Like many of you, I've been sick over Dre being stuck in an animal shelter labeled as a "dangerous" dog when he's hurt no one. Brighton, CO does not have BSL, but obviously they still have breed discrimination. If Dre was a Golden Retriever or a Lab or a Pomeranian or just about any other breed, I have no doubt he would be home with his family right now. If you haven't signed his petition, please do so.
Dre's family has been able to visit him in the shelter where he wagged his tail, licked their hands through the cage and took some treats from them. They asked him to sit and he sat. They asked him to lay down and 
he laid down. And he stared at them, absorbing the love they brought him, and then had to watch them leave without him...again. All because Officer Herrara, the animal control officer on the case, has determined him a "dangerous" dog. He sits in that kennel with a Dangerous Dog Will Bite sign on his kennel. He's not even allowed of out of his kennel because they don't let dogs on court hold out. Who's bright idea is that? Being locked in a tiny area for a prolonged period of time isn't good for ANY dog. No running around, no walks, no playing, just the attention his family is able to give him through a wire fence. Dre is part of a family. He is on a special diet and allergy medication that his family brings him to the shelter. Right now he's stuck with such little interaction, he's confused. He's stressed and he's barking. Apparently barking is a sign of aggression because due to his barking and the 7 complaints the city received about him running around the neighborhood barking at people Officer Herrera is recommending that Dre be destroyed. Maybe she need to read this story about Officer Dan who rescued a "vicious" pit bull who was basically in the same scenario as Dre. He chose to believe innocence before guilt, unlike Officer Herrera, and now has a loving pit bull addition to his family.
While Dre's family was visiting him at the shelter, Mary (Dre's Mom) once again gave some treats to another "dangerous" pit bull. And she found out a little bit more about that pit bull's story. Blue is his name and he is being held because he bit his owner. He's also being released on Tuesday to his owner because animal control has decided he is not aggressive. He's been quiet in his kennel at the shelter so he gets to go home. Let me repeat that. Brighton Animal Control is releasing a pit bull who bit someone, but recommending Dre be destroyed. I cannot speak to Blue's situation or the circumstances that led him to bite his 
owner, and honestly I do wonder what was done to provoke him. I do not want them to change Blue's release, but I do want to know how they can hold Dre as "dangerous" and at the same time let Blue be released. Mary asked Officer Herrera that exact question and she told Mary that Blue did not show signs of aggression, but Dre has. How educated on dogs can these animal control officers be? And why do they have such broad control over any pet's destiny? How is it ok for someone who has spent such little time with a dog get to decide what happens to that dog? I won't, at least yet, get into the condition of the shelter that Dre is being held at. A lot of things need to change there and I will be following up on that.
Today, what I know is that BSL and Breed Discrimination need to end. People need to be educated about dogs and their body language. They don't have words. They can't explain their actions. It's up to us to help them and understand them. Each one of these cases seems to get a lot of attention and we need to keep that momentum going and turn it into action. Too many dogs have been victimized or are being victimized. Support Dre. Support Anti-BSL. Join a movement. Make a difference. If you live near Brighton, CO, come to the court house on Tuesday at 10am when Dre's case will be heard: Brighton Municipal Court 3401 E Bromley Lane, Brighton, CO 80601.
