Help Otis the Boxer get home

boxerlover955 · 08-01-2009, 03:56 AM

not sure if this has already been posted

Otis is a white boxer in the city of Lakewood, OH who escaped his home Saturday morning. A neighbor called the cops to complain that the dog had gotten loose. The police arrived with the dog warden to find Otis loose on his street scared and barking. He did not show any signs of aggression, and tried to get away from the approaching men. The ignorant police officer thought that Otis was a pit bull, and due to a pit bull ban in the city he decided the dog must be dangerous, so he pulled his gun on the dog who was simply barking and wagging his nub. He put his gun away before shooting the dog, but he did get out his taser. There is a video taken from the taser camera that shows the officer yelling at the dog, kicking at him, and chasing after him while Otis tries to back away. After a few minutes the officer uses his taser on Otis which knocks him to the ground with one of the most disturbing whimpers imaginable. While he's on the ground the dog warden is able to use a loop pole around Otis' neck, and he begins dragging him along the street. As if this wasn't bad enough, the police officer tasers poor Otis a second time. Regardless of this dog was a pit bull or not, or if he was vicious or not, there was absolutely no reason to taser him a second time. Watching the video you will also notice that the dog shows no signs of aggression, or behaviour that might indicate he's going to attack out of fear.
Otis is currently in the Lakewood Animal Shelter after a week, and he will remain there until his fate is decided on Monday. The hearing to decide if he's a "dangerous" dog is scheduled for Monday morning at 10 am. This will be based not on his supposed breed, but on his temperament. It's unsure of how they're going to judge this since Otis is locked in a cage after being abused; it can only be assumed that he isn't going to act normally. His owner has a hearing on Tuesday regarding his citations for having a dog offleash, and for having a pit bull in the city where the breed is banned. He has been able to visit Otis in the shelter, but he wasn't able to take him for a DNA test. The workers at the shelter say that the only time Otis shows any uneasiness is when he sees the dog warden walk by.
There has been overwhelming support in favor of getting Otis back home, and hopefully this will help influence those in power Monday morning so that Otis is not deemed dangerous, and consequently put down.
Here are some links to keep updated with the story, and to help out with the situation.

Petition to help save Otis. This has been up since July 28th, and at the time of this post there are 4800 signatures from all over the world:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/sav...he-boxers-life

The FOX 8 story that was originally put up claiming Otis as a pit bull was edited, but here is the article:
http://www.fox8.com/wjw-policetaserp...,5335872.story

A discussion for this article which has much support for Otis:
http://www.topix.net/forum/source/fo...ER757K60B7/p38

Another FOX 8 story showing Daniel Kier visiting Otis:
http://www.fox8.com/wjw-tasereddogvi...,1695777.story

A link to the full video from the camera on the taser. WARNING this is disturbing to watch: http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/ne...mily-dog-video

This dog was targeted unfairly due to the misjudgement of his breed, and was abused because of a poorly chosen response to the situation. It is appalling that he is still being tortured by being away from his home and his owner, and being locked in a small animal shelter. This dog has suffered, and we just want to see him returned to where he should be so that he can hopefully start recovering from this incident. Please sign the petition, and if you have any other ways to help out suggestions are welcome! Thanks guys!

AussieGirl · 08-01-2009, 06:18 AM

I signed, I actually heard about it elsewhere and was told that the poor guy was wiggling his nub even after being tazered and while being dragged, and the sounds he made were sooooo disturbing and upsetting

. I know it sounds weak but I could not watch it after hearing those things.
The whole thing makes me sick!

Ron · 08-01-2009, 08:18 AM

i hate hearing stories like this

poor guy

daisy'smom · 08-01-2009, 09:10 AM

I too have been unable to watch the video but I am glad to be able to vote!

boxingBabe · 08-01-2009, 11:21 AM

As hard as it was I had to watch the video .I can't understand how cops or anybody can be Sooooooooooooo STUPID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Added it to my facebook to make sure we can as many signature as possible .

purplelori · 08-03-2009, 10:33 AM

What a sad story. I signed it--hope everyone does! And that we have a happy ending!

boxerlover955 · 08-03-2009, 12:38 PM

http://www.fox8.com/wjw-policetaserd...,5348723.story
They dropped the vicious and dangerous dog thing, but he is still being charged for his dog running at large. The owner is moving out of lakewood and once he does he will get Otis back. So the pups life has been spared, but as part of an agreement Dan can't sue anyone about the incident.