The Denver family fights to keep the dog from being euthanized after it bit a sleeping toddler
A Denver family tries to save their English Setter from being euthanized after surrendering their dog to a local animal shelter for biting their 2-year-old son.
Nicole and Lars Ellingson brought their 10-year-old dog, Watson, to the Denver Animal Shelter after he bit their sleeping toddler in the face earlier this month.
When they dropped the dog off at the shelter, they were told there was a ‘risk he could be euthanized’, but the couple claimed the shelter agreed to keep their dog for 10 days and release it once they found a suitable home.
When they alerted the shelter that their beloved Watson would be rehomed to the Southwest English Setter Rescue, the shelter told them their dog would be euthanized.
The broken couple told Fox 31 News the ‘story of the shelter has changed’.
“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.
Watson, a 10-year-old English Setter dog, bit a sleeping toddler in the face and will now be euthanized by a Denver animal shelter
Nicole and Lars Ellingson told Fox 31 the situation was a “big misunderstanding” and they have found a new home for their pup, but the shelter has told the couple that Watson is about to be euthanized
Nicole is pictured with her two-year-old son whose face was bitten by Watson, the family’s dog
A group of protesters gathered outside the shelter on Friday with signs and chanted, “Free Watson…save his life…do what’s right.”
A spokesman for the city said the family has signed the “Owner Relinquishment: End of Life Request” document that grants them “full legal custody of the animal.”
The document reads, “I release full legal custody of the animal described above with a request that this animal be humanely euthanized by DAP.”
The Denver Animal Shelter told the news outlet that they will euthanize the dog because it bit the child twice and they don’t want to release the animal to the general public for safety reasons.
“Watson was transferred to the Denver Animal Shelter last week after severely biting a child in the face,” the agency said in a statement.
“When it was returned, it was made clear to the owner that this was a final decision. Denver Animal Protection is charged with protecting both the safety of people and animals in our community.
“Due to the severity of this bite and the history his owner revealed to us when he surrendered – 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.”
Sunday marks the end of Watson’s 10-day quarantine.
The spokesperson for the city said they were still reviewing the matter and a final decision has not yet been made.
Lars called the whole ordeal a “big misunderstanding.”
“I’d like to be hopeful,” he said. “But I think they’ve made up their minds. We hope can reconsider.’
The Ellingsons’ Facebook page features a number of photos of a happy Watson with the smiling couple, with many posting their support and prayers.
“Oh my god Nicole!” wrote a family friend. “I saw this story all over social media today. My heart goes out to you! I hope for the best!’
Watson pictured in his undated photo with Nicole when she was expecting a baby
Lars imagined Watson having some one-on-one time in a hammock outside
Protesters gather outside the Denver Animal Shelter with signs and chant, “Free Watson…save his life…do what’s right.”
The Southwest English Setter Rescue has a page dedicated to Watson that reads: ‘Free Watson!’ Act now. Tell Denver to release Watson’
Saturday at 8:00 p.m Southwest English Setter Rescue posted an ‘urgent’ message.
“URGENT – Possibly only HOURS left to live – SAVE Watson’s life!” read the message. “Call and e-mail Melanie Sobel, Director of Denver Animal Shelter right away! Watson must not be killed!
Countless English Setter experts have all informed her since Thursday that this was not an aggressive incident.
“Not ANY ES breed expert agrees with the shelter’s aggressive assessment, including DVMs. Watson has NO history of aggression,” she wrote.
The post has caught the attention of the community with one member pleading, “Mayor [Mike] Johnston, please intervene!!’