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

Carla Green Frew Stowe

Progress, AWESOME!!!
Gale H

Finally !! A POLOTICIAN that listens with compassion !!
Leah Boule

Mr. Pugh is an honorable man with a lot of common sense. Thank you so much, Mr. Pugh!
Stephanie

PLEASE FOLLOW UP ON THIS STORY. From Save Ace fb page “We just received word that the Loretta Davis and the Health Department will NOT be releasing Ace. We are outraged. We have individuals enroute to the Mayor’s office now to plead our case one more time. Please continue to call the Mayor’s office as well as the City Council members and President Pugh. While this is not good news, we will not give up. Please continue to make calls and send emails. The numbers and emails can be found in the information section of this site. Thank you.”
Janet Hill

Please help ACE and keep the attention on him. Even though the City Council saw the wisdom of giving this poor dog a chance the mayor and Loretta Davis did not. they site the fact that so many people get bitten by dogs each year. this makes no sense, Ace did not bite anyone. Humans have let him down, please help get him into the loving arms of a rescue.
Deb Speelman

Loretta Davis: you need a heart!

Darlene Welch Williams

Loretta Davis and the rest of those that covered up the truth need to be fired…

Kathleen

UPDATE: We just received word that the Loretta Davis and the Health Department will NOT be releasing Ace. We are outraged. We have individuals enroute to the Mayor’s office now to plead our case one more time. Please continue to call the Mayor’s office as well as the City Council members and President Pugh. While this is not good news, we will not give up. Please continue to make calls and send emails. he is NOT safe!
Stuart Fisk

Mr. Pugh: Thank you for listening to the folks you represent and for letting common sense enter the equation. I understand that Detroit, and all large cities, have their problems and that druggies and gang bangers like to abuse these dogs, so some cities want to ban the breed altogether. What has not been factored in is that this is a people problem and to have the government further victimize these dogs is complete insanity. This is certainly a step in the right direction and I commend you for standing up for doing the best for this animal and for just doing the right thing.
Jeff G.

My family and I are very angry over this, for god’s sake have a heart and release this dog. The City of Detroit needs to prove it can do something right!
Bianca

I just saw this on Facebook. Like Patrick the Miracle Dog, Ace deserves a chance at a life so let a rescue take him in for medical treatment. He looks so much like Patrick. Prayers for Ace.
B. Goodrich

Michael Vick’s dogs were taken in by Best Fiends. The City of Detroit should let Ace go there also or some other rescue group.
Trevor Parker

Thank you Thank you Thank you CBS Detroit for making this news!!!!!!
belinda

Give Ace a chance… just a chance to be loved by a family, would’nt you want that for your child!
Darlene Williams

Ace deserves a chance to be cared for and loved. Hasn’t he been through enough? What good will come from putting him down? He has done nothing wrong other than be found in the city of Detroit!!! There is NO reason to put this poor baby down.
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/11/08/detroit-health-dept-policy-stands-ace-on-deathrow/ Detroit Health Dept: Policy Stands, Ace On Deathrow « CBS Detroit

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Nancy Ajlouny

Thank you Mr Pugh, Is Detroit & The Humane Society & Animal Control just STUCK ON STUPID? If Detroit let’s a Rescue Group or an Individual take the dog, save him, and find him a home , totally taking Liability for the dog, what the he’ll is wrong with these people? And yes what is the big F’ing deal! Just do it!
Chris DeGroodt

So sad and disgusting if Ace is destroyed for no reason other than his breed. Give the poor guy a chance at a good life. Doesn’t he deserve that?
Katherine Hughes Cairns

Please let MHS know of your disappointment that they have done nothing to try and save Ace. Im so tired of MHS’s excuses every time I call them to help me rescue a dog and this s just another one of those times that they refuse to do anything. If anyone could save this dog MHS could do it if they wanted to. Im very disappointed int their reply being it’s DAC’s problem when they know full well what DAS is really like. Makes me wonder what they care more about the money or the welfare of the animal. I will NO longer give to MHS until I see them bringing the animal first and stop giving excuses of why they can’t help.
Katherine Hughes Cairns

Someone just came forward to claim Ace is her dog. She says he was stolen from her in Detroit. I hope her story will be checked out completely. Like why did she wait so long to claim him? Did she report him stolen to police, MHS, and DAC.and put up fliers. What kind of care did she give this dog before her claims that he was stolen from her. Could Ace be facing a worse fate by more suffering by being released to this person that claims to be his owner.
Dawn Canada

Someone posted a picture of a dogue de Bordeaux – he IS this breed – take a look! So 1,000 pitbulls bit people last year?!!!!! Really? They say dog bites – which IS painful – they don’t say who was responsible for most! Dogs that bite the most are usually pet’s – or have had pups, something triggers their instinct to protect! It’s not like 1,000 random people in Detroit were attacked by Cujo on the street! And THAT is what they are making this into! Also who the hell is this cold hearted $$$$$$ and can she be tossed out or not re-elected?
Rose Bres

Save this poor dogs life! He has been through enough and does not deserve to die.
Robin

The idea that the city would kill a dog that MANY people and organizations have offered to save makes me absolutely sick. What a heartless act. I hate this city sometimes.
Josephine Tolbert

I can not for the life of me understand. How could your heart not be touched. Policies, bull we all know that an exception can be made.Heartless, just so heartless. How such a pitiful little dog should suffer death when there are all these opportunities out there to take and care for him. I say shame and a quote I am reminded of , a nation can be judged by how they treat their animals.Shame on you all, where is the compassion?;.PLEASE SAVE ACE
http://www.healthofdogs.com/health-of-dogs/public-outcry-over-emaciated-dog-may-have-saved-his-fate.html Public Outcry Over Emaciated Dog May Have Saved His Fate | Healthy Dogs

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Jack

Ace did not bite anyone. People murder. Maybe we should put all people in jail. Stop making geralizations and evaluate each situation and LIFE. There are plenty of lawyers out there that can modify a policy.