Snotface & Twiggy

Remembering Lennox

Today, April 1st, would have been Lennox's 8th birthday. The Boycott Belfast Until It Frees Lennox And Addresses Its BSL Failings Facebook page posted this picture today. I wanted to share it.

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Justice For Chloe

Last week I shared a disturbing story about Chloe, a dog in Commerce City, Colorado, who was wrongfully shot to death by a Police Officer. Many people around the area have rallied together to keep Chloe's case in the media so that it doesn't get swept under the rug. My heart aches for Chloe and for her family, and for every dog who could become the next Chloe. That's what Justice for Chloe is about. It's about holding the City and its Officers accountable for their actions. It's about creating change in the way dogs are handled and educating both the public and the Officers about how to handle dogs.

I still have not watched the whole video. I heard the most disturbing 15 seconds of it and I am scarred by that. I will never forget Chloe's last "words" and I hope they haunt every Officer involved in the tragic event. Her senseless death will not be forgotten. Help prevent it from being forgotten and sign her petition and share it.

Commerce City Cops Shoot and Kill Chloe, a Loose Dog

I'm having a lot of trouble processing this right now. Mostly because there is a video that shows what happened. Honestly, I've only watched the edited version because I don't think I can stomach the full video. And I won't share it here because it's too disturbing, but in some ways I think everyone needs to see it so the truth can be exposed. It's hard to miss the truth when there is a video of the events starring at you. (The picture is not of Chloe. It is of Dre who beat the odds and went back home to his family and is now going to test to be an official CGC, Canine Good Citizen.)

To sum it up, Saturday, November 24th, a neighbor in a Commerce City neighborhood called 911 to report a loose dog. From his own account he never called the dog vicious or dangerous or reported any fear of the dog. He just wanted the loose dog picked up. When the police arrived they spent 30 minutes outside the garage where the dog was found, apparently deciding what to do. The dog sat in the garage. At some point they decided to tase the dog twice, as though that is supposed to subdue the dog. And then, when the dog tried to run AWAY from them, not AT them, AWAY from them, they managed to get the catch pole around her neck. Instead of working to subdue this dog who never tried to attack any of them during their 30 minute debate period, they shot her. They shot her 5 times. They killed her.

National Pit Bull Awareness Day & Twiggy's 5th Birthday

First, yesterday was Twiggy's 5th birthday! She's not too into birthday hats, as you can see from the picture. I can't believe she's 5 already. It got me thinking though, what's better to celebrate? Birthdays or Gotcha Days? October 26th is Twiggy's birthday, but January 5th is her Gotcha Day. We love Twiggy and spoiled her on her birthday yesterday. I think we'll just do the same on her Gotcha Day. What do you celebrate??

Second, we were not able to actively participate in today's National Pit Bull Awareness Day events due to previously scheduled commitments (which made us really sad), but we spread the word everywhere we were required to be and Onyx got lots of extra love today! And in honor of National Pit Bull Awareness Day I'm sharing Porgy's picture again. He's available for adoption at the Longmont Humane Society and I would love to see him get a forever home asap. Read his story. He deserves his forever home.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend and also don't forget October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog month too! There are so many pets available for adoption, why not give one a home?

Thankful Thursday: Dre Settles Back into Family Life

I know it's not Thursday, but this is something I'm thankful for, so this is Thankful Thursday on a Friday!

One month ago today we were all celebrating Dre's release to his family. After 49 days of being retained, 25 of them in the small kennel at the Brighton Animal Shelter, Dre got to feel the welcoming love of ALL of his family. He got to smell the familiar scents of his home and his brother, Machomoto. He got to run in his backyard and play with his toys. He got to go home.

Today, I am thankful that the Judge on the case supported Dre's release and put him where he belongs, with his family. And while there are stipulations to his release that the family must follow, they have him in their arms and they won't be letting go!

Breaking News on Dre!!!!

I'm SO happy to report that Dre is home!! That is right. Dre is home with his family! The details on how this has come about are not clear at the moment, but the important thing to know is that he is FINALLY home with his family getting the love he deserves. Thank you to all who supported Dre and stay tuned for the details. I will share as soon as I have them all!!!

One Win For Dre!!

I sat in the court room today listening to the emergency motion to have Dre moved to a different shelter and I was hopeful. I'm happy to report that hope was not unfounded. Dre has been released from Brighton Animal Control and has been placed in an undisclosed rescue/shelter! He will get the proper food, care for his ears, Vet care in general, his baths with his special shampoo for his skin and some actual outside time and attention. The next court date has been moved to August 28th and Dre will remain at the rescue/shelter for the remainder of the trial, but he will be cared for as he should be that entire time! 

This does NOT mean that Dre's fight is over. This doesn't change the case or the allegations at all. It just means Dre will be happier while his family fights for his freedom. And fight they will! Free Dre!!

Denver Pet Expo 2012 Gives Love to Pit Bulls

I'm just returning from the Denver Pet Expo and happy to say it was a great time. Not only were there many Pit Bulls in attendance, but they were all wonderful and I think they each had a licker license! :) The Denver Pet Expo even posted this on their Facebook page: 

"We would just like to say that we had HUNDREDS of pit bulls here today and had ZERO problems. In fact, only two dogs were asked to leave (because they didn't play well with others) and neither one was a pit bull."

Even though the Denver Pet Expo is held in the Denver Merchandise Mart, it's not actually within the city of Denver or Denver County and Pit Bulls are welcome. They say, " Pit bulls are safe at our event. We actively oppose BSL with Shorty Rossi as our spokesperson and chose this venue because it's in Adams County and pit bulls could attend the show." I did not see one Pit Bull who wasn't smiling, wagging their butt and trying to lick and love on everyone in attendance!

I went to help spread the word about Dre and support his family. I had planned to go anyways, but this gave me a real purpose in being there. Thanks to Banfield for donating the booth space - and good work to Dre's family for pulling things together in a day! Some had heard Dre's story, but many had not. And I have to say I'm always amazed at how many people don't know anything about BSL (Breed Specific Legislation). Dre's case is not a BSL case. Brighton, CO does not have BSL, but Dre is definitely being discriminated against because he's a Pit Bull. Breed discrimination and BSL go hand in hand. If Dre was a Golden Retriever, or a Lab, or a Chihuahua, he would be home with his family right now, but instead, he's fighting for his life. I'm glad I was able to help spread the word about him today, and I hope it will help put more bodies in the court room in support of Dre. Please continue to check the petition for updates!

Dre's Story Spreads Across the World

The story of Dre continues to spread. On the evening of August 6th it was shared on a local news station in the Denver area, 9News. Check it out here. It shows Dre has gathered support all over the US and the World.

Plus, the O'Brien's (Dre's family who is desperately hoping he will be released to them), made this video of him. Mary O'Brien gave me permission to share this with everyone. This is Dre with his family. His family that loves him and that he obviously loves. Please watch and share. Spread Dre's love and give him your support. He needs it right now as he sits in the Brighton Animal Shelter confused by his new surroundings.

Dre's family continues to work with The Animal Law Center on Dre's defense. Not much can be said as the case is active, but Mary did share this statement with 9News, "Dre is a wonderful dog with my children. I have [a] 2-year-old, 4-year-old and 12-year-old girls, and Dre has been a great pet to them. I just want him back with our family. My children miss him so much."

Please consider helping Dre's defense by contributing to this chip in, which is helping cover Dre's attorney costs. If you have not signed his petition, please do that too. If you are interested in the current updates on Dre, check Mary O'Brien's personal Facebook page. It is the only place on Facebook to get updates on Dre.

I will continue to share what I can about Dre's case. And, I hope that the support he has won't fade. We need every supporter to fight for Dre and then keep fighting to change BSL and Breed Discrimination. So far, Massachusetts is the only place that seems to get it, and I've even read some skepticism about whether the whole state will be made to enforce the new Bill signed by Governor Deval Patrick. No matter what, it's a step in the right direction and every state needs to follow suit.

Thankful Thursday: Governor Deval Patrick Changes Animal Laws For The Better!

It's about time something positive happened to benefit animals with the law. So much has been circulating lately about victims of BSL and breed discrimination and animal abuse and neglect, it was refreshing to hear that Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts singed into law Bill S.2192 today. This bill is going to benefit every pet in Massachusetts and is a huge step for Anti-BSL activists. (Like me.) And if you haven't heard the asinine spewing of Congressman Steve King regarding his pro dog fighting stance, you can get caught up on that over on Blog Four Paws. But, for now, let's stay on the positive focus!

Some bullet points of MA Bill S.2192:

• It actually states, "No City or Town shall regulate dogs in a manner that is specific to Breed" - It's about time! It does strengthen dangerous dog laws, WITHOUT targeting specific breeds.
• It prohibits the use of gas chambers for euthanizing dogs and cats.
• It creates a spay/neuter program designed to reduce the number of homeless animals using a voluntary tax check off.
• It includes pets in domestic violence protection orders.