Startled by young child, Marshall nipped and now is quarantined at shelter

5
6
Spread the love

No matter how many times dog owners are warned about leaving young children unsupervised with dogs, it’s never enough. Children need to respect a dog’s space also. Sadly, Marshall’s life is at  risk; here is her story.

Last March, Marshall was found as a stray in Southwest Philadelphia and was welcomed into her new family one month later – joining four house cats and an active three-year-old child. Quickly, the friendly dog became a cherished member of the family; she has been great with other dogs, people and children.

Just days ago, Marshall had been sleeping on the couch when the youngster climbed up and startled the dog – possibly stepping on her. The dog snapped at the child biting him on the cheek. Marshall was taken to Animal Control where she is currently on a ten-day quarantine bite hold. She is very scared and has no idea what she did wrong.

“She’s a playful dog who loves toys and bones, but she never chews things that aren’t hers,” the dog’s owner posted hoping to help Marshall find a new home. “She was living in a house with a 3-year-old and 4 cats. She did show some interest in chasing cats. She loves going to the dog park and going on walks or runs. She is a super affectionate dog that is loyal and knows commands like sit, paw, down and come.”

Her owner continued.

“She always waits patiently for her dinner and sits to have her harness put on before a walk. Unfortunately my 3 year old climbed on her while she was sleeping and she snapped at him catching him on the cheek. It was an unfortunate accident that would be avoided by placing her with teenagers or a home with just adults.”

According to a trainer familiar with Marshall, an ideal placement would require positive reinforcement training as she is jumpy, mouthy and playful. She would do best in a home with children over 12 and another well-socialized dog to help her develop good manners.

Meanwhile, Marshall waits for help at ACCT Philly.

For additional information about Marshall, fill out form with the dog’s name and animal ID # and email [email protected] if interested in fostering or adopting.  A4o837283. Please note she will be available to rescue partners, but will not be available for adoption through the shelter.

Share Marshall’s plight with approved rescue organizations. Sharing saves lives. Additional information is available here.

Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.

Old dog gets a birthday treat


Amazing recovery


Spread the love

5 COMMENTS

  1. Wow! She’s now in quarantine?? Because she was sleeping and only had a natural reaction to the kid. Why can’t parents watch their children? It’s not the dogs fault!! I hope and pray this dog isn’t euthanized!

  2. I get it, you let your kid climb all over the dog and the dog nips the kid so get rid of the dog! Yes it was an unfortunate accident that would be avoided if the parents had only taught there little darling how to behave around a dog! Now it’s the dog that pays, and loses her home. These people are giving up on a dog that was supposedly a “cherished member of the family”. How wrong is all of this?

  3. JUST PLAIN STUPID AND THE PARENTS’ FAULT! GETTING RID OF THE KID WOULD BE JUST AS FAIR! MARSHALL DESERVES BETTER! LIKE PEOPLE WITH BRAINS AND HEARTS!

  4. Oh great. Another dog will be murdered due to shitty owners. Why not dump your freaking kid off at a shelter. You apparently are better equipped at controlling a dog but not your 3 yo kid. May God rain misery on you and your kid for life.

  5. More details are needed. How bad did the dog “catch him on the cheek”? Bad enough for him to have been seen at the ER? Did the kid need stitches? When kids are little, shit happens, and sometimes there are accidental and minor encounters with teeth and claws – nothing to run to the ER for. I’m not familiar with the legalities in Philadelphia, but if the dog is up to date in shots, why is she in quarantine in a shelter?

    If the kid was taken to the ER, a dog bite report has to be filled out, and the dog is then ear marked in the system, whether a bite was the dog’s fault or not.

    In over 20 yrs of working with dogs, I’d been bitten badly enough to have been put in the hospital for a couple of days on IV’s for cellulitis. Each time, a nurse came over with a clip board ready to fill out s dog bite report form to be submitted to the county. Each time I told them it’s not necessary because I knew the dog and the dog was current on shots. If they insisted, I would threaten to walk out. Each time, they backed down and treated me.

    The difference here is that the bite involves a minor child so the legalities might be stricter. Which is why I wonder just how bad the kid was hurt.

    All in all, this whole thing was preventable and, as usual, it’s the dog who gets the raw end of the deal.

    Hope Marshall gets a good home soon.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here