Family fights to stop dog being put down for biting sleeping toddler in face
A family is desperately campaigning to save their dog from being euthanised after it bit their two-year-old son in the face.
Watson the 10-year-old English Setter was surrendered to the Denver Animal Shelter (DAS) by his owners Nicole and Lars Ellingson, after biting their sleeping toddler in the face.
The couple claim the DAS agreed to keep the dog for 10 days and let him out when a suitable home is found - despite also being told there was a “risk he could be euthanised”.
Nicole and Lars found what they thought is a suitable home for Watson, with the Southwest English Setter Rescue - but the shelter said Watson was to be euthanised.
They have accused the shelter of changing their story, and now tragically feel they have given their own dog a “death sentence” under “false pretences”.
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Nicole and Lars are fearful of losing their beloved Watson after turning him in to the shelter (Facebook)Lars described it to Fox 31 News as a “big misunderstanding” as there is a “good home for Watson, it’s a home without children and there is no reason he should not be allowed to enjoy that”.
“But I think their mind is made up. We hope that they can reconsider,” he said.
Protests took place outside the shelter complete with signs and placards, and chants of: “Free Watson… save his life… do what is right.”
Protestors gather outside the Denver Animal Shelter (FOX31 KDVR-TV)But the shelter told Fox 31 they are considering euthanising the dog because he bit the child twice, and for the protection of the general public.
They said in a statement: “Watson was surrendered to the Denver Animal Shelter last week after he severely bit a child in the face.
“When he was surrendered, it was made clear to the owner that this was a permanent decision. Denver Animal Protection is charged with protecting both the safety of people and animals in our community.”
Nicole and Lars are campaigning to rehome Watson with the Southwest English setter rescue (FOX31 KDVR-TV)A city spokesperson claimed the family signed an official document which granted the shelter ‘full legal custody of the animal’.
The document reads: "I release full legal custody of the animal described above with the request that this animal be humanely euthanised by DAP."
In their statement, the shelter added: “Because of the severity of this bite and the history that his owner disclosed to us upon surrender – he has bitten the same child in the face before – we are closely reviewing whether it is safe to release him back into the community.
Nicole with her two-year-old son whose face was bit by Watson (Facebook)“We take this decision very seriously and will act in the best interest of our community.”
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Watson’s 10-day quarantine ends today but the city spokesperson said no final decision has been made and the case will continue to be reviewed.
Southwest English Setter rescue - with whom Nicole and Lars want to rehome Watson - released a statement pleading for people to support Watson’s cause.
Watson with Nicole when she was expecting a baby (Facebook)It read: “URGENT - Possibly only HOURS to live - SAVE Watson's life! Call and email Denver Animal Shelter Director Melanie Sobel immediately! Watson should not be killed!
“Numerous English Setter experts have all been communicating to her since Thursday that this was not an aggressive incident.
“Not a SINGLE ES breed expert has agreed with the shelter's aggressive assessment, including DVMs. Watson does NOT have a history of aggression.”
People want Watson freed (Southwest English Shelter Rescue Facebook)One member of the community responded, pleading with Mayor Johnston to intervene in the case.
The Ellingsons’ Facebook page shows a happy Watson beside the couple, with many posting their support for him.
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