The Turning of the Screw
If loosing Charlie wasn’t enough, Facebook now has photos of Charlie that I haven’t seen.
Keep in mind, I don’t know when or where these photos were taken.
But how would that make a person feel? Is this some type of provocation by San Francisco Animal Care and Control? As Charlie’s owner, these photos infuriate me. As I’m sure it is intended. An attempt to provoke me. Anger me. An attempt to punish me more. Make me less human. Trying me in and out of court. Imposing excessive punishments. Over and over.
Cindy Marabito calls this a ‘splinter group’:
http://www.examiner.com/article/splinter-hate-group-claims-to-know-charlie-s-whereabouts
I call it bitter people led by San Francisco and Animal Care and Control. Several people in the group have been admitted to be Animal Control volunteers. I have met many of the volunteers. They are nothing like these people. The Animal Control volunteers are nice, sensitive, and professional.
And ACC doesn’t have photo’s like this:
Would you ever stop fighting for your Charlie? Could you ever turn your back on your baby? What is Charlie thinking right now? It’s hard to fathom what Charlie has been through the last five months.
It’s hard to fathom what you have been through. What San Francisco has been through. What people in other countries have been through. I just wanted my dog back and you wanted to help! And did you get any response from them? Did San Francisco acknowledge all the pouring out of love? All the sacrifice? Did San Francisco acknowledge the hope through Christmas and the holiday season? Did San Francisco acknowledge all the Christmas cards, holiday cards, gifts, letters, social networking, love, time, money, and passion? The answer is …
NO.
San Francisco didn’t say anything. Nothing about the merits, about the people. Nothing about the spirit that came together across the world. This is what San Francisco had to say:
Embattled pit bull’s euthanization sentence is commuted, as owner agrees to surrender custody for placement in qualified sanctuary
http://www.sfcityattorney.org/index.aspx?page=478
They don’t even mention you, me, or Charlie’s health.
Back in December, they try to clarify saying that they are only defending Animal Control in court.
Well, the Animal Control Administrative Code also refers to The California Code.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=fac&group=31001-32000&file=31601-31609
The San Francisco Animal Control also have their own city health code that calls for provisions:
http://www.sfgov2.org/index.aspx?page=1056#sec42.2
The law was not applied to Charlie’s case. Charlie has never bitten a person.
Unlike the city of San Francisco, I sincerely thank you and congratulate you for your sense of duty and purpose in the universe. For your dedication and action to help just one animal who was less than a day from death. You came through and you should be recognized! Without you, Charlie would have been taken away from all of us. Charlie would have his life taken from him.
But you helped me save Charlie, who chased a horse in an area where he’s allowed to be off leash. Who was being a dog. Who was in a space for dogs. Who was with his owner under the guise of freedom, happiness, and frontier. Who was scheduled to be put down even though he’s not vicious or dangerous.
Charlie was just a dog like any other dog. In a park off leash like he was supposed to be. Like was appropriated for the public.
Would you give up on Charlie?
You can write to San Francisco and voice your opinion and dissapointment:
You can write to the Mayor of San Francisco:
http://www.sfmayor.org/index.aspx?page=7
You can contact the Governor of California:
http://gov.ca.gov/m_contact.php
You can contact the San Francisco Board of Supervisors:
If you’d like to support me and Charlie, extend gifts, and help us pay the $3600.00, the 50% of future care until April 12, 2013, and attorney fees, please do the following:
Visit http://www.paypal.com – click on TRANSFER, click on SEND SOMEONE MONEY. Type my email address: dvdgzzrll@msn.com
Send $1.00 or more. One dollar can go a long way with all the people who support and love Charlie.
You can also show your support by purchasing a T-Shirt. Between $3.00 and $10.00 goes to Help Save Charlie from every purchase. Plus you get a nice shirt with Charlie on the front and back!
http://www.cafepress.com/gizzarelli
You can also help support Charlie by purchasing rock and acoustic music here:
http://www.reverbnation.com/gizzarelli
Songs are $0.99 and I receive about $0.65 from each sale.
I hope to be taking more action for Charlie and other animals like Charlie soon. As you’ve seen, with your help we can do anything!
Charlie Loves You.
What about the fact that you tweeted on July 13 that Charlie attacked 5 cows? You knew he had a high prey drive yet you still let him off-leash on a public place. You lied at the hearing.
donations for future care? please explain
http://www.examiner.com/article/what-is-happening-to-the-missing-pit-bulls-san-francisco
i don’t think these photos are there to provoke you. i think they are there to show you that he is being taken care of. i am sorry for your circumstance, but i think you need to take some deep breaths before you respond with accusations. Good Luck.
I think that all born animals deserve to live, I wont to help Charlie
so, Kaylee, what would you do if someone knew there was off leash dogs in a park and threw their cat into the group of dogs? who is responsible then?
We’re not talking about a cat. If we were, it probably wouldn’t have been a problem because all the cat/dog chases I have seen have always ended with the cat outrunning the dog. We’re talking about a mounted patrol that was legally in a Federal Park. The officer was on a routine patrol.
What if Charlie had run out into the street and been hit by a car. Who would have been responsible for the damages?
Yes, Kaylee. I am responsible for my dog. And the police officer is responsible for his horse and his actions as well. A routine patrol is not a patrol through a field of off leash dogs, or accidents would be happening everyday. What does any of this have to do with Charlie being declared vicious and dangerous?
legally in a federal park does not mean he can’t be held accountable or negligent. Charlie is trained and was under control until the horse came into the field of off leash dogs.
I can say it’s not a dog part very easily. It’s an unfenced, public Recreation Area where everyone is allowed to be. This includes dogs off leash if they are with an owner who is ready to take responsibility for their dogs offleash behavior. It’s not a nice, fenced in area where the dogs can play and owners can drink their latte’s. Dog guardians/owners must be vigilant about their surroundings and if their dog injures someone or something, it’s the responsibility of the person who let that dog off leash.
The point is, there is a stupid rule that makes it possible to kill a dog over a natural reaction, whether its anybodies fault…doesn’t really matter: there just isn’t a fair way to take a family apart but a dog loves his owner….and both have suffered and a solution for this unnecessary pain is not near. You should finally start the discussion about laws that don’t know how they should be handled in court and worse after that……If you live to a rule, stick to it but make sure you can show that it’s better this way, don’t hide.
OMG people (in this thread specifically Melinda) – this has nothing to do with Charlie’s breed (PIT BULL). The only manor in which it does have to do with breed is in the sense that the media and those who do not know dogs have mis-represented the breed – Pit Bulls.
What this is about is human misunderstanding and mis-interpratation of a dog, the dog’s intention, the dog’s state. If Charlie had wanted to inflict harm – break-the skin-full bite he could have done so, that was not what Charlie did. Charlie is not an aggressive dog but he could become aggressive if people who are around him at any one given point in time ‘feel’ he is aggressive…as that is one of the primary ways in which aggression develops – as explained here
Melinda as per your comment regarding the ‘breed’ you need to better inform yourself – aggression is not breed specific and is not imbedded in the members of the Pit Bull family. I recommend you read up on the subject…so you do not become one of those ill-informed humans who spread un-truths about Pit Bulls.
First, did you know, a Pit Bull is not a breed of dog, instead it is a term used to generally describe three individual breeds of dog that all have similar characteristics…One – American Pit Bull Terrier; Two – American Staffordshire Terrier; and Three – Staffordshire Bull Terrier, short form name – ‘Staffy’. Despite the fact that many people today – upon hearing the word ‘Pit Bull’ immediately think of aggression towards humans – this was one trait that the three breeds did not have…and that this till holds true for Pit Bulls of today…read more here…
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2012/01/all-about-pit-bulls.html
To do due justice to a dog it is always important to understand the difference between a nip and a bite as well as the impetus behind the ‘incident’ which can vary widely depending on the EXACT circumstances. The impetus is all too often judged – by a human who claims to ‘understand dogs’ when in-fact all they truly know is human reactive-emotion. Nips and bites mean different things in different situations and do not indicate that a dog is bad, aggressive etc.Read more here on bites http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2011/11/unprovoked-dog-bites-really.html
When a dog is in an excited state and sees something that they are not familiar with (i.e. horse) the dog may run up to that horse, if everyone around the dog is screaming those humans whop are reactive are communicating very clearly to the dog to be more excited – they are giving the dog very clear direction…human error as the dog is only following the humans example. So if the officer mis-interpreted Charlie’s intentions and reacted to Charlie with anger and ire he (the officer) would have been a definite contributing force to creating the bite. In-fact he may have been the reason why curiosity became a bite.
To understand how this is not only possible but likely one needs to understand much more about communication. Dogs use all of their senses to communicate – we also have those same senses but most people today have not trained themselves to be aware of how and what we truly communicate. To be a truly good communicator takes self-awareness and self-discipline – it is the human who requires training, not the dog…the dog simply needs to be communicated to in a truly clear manner. IN the absence of self-control a human creates aggression in a dog. The most common types of aggressive-reactive behaviour in dogs result from the dog being… a) Insecure, nervous, tense, fear based reactivity; b) Bullying, dominating reactivity. When these psychological conditions noted above are not addressed and resolved a dog may become:
· Fearful reactive-aggressive, or;
· Defensive reactive-aggressive, or;
· Offensive reactive-aggressive…
Read more here http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2012/01/types-of-aggression-in-dogs-how-to.html
SF did not have to take Charlie away from David – had they been wise they would have:
1) Mandated that David work with a professional that truly understood dogs, included a specification that if David and Charlie as partners made good progress, David would remain with Charlie;
Instead raw human emotion and anger was allowed to rule the day – one more unfortunate step for man(kind). At least they did not ‘Euthanize’ Charlie – in that one thing they have done right. Dogs do have all of the emotions that humans do – with the exception of cruelty. Cruelty is an emotion owned by humans and some primates.
SF should have seen this as an opportunity to educate their ACC staff and Police.
Dogs are an integral part of North American Society, yet as people become further detached from instinct, intuition and common sense – as people become more imbedded in a general loss of patience, we as a race become poorer in our ability to understand, communicate and grow as better beings. More and more dogs are being shot by police, incarcerated and ‘euth’d as the human race forgets the basic and most important elements of communication. It is not the dog that is bad, it is humanity that has become lost and it is the dog that suffers the ultimate price.
The following is an extract from what I provide to my clients as a session follow-up. If more people understood this humans such as those making life and death decisions for dogs might one day become better beings…
DOGS DO EXACTLY WHAT WE TELL THEM TO DO…
A -Physiology
1 – Dogs are Evolved to See The Smallest Movement
Dogs evolved as Predators, rather than as Prey
• If I am walking my pack of 10 dogs (Road or trail) and we go around a bend in the road or trail and we come across a deer standing 4’ away from us…
o If that deer stays stock still upon our approach, stays stock-still when we are right-up to it;
o I am going to see the deer but my dogs will only lift their noses in the air as they catch the deer’s scent;
o Unless the deer moves (either a fractional amount, or more) the dogs are very unlikely to see the deer!
• When a predator is very close, prey has two chooses – take a chance and flee or stay stock still;
o A predators eyes are evolved to pick up the most fractional degree of movement;
o But should that object stay still and even better blend in with the environment it is very difficult for the predator to see;
The macro point of this story is that…
• Dogs are evolved to see the most fractional and minimal of movements!
So how do we put that in context of your situation?
Well we have to first understand two more related points…
2 – Dogs Expertly Read Your Face and Body
Dogs are one of the few animals that have a very similar facial musculature as human beings…and, as a result they also have all of the same facial expressions as people do…
• Although many people do not know how to read a dogs face, as they have been brought-up since child-hood to think dogs are less expressive than humans – it is a humans way to see primarily what they have been taught rather than what is really present to see;
• Please read this to understand more.
B – Psychology and Communication – a Powerful Tool
All of the Ways We (humans and dogs) Actually Communicate
The majority of people today use voice as their prime and deliberate (conscious) form of communication. Very few people train themselves to be aware of the other ways in which we communicate…
• When a thought is created in your mind – unless you have trained yourself to be hyper-aware of your thoughts – your body reacts to that thought before you are aware of the thought…
o Present-day society is comprised of fast technology, the need to adhere to a time-table, the need to produce product quickly – everything is fast paced and pressure to be on time, keep-up and multi-task is ever present;
o Taking time-out to think – observe, process, assess, strategically conclude is not the norm…spending quiet time (thinking deeply) is not the norm, being flooded by sight, sound (technology of all kinds) is the norm – these conditions do not support patience or logic, they support reactivity and raw-emotional reactivity.
• Because you have not trained yourself to be hyper-aware your body has time to react to that thought before ‘you’ do…
o Your body’s reaction is instantaneous – if the thought is a stressful one the line of your lips may tighten slightly, your eyes become less round, your hand clench, finger twitch, shoulders tense.
o Yet you are not in a position to realize your body’s reaction as you are not trained to acknowledge the thought or notice the physical reaction to the thought…
On the other hand dogs consciously use all of their senses – sight, sound, scent;
Dogs are also (as noted above) infinitesimally attuned to the slightest of movements;
Dogs also use physical positioning of their body to communicate, take-over space and own space, etc.
So they know what you are thinking before you do!
In addition dogs have an extra sense (some dogs more so than others) – extra sensory perception (yep, ESP);
o The end-result is that a dog can understand you better than you can understand yourself…this also means that you cannot fool a dog although you may try to fool yourself, i.e. you say…
I am NOT Angry
I am NOT frustrated
I am not nervous…
I am not frightened…
But in-truth you maybe one or a combination of these things (emotions);
o It does not matter what words you choose to speak – if your mind, body and spirit are not in perfect and consistent alignment with the words you choose to speak – your dog will ‘listen’ to what you are really communicating via your body/mind = your true state of being.
o And the dog will do exactly as you are really telling it to do…
Be excited-angry (aggressive-reactive-dominate);
Be excited (hyper active jumping, barking, etc).
Be nervous or frightened (anxious, aggressive-reactive-insecure, insecure-submissive, obsessive, etc.).
o Most humans have a subconscious connectivity to heightened awareness – for example…
When you walk into a meeting room and someone is upset and agitated, stressed – your subconscious may detect something ‘in-the-air’ before your eyes ever alight on the person – you can ‘feel’ the tension before you can locate its source,
However, to be a truly effective communicator and to truly lead by example you must become consciously aware.
On Providing Leadership:
o To avoid chaos, dogs must have some rules, structure and one or two people who take the lead or work in a linear fashion were the role of leader will switch depending on the situation, a decision based on skill-set.
o When we bring a dog or multiple dog’s into our lives as life companions they become part of the pack. And I believe it is the human’s responsibility to ensure that the dog members of the pack behave in a linear fashion under the guidance (leadership) of the human.
o But it does not stop there – part of being a good leader is being sensitive and observant – allowing those that you lead to contribute the whole. You have to listen to the dogs – not just lead them. Dogs will often tell you what is required, or what you are missing, not seeing, forgetting…you have to allow them to teach you and lead you at times as well.
o Instinct and intuition, awareness on the human’s part is very important – IMO – to bridge that gap between human and dog, to allow for connection and real understanding. If a human fails to employ instinct and intuition, fails to train themselves to be aware the human must rely solely on human-made tools to work with a dog and that – as far as I am concerned is where much value is lost.
o IMO the best tools to use when working with a dog are those that you have as part of your being – instinct, intuition, your senses – sight, sound, body language, (hopefully) commonsense. It always strikes me as so odd, how a human – a trainer – expects to work with a dog in a successful, humane and connected fashion when they do not employ the same tools a dog uses. Dogs use instinct, intuition (I & I) and their life experience to navigate through life – to me it makes sense to do the same. When used properly instinct and intuition (I & I) are invaluable tools that should allow a person to expand their awareness, knowledge and better use their senses to see beyond what so many people miss.
o As humans – In rejecting, denying these tools (paragraph above) you must then rely on man-made tools and conceits (i.e. treats, praise, etc)…which IMO have a place in working with dogs but should not be the primary tools. A dog knows when you are proud and pleased with him/her…they do not need to be constantly told via vocalization
All of this to say, to importantly conclude:
o If you want your dog to be in a certain state-of-being YOU must first be in that state yourself!
o To truly lead you must provide a complete and consistent example of what you want – in mind, body, spirit.
o When we are angry, frustrated, anxious, nervous, fearful we cannot teach our dogs (or another person) not to be those things;
o To teach you must be the polar-opposite.
Was Charlie aggressive or was the police officer not in control of his emotional state, did the police officer understand dogs? Did those at SF ACC really understand dogs – I do not think so.
Could David use a little assistance in learning more about the psychology of dogs and to be a more effective leader – yes of course, but most of the people I see walking dogs on the street or in dog parks require the same. And the same can be said for many parents I see in grocery stores etc. who have no idea how they are creating the unwanted behaviour in their children – simply because those people are not self-disciplined or self-aware in the way that they communicate. Dogs are better communicators than humans – it is just that without the training and awareness people do not see what is right in front of their face. The old saying about never casting a stone if you are no better yourself rings undeniably true in this case. In my opinion, SF PD , SF ACC, SF Mayor the only thing you have done correctly in this case is to not euthanize Charlie.
There have been many well known and respected people throughout history who have said that humans who endured in the face of great adversity carry many scars but it is these same people who have the most to contribute to society. I believe that the same can be said for the dog.
All dogs have so much that they are willing to share with humanity. If we are willing to open our minds to see, we can learn so much from them about ourselves. They can help us be more aware of our own behaviour and give us a second chance to grow into better, wiser and happier individuals.
I have highly mixed feelings about all of this. Not because it;s out of my experience but because I had to surrender a dog I couldn’t personally handle. It was an agonizing decision. He was a spooked greyhound with a vindictive edge. When he started growling at me and at the dog sitter, I gave him back to the group in the hopes that someone else could do what he really needed.
If you think I didn’t care or grieve, you are mistook. In the end, I couldn’t build a save enough environment to make him safe enough not to overreact. I think this may be the case with Charlie as well.
You fought the fight to keep him alive. Good for you! But it’s another thing to make his world work for him. I think that you did everything you could. And I think it’s time for you to pray him in good hands that can help him be a goods canine citizen. That;s not about you. It’s not to anger you. It’s to take care of him and make his life the best life he can have. That can fairly mean, not with you.
I hope you care for many dogs over the years, I hope those are dogs that fit into your world and that you can shepherd well. And I’m glad (inspite of your grief which I do have sympathy for) that he;s with people who understand his breed and can help him. Let him go. That’s an act of love as well. I am sorry for your loss. But I think the right things happened here.
Just sad, that taking him away wasn’t enough but now they taunt you. Someone needs to be reprimanded for not following through with the order, as you would be had you not followed the order.
David is the one who is not following the order. He has yet to submit a list of suggested rescue/sanctuary. Perhaps he should submit them in writting and certified mail. Some seem quite resistant to accept his phone calls. I wonder why?
yes, i wonder why …
Took the words out of my mouth. That’s said, thank you.
Clearly, the dog became frightened by the horse. And it nipped in response to fear. I give horses wide berth when I am walking dogs on public roads. I also expect that a horse and rider will NOT purposefully try to walk through a dog and its owner, while also on a public road.
I think I should just adopt Charlie then give him back to you!
they would never know! I would just tell them he ran away. Sound good? 
Sorry, won’t work. Charlie’s location is not now or never wil be known.
What do you mean, will never be know. This is a ridiculous story…if no-one can trace him, than he’s just as dead as Lennox and they’re so ……..guilty.
San Francisco better hope a Federal Judge doesn’t ask where Charlie is. Especially, if Charlie is not alive.
I just read some of the remarks and my understanding that they took Charlie away from you as an owner if that is the case this is a bigger travesty than I thought although on a positive note he looks like a happy dog and because of you he is alive. I know that doesn’t make you feel any better and I know you have incurred a lot of expenses. Do you know where Charlie is do any of us know where Charlie is now people need to fight for David and his rights what would any of you do if someone tried to take away your child and to me any furbabie is a member of our family and I am quite sure no 1 I know wants any of their family members taken away. At first I thought this is a story with a happy ending and it is because Charlie’s life is spared, is this permanent? I would like to know more about this. Thank you. To any of my friends reading this please help David help the fight to continue to save Charlie and send him a donation. Thanks
I want to thank all of my friends that help support me to help save Charlie. Thanks Jimmy Kimmel for making sure the masses became aware of this lunacy. This is just a dog being a dog because there’s a police official on a horse in the dogs area the dogs should be put down this dog wasn’t running around biting people trying to hurt other dogs. Unfortunately most people are not aware of the travestis that occur Jim any animal control officials and shelters as well as humane societies. Many of these directors have preconceived notions about certain breeds of dogs certain types of cats certainly if you happen to be a feral cat you don’t have a chance even though I happen to have 1 lying next to me I trapped in rescued myself with a few others that I placed in loving homes and was told by my local shelter if they were brought their they would be put to sleep. It is sad that people do not realize it is not an innocent puppy or kitten that is born mean it is bread to be mean trained to be mean and unfortunately for the poor cats that are born in the wild and left in the wild I am more afraid of you then you would ever be in them they’re just trying to survive. I’m so happy to be a part of saving Charlie I hope this teaches many of us that our voice can save a life. I do not have a PayPal account but I.urge all of my friends to help you in any way that they can pay for the expenses that helped save Charlie. If you have a way for me to send you a donation another way other than PayPal where you want get part of the donation but you’ll get all of it please let me know. I have San Francisco is a role model of what not to do and I hope the person who wanted to put Charlie to sleep is no longer employed. Enjoy many years of barks and wags and lots of love. Finally a story with a happy ending.
your comment is well appreciated. thank you.
WE SHOULD STORM THE MAYORS OFFICE.THIS WHOLE THING IS WRONG.THAT POLICE OFFICER WAS WRONG.WHERE IS CHARLIE?????????????????????????? PEOPLE ARE CRUEL,I HAVE MORE FAITH IN MY DOG THAN I DO PEOPLE.
lets do it!
We need to stop punishing the animals, who have no voice, and punish the humans. God made dogs “especially with an unconditiona. l love, something many humans can not even understand. So, with that it shows God doesn’t make animals mean,
man does !!!! I love and protect my animals just as I do my children…. I’d fight for
all of them!!!
thanks for your contribution
We need to stop punishing the animals, who have no voice, and punish the humans. God made dogs “especially with an unconditional love, something many humans can not even understand. So, with that it shows God doesn’t make animals men, man does !!!! I love and protect my animals just as I do my children…. I’d fight for
all of them!!!
My heart goes out to you David! They need to giveCharlie back to you where he is safe and loved a d cared for.I have a pomerian and I can see her taking off after a horse that had no business in a dog park. This is a designated place for dogs for a reason!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank you, your thoughts are appreciated.
From my point i think the case of Charlie ‘s conviction is matter of power and who is in what position , Decisions are quickly made !
I am thinking , if Charlie was a police dog on a training day in that aria , and the same scenario occurred , would that dog be treated the same way as Charlie ?
I still think is very stupid to punish a dog , whatever the circumstances are , And most countries do not have death penalties for people , so should not happen to dogs too,,
Any way with very hard work from Charlie’s owner, this is now taken away !! Thanks God !! Thanks to all of us for writing , praying, ,begging !!
Why , why do still people think – taking Charlie away from his owner would be best ?
Please , stop and think – if a child do something terribly wrong – would you punish it by taking it away from his mother ?
So many people wishing to have the power to return Charlie to his home , but don’t ,,,, ….Please you people with the power of doing so , make the difference and do something good for the world to remember !!!!
Thank you for taking time reading my note ! and passing my warm thoughts to Dave and Charlie !
Mrs. K. Wheble
Wow, Melinda Pretty harsh words. Yes, Charilie attacked a law enforcement officer but IN A DOG PARK WHERE HE WAS ALLOWED TO BE OFF LEASH. Why was the horse riding in the dog park?? And, if David posts about Charlie, that is to be expected. i would be so devastated if Charlie were my dog, I am not sure I would be able to go on with life at all. You tell him to get a life??? Charlie was his life. Have you ever owned a dog??? Have some compassion, lady.
Well said Debbie
This didn’t happen in a dog park. It was in the Golden Gate Recreation Area, a very public, unfenced, stretch along the Bay. The horse was on a routine patrol in the area.
How can you say it’s not a dog park if dags are allowed off leash there and dogs are there off leash everyday?
It’s very easy for me to say it’s not a dog park. It’s an unfenced, public Recreation Area where everyone is allowed to be. This includes dogs off leash if they are with an owner who is ready to take responsibility for their dogs offleash behavior. It’s not a nice, fenced in area where the dogs can play and owners can drink their latte’s. Dog guardians/owners must be vigilant about their surroundings and if their dog injures someone or something, it’s the responsibility of the person who let that dog off leash.
the hearing decision itself states … “Charlie was in the ‘dog run’ area at Crissy Field. Did you miss that when you read the hearing decision? or did you not read it?
I would be doing just what you are doing!! I would never give up trying to get him back!! He doesn’t look happy in the new photos!!
Is Charlie not your dog ?
Privacy law’s should apply here , taking a photo of what you own surely can’t be legal , can it ?
Sad enough as it is now without that type of punisment
Charlie was signed over to ACC in the settlement.
yes, it’s horrible for him and his owner, David.
Has charley been euthanized?!?! I’m so sorry I couldn’t imagine the pain your in!! God bless and I will be praying for you !
Charlie is not dead. He is out of ACC and waiting to be place with a rescue/sanctuary. David needs to send a list of suggestions to his lawyer so it can go to the court.
I’ve attempted to do that many times.
Have you tried certified mail to your attorney, ACC and the judge?
Why don’t ‘they’ take care of that after all ‘they’ took Charlie away….why is it such a unclear situation?
I’m sure “they” wouldn’t mind taking care of that. But, if David wants to have input on where he is going, he should send a certified letter to ensure they get it. If I were unclear, I would send my choices to the judge, I’m sure he would know who needed to get the information.
nope, not falling for that one. they already moved charlie and are in violation of the agreement. moving forward, your bait stinks. don’t want it.
It’s not bait, it’s simply a statement. Uphold your end of the settlement. If the city isn’t upholding their end, you can then do something about it.
Dear Tony,
What SF did to Tony breaks my heart. My thoughts are with you. Your pain is one I understand. Dogs are very special beings and have as much value to me as any human. Dogs have so much that they can teach humans about being better beings. In response to your latest post, I have written the mayor – my words to him are as follows…and to you Tony I send my best wishes…
Dear Mayor,
When you allowed San Francisco Animal Control to euthanize Charlie you made a terrible error in judgement – as did SA ACC. Charlie was not a bad dog, nor did he deserve to be ‘euthanized’. Humans have so much they can learn from dogs about being better human beings – yet so many humans decline to receive this gift from a dog.
Worse, people are put in-charge of a dog’s fate – people who are assumed to understand something of the nature of a dog – yet those people know nothing – basing all of their decisions on human hubris. Dogs are not cruel – but humans are. Humans hold grudges, dogs do not and for that reason it is easier to teach a dog a new way than it is to teach a human. Yet oddly enough, for many humans – their first reaction to an unwanted behavior by a dog is to sentence the dog to death – whereas humans who typically do much more damage than a dog walk away with a slap on their wrist.
San Francisco ACC has shown – top the world, how uneducated in the ways of a dog they truly are – matching the great gap in knowledge that Belfast showed when they ‘euth’d Lennox the dog.
You have the freedom of will to learn from this mistake you and SA ACC made – you have the freedom of will to move foward into the future with a will and determination to learn from a dog or lock yourself into the frozen waste land of harm which you have done to an innocent dog who made a honest mistake which did not warrant taking his life. You had so many other options which would have been honorable, yet you choose the option which displays no enlightenment. A choice buried in emotion rather than based on knowledge-based logic.
You have a chance to do better in the future – read and understand the true value of a dog. Dogs are better communicators than most modern day humans – are you ready to learn from a dog…the choice is yours to make…so much to loose, so much to gain…
Do Dogs Smile?
For many years I have watched my dogs express many states of being in the expressions on their face… happiness, concern, concentration, pain, tension, consternation…yep! And much more. So does that make me a little crazy, a little too warm hearted, indulgent or perhaps I anthropomorphize? Or is it possible that what I ‘think’ I see is reality. Forgive my certainty but, I have always with complete and absolute conviction believed that dogs could, and in fact, do smile. Apparently, there is now some consensus among those of the scientific community that dogs can and do smile! Maybe I am not so crazy…
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2011/11/do-dogs-smile.html
Dogs Are More Sensitive Than Most People Realize…
A dog’s sense of hearing and smell is much more acute then ours. For most people our primary form of communication is voice, but dogs rely on body language to consciously communicate much more than humans do.
Dogs are very sensitive and use their senses (sight, scent sound) more keenly and consciously than people do. Dogs look at a human’s face to understand, ask and engage the human…
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2011/11/dogs-are-more-sensitive-than-most.html
How Dogs Assign Respect
Most dogs, will instinctively know what they are being asked to do if they are communicated with & shown in the right way at the right time and provided with the right tools to navigate safely and confidently through situations. If the dog’s guardian has not learned how to read their own dog, is not aware of their own emotions, tone, etc, at the time that they are interacting with their dog – the message that they are trying to give their dog can end up being completely different than what was desired. The impact of such inadvertent mistakes in handling communication can be profound and exponentially harmful…
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2011/11/how-dogs-assign-respect.html
Dogs Are Opportunists – Good or Bad?
Just like most people dogs are opportunists – is this a good thing or a bad thing?
Well for Sarah, my German Shepherd x Siberian Husky, being an opportunist was key to survival in her first year of life which she spent primarily as a stray. Her wiliness and great intelligence ensured that she survived! It also made her a handful for anyone who tried to ‘tame’ her…
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2011/11/dogs-are-opportunists-good-or-bad.html
Be Your Dog’s Pack Leader
As a Dog Whisperer, I believe the key to ‘dog training’ is teaching people about dogs themselves, how to effectively communicate with their dogs and how to be pack leaders. Once these concepts have been grasped and moved from theory to practice it is the human who has received the training required to communicate in a manner that their dogs can understand…
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2011/11/be-your-dogs-pack-leader.html
Debunking the Alpha Dog Myth
Many people think their dogs are ‘Alpha’ dogs…when in fact the term Alpha is not correct, also because they do not understand their dog, they do not see that their dog is submissive by nature. The real problem is that due to lack of proper leadership the dog is left to make up its own rules. For these reasons I think it is important to provide an explanation of the story about how the term was initially established, what has happened to the term since and how our domesticated dogs really establish their pack structure…
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2011/11/debunking-alpha-dog-myth.html
Are You Directing or Arguing With Your Dog?
So, you want to instruct and direct your dog…well, let’s start by discussing what you should not do! Don’t engage in an argument with your dog, don’t complain & whine! Tugging and pulling, yelling, frustration, anger – it’s all part of engaging in an argument. If you are trying to provide direction to your dog – who is excited, anxious, reactive and you are also excited, frustrated, angry, reactive you are matching your dog’s state. You are most definitely leading by example – the wrong example. Dogs don’t like hypocrisy any more than humans do – would you follow someone who made no sense, lacked logic and was in an emotional unbalanced state…
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2011/12/are-you-directing-or-arguing-with-your.html
The Art of Greeting in Silence
Most of us have been taught from a very early age to react with excitement when we see a puppy or a ‘cute’ adult dog. In keeping with this our habitual reaction is to walk up to the dog with intense excitement, talk in a very excited manner and touch the dog in an excited way. Great fun for us – but how about the dog…
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2011/11/art-of-greeting-in-silence.html
Affection and Your Dog
As a Dog Whisperer, it is my job to challenge many of the conceits people have about dogs and their human-dog relationships. It is the bad habits of humans that create stress and anxiety in our dogs. We humans bring dogs into our lives for so many reasons…for companionship, because we have a need and the means to help animals whose lives have been compromised by humanity, for our children, to help on a farm, for rescue and disaster recovery, tactical operations, for therapy…the reasons are numerous and almost always well intentioned. But what about the dogs themselves? Somewhere in the process we humans can either lose sight of, or never truly consider, the dogs themselves. This is something I encounter frequently in observing the way people ‘share’ affection with their dogs…
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2011/11/affection-and-your-dog.html
The Golden Rule for Dogs
Just because our dog fulfills our needs it does not mean that we have automatically fulfilled our dog’s needs. Many of us, with the best of intentions, do not realize (that just because we love our dog and ensure we provide it with lots of affection the best of food, treats, a comfy place to sleep, etc.) that we have not met our dog’s needs in a way that will best benefit them…
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2011/12/golden-rule-for-dogs.html
All About Pit Bulls
First, did you know, a Pit Bull is not a breed of dog, instead it is a term used to generally describe three individual breeds of dog that all have similar characteristics…One – American Pit Bull Terrier; Two – American Staffordshire Terrier; and Three – Staffordshire Bull Terrier, short form name – ‘Staffy’. Despite the fact that many people today – upon hearing the word ‘Pit Bull’ immediately think of aggression towards humans – this was one trait that the three breeds did not have…and that this till holds true for Pit Bulls of today…
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2012/01/all-about-pit-bulls.html
With all due respect Mayor – those who stand by and do nothing or contribute to a death (of Charlie the Pit Bull) that should not have occurred are guilty of a very great transgression. Great shame on you Mr. Mayor and on your SF ACC – may you make a more informed decision in the future.
Well written, now lets just hope the prideful ignorant become enlightened.
Well said ……
<3
Who’s Tony? Charlie’s owner’s name was David and Charlie is not dead.
I noticed the error as well, but figured it was an over sight so I didn’t correct him because I liked his message more than the error
Thank Sam…I had just finished writing to a man who contacted me regarding a stressful situation regarding his dog – the mans name was ‘Tony’. Being tired, long day I accidentally wrote Tony rather than David. I am sure David will understand the blip. And yes I see Charlie is not dead however what I wrote still applies.
Thank you for continuing this fight David. This situation is appalling and wrong and the world is watching. We have to give these dictators the message: We want them gone and replaced with real humans with a beating heart, a sense of right and wrong and a conscience. They could be doing to one of our dogs and us tomorrow.
I agree with you!
I agree as well, unfortunately it would take a complete cleansing of the entire board in order to get “real” citizens in there. Just one good person against a house full of criminals is a hard battle to win. Hopefully things will change and other family pets will never have to endure what David and Charlie has had to. Much love and respect for all the Charlie/animal advocates who fight for justice.
keep the faith
Agreed Karen…if more of us took action like getting rid of these dictators the world could be a better plance
I know how incredibly hard this must be for you, but keep in the fore-front of your mind… THANK YOU GOD… HE IS ALIVE! You made a courageous decision and it expresses your deep love for him. I am suggesting that instead of feeling rage, you reflect on the fact that he looks good ( and he does) … Even if u don’t know where the pics came from. You asked for photo updates, so this is a good thing…shows he is alive and well. I will continue to pray that he is able to move on with a beautiful new environment with a loving person or persons. You have been through so many emotions… I pray you will eventually have peace and comfort knowing he is alive and well…. : )
A torture that never ends.