 by his owners Nicole and Lars Ellingson, after biting their sleeping toddler in the face. The couple claim the DAS agreed to keep the dog for 10 days and let him out when a suitable home is found - despite also being told there was a 'risk he could be euthanised'. Nicole and Lars found what they thought is a suitable home for Watson, with the Southwest English Setter Rescue - but the shelter said Watson was to be euthanised. They have accused the shelter of changing their story, and now tragically feel they have given their own dog a 'death sentence' under 'false pretences'. Lars described it to Fox 31 News as a 'big misunderstanding' as there is a 'good home for Watson, it's a home without children and there is no reason he should not be allowed to enjoy that'. 'But I think their mind is made up. We hope that they can reconsider,' he said. Protests took place outside the shelter complete with signs and placards, and chants of: 'Free Watson… save his life… do what is right.' But the shelter told Fox 31 they are considering euthanising the dog because he bit the child twice, and for the protection of the general public. They said in a statement: 'Watson was surrendered to the Denver Animal Shelter last week after he severely bit a child in the face. 'When he was surrendered, it was made clear to the owner that this was a permanent decision. Denver Animal Protection is charged with protecting both the safety of people and animals in our community.' A city spokesperson claimed the family signed an official document which granted the shelter){kind=link}
A Denver family are battling to save the life of their beloved 10-year-old English setter, Watson. But after they turned him into the Denver Animal Shelter, the shelter claim they have the legal right to euthanise the dog.
A family is desperately campaigning to save their dog from being euthanised after it bit their two-year-old son in the face.
Watson the 10-year-old English Setter was surrendered to the Denver Animal Shelter (DAS) by his owners Nicole and Lars Ellingson, after biting their sleeping toddler in the face.
The couple claim the DAS agreed to keep the dog for 10 days and let him out when a suitable home is found – despite also being told there was a “risk he could be euthanised”.
Nicole and Lars found what they thought is a suitable home for Watson, with the Southwest English Setter Rescue – but the shelter said Watson was to be euthanised.