A ‘village’ of rescuers saved shelter dachshund from euthanasia

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“It takes a village to raise a child,” may have become a popular proverb, but no doubt it took a village to enable the rescue of a dachshund surrendered by his owner who ordered the dog euthanized by Devore Animal Shelter.

According to the owner, the dog has a behavioral problem, including having bitten several people. The owner therefore made the decision, paid extra and ordered the dog be killed.

His story began on Thursday when he was brought into the shelter:

“Heartbreaking as owner refused to allow the Doxie to go to a rescue. Paid to have it euthanized. The owners are the only people who can reclaim the dog and give the doxie to a rescue. There is no evaluation done by the shelter to re access, and verify signed statements to be true and substantiated . It is because the owner made a claim the dog has bitten before, the impulsivity (sp) of this owner’s action sounds retaliatory. If this bouncing loving dog has behavior issues there would of been many rescues willing to get the dog evaluated and rehabilitated. I hope they are never allowed to adopt another living animal again! Outrageous injustice without a fair assessment from a trained personnel.”

What happened next showed how respectful and persistent animal rescuers were trying to save the dachshund. Shelter personnel from the San Bernardino County animal shelters submitted an explanation citing why the dog could not be released to any rescue organization:

 “The dog with animal identification number A669324 was surrendered by its owner on September 12, 2018, the owner requested that the County euthanize the dog and signed a contract to have this service performed. The statement indicated by the owner on the contract was ‘My animal has a behavioral or temperamental defect that could pose a health or safety risk or otherwise make the animal unsuitable for placement as a pet.’ Pursuant to California Food and Agriculture Code Section 31108.5 entitled Proof of Ownership When Relinquishing a Dog Required. Section (a) (1) states: Upon relinquishment of a dog to a public or private shelter, the owner of the dog shall present sufficient identification to establish his or her ownership of the dog and shall sign a statement that he or she is the lawful owner of the dog,’ the person who relinquished this dog was established to be the owner of this dog.”

Shortly thereafter, a legal fund for the Doxie’s plight was set up while rescuers, animal advocates and supporters repeatedly asked if the dog’s life could be spared. Perhaps it was political pressure, social pressure, owner remorse, a compassionate staff or a combination of everyone working together that San Bernardino County – Devore Animal Shelter , released the dog to rescue on Friday afternoon.

“Good afternoon,
After contact with the owner it has been determined that the dog with animal identification number A669324 will be made available to 501(c)(3) rescue groups today on a first come first serve basis.
Thank you for your interest in our shelter pets.
Kelly Papp”

A.R.T And Paws rescued the Pomeranian that accompanied the Doxie on Thursday. Described as a sweetheart, the Pom had been at the veterinarian having dental work performed. Check out when the two dogs are reunited:

https://www.facebook.com/liraz.malul.3/videos/10156226225003692/

To help with these two grateful dogs, donations to ART N Paws Animal Rescue can be made here.

Read prior coverage here.

(Video courtesy of Liraz Abraham)

Read the latest animal news at National Pet Rescue Facebook page.

Yesterday in the news: Dog died after eating bread with toxic ingredient – read more here.

Dog in need: Gentle shepherd longs for someone to love him – more about saving this dog here.

 

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10 COMMENTS

  1. Oh my gosh! Look how happy both dogs are to be together again. What a stupid owner to condemn this Doxie to death when there was no valid reason to do that. When owners do this, a shelter should have the right to override their decision especially if the dog is adoptable. Glad to see both the Pom and Doxie together again and happy too.

  2. HURRAY!!!!! HURRAY!!!! THIS IS AN AWSOME OUTCOME and FOR ONCE I CAN JUST PRAAISE THE HELL OUT of RESCUES, SHELTER’s,& THE CARING PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA for A LITTLE Misunderstood , DACHSHUND and HIS BUDDY THE POM!!!

  3. I had called and they told me that a dog is a possession and have no rights. I had talked to the Supervisor and that Supervisor that’s on top and she told me this it made me angry so I was on the phone explaining why that killing this dog was not right she keep telling me the owner did this and have paid for the procedure to be done and no one else was allowed to change it because all dogs are property not a living breathing animal. This made me even more angrier this is not right if the owner lied and caused the animal to get killed it was just too bad B.S.this rule is stupid.

  4. I hope the people in California are able to change the laws, even if there is a cooling down period and the shelters contact the owners again. If this was done in a retaliatory method, the owners might have second thoughts if they are contacted again a few days later. It just depends how persuasive the shelters want to get. And first dogs are NOT property! Change that law right away! So glad Doxie was rescued!

  5. Thank you to everyone involved in saving this dog from being executed. It is progress. I don’t think this could have happened even in the recent past.

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