STORM2K

Owner loses appeal to save pit bull's life
Lincoln Journal Star
An owner's appeal to save the life of a pit bull declared vicious was denied by the local health department Monday.


Michelle Ottens and her daughter, Kassondra, have been lobbying to keep their dog, Dirty, from being put to death.


Dirty was declared vicious by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department after he bit Kassondra on June 30.

Kassondra, 15, had to escape the house by a window with the help of neighbors. She was hospitalized for two days and required stitches to her leg and arm.

Dogs declared vicious are euthanized.

Ottens said she was furious with the denial and called the decision to kill her daughter's "sidekick" completely inappropriate.

She said the Health Department should have allowed her to find a way to keep Dirty alive, such as sending him to Texas to live with her boyfriend's cousin.

Bruce Dart, director of the Health Department, said allowing the dog to be sent to Texas would create liability issues for the city.

He said he opted to stick with his initial ruling because staff members believed the dog was aggressive and that euthanizing Dirty is in the best interest of the city.

Ottens has 10 days to appeal the latest decision in district court.

She said she doesn't have the money or legal knowledge to take the battle to court, but she hasn't decided what she'll do next.

No date has been set for Dirty's euthanization. He is being held at the Capital Humane Society

This really makes me wonder. We have 3 pit bulls. They are absolutely the sweetest most lovable dogs that I can imagine. By nature, this breed is not agressive towards humans. In fact, these dogs have a strong desire to please their master. They are very active, intelligent, social, and athletic by nature. The breed was developed for working, and yes, for fighting - other dogs. But agression towards humans is something that is taught - intentionally. There has to be more to this story than what was reported. As a pit bull owner, and a father I think that agression towards humans should be unacceptable, and I would support the decision to have the dog put down. My own son was mauled by a dog and required work by a plastic surgeon. The breed? A lab mix!

Oh, I agree. I am sure that there is more to this story than is being told. We have had 2 other incidences where pit bulls have killed other owners dogs when they were walking them.

I didn't mean to offend anyone by posting this.

I have a friend with a pit bull, and becuase of the training and direction it is given, it is a awesome dog.

You know Pitt Bulls and Rottweillers have received bad names because of how people choose to raise them. I have a rescued Pitt who was aggressive when I first brought her home. It took me a little while but "Shay" is now one of the sweetest dogs I have. I also have a Rott that I have raised from a pup and he would not harm anyone and loves children. Instead of putting the dog to sleep maybe they should throw them in the slammer. It is not the dogs fault BY NO MEANS!! It is how they are raised.

Congrats to you for rescuing an animal. It is a very admirable thing to do.

I am by no means condoning what is happening with the Pitt mentioned. I should have titled this different.

Darn, I did it again....LOL

This is one thing I got to respond to. I have a neighbor with two big dogs (rottweilers). These dogs bark at my little dog, and are housed in this little cage within a fenced yard. I still don't feel safe because I don't know these dogs.

We had a lovable "he be dumb" named "Rocky"; but the fact that he was 1/4 Chow was enough for the city to demand ugly stuff like fences, 4 feet UNDERGROUND, a kennel in which he would be placed at night, and a $50, 000 "disability-incurred" insurance policy.

Unable to comply, we had to take Rocky to the Humane Society; fortunately, a farmer came by and picked him up for an "alarm dog".

The most he'd do is lick someone to death...but "the law is the law"...

I wouldn't have a pit around kids. There has been just too much agressive nature bred into the dogs IMO. I have a co-worker who has a Pit that is one of the sweetest dogs I've known but that could change in a flash...

A Pass Christian man was charged with animal neglect after being identified as the owner of five adult pit bulls and six pit bull puppies found chained in the woods without food and water, authorities said. Harrison County deputies arrested 32 year old James Agee on Wednesday. The dogs were found June 4 in a rural area of Pass Christian. They were taken to the Humane Society of South Mississippi in Gulfport.

One of the dogs had to be euthanized, said sheriff's deputies. Deputies said the other dogs will be available for adoption if a judge decides against returning them to the owner. ``They were bone-thin, but they're really sweet dogs,'' said Robin Bush, Humane Society spokeswoman. ``All they want is somebody to love them and take care of them.'' Agee has posted a $500 bond. His case will be heard in Harrison County Justice Court on Aug. 13.

Was'nt there a pitt bull in several episodes of the Little Rascals?? What was his name anyhow....Petey?

Yep Pro-Storm you are correct. It is a shame that these dogs are given bad reps by idiots.