sturdy & strong with a powerful bite force; genetics & training play an important role in how the dog will respond to other dogs or humans. Pitbulls are not inherently aggressive to people; unless taught to be! 

 Some owners (Perhaps the boyfriend) just want a pitbull to use as a power status or for intimidating others; which is just an accident waiting to happen; and it did!  This tragedy could have been avoided had the owner been a responsible one & kept the dog under control; instead of it being allowed to roam freely around the house, whilst they watched TV? The mother must have been aware of the dogs temperamentt; why didn’t she insist the dog be put in a crate or a locked room; whenever the baby was around? No dog should be left unattended with children; especially babies!  The owner would have known, without doubt, what his dog was capable of doing; for that reason, I think they should both be held responsible for this terrible tragedy! R.I.P little one x 

By JAYA NARAIN and ROSIE TAYLOR and JAMES TOZER –PUBLISHED: 07:10, 11 February 2014 | UPDATED: 09:09, 12 February 2014

• 11-month-old Ava-Jayne Corless attacked by pet late last night
• Neighbours report seeing ‘vicious and terrifying’ pit bull type dog
• Victim’s mother and stepfather arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and bailed this morning
  
• Baby’s father pays tribute to ‘the most beautiful and adorable little girl’
• Lancashire Police say dog involved in the attack was a banned breed

A baby girl was mauled to death by a dog that neighbours had allegedly warned was dangerous.

Ava-Jayne Corless, who was just 11 months old, suffered horrific injuries when the American pitbull terrier attacked her while she slept.

Her mother, Chloe King, 20, and  boyfriend Lee Wright, 26, heard the commotion and rushed upstairs to rescue her from the jaws of the beast.

Paramedics were called and took Ava-Jayne to hospital where doctors were unable to save her life.

Victim: Ava-Jayne Corless, aged 11 months, has been mauled to death by a pet dog

Miss King and Mr Wright were questioned on suspicion of manslaughter and child neglect, and were today released on bail.

Lancashire Police said: ‘The two people arrested in connection with the death of Ava-Jayne Corless at Blackburn have both been released on bail pending further inquiries.’

Parents: Ava-Jayne pictured with her father Dean and mother Chloe, who are no longer together

A police spokesman said last night that the animal was banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991.

Senior officers have launched an investigation into reports that neighbours had called Lancashire Constabulary to complain about dangerous animals at the property in Blackburn.

Faisal Shahzad, 35, fled after two dogs broke through his garden fence. ‘I had to run quickly into the house and barricade the door because they were tearing after me,’ said the taxi driver.

‘I’ve got three children and they were all in the house absolutely terrified. The two dogs were scary. I called the police and they said something would be done and my neighbour also called the RSPCA.’ 

Another neighbour, 80-year-old Brian Harrison, said: ‘That dog was a nightmare for neighbours and people were worried about approaching it.

‘It’s an absolute tragedy that should never have happened. ‘Only last year it mauled to death a neighbour’s cat and nothing was done about it.’

Kyle Perry, 19, was chased down the street by the dog. ‘It was a big dog and it used to just bark and bark,’ he said. ‘I have been chased by it down the street. It was terrifying.’

Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: ‘What will it take to convince people not to keep dogs like this – and to get across to all dog-owners, of every breed of dog, that no dog should ever be left unsupervised with a baby?’

The incident happened at around 11pm on Monday while Miss King was visiting Mr Wright at his home 40 yards from hers.

The pair are understood to have put the baby to sleep in a bedroom and were watching television downstairs when they heard the attack begin. By the time they reached Ava-Jayne she had suffered catastrophic injuries. The dog was destroyed.

Chief Superintendent Chris Bithell said previous contact with neighbours would form part of the police investigation.

Last night,  police said the dog had been identified by experts as a pitbull. 
Owners cannot be prosecuted for dog attacks on private property until new legislation comes into force this spring.

Arrest: The victim’s stepfather Lee Wright is being questioned by police on suspicion of manslaughter

Tougher sentences will be introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill.

Rachel Cunningham, of the Blue Cross animal charity, said: ‘We can only hope the Government’s planned changes to the bill will allow authorities to step in at the first sign of a dangerous dog and help prevent terrible events like this.’

Jennie Rudd, of animal welfare campaign group Naturewatch Foundation, said dog attacks were caused by irresponsible owners.

Danger: The dog was described as a ‘menace’ before the attack and previously killed a neighbour’s cat

She added: ‘If it has aggressive tendencies it is the owner’s responsibility to make sure it never gets near a child, and that it isn’t forced into situations where it feels it has to attack – because there is always a reason for a dog to bite.’

Last night Ava-Jayne’s father, Dean Corless, 24, said he was devastated by the tragedy: ‘I rushed to the hospital to see her straight away.

‘She was the most beautiful and adorable little girl, she was just the best. She was my  whole world. Her mum and I aren’t together any more, but I saw Ava-Jayne all the time. I will miss her every single day, I just don’t know what to do now.

‘It is just so tragic. I have my family around me now, but we are all devastated.’ The RSPCA confirmed the charity had been contacted after a dog at the address killed a neighbour’s cat. The death was treated as an accident with no action taken.

News Link:-http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2556514/Baby-girl-dies-attacked-mauled-dog.html

$3000 Reward Offered For Apparent Dogfighting Victim

Meet Gideon. His is the face of dogfighting and his eyes speak volumes about his history; pain, agony and worst of all, hopelessness.

The Newark NJ Associated Humane Popcorn Park Shelter is offering a $3000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the monsters who dumped this poor dog on the side of the road. The address where he was found is 384 South 6th Street in Newark.

Illegal dogfighting is running rampant through our country and innocent victims like Gideon are paying the ultimate price for this “sport”. Whether it’s bait dogs used to train the fighters or the actual fighters themselves, all of them are hurt in ways no animal should ever have to endure. It’s the complete and total betrayal of the trust animals should be able to have for their guardians. What these animals endure is unspeakable fear, pain and almost always, a brutal death.

Gideon the innocent victim

Gideon was found after being dumped on the side of the road like a bag of trash with massive injuries. He has been transferred to the care of a specialist because of his horrendous wounds, which include a shattered leg that has become infected due to lack of needed medical care. His condition is considered to be grave, and it’s touch and go right now if he’ll even survive.

Gideon’s situation shouts out at the backwards manner in which our country and other countries are handling the crime of dogfighting. These sick monsters exploit a bully breed’s inherent dedication, devotion and overwhelming desire to please their guardians and then bastardize them into fighting machines for profit and ego.

In the media, instead of focusing attention on the human monsters, it seems everywhere the focus is on the breed itself, trying to eliminate all bully breeds from the face of earth. Single stories of any dog remotely resembling a bully breed attacking a human are emblazoned in the media, spewing out the horrors of the overall breed itself and adding fuel to the insanity. The stories about attacks by any other breed of dog are rarely ever mentioned. After all, according to the media, those are all “good dogs”.

Take a long hard look into Gideon’s face. This innocent victim has suffered inconceivable pain and for what? So some gang banger can boast about his big bad fighting dog? So some greedy subhuman can gather his or her friends together for a day of standing around the pit, watching the blood spew, hearing the yelps and screams from the dogs and watching the money fly in bets? So one human can feel bigger and better than another?

At what price does all of this come? It comes in the form of dogs like Gideon who, once used up and unable to fight any more are either brutally killed or dumped like yesterday’s garbage. The trust he put into his guardians was violated in the most despicable ways. He suffered and continues to suffer immense pain and his very life hangs in the balance, while the monsters drove off into the night to do it all again another day.

If you have any information that can lead police to the capture, arrest and conviction of these monsters, please contact the Associated Humane Popcorn Park Shelter at 973-824-7080. Please network Gideon’s story to help bring these sick people to justice. He deserves that from the humans who truly do care.

If you would like to donate towards Gideon’s care, please visit the AHS website at the link provided below. Gideon is facing a long and painful journey and needs all the help he can get.

Click here to donate for Gideon’s medical care.

Click here for the AHS Facebook page.

News Link:-http://www.examiner.com/article/3000-reward-offered-for-apparent-dogfighting-victim?cid=PROD-redesign-right-next

 

Breaking: Dog killer Michael Vick has a new dog

“Why don’t they just give him the fighting ring back too…FxxxxxG Nob Heads…what does this say to others? It’s wrong, he should have been banned from having any animals for life”

Michael Vick, who served 18 months in federal prison on dogfighting charges but claims to have seen the error of his ways, is once again a dog owner, ABC News reports.

THIS MAN DOES NOT DESERVE TO HAVE ANOTHER SENTIENT BEING

Vick, who became an outspoken critic ofanimal cruelty following his release five years ago, said in a statement to ESPN:

I understand the strong emotions by some people about our family’s decision to care for a pet. As a father, it is important to make sure my children develop a healthy relationship with animals. I want to ensure that my children establish a loving bond and treat all of God‘s creatures with kindness and respect. Our pet is well cared for and loved as a member of our family.

This is an opportunity to break the cycle. To that end, I will continue to honor my commitment to animal welfare and be an instrument of positive change.

Vick, who was convicted in April of 2007 of running an illegal interstate dogfighting ring for over five years, was at the time quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons. Despite petitions urging the National Football League to banish Vick, he was never drummed out of the league. He was released however by the Falcons in 2008, losing his NFL salary and endorsement deals. But the following year he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles and in July of 2011 signed a lucrative endorsement contract with sports gear maker Nike.

Not everyone accepted Vick’s professed contrition, and many now will be outraged by his return to the status of dog owner. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has expressed reservations, claiming Vick has never publicly shown remorse for killing dogs. In a statement, the ASPCA writes:

Because of this, we have serious concerns about Vick’s ability to be a responsible pet owner. We can only hope that he will set the right example for his children by teaching them to foster humane habits and a lifelong bond with their family pet.

Related Articles

• Is Michael Vick’s remorse genuine? (Video)
• Dog killer Michael Vick to address Congress on evils of animal fighting
• Nike signs endorsement deal with dog killer Michael Vick
• Boycott this book: Dog fight promoter Michael Vick to release autobiography 

News Link:–http://www.examiner.com/article/breaking-dog-killer-michael-vick-has-a-new-dog

Pit Bull Euthanized After Fatal Mauling Of Infant

 

Detroit Police officers remove a pit bull after it killed a 3-week old baby girl on Thursday, October 4, 2012 in Detroit. / JARRAD HENDERSON/Detroit Free Press

The pit bull that fatally mauled an infant Thursday in Detroit was euthanized today by a veterinarian at the Michigan Humane Society, a spokesman for the Humane Society said.

Officials at Detroit’s animal control unit asked the Humane Society to euthanize the pit bull this morning because “they did not have a vet available,” spokesman Kevin Hatman said. After the dog was euthanized, its remains were returned to the city’s animal control centre to be checked for rabies, as required by state law, Hatman said.

Detroit police seized the dog from the home on the city’s west side shortly after 5:45 p.m. Thursday, when it attacked the three-week-old girl as she lay strapped into her car seat on the floor of a home that her mother was visiting, police said.

No decision was reached today by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office on whether the girl’s mother or the dog’s owner will face charges in the death, police spokeswoman Sgt. Eren Stephens said tonight.

Contact BILL LAITNER: 313-223-4485 orblaitner@freepress.com

News Link:-http://www.freep.com/article/20121005/NEWS01/121005079/pit-bull-euthanized-after-mauling-of-infant?odyssey=nav%7Chead

“Firstly, may I just say the last few posts all being about pit bulls has been purely coincidence, it’s just how they came in!!”

“This is so very tragic, my deepest sympathies to the mother & the family of the baby girl. But why oh why, did the mother put the baby down on the floor, why didn’t the owner warn her of the dog? So many questions…any breed of dog could have done the same if that way inclined”

“However, read the following which goes into more detail about the incident & the general problems with pit bulls in Detroit; see it from another perspective! Below is a snippet, but read the full article!”

Detroit police said the dog was not vicious toward the officers as it was being taken away. The family also claimed the dog was not vicious and that there are other children in the house.

The dog owners believe the Pit Bull smelled the baby formula on the infant’s clothes, according to reports. The dog mauled the infant’s face.

The owners stated that the dog, who was just fed scraps out the back door, somehow got into the house and attacked the baby while her mother had her back turned, according to the report.

News Link:-http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/animal-rights/pit-bull-kills-baby-detroit-it-owner-s-fault-or-dogs

 

Menino Pledges Strict Muzzle Law On Pit Bulls

A day after police shot one of two loose pit bulls they say “terrorized” an East Boston neighbourhood  attacking a boy and killing a cat, Mayor Thomas M. Menino vowed to resurrect a city pit bull muzzling rule that will be fixed next month when a state law takes effect that bans breed-specific legislation.

“We’re going to continue to press for legislation that will deal with the issues of putting pit bulls in the city of Boston. … They do need a special law. … Pit bulls have that little strain in them that are vicious,” Menino said, calling it “ridiculous” that state legislators acted to override the Hub’s 2004 pit bull ordinance and similar lawsin Lowell, Winthrop and elsewhere.

ROUNDED UP: Mayor Thomas M. Menino vows strict rules on pit bulls despite the current law getting cleared off the books on Nov. 1. Below, a pit bull is loaded into a van after going on a rampage Friday in East Boston.

The city’s doomed pit bull control law requires owners to register their dogs, muzzle them in public, post “beware of dog” signs and limit them to two per household.

Boston Animal Control Director Mark Giannangelo could not say yesterday whether the two pit bulls that escaped a Sumner Street apartment Friday were registered.

Bruin, the dog police shot, and the other dog, Max, which was corralled by cops, are being held until a city hearing to determine their fate, which under state law could be as severe as having the dogs killed or as light as having them returned to their owner.

Backers of the law that revamped state animal control codes, which goes into effect Nov. 1, argue Boston’s pit bull muzzle rule has not reduced dog bites.

“The ordinance is still in place and didn’t prevent this incident. Breed-specific ordinances don’t work,” said Kara Holmquit, the MSPCA’s director of advocacy. “To truly prevent dog bites, a comprehensive dangerous dog law that is well-enforced needs to be embraced.”

State Sen. Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville), who sponsored the law and called Friday’s attack “horrible,” said there are provisions in the state law to deal with dangerous dogs that don’t discriminate by breed.

“I really want to protect people against dangerous dogs. I believe what we did is a good solution for that,” Jehlen said.

But City Councilor Robert Consalvo, who penned the city’s pit bull law and now may seek a home-rule petition to exempt the Hub from the ban on breed-specific laws, said a pit bull’s vice-like jaws and history of being bred as a fighting dog make it more dangerous.

“I get that poodles bite. But if a poodle or beagle bites me, I can defend myself,” he said. “A pit bull’s a much more aggressive attack.”

Video & News Link:-http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20221007menino_pledges_strict_muzzle_law_on_pit_bulls/

Pit Bull Shot After Teen Bitten, Cat Killed

 

One of two rampaging pit bulls was shot by cops in East Boston yesterday after it bit a 14-year-old boy in the buttocks, mauled and killed a cat and frightened residents — all just weeks before a city law requiring the breed to be muzzled in public will be revoked.

BITING CRIME: Animal Control officers and Boston police respond in East Boston yesterday, after two pit bulls struck fear in the neighbourhood, injuring a teenage boy and killing a cat.

“These two dogs terrorized the neighbourhood … Theyhad already lashed out and bit a young boy and a cat. If we didn’t take a shot at the dog, who knows who else would have been bit,” Boston Police Superintendent William Evans said at the scene.Boston City Councilor Rob Consalvo, who drafted the city’s pit bull control law six years ago, said the city should brace for more pit mull mayhem as the state’s new animal cruelty law goes into effect Nov. 1, wiping muzzling rules off the books.

“This is a scene that’s going to get replayed over and over again when we don’t have an ordinance in place that gives police and animal control the tools to control this,” Consalvo said.

The new animal rights bill signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick blocks municipalities from creating any “breed specific” rules.

The Hub’s lame duck law requires owners to register pit bulls, keep dogs muzzled in public and post “beware of dog” signs on their property. It also bars residents from housing more than two pit bulls. Similar laws in Lowell, Canton, Winthrop and elsewhere will also be nullified.

Yesterday, two pit bulls — Max and Bruin — chewed and clawed their way through a screen and jumped out an open first-floor window of their owner’s Sumner Street apartment while the couple was dining out. The dogs then went on their rampage.

After police shot and wounded Bruin at the corner of Maverick and Cottage streets, the dog ran a block away and had to be cornered by cops in a driveway. Max ran home.

Louis Gizzi, 85, was sweeping his deck at his Everett Street home when the dogs ran up to him.

“It snarled at me. He came after me. One dog spotted the cat and chased him out of the yard. He killed him. He shook him so hard I thought it was a rag doll at first,” said Rizzi, who used his broom to smack one of the pit bulls in the snout. “If it wasn’t for the broom, I think they would have attacked me.”

Calvin Clemons, 24, and his wife, Amanda Bright, 22, questioned why the police had to shoot their dog.

“I know he wouldn’t hurt anybody. He’s only a puppy,” said a teary-eyed Bright, 22. “Everybody thinks just because it’s a pit pull, he’s a vicious dog.”

Neighbour John Rizzo, 26, disagreed, saying the pit bulls have gone on the run before.

“They came up to our porch barking, pinning my wife inside with a 2-month-old baby in her arms,” he said. “They are menacing, big dogs … Without muzzles and leashes these dogs can’t be controlled. They need to reconsider that law.”

Video & News Link:-http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061165647&srvc=rss

B.C. pit-bull owners rally in Vancouver to protect breed

 

VANCOUVER, B.C. : SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 — The Pit Bull Awareness walk begins, September 30th, at Vancouver‘s Science World.

Pit-bull owners spent Sunday showing off their prized pooches near Science World in Vancouver.

With the growing debate about breed-specific legislation, the pit-bull owners wanted the public to judge for themselves whether they deserve to be banned.

Kim Walters, 30, was at the awareness walk with her four-year-old pit bull Bruce.

She got Bruce as a rescue dog from Ontario, where pit bulls are banned under legislation enacted in 2005. In Ontario, it’s illegal to breed or bring them into the province even for a short visit. Pit bulls born before 2005 must be sterilized, muzzled and kept on leashes.

Walters said her dog has a great disposition and has never bitten or attacked anyone, and isn’t the least bit aggressive when around other people or dogs.

She feels the issue comes down to the owners. Walters also feels the owners of pit bulls who are responsible for their pets have been wrongly maligned.

“Pit-bull owners are not gangsters and drug dealers and we don’t need to be treated as such,” she said.

Walters feels Bruce is a perfect example of a dog that needed to be given another chance.

“I think of all the dogs like Bruce who are put down,” she said of the type of legislation in Ontario that can be a death sentence for a pit bull.

Ann Cooper helped organize the walk and said the group is worried about legislation similar to what’s in Ontario being enacted in B.C.

”We are speaking out about breed-specific legislation in Ontario, “ she said. “We feel there are alternatives such as strict enforcement on dogs that haven’t been trained or managed properly.

“We are having the walk to educate people on pit bulls — they are fantastic family dogs.”

Rob Hogan has a pit bull named Squeeze that is 14 months old and he’s had him since he was a pup.

“This dog is beautiful, he loves to cuddle,” he said. “It is all about how the dog is brought up.”

A number of recent pit-bull attacks on children have renewed calls for a pit-bull ban in B.C.

In White Rock, four-year-old Emma-Leigh Cranford had her throat ripped out by a dog belonging to a friend of the family. The young girl survived, with 40 stitches across her jaw after two hours of surgery at B.C. Children’s Hospital.

A few days later, a three-year-old Kelowna boy received 32 stitches in his face after he reached down to pet a pit bull.

The B.C. SPCA has said a pit-bull ban wouldn’t work.

News Link:-http://www.theprovince.com/news/bull+owners+rally+Vancouver+protect+breed/7322716/story.html

 

 

York Counties Push for Stricter Anti-Tethering Laws

 

In two distinct York counties, one in Pennsylvania, the other in South Carolina, laws are being enforced that will prevent dog owners from keeping their pets tethered outdoors.

York County, PA now has six municipalities that have made tethering illegal.  This is not the kind of tethering wherein a person leaves a dog strapped to a pole while they pop inside a store for a cup of coffee, but the kind where a dog is left leashed up outside for hours at a time.

Current PA animal cruelty laws allow dogs to be chained up around the clock, provided they have access to food, water and shelter, and the tethers are of a specific length.

But this does not guarantee the canines’ comfort.  Should a dog be left outdoors in the winter, it is likely their food and water will freeze.  The shelter must be adequate.  Does the law stipulate that the shelter be weather appropriate?  If laws are not clear, they may not be followed. 

Owners must also be careful how their animals are chained.  A dog may choke to death if they continuously wrap their tether around a tree.

Now in both Pennsylvania and South Carolina, York counties have made it so dog tethers must run on a cable system.  This allows dogs to romp around and get exercise, which at the very least breaks their days up a little.  Otherwise they must be kenneled.

Studies have shown that tethered dogs, particularly those who receive little attention and socialization, are far more likely to attack.  But not using chains can be helpful to everyone, including the dogs who would be on them.  Shelley Metzler, West York, PA dog enforcement officer said she’s seen tethered dogs seriously injured by dogs running loose.

These measures may not be popular with all dog owners.  York County, SC veterinarian Sonya McCathey stated, “‘Athletic, heavily muscled dogs” who have the ‘tools’ to harm humans become dangerous when they break their chains or restraints.”

This sounds like it may be targeting pit bulls and other demonized dogs.  While the breed has been dubbed “baby-killer” due to a number of incidents involving attacks on children, they have been badly stereotyped.  Pit bulls are highly capable of being incredibly friendly and good-natured.  Typically, it is only when raised in harsh conditions that they become vicious.

“Owning that type of dog should have restrictions, just as owning a pool does, McCathey said. “Pool owners might not have children themselves, but they must put up fences to help keep kids from drowning.”

McCathey’s sentiments have not been shared by everyone.  Challengers to the stricter regulations have displayed signs saying, “How about regulating your hobby?”

McCathey insists the stricter laws are due to complaints against dogs and their owners, and that as long as owners control their animals, they shouldn’t have any problems.

SC resident and registered veterinary technician Ashley Nicole lives on five acres of farmland in York.  She has several well-cared for pit bulls, some tethered and some kenneled.  In 10 years, not a single one has escaped.  She worries that people who are unfairly biased against and afraid of pit bulls will always have complaints about them.

McCathey said that breeds associated with pit bulls would not be outlawed with the new restrictions.

York County, SC Council members have yet to vote on the proposed regulations, but most seem to be in favor of the changes.

News Link:–http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2012/09/york-counties-push-for-stricter-anti-tethering-laws/

 

PLEA TO SAVE Family Dogs – Tyson And Diesel From EUTHANASIA

“OMG…Please do not let this be another case like poor Lennox; R.I.P. Dogs are only viscous if they have been trained that way, not all pit bulls belong to thugs who use them to fight or as weapons & intimidation! These pit bulls are loving, loyal family pets, well loved & missed. They have been condemned, having done no wrong, it’s purely because of the way they look. Please, take 2 seconds to sign the petition at the link below; you will be helping to save their lives!

Tyson (3 Yr. old) and Diesel (7 Mo. old) were unfairly removed from their home and loving family.

Tyson & Diesel Need Help – Don’t let this be another ‘Lennox’!!

They have never injured anyone or had any prior complaints, yet they were deemed vicious based on the opinion and prejudice of a police officer and the next door neighbor who stated to the owners when they moved in, that he hates Pit Bulls.

The same neighbour who would hit the chain linked fence from his yard that divide’s the two properties with a rake and yell at them in attempt to scare the dogs. However, the neighbor has six small dogs and multiple cats of his own running around.

In Highland Twp., there is no type of ban against Pit Bulls that would rationalize removing them from their loving home.

On July 26th, 2012 the elderly next door neighbor called the Oakland County Sheriff’s Dept. claiming that two Pitt Bulls where in his yard and “nipped at his legs”, the neighbour stated that he waved them away with a watering can. When the Sheriff and Animal control deputies arrived the neighbour was outside.

Tyson and Diesel where in their own yard and were barking, as any breed of dog would do to strangers approaching at 9:00 p.m. The animal control Deputy tried to snare them, but they kept their distance 6-7 feet away and were unable to catch them.

Shortly after that the owner arrived home, unaware that either of his dogs was out of the fenced in back yard. Tyson was curled up in the corner of the neighbor’s yard shaking and scared. The owner picked Tyson up and put him in his house as directed by the deputy. Diesel was in the back yard, inside the fence so the owner walked through the house and put Diesel inside too.

There is not a gate leading to the back yard so we are unsure how Diesel was still in there. It is believed that Tyson possibly jumped the fence by using a truck cap that was recently placed in the back yard. Diesel is still a puppy and much smaller than Tyson, so it is unlikely he did the same due to the distance between the cap and the fence.

The owner was given a misdemeanor ticket for Possession of a Vicious/Dangerous Animal and told to appear in court. These loving so call “Vicious” dogs were permitted to reside in their owner’s possession for 10 days, without incident preceding the court hearing for the ticket.

During that hearing on August 6th, 2012 both dogs were remanded by Judge Bondy to be turned over to Oakland County Animal Shelter within 24 hours, where they have been kept in small individual cages 24/7 for the last 17 days.

It was never specified exactly what it was that determined they were vicious other than they barked at them. This is a heartbreaking tragedy for all that know and love these sweet dogs, that they may be condemned to death simply because of a misconception of their breed and from other careless pet owners who have caused them to be labeled as dangerous.

Tyson and Diesel have spent countless hours interacting with children, cats and dogs of all sizes. They have never displayed aggressive behaviour in any way. They are well trained, socialized, obedient and most of all gentle dogs. They love to play and swim at the beach where they have been in contact with various people including strangers without any problems.

They are extremely well mannered dogs; their owner has trained them from puppy’s to allow anyone to take things from them. All the owners, family and friends want is their family members back, but they are in grave danger of being euthanized in the next week!

With heavy hearts, we are begging for mercy for them!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/TysonandDiesel

Petition link – please sign:–http://www.change.org/petitions/oakland-county-52-1-district-court-plea-to-save-tyson-and-diesel-from-euthanasia

PETITION: For LENNOX! tell Eukanuba and Purina Dog Chow to pull their support from the Belfast Kennel Club Dog Show on September 29-30th 2012

On September 29th and 30th, the city of Belfast in Northern Ireland will host the much anticipated World Cup Dog Show. Much of the event will be sponsored by Purina Dog Chow and Eukanuba and will draw the attention of dog-lovers worldwide.

However, in light of some recent tragic events, many question whether Belfast is truly an inappropriate city to host the show.

There was as global outrage earlier this month when the Belfast City Council (BCC) ignored over 200,000 petitions from animal rights activists and executed a six-year-old Labrador/American bulldog mix named Lennox. The BCC had seized the dog in 2010, claiming that Lennox’s unpredictability made him a threat to the general public.

However, Lennox’s owner, Caroline Barnes, maintains that Lennox merely had anxiety issues and was generally a loving pet, forming a close bond with her young daughter. Nevertheless, citing new Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) – a law permitting the automatic destruction of animals that threaten public safety – the BCC sentenced Lennox to death.

In order to seek justice for Lennox, and to take a stand against Belfast’s unreasonable BSL legislation, sign the petition requesting that Eukanuba and Purina Dog Chow pull their support from the event.

There are still two months left for these main sponsors to select an alternative city for the show – it should be a city that treats all of its animals with respect rather than killing them arbitrarily. Take action in honor of Lennox!

Please sign the petition for Lennox

http://www.causes.com/causes/644857-let-s-turn-facebook-orange-for-animal-cruelty-awareness/actions/1667000?utm_source=causes&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WE386F&causes_ref=email&template=newsletter_mailer/newsletter