Update: RIP, Dakota.

The French Bulldog Rescue community is currently abuzz over a French Bulldog named Dakota. I have my own experience with a biting French Bulldog that caused a furor – a little cranky dog aptly nicknamed Cujo, who quite honestly is the only Frenchie who has ever scared the beejesus out of me. My friend Charlotte fostered him, and Charlotte was convinced that with enough love and enough training, Cujo could be redeemed. Within five minutes of meeting him, my opinion was that the kindest thing to do with Cujo would be to put him down.

When that happened, the public outcry was enormous – strident enough that I packed it in on a few mailing lists after Charlotte was called a “murderer”. Funny how, when I said to some of the women screaming loudly that, the next time a biting dog showed up on rescue’s doorsteps, we’d happily pack it in a box and ship it to their homes, they instantly let us know that “oh, no – I can’t foster a dog, especially not one who bites. I just think someone else should have done something”.

In Dakota’s case, there are lots of “someone else’s” willing to do something, and that includes volunteers who have previously had Dakota in their homes. In this case, the question becomes “Are you still allowed to call yourself a rescue, if you refuse to allow your volunteers to allow to rescue a dog?”. Or do rescues have the right to make executive decisions about the fate of dogs that people are, quite literally, begging to help?

Let me know your opinions. If you feel, like I do, that Dakota’s supporters deserve the chance to try to save him, then sign the petition. It might not do much, but it will let you make your opinions known to FBRN.

Here’s Dakota’s story, from the Petition Site:

Do you remember why you joined FBRN?

 

I joined in 2009 as a tribute to my little sister Jessie. She took her life that year in March, at 28 years old, and I joined in August to honor her memory and to save as many dogs as I could. Because I could not save her.

When I first joined, I remember Steph & TJ posting about Dakota. FBRN was giving this dog with a terrible history a chance! It was wonderful! How proud I was to be part of this group. I read every post Steph wrote detailing the progresses they had made with Dakota. I watched the video of Dakota singing. I looked at all pictures, and even got a glimpse or 2 of Fergus! The work they did with Dakota was AMAZING and showed such dedication . I even read as Dakota was adopted out and returned. And Steph and TJ took him back.

When TJ moved back to CT and Steph could not keep Dakota with her in her apartment, I helped on the transport to get Dakota to Gary. Soon after I heard Gary adopted him and was happy he had finally found a permanent home of his own.

On September 22nd, Dakota bit Gary’s finger through his nail. As volunteers for FBRN, you have the right to know what is now happening. DAKOTA IS TO BE PUT TO SLEEP. Despite TJ offering to take him back, offering to sign any and all releases so FBRN is not held liable. Despite another rescue, knowing all of the facts, having offered to take him.  There has been begging and pleading.  And the Board of FBRN will not budge and has decided to put Dakota to sleep.

PLEASE SPEAK UP. Say something if you disagree! There are people out there willing to SAVE Dakota and accept him for his quirks and imperfections.  There is a viable option and someplace for Dakota to go.  But the Board is saying no, he should be killed.  Who are we to end his life?  Isn’t this a rescue?  I joined FBRN to save the lives of dogs, not end them when unnecessary. HELP SAVE DAKOTA!

WHY DID YOU JOIN FBRN?