Dottie Update! :)
Asheville, NC:
Dottie, a 2-year-old pitbull, was found as a stray by a friend of mine
almost a year ago, so I did a Petfinder courtesy listing and found a
wonderful home for her. The are GREAT people who have just lost a
huge battle with our stupid Animal Control b/c they are so against
pitbulls and all similar breeds. This dog goes to doggie daycare,
loves children (she lives with 2 small children) & all people,
etc.
About a month ago she got out of the house when the elderly parents opened the front door and she swooped by and bit a little teeny weeny dog...didn't hurt it other than a puncture wound - not a mauling for sure. Just out of pure energy and her prey drive kicked in. Dottie's prey drive really isn't that great, it was just bad timing - she plays with dogs of all sizes at the dog park all the time. It was just this little tiny dog and she had been cooped up all day and they met during her initial energy expolosion. They had met before and been totally fine. She was fostered in a home with 3 young children, and a male great dane/boxer mix & a german shepherd mix. She really is SO GOOD and everyone who meets her loves her!!!
Regardless of the support of the other neighborhood residents, myself,
and numerous other witnesses who know and love Dottie, that was it for
Dottie's luck - if she gets out again in our county, animal control
will euthanize her...the neighbor has threatened to shoot her, also,
if she sees her out again and we have been told that this is not
illegal. It's a big mess and they and their children are heartbroken.
So, now that they tried to fight and lost the battle with animal
control, she is labeled as a "potentially dangerous dog" and
she is SOOOOO FAR from that. It's so far from the reality, but
legally that's what the records say. She does not deserve to die and
that will happen eventually if she stays in this home.
I am at a loss...she must be adopted outside of our county for her
life to be spared...
If anyone can help, email me at ECSescilla@aol.com. THANKS!
UPDATE 10/19: Still no home has been found, but the madness deepens.
This poor family has been through Hell trying to save their dog, and
now one of the neighbors is tormenting them. Last night their next
door neighbor, David Balding, came to their front door banging
aggressively. This man spoke against them at the appeal. This is a
very large man who was intoxicated when he came to the door. Dottie's
owners were both at work, so the husband's poor elderly parents had to
deal with this man. His mom opened the door trying to be
understanding and neighborly. He demanded to speak to the father. He
drunkenly ranted about their dogs chasing his kids, which is
impossible since Dottie is ALWAYS on leash, even in their fenced in
yard. Since this madness began, they've stopped walking the dogs in
the neighborhood. They drive them to local parks/trails for hikes or
leash walks. As far as the neighborhood goes, they only take them in
our back yard, again Dottie always on leash. His mom began to ask
him what on earth was he talking about, to which he pointed
threatening and screamed “shut up” to her. At that point his father
realized he was drunk and closed the door on him... You cannot reason
with a drunk person.
They filed a police report. The unwarranted fear these people have
of Dottie is absurd. They feel like they're in the twilight zone.
Now worried about each other’s safety as well as Dottie. They just
do not deserve this :(
UPDATE 11/23/07: Dottie and her dedicated parents have so much to be thankful for this holiday season. Dottie's human dad's cousin and her husband who is from AZ came to visit them and they and Dottie absolutely feel for each other! I n AZ, they have a huge fenced in yard with a TALL fence. And it’s extremely secure, where she can't escape. Of course, the yard is for Dottie to exercise, play and hang out in, so she's still an inside dog with loving, hands on, responsible guardians. They have 3&1/2 acres and they hike the canyon and mtn. trials in their area, which Dottie is also loving.
Though tough, it is a relief that Dottie is being kept in the family where her first family can get constant updates and even visit. Also, since they know them very well, they can trust that Dottie is in the right hands. They also have friends that have a family of lovely pit bulls, and they live in an area that is open and understanding of this breed.
So, Dottie is finally safe and, though missed, her first family is happy and relieved! :)
Comments and faves
cglovesdogs, Erniebm, Terry Bain, cowgirlrightup, and 18 other people added this photo to their favorites.
mouse❤purple (56 months ago | reply)
Poor Dottie. It's heart breaking to consider her fate.
Dog Is Love (56 months ago | reply)
More pics of this darling girl:
cglovesdogs (56 months ago | reply)
Oh my god...this breaks my heart. She looks so adorable.....I am a mail carrier and most dogs I have had problems with are small dogs. Pitbulls on my route are very sweet and friendly. I sure hope things can work out....sometimes animal control can be real jerks.......I will say a prayer for this precious girl......
Gr'maLex catching up..again (56 months ago | reply)
Wish I could do more but I'll be praying for Dottie too. As life long owners of wonderful German Shepherds, we know about breed prejudice. My nephew has a sweet pitbull who's just a wiggling ball of wagging bum and kissing tongue!
Good luck, Dottie
Erniebm (56 months ago | reply)
OMG! that look says everything.
great shot. Would love to help. I`m a bit far from u (Argentina), but I`ll pray for her too.
bivoir (56 months ago | reply)
Poor darling! Give her a cuddle and I hope everything works out!
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Beautifully ☆ Scene ☆ Images (56 months ago | reply)
Sure wish we could help out, Elizabeth! Will pray for Dottie's safety and new home. She's adorable and you can tell by those loving eyes that she's a sweetie. Thank you for putting the word out! xoxo
Heather Green Photography (56 months ago | reply)
She is beautiful. I know some counties don't allow them and it's a shame because some stupid owners ruin it for all of the good owners out there! Some animal shelters do adopt them out. I used to work at a shelter in south florida and have given many temperment tests to pit bulls, you'd be suprised how many non-pit bulls do not pass the test. Have you checked with any shelters or rescue groups outside your county?
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Dog Is Love (56 months ago | reply)
Thank you all so much. I really hope someone will want to adopt her very soon.
Cesstrelle - we have contacted tons of local shelters & rescues (breed rescues & general rescues). There are so many dogs without any "baggage" who need homes, it's just not reasonable for them to take on dogs with any history of dog aggression no matter how small or insignificant.
So sad...but I know Dottie and I know she deserves a home as great as she is.
tough enough (56 months ago | reply)
Not to get on my soap box, but. I am a vet tech, we see so many stupid people that give pit bulls and breed like them a bad name. This breed is a people lover. A lot of state and counties are passing laws against this kind of dog. If people do not become more aware and informed we will have no rights for our pets. There are some places that are trying to pass laws to make pet owners a pets gardians, which sounds great but that will take all right from the owners. Neutering pets, surgeries, or even when a pet need to be put down, we will have to go through legal channels, and get a court order or something like that. I feel for your situation, we see it all the time. I hope you find a home for Dottie where she can live a long life.
I will get of my soap box now.
furryfriday (56 months ago | reply)
This is heartbreaking. I wish I could help. Dottie seems like a sweetie. I really, really hope this has a happy ending :(
Terry Bain (56 months ago | reply)
Thank you for sharing your photo with the Adoptable Pets photo pool.
I've also featured this photo on the following page: adoptable
| www.bainbooks.com/2007/10/dottie-needs-help-a sap-from-ado...
Blessings, Terry |
Subscribe to Adoptable Pets
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pearline145 (56 months ago | reply)
i totally understand your feelings and i hope Dottie will find her home asap.
i am rescuing pits, amstaffs and thier mixes in Hungary, pits are forbidden in our country amstaffs are also gonna be forbidden...
is there any chance to find a TEMPORARY owner for her until she gets to her home??
Georgia Browndog (56 months ago | reply)
she is such a pretty girl... beautiful picture.
cowgirlrightup (56 months ago | reply)
Poor sweet Dottie.... my thoughts and prayers are with you. The law doesn't always work for the good people or the good doggies of the world. Such a damn shame!!
Elizabeth...I do know something....with you on her side. She just has to win in the end. I have full confidence in you, Girl.
Best wishes and hugs to you both and Dotties family.
Dog Is Love (56 months ago | reply)
Thank you all. Since there's no specific DATE, the real deadline depends on if she manages to sneak out of the house again. The entire family has strict rules that Dottie has to be enclosed in the basement when they leave the house or if the front door is opened for any reason at all. They have a fenced yard, but they are so fearful that she may dig under, or even that their neighbor may do something harmful to her when they're not paying attention. They are so scared for Dottie's life...and they know that living this secluded style of life is no life for a 2 year old energetic dog.
We are considering all options right now, and not even a temporary solution has arisen as of yet. We do have one person in Indiana who expressed the willingness to help, but she has 3 small dogs and we are hesitant even though Dottie is wonderful, to send her somewhere with small dogs...just wouldn't be good in the off chance something would happen some day. And if it didn't work out, she's SO far away. But we do have that as a last resort option. But since there's not deadline as far as a date, per se, they'll just continue to keep Dottie confined any time she could possibly get out of the front door.
Thank you all for your words of support, encouragement, and well-wishes. It means so much!!!
Boered (56 months ago | reply)
Oh what a sad situation to be in! I wish I could help, but I have 3 Akitas, which also get a bad reputation like Pit Bulls, so this story is like my worst nightmare! And unfortunately, my Akitas don't get along with other dogs. Is there a national Pit Bull Rescue group (I know other breeds usually have them) that you could contact?
I wish you and Dottie's family the best of luck in finding her a new home! What a shame this has happened. I feel so for her owners.... how heartbreaking!
This is a wonderful shot, by the way!
pearline145 (56 months ago | reply)
i would adopt her temporary FOR REAL... but she is so far away from me...
Dog Is Love (56 months ago | reply)
Thank you all again. Dottie's family is so thankful for the outpouring of support. I know something will come through for her.
Boered - there are tons of pitbull rescues, local, state, regional, & national. Unfortunately, this breed is so overpopulated that there is just no one with room for her. And like I said...there are so many out there who need help who have NO history of any incident with another dog, so most efforts are focused there. They have to draw a line somehow, I guess, with so many in need.
Doggies Are From Heaven (56 months ago | reply)
I HATE this!!!!!! Every time I go to Charlotte Animal Control I have to pass the stray kennels as I drive in the back entrance. These stray kennels are full of pitbulls. In Mecklenburg County Pitballs are put down if they enter the shelter and are not reclaimed by a owner...even the puppies!!!!! Breed legislation is horrible. It perpetuates negative breed stereotypes and causes the death of thousands of beautiful dogs with wonderful temperments. How tragic that Dottie is caught up in this. I will say a prayer for her and her family. Please let us know if she finds a new, safe home.
Dog Is Love (56 months ago | reply)
I promise to keep you posted! Thanks so much for the prayers.
kaileysmom1 (56 months ago | reply)
Hi if dottie can get transport to Knoxville I will take her in I have a friend who is moving here from ohio has a big fenced in 3 city lots and she would have a good forever home. I raise APBT and wouldn't trust just anyone with my pups so I could garuntee her a great home. I have a family friend who lives in SC so maybe we could work out something
kaileysmom1 (56 months ago | reply)
We added her to our rescue site just incase someone who is willing to get her and drive the full way can see the site at
blackjackcatahoulas/
The site is an EAST Tennessee WEBSITE but we try to help every dog in need
Dog Is Love (56 months ago | reply)
Thank you all for your words of hope and support!
Kaileysmom1 - THANK YOU for your offer! We are in the process of working out a very good solution. Her current family has close relatives who are very pit-friendly, and live in an area that is also, and they are very savvy wtih rescue dogs. They absolutely adore Dottie, so we're working out the details now. I wasn't going to post until it was definite, but I may as well let the cat out of the bag! :D But if something should happen, I'll keep you posted! :)
♥ Lexus2D ♥ (38 months ago | reply)
Thank you for sharing this lovely picture in ♥ Rescued Pit Bulls & Staffies ♥,
Your a Star, Lexus2D
The Nightmare Before Christmas Rocks (35 months ago | reply)
i fell really bad for this dog how did her eye get like that?i am heart broken
Dog Is Love (35 months ago | reply)
She ended up in a GREAT home and is doing wonderfully! There's nothing wrong with her eye - must be the shadow :)
grandiflora.co [deleted] (16 months ago | reply)
i love it