Some of you may have seen my previous post about Spencer. Well, here's the latest. I received this e-mail today. I'm so happy for him!
-Tessie
Thanks to all your efforts--because of your help SPENCER WILL LIVE!!! He is
being sent to The Best Friend's Animal Rescue Group in Utah! From what I am
told, Judge stout had a change of heart because of all the attention. You can
watch the story at
www.wpmi.com...Next, we will tackle the "unwritten" policy...
THANK YOU!!! XOXOXOXOX
--Cherish
Spencer to live out his life at animal sanctuary in Utah
Last Update: 6/16/2006 5:42:57 PM
(MOBILE, Ala.) June 16 -- His fate has gained national and international
attention, and he doesn't even know it. Now it appears Spencer the pit-bull
terrier is getting a new leash on life.
At a Friday news conference, Mayor Sam Jones announced while he supports the
shelters policy of not adopting out pit bulls, he is taking a special interest
in Spencers case. The dog will be transported to a sanctuary half-way across
the country to spend the rest of his days.
Spencer is to be picked up from the Mobile Animal Shelter by Hearts of Gold Pit
Rescue, a group based in Tennessee. They have arranged transport and foster-
care for Spencer until he can be taken to the Best Friends Network, another
group which is based in Utah.
Spencer was discovered May 30 when he was walking down a midtown Mobile street
dragging a 10-foot chain. He was dehydrated and starving. The dog was so thin
it was able to slip through the bars of a wrought iron gate of a residence. It
is obvious the dog had suffered physical abuse. He was wearing a leather collar
with the name "Spencer" stenciled on it. Spencer is believed to be about 18
months old.
Residents of the area took him to the shelter. Janet Jordan, kennel manager at
the Animal Shelter, commented that the dog is not aggressive towards other dogs
at the shelter. He seems to be real friendly," she added. "He doesn't bark at
any of the other dogs." It was obvious to her Spencer had been starved as well
as beaten.
Amanda Kramer filed a petition for a temporary restraining order to stop the
euthanasia of Spencer. Amanda pleaded to adopt Spencer. Judge Stout granted
that petition which stayed the euthanasia pending a hearing. In the subsequent
hearing, however, the court ruled Kramer had no standing in the case and the
city had the right to follow its unwritten policy, meaning Spencer should
die.
Bill Fassbender, director of animal control at the Mobile Animal Shelter, who
testified at the hearing, claimed it is a nationwide practice to destroy pit
bulls because of the possible danger from them. No evidence was presented,
however, to show proof of that statement.
In fact, there is nothing in the Mobile, Alabama ordinances or Alabama law that
requires the shelter to kill Spencer or refuse to adopt him to the many people
who have offered to take him and give him a good home. Instead, it is the
shelters policy to kill pit bulls not claimed by their owners regardless of
their temperament. Apparently, it is an unwritten policy followed by many
shelters throughout Alabama.
On their website, David Phelps, a representative for Best Friends Network told
readers the organization had contacted the city of Mobile and arranged for
Spencer to be given sanctuary, so he will not be killed, but he will also not
be adopted out to anyone else.
ON THE NET:
http://network.bestfriends.org/animallawcoalition/news/5066.html "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."
