Public Outcry Over Emaciated Dog May Have Saved His Fate

November 8, 2011 3:33 PM

“Ace” the dog. (Facebook Photo)

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UPDATE 11/10: Detroit Euthanizes Pit Bull ‘Ace’ Despite Court Ruling

UPDATE 11/9: ‘Ace’ Gets Court Reprieve; But Has He Already Been Put Down?

UPDATE 11/8: Detroit Health Dept: Policy Stands, Ace On Deathrow

DETROIT (WWJ) - An emaciated dog named Ace is pulling the heart-strings of many.

After being found alone and scared in the lobby of an Ace Hardware in Detroit on Nov. 4, Ace – who is thought to be a pit bull - was picked up by Detroit Animal Control.

Acting on an ordinance that says an unlicensed animal can be put down within four days of being captured if an owner does not come forward, Detroit Animal Control said they would keep the pit bull until Thursday – but after that time is up, so is Ace’s.

Thousands of outraged pet lovers and concerned citizens from all over the world said the dog should be saved and given to an animal shelter or rescue that would be willing to nurse the pooch back to health.

But, the Michigan Humane Society said they have a contract with Detroit Animal Control that states pit bulls are not an eligible breed to be transferred for either adoption or rescue.

Running out of time and with few options left, animal activists went before the City Council on Tuesday to ask members to let them step in and save Ace.

“I’d hate to see this city put in the position where, in the face of the world, that it doesn’t have compassion,” said Stray K-9 Rescue League spokeswoman Teresa Mahalab.

To the delight of the activists, City Council President Charles Pugh agreed.

“Well, it just makes sense that if we have a group that’s willing to take on the responsibility, if it’s a liability issue then we should be able to waive that. But if you have a group that wants to take responsibility of the dog, then we should let you have it,” said Pugh.

Pugh also called on City Council attorneys to find out if the city can make an exception to a policy the forbids the transfer of pit bulls from shelter to shelter.

“It seems like a simple request. If we can make sure that we are not liable for what happens with the dog if we were to transfer it to this rescue league, then why is that such a big deal? Why can’t we just do that?” Pugh asked.

Dan Carlisle, also known as “Hush,” runs the Detroit Dog Rescue and is calling for a change the city ordinance so many shelters could try to help stray dogs.

“I would hope that Detroit City Council would give Detroit Animal Control the option to recognize or to give a dog over to a recognized rescue group. If they can do that, you know, that’s progress. But unfortunately right now, that’s not the case.”

Hush said he’s speaking up for the thousands of dogs in Detroit who face abuse or neglect.

“We are, as a rescue, willing to step up and take ownership of the dog, get it vetted, get it trained, get it fostered, whatever we need to do to get this dog rehabilitated and, you know, back to the loving animal it’s supposed to be.”

Hush said a change in the ordinance would mean legitimate rescue organizations could lighten the load for the Detroit Animal Control.

To visit the “Save Ace” Facebook page, click here.

Public Outcry Over Emaciated Dog May Have Saved His Fate

Martin Cohen

Has Detroit no respect for life? Be the change you wish to see in the world. It seems pitiful (no pun intended) that society has to beg for a life to be spared. What are you afraid of? Liability? Or actually doing some work? Don’t try and push policy down we the people’s throats. This will not go away by killing the dog. Global outrage will happen if you murder Ace. Maybe you like the publicity? Remember Patrick in NJ??? Very similar situation but NJ is doing the right thing and prosecuting the person who let the dog get in this condition. Patrick is thriving now….he is wonderful, playful, happy and loved…and Patrick is a pitbull!!!! SAVE ACE!!!!!!
Eleish Harvey

PLEASE LET ACE BE RESCUED AND TAKEN TO SAFETY, WHERE HE WILL GET THE MEDICAL TREATMENT HE DESPERATELY NEEDS, IF YOU KILL ACE AFTER PEOPLE HAVE PECIFICALLY ASKED FOR HIM, THE OUTRAGE THAT WILL HIT DETROIT WILL BE WORSE THAN IT IS NOW, WHAT YOU ARE DOING, IN NOT RELEASING ACE IS ANIMAL CRUELTY, AND A LAW SUIT SHOULD BE BROUGHT AGAINST YOU IF THIS DOG DIES, YOU ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW, REMEMBER THAT, THE BUBBLE OF NAIVITY YOU ARE DWELLING IN CAN BE BURST AND GOD HELP YOU WHEN IT DOES, I HAVE HEARD OF MORE ANIMAL CRUELTY THAT GOES ON IN ANIMAL SHELTERS OVER THERE, THAN I HAVE EVER HEARD OF IN MY LIFE, ITS DISGUSTING, ANIMAL RESCUERS WHO ARE DENIED THE RIGHT TO SAVE AND RESCUE ABUSED, STARVED AND NEGLECTED ANIMALS, ITS AS IF THEY WOULD RATHER KILL THE ANIMALS INSTEAD OF HAVING THEM SAVED, BY NOT RELEASING ACE, THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IF HE DIES, REMEMBER THESE PEOPLE ANSWER TO A HIGHER POWER, DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEM, FIGHT THEM TOOTH AND NAIL. LETS GET JUSTICE FOR ACE, AND GET HIM RELEASED TO PEOPLE WHO …WILL LOOK AFTER HIM…
CARLA

CALL SHORTY OF PIT BULL REISCUE ON TV. IF ANYONE CAN GET THESE IDIOTS TO CHANGE THEIR MIND IT WILL BE HIM. THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE IN PRISONS WHO DESERVE TO DIE THAN THIS LITTLE GUY.
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/11/09/charlie-langton-ace-a-little-dog-digging-up-a-big-problem/ Charlie Langton: Ace Is A Little Dog Digging Up A Big Problem « CBS Detroit

[...] Attempts have been made to get a response from the powers-that-be at Detroit Animal Control but answers are few and far between. Detroit simply must do a better job in adopting out animals. What’s the big deal? If people want the dog, assuming the owner hasn’t come forward or doesn’t want it, give them the dog. If a rescue organization or a responsible pet owner can save the life of a dog, go for it! Detroit seems to be bogged down in silly policies while dogs are dying. This is outrageous! [...]
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/11/09/ace-gets-judges-reprieve-but-has-he-already-been-put-down/ ‘Ace’ Gets Court Reprieve; But Has He Already Been Put Down? « CBS Detroit

[...] (531)Detroiters Launch Petition Against Nickelback Halftime Show, Thousands Sign (260)Public Outcry Over Emaciated Dog May Have Saved His Fate (29)Best Polish Food In The Detroit Area (19)Detroit Health Dept: Policy Stands, Ace [...]
Karen B.

There are plenty of dogs running the streets of Detroit in this condition. People should be outraged that this dog ended up like this. This is animal cruelty. This dog may not even be able to survive the starvation, and other health problems. Also, it could cause this dog to be food aggressive. There are many things that may not make this dog a good pet. I don’t like to see any animal euthanized if it has a chance, but the outcome may not be a good one. You have to be realistic to the situation. Pit Bulls are also hard to adopt. The shelters are full of them, and many do not find a home.
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/11/11/detroit-euthanizes-pit-bull-ace-despite-court-ruling/ Detroit Euthanizes Pit Bull ‘Ace’ Despite Court Ruling « CBS Detroit

[...] After news of Ace’s plight surfaced, Detroit Animal Control said they were inundated with calls from around the country from people who wanted to keep Ace alive. [...]
mary

Freaking government run bureaucrat again…no common sense….”Lets just kill something or someone” When are the citizens going to get some guts and change these sickening disease ridden institutes that are now obsolete to our society!!

Chris DeGroodt

I have been reading up on the news regarding this dog. Unfortunately ACE was already killed!!

http://kisstheanimalsgoodbye.wordpress.com/2011/11/22/detroit-euthanizes-pit-bull-ace-despite-court-ruling-repost-from-cbs-detroit/ Detroit Euthanizes Pit Bull ‘Ace’ Despite Court Ruling (Repost From CBS Detroit) « kisstheanimalsgoodbye

[...] After news of Ace’s plight surfaced, Detroit Animal Control said they were inundated with calls from around the country frompeople who wanted to keep Ace alive. [...]