Monday, August 30, 2010

Sarge, shot in the head while crated, gets 2nd chance at Best Friends Sanctuary in Utah


ToledoBlade.com Sarge will get a second chance at life, and perhaps a second chance at having a family. After being shot six times while in a cage, that's the least he deserves.

Lawrence Mick and Adam Collins are accused of taking turns shooting Sarge, Mick's German shepherd, on July 9 while the dog was caged. Mick has pleaded not guilty and Mr. Collins no-contest to several charges, including cruelty to animals. Each has said the other did the shooting.

After Sarge spent about two weeks at the Lucas County dog pound, the Toledo Area Humane Society took possession and ownership of the dog, which proceeded to bite the society's veterinarian and head dog trainer. Previously, Sarge was reported to have bitten both Mick and his girlfriend.

Sarge was evaluated by a team of veterinarians at Ohio State University who determined that he had been too aggressive for too long - perhaps as a result of chronic pain - to allow a family to adopt him. For many dogs, that would be a death sentence. But Sarge got a reprieve when a Utah animal sanctuary agreed to take him.

Soon, Sarge will be on his way to southern Utah, where he will join about 1,700 other animals at Best Friends Animal Society, a no-kill sanctuary for dogs, cats, and others, most of which have special physical or behavioral needs. The hope is that after working with the staff there, he will give up his biting and snapping ways and be adopted out to a new family. If he can't, if the trauma is too great, he will be able to live out the remainder of his life at the sanctuary.

The violence of the attack on a helpless animal in a cage shocked many people. It heightened awareness of the cruelty animals sometimes face, and garnered sympathy for a dog that under other circumstances might have been discarded as incapable of rehabilitation.

As it is, Sarge gets a new start and his alleged attackers face possible fines and jail time. That sounds like justice.

National Canine Cancer Foundation

18 comments:

Maggie Mae and Max said...

Wonderful news 'bouts Sarge!

Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

Sagira said...

I hope that they do get jail time.

Good luck Sarge!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We keep hearing more and more of these horror stories. Lucky for Sarge that there are still some good people out there to help him.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! Woof! Hoping for Sarge attackers to get the proper jail time. It's just terrible what they did to Sarge. Glad to hear Sarge is getting another chance to live. Thanks for sharing. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

♥I am Holly♥ said...

That is so horrible about what happened to Sarge. I hope the attackers get lots of jail time. It's good to know that Sarge will have another chance to live at Best Friends. We know they do wonderful things for animals. Lots of love, Debbie and Holly

the booker man said...

i'm glad sarge is gonna get to go live at best friends! i'm keepin' my paws crossed that they can help him out.
*woof*
the booker man

houndstooth said...

I'd heard that Sarge was on his way there. I've heard wonderful things about Best Friends in the past. I hope it all works out well for him!

Anonymous said...

Terrible story - but great news! I feel so bad for Sarge. Alot of times people mistake a dogs aggression and don't look for the real cause. I am happy that he people at Ohio state could figure it out, so that now he is going to have a second life. I hope his new family loves him and is willing to rebuild a relationship with him.

Granite State Pet Sitting said...

I am so happy that Sarge can move into Best Friends,they will give him everything he needs. I hope the two people get what they deserve.

Two French Bulldogs said...

We are so happee for Sarge!
Benny & Lily

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Oh no,
this makes my eyes cry. Why , why, must people be so bad.
Sarge will be lucky. So many others have not been.
Best Friends Sanctuary truly is a kind place.
Sarge will find kindness, and love.
Bless his heart.
I hate the bad people.
They need to be shot inside a cell.
love
tweedles

Wrigley said...

I am glad Sarge gets a second chance at Best Friends! I'll bet he is a great dog when shown true love.

Do the shooters get put in cages and shot at - seems fair to me!

Wags N Kisses,
Wrigley

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

I vote we khram them in a khrate and shoot - a cell gives them more room -

Here's to Best Friends for taking Sarge -

I know he'll do well with them, fur them, and thanks to them -

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Teddy Bear said...

We're so happy that Sarge will be among so many other furry friends.:)

Love,
Teddy Bear

Kate said...

There has been far too many cruelty actions coming into the headlines lately...

BUT its better than being disregarded!

Luckily Sarge is out of there... Sheesh! The madness of some people

Maxmom said...

Such a sad story! Wish Sarge all the luck in the world.
Lotsaluv
MAXMOM IN SA

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

I don't even want Sarge's attacker to be in jail. I want them DEAD!!! How could someone do such a thing? They both should be caged and then shot at.
Glad that Sarge has a second chance.

Pedro said...

Thank goodness Sarge has someone looking out for him now. The bad humans should be caged for awhile...

Pedro