Tag: dog park

Thanks to Flyer, Dog Park Regular Whose Owner Died Has a Loving New Home

A senior Rottweiler mix named Bandit used to enjoy fun times at a Thousand Oaks, Calif., dog park with his owner, Phil, known by other park regulars as “The Doctor.”

Sadly, Phil passed away at his home. Days later, police discovered him, with Bandit by his side, on Feb. 6. They took the 10-year-old dog to the County of Los Angeles – Agoura Animal Care Center.

When a kind-hearted dog park regular found out about Phil’s death and his senior dog’s situation — it’s a sad but true fact that older dogs have much more difficulty getting adopted and making it out of shelters alive — they posted a flyer on the dog park fence with Bandit’s photo and ID number. Amy Mandel took a photo of the flyer and posted it on Facebook, where it was shared over 4,800 times.

“Life is very different now and I am quite sad,” says “Bandit” in the flyer. “I get along with everyone and am an easy-going guy! Would you please allow me to live out my days in another home again?”

The flyer worked. Bandit has been adopted and, just as he wished, will live out his days with a family and their other rescue dog, Tarra. The Agoura Animal Care Center posted this happy update from Bandit’s new dog mom yesterday on its Facebook page:

“He is so sweet! He’s having a blast; what a personality. Once we got home, I took him and our little dog (Tarra- also a rescue) out back to go potty, and he was so happy he ran laps around the yard! I had no idea he had so much happy energy in him, then he and Tarra were running around all over the house and yard. Tarra really misses her brothers – my dogs that passed. Tarra is so happy. They follow each other around and Bandit is like my little shadow. He LOVES my son DJ, and when husband got home he was licking him and following him around! He is a little love, so happy he’s with us.”

Congratulations to Bandit and many thanks to his adopters and everyone who helped ensure he found a forever home. The saying that it takes a village is really true, and in Bandit’s case the “village” was a dog park community.

No Charges yet for Shooter of Dog Playing ‘Too Rough’ at Houston Dog Park

MARCH 10, 2015 UPDATE: Diesel’s shooter, Joseph Potts, has been arrested and charged with one count of felony cruelty to a non-livestock animal.

A man at the Bay Area Dog Park in Houston yesterday morning thought a 2-year-old, black-and-white Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Diesel was playing too roughly with his own dog.

So the man kicked Diesel, knocking him down, then pulled out a handgun and shot him three times at close range in the back and leg. Diesel was rushed to a local emergency animal hospital, where he had to be euthanized a few hours later due to the extent of his injuries.

“I just can’t believe somebody would do that when the dog wasn’t even being aggressive,” Melanie Merritt, who saw the shooting, told KHOU.

Another eyewitness told KPRC-TV the dogs appeared to have been playfully tussling at the Bay Area Dog Park. “His dog was not in danger,” he said. “I witnessed everything. No one was in danger.”

No charges have yet been filed against the man, who has not been identified.

While it’s legal to carry rifles and shotguns in Texas, handguns require a permit. Using one to kill a pet dog, in an area filled with families on a weekend morning, seems not only cruel but downright dangerous.

After being questioned by Harris County sheriff’s deputies, the shooter — who, according to KHOU, told them he did it in self defense when the “Pit Bull” tried to attack his dog — was released. The Sheriff’s Office issued a statement this morning that it will bring its completed investigation of the case to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office for further review.

“He doesn’t have any remorse,” the eyewitness told KPRC-TV. “He’s angry. All of that aggression. We’re all telling him, ‘I hope you go to jail.’ I don’t understand how they are not pressing charges.”

Last night KPRC-TV reporter Bill Spencer said he spoke via phone to Diesel’s pet parents, who plan to press criminal charges against the shooter today.

“They’re absolutely heartsick and they are sick to their stomachs,” Spencer said. “And they are confused as well — shocked that the man who shot their dog is not behind bars tonight.”

Photo via Twitter

 

 

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