In Denver, the family of a 10-year-old English setter named Watson is fighting to save the life of their dog after surrendering him to the Denver Animal Shelter.
Watson’s owners, Nicole and Lars Ellingson had made the difficult choice to surrender their dog after Watson bit their two-year-old son who had jumped on the dog while he was sleeping.
When I dropped him off, they did warn that there was a risk he could be euthanized, but that they’d store him for 10 days, and if i was able to find a home within that 10 day window that they would release him to me and let him be rehomed. Since then the story has changed.
Watson’s owners
According to MaxFund the animal welfare organization is willing to pull Watson to get him transferred to Southwest English Setter Rescue. Denver Animal Shelter HAS NOT BEEN RESPONDING TO TRANSFER REQUESTS!
When the family called with the new home offer, the shelter told them Watson was scheduled to be euthanized. The family feels the shelter misrepresented the fate of their dog.
In response, the Denver Animal Shelter stated the dog had bitten the child in the face, and when the family surrendered Watson, they were told this was a “permanent decision” and that the shelter is responsible for keeping the public safe. Based on information from the family that Watson had bitten the same child before, there had to be a decision if keeping the dog alive would be in the “best interest of our community.”
The shelter also referenced the “Owner Relinquishment: End of Life Request” the dog’s owners signed.
i release full legal custody of the animal described above with the request that this animals be humanely euthanized by DAP
Denver Animal Shelter
Watson’s quarantine period ends on Sunday.
the conclusion does not take into account the hundreds and hundreds of times that he has interactions with children and chosen to move away from the situation instead of expressing even beginning signs of aggression. It does not take into account the children outside of the immediate family that have approached him on walks and been in the house with him, yet he has never expressed signs of aggression. Nor does it account for him being a regular fixture without any issue or sign of being a potentially dangerous dog in his community …
Save Watson
Please help the family by reaching out to Denver Animal Shelter with your support of Watson. Write and/or call Denver officials and politely request that Watson be given the opportunity to go to a rescue that will love and help him live out the rest of his life. Find contacts below:
Denver Animal Shelter and Animal Protection
Denver Animal Shelter: Facebook Page
Officer Dispatch: 720-913-2080
All Other Inquiries: 3-1-1 or 720-913-1311
Denver Animal Protection: (720) 913-2080
Director: Melanie Sobel
[email protected]
720-337-1777
Mayor Mike Johnson
Phone: 720-865-9000
Contact page: Contact – City and County of Denver
Denver City Council Contacts
*Denver Animal Shelter is in District 3 – Jamie Torres*
Council District 1
Amanda P. Sandoval
[email protected]
(720) 337-7701
Council District 2
Kevin Flynn
[email protected]
(720) 337-2222
Council District 3
Jamie Torres
[email protected]
(720) 337-3333
Council District 4
Diana Romero Campbell
[email protected]
(720) 337-4444
Council District 5
Amanda Sawyer
[email protected]
(720) 337-5555
Council District 6
Paul Kashmann
[email protected]
(720) 337-6666
Council District 7
Flor Alvidrez
[email protected]
(720) 337-7777
Council District 8
Shontel M. Lewis
[email protected]
(720) 337-8888
Council District 9
Darrell Watson
[email protected]
(720) 337-7709
Council District 10
Chris Hinds
[email protected]
(720) 337-7710
Council District 11
Stacie Gilmore
[email protected]
(720) 337-7711
Council At-Large
Sarah Parady
[email protected]
(720) 337-7712
Denver Animal Shelters State Legislators
Senator Julie Gonzales (D) – District 34
Email: [email protected]
Office Phone: 303-866-2954
Representative Alex Valdez (D) – District 5
Email: [email protected]
Office Phone: 303-866-2925
Other Contacts
Bob McDonald – Executive Director, Denver Department of Public Health and Environment
Email: [email protected]
Alice Nightengale – Deputy Executive Director, Denver Department of Public Health and Environment
Email: [email protected]
Board of Public Health and Environment (shelter fall under this department)
Email: [email protected]
The city is sill reviewing information and a final determination has not yet been made.
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