Firefighter Reportedly Fired After Caring For Disputed Salem Dog

[East Coast Pirate]

http://kplr11.com/2013/05/11/new-twist-in-effort-to-save-a-salem-dogs-life/

SALEM, MO (KTVI) –A social media campaign to save a golden retriever that bit a child nearly a year ago now has the support of St. Louis Blues Hockey captain and his wife, David and Kelly Backes. The two have offered to take the dog named Phineas until a new home can be found for the pet. The Backes’ are active in animal protection campaigns.

A Salem, Missouri family is fighting in court to save their dog’s life. The animal nipped a neighbor girl nearly a year ago causing bruising. Now the Salem Mayor has deemed the dog vicious and recommended he be destroyed.

A Salem firefighter says he got involved in the campaign after seeing the dog in a kennel in the fire department basement. Austin Denton said Saturday he may lose his part time job at the fire department because he spoke out criticizing the conditions where the dog was confined.

“His cage was not being cleaned and he had no food at times,” Denton said.

[intheflow]

1. I've been following this story loosely.

The town mayor sounds like a real asshole. The little girl that was bit wasn't hurt, and it wasn't an aggressive attack, it was play gone awry. Fucking dog-haters. Why do people have to be that way?

[magical thyme]

2. a lot more to this story than meets the eye

I am a dog lover. Phineas was not being properly cared for by his owners and there was more than just a nip with a bruise. There was a puncture and crush injury, there were 3 prior police reports of bites.

Worst of all, his owners could not produce records of rabies or other vaccinations.

I don't think Phineas is vicious, just big, rambunctious, improperly handled and cared for by his owners. He should not die for their incompetence and neglect, but they should not be allowed to have him back, either.

Another news reports includes photos of Phineas and described him as appearing in good spirits and well cared for and states that he showed no signs of aggression but just ran around greeting people. He does look in good condition in the photos and his current caretaker appears to be knowledgeable, so Phineas is probably receiving far better care, training and handling than his owners have given him.

And the report below gives the history:

http://www.thesalemnewsonline.com/news/local_news/article_820cbebe-bcad-11e2-b5da-001a4bcf6878.html

"Brown said that in the case of Phineas, he based his decision to put the dog down on photos taken of Kendall Woolman’s injury, and police reports citing three prior bites by Phineas.

The initial police report states that besides the June 22 incident, Phineas bit Kendall previously June 6 or 7, and Kendall’s older sister, Alexus, May 23. Woolman describes the marks from those bites as “teeth scrapes.” Records of testimony from Alexus Woolman confirm that Phineas did “nibble” on her arm before Patrick Sanders hit him across the nose.

Based on the reports, Brown ruled on March 16 that Phineas was vicious and would be destroyed, according to Brown. He said the previous bite records brought him to that conclusion. City ordinance 5-58 allows for a vicious dog to be retained by its owner within city limits if certain safety provisions are met and a yearly fee of $250 is paid."

[magical thyme]

3. latest update is that he is being boarded with a veterinarian during his 6 month stay

of execution. That is too bad, since he won't likely get the personal attention and handling he had been getting in the private, undisclosed location. But hopefully he will be safe there for the time being.

[oldandhappy]

4. so the guy is going to lose his job because he is a good guy?

This is nuts. Talk about interfering government! wow

[baldguy]

5. Same old story: The dog gets the blame for the assholes around him.

[East Coast Pirate]

6. Yep.

Dogs hate being tied to a tree. It puts them in a defensive mode out of self preservation.