On November 16, 2007 our beloved bulldog, Butters, was enrolled in a 30 Day Obedience Class. For the next 30 days, Butters would remain in the care of a professional trainer at "The Dog House" located at 109 Fleming Street Fredericksburg, VA. "The Dog House" boarded several other dogs that were there to learn how to walk on a loose leash, sit, recall, and lay down.
Butters had been making great progress during his training and had even made new friends. He had learned all the commands, and was just 3 days away from returning home to his family for Christmas. But on the 27th day of training he was taken away by Animal Control and now faces the death penalty.
On December 12, 2007 the trainer and his son had entered Butters’s kennel to replace his blanket. According to the trainer, Butters bit the trainer’s son while the two were exchanging his blanket. Fortunately, the trainer’s son is OK. Unfortunately, I have been charged with owning a “vicious” dog and the penalty is that Butters be put to sleep.
On December 28, 2007, I went to trial without a lawyer. Due to the holiday week it was impossible to find an attorney that could defend us on such a short notice. The trainer, Shawn Deehan, was the only admissible witness, and he had expressed to the courts that he wanted Butters destroyed. Unfortunately, Butters couldn’t speak to defend himself. We lost the case and Butters was court ordered to be euthanized.
Click Here to watch a video of Butters.
Thank you.
8 comments:
Wow, that dog trainer in Fredericksburg abused your dog. American bulldog?
I would question if this particular "trainer" has entered this kind of complaint before and had other dogs (and specifically your breed) put down. This could be a pattern. I would look to see if they did before, the specifics of any other case, and appeal on lack of evidence. Technically its his word against yours, and I very much doubt they can prove it was your dog. I would also speak with other people who have had their dogs enrolled there and get some statements, if even just for yourself, on how they felt their animal was treated and find out if any complaints have been filed in the past few years against this trainer.
I am so sorry you two have to go thru this. I watched the video and it really touched me and brought me to tears. I have 2 dogs of my own and this would hurt so bad. There isnt much i can do, I am currently residing in Japan with my husband is the marines. But my thoughts and prayers are with you both as well as Butters. He so precious. I hope and hope that this all works out and he can come home soon!
I read this to my husband, and he said that dogs tend to bite out of affection or wanting to play, perhaps the "vicious" bite was only a love nip, Does the trainer have pictures or proof such as hospital records (and had the dog bit the child "viciously" he would have needed stitches, I know this because I was "ACCUALLY" bit as a child) that Butters bit his child. That being said why did a trained "professional" have their child around your dog anyways, had your dog ever met the child prior to the alleged incident? did you agree for his child to be near your dog? Or for the child to help administer care to your dog (changing blankets and such)? So Butters wasnt home, and a new person was messing with his property (i.e blanket) so it may have been territorial. Besides children tend to over exagerate things such as bites and nips. If the trainer has no SOLID proof that his child was bit BY Butters (a picture of butters biting his child would be about the only thing) then they have no case, it just his word against yours. Contact your local news, (if you havnt already) get people involved let them know the injustice that is happening against your family and butters. I am so sorry this is happening to you I hope for the best for you and Butters, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
It is obvious to me that they must have done something pretty hurtful for Butters to lash out. My husband and I had a boxer for about 5 years and he was hit by a car about 3 years ago and we've not gotten another dog since. There is no replacing him. He was the smartest and sweetest dog in the world. I would never worry about our dog biting or growling at another person, much less another dog and it seems as though Butters is the same way. I would have to do some more research and see how many times this has occurred at this facility. Seems to me that he was too eager to blame the dog for everything, which really doesn't make sense to me if he's a trainer...they usually have more patience and understanding about this sort of thing. I hope that everything works out with Butters...he sure is a sweet baby!
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/view_cause/61974?recruiter_id=4668651
This is such a sad story. I am so sad to hear that someone would and could be able to condemn an animal who can't defend themselves like that. Isn't it true though that only a "trained professional" should be interacting with the dogs? Are there even any proof that Butters did this? I wouldn't lose all hope just yet! This heartless person needs to prove this case, he can't just go making accusations about other ppl. Keep your head up!
It is the 19th...
Please let us know what happened....
I just saw the video on youtube, and needless to say I am concerned and heartbroken for Butters.
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