A Denver family who surrendered their dog to a local animal shelter is now fighting tooth and nail to keep him alive.
According to local station KDVR, Nicole and Lars Ellingson recently decided to give up their 10-year-old English setter Watson after he bit their 2-year-old son. But when they dropped Watson off, they learned something troubling.
“When I dropped him off, they did warn that there was a risk he could be euthanized,” Lars said to KDVR.
However, the shelter vowed that they’d keep him alive for at least 10 days as the Ellingsons looked for another home for him.
The problem is that “since then, the story has changed,” according to Lars.
“Lars [said] he found a home for Watson with the Southwest English Setter Rescue, but when he called to make arrangements with the shelter he was told Watson was scheduled to be euthanized,” KDVR notes.
“Now we’re dealing with the fact that this one decision we made under what feels like false pretenses, was a death sentence,” Nicole said to the station.
In a statement shared with the station, the city essentially accused the Ellingsons of lying about the 10-day waiver period.
“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,” the statement reads.
“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. We take this decision very seriously and will act in the best interest of our community,” it continues.
The animal shelter released a statement of its own as well:
View this post on Instagram
Dovetailing back to the city, it also reportedly released an “Owner Relinquishment: End of Life Request” form that was filled out by the family.
“I release full legal custody of the animal described above with the request that this animal be humanely euthanized by DAP,” the fine print reportedly says.
A small group reportedly congregated outside the Denver Animal Shelter on Friday to protest the shelter’s decision to hold Watson.
“I would love to be hopeful. But I think their mind is made up. We hope that can reconsider,” Lars said.
Watson’s quarantine reportedly ends Sunday …
His tale meanwhile has gone viral and captured the hearts of many, including even leftist radical Keith Olbermann, a man many had suspected didn’t even have a heart.
Look:
DENVER: bureaucracy at Denver @DASanimals Animal Shelter may cost Watson his life.
Former family screwed up, shelter screwed up, there are now rescues willing to save him – but the shelter still seems intent on killing him Sunday.
At this point, needs are RTs and local media https://t.co/PJlXKK2tnv pic.twitter.com/knfbaiYTup
— Keith Olbermann↙️ (@KeithOlbermann) July 22, 2023
Please save Watson. ❤️
— Jille (@ambleside123) July 23, 2023
#savewatson. Don’t be so heartless and devious. I thought your shelter advocated for animals. Watson is not a threat to public safety.
— Lynda Shepherd (@lyndaroses1) July 23, 2023
#SaveWatson @DASanimals Please let Watson go to an experienced and highly regarded English Setter rescue group. The dog shouldn’t pay the ultimate price for an adult’s mistake in allowing a toddler to jump on a sleeping dog.
— Lisa Carothers (@chocmaltBlue) July 23, 2023
I’m waking up in tears anxiously waiting to hear about Watson A dog who had an active reaction to bad dog owners. Today is supposed to be his last day before he will be forced to cross over the rainbow I’m hoping Denver Animal shelter will do the correct thing and release him 1/2
— Goddess (@goddess_era13) July 23, 2023
2/2 to @MaxfundShelter who will give this baby a place to peacefully live the rest of his days. DAS trying to murder and ignore the shelters willing to take him and saying it’s “dangerous” is their way to say they don’t care. Shelters vs adoption are not the same. Help please
— Goddess (@goddess_era13) July 23, 2023
As for Southwest English Setter Rescue, the rescue that agreed to take in Watson, it too is helping the Ellingsons in their fight.
“Save Watson! Keep up the public outreach. Now that Watson’s bite quarantine has ended, the shelter can do whatever they want,” the rescue wrote in a Facebook post published Sunday morning.
Look:
Save Watson!
Keep up the public outreach. Now that Watson’s bite quarantine has ended, the shelter can do whatever they…Posted by Southwest English Setter Rescue on Sunday, July 23, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.