Help Detroit Pitbull on Death Row

The fate of a stray pitbull mix, who wondered into an Ace hardware store in Detroit, Michigan last Friday, is still in question. The emaciated mutt was sent to Detroit Animal Control where, after a four-business-day hold, he was scheduled to be put down. The reason: policy dictates no pitbull is considered adoptable.

BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) is a hot topic among animal advocates. It amounts to nothing more than racial profiling. The swift response of so many animal advocates to the rescue of this pitiful pup is inspiring. The dog — now called Ace — has a Facebook page asking for help. A Care2 petition was started several days ago that has garnered over 10,000 signatures thus far.

Rapper Hush Carlisle and Detroit Dog Rescue are also speaking up for Ace. The Detroit City Council submitted a resolution to save Ace at a meeting Tuesday night. “It seems like a simple request. If we can make sure that we are not liable for what happens with the dog if we were to transfer it to this rescue league, then why is that such a big deal?” said City Council President Charles Pugh.

The problem remains because the city’s Department of Health is sticking to its decision. Tereasa Michalak, an animal advocate fighting for Ace’s life, told Fox News, “They [Animal Control] told me they would not be breaking any of the procedures that are currently in place, that they will not release any kind of pit bull, including Ace.”

Good News and Bad

The good news is that late on Wednesday, a Wayne County judge signed an injunction prohibiting Animal Control from killing any pitbull that resembles Ace until a hearing which has been set for November 16.

The bad news is many are now concerned that it is already too late for Ace. They believe he may have already been killed. Nitta Moses believes the dog dubbed Ace is really her dog, Dodo, who was stolen from her yard three months ago.

But even more concerning: Moses believes the dog shown to her at Animal Control is a different one from the dog she saw on television called Ace. She feels that Animal Control has already killed Ace and they substituted a different dog that looks similar so as not to admit the killing has already occurred.

What raises more suspicion is when a reporter from Fox News asked Animal Control for a photo or video of Ace — to put people’s fears to rest — the request was refused.

Tonight a candlelight vigil is being held outside of Animal Control in Detroit. So far, more than 650 people have signed up to attend. Let’s hope it is not too late for the pooch called Ace. Care2 will keep you updated with Ace’s status as news is released.

Want To Help?

Email Detroit City Council members to ask then to save Ace.

And sign the Care2 petition.

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Photo of Ace from Facebook

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Teresa C.

6:45AM PST on Jan 19, 2012

I am very happy for Detroit, thankful to the that compassionate and caring donor, heartbroken for poor Ace, and helplessly furious at the Detroit Animal Control. Why does it always seem to be the innocent who have to pay for the prejudice and stupidity of ignorant jackasses (and I apologize to all the four-legged jack-asses out there!) It makes me sick and makes me furious!!

send a green star

Diane L.

4:08AM PST on Jan 19, 2012

Yes, June, I'm quite aware of it. I've been following this since the first comment on it, actually. That's why I found the timing of donating $$$ now a bit weird.

New G.

11:59PM PST on Jan 18, 2012

Thank you.

June A.

1:32PM PST on Jan 18, 2012

Perhaps Diane has not been following this story as long as we have because if she had she would know that many of us were not aware when we made our comments about poor Ace hoping to save him from euthanasia that he had been put down already. It all happened so fast because he was put down BEFORE he was supposed to be. But let's not quibble about this kind hearted, compassionate woman who has given her money to the cause of a NO KILL SHELTER that will help many animals in Ace's name. This is a wonderful and needed donation. I thank this person from the bottom of my heart. And, I thank Katherine and Sharon for their passionate replies to Diane. This donation was a good thing, too late for Ace, but that was because he was already gone when the story hit the news.

Katherine W.

12:21PM PST on Jan 18, 2012

I get so angry at anyone who is capable of abusing, neglecting, torturing or murdering any animal. It's gotten to the point where I much prefer the company of animals to most humans.
Mean people suck.

This is the issue I'm most passionate about. I hate reading these stories about the atrocities that humans level against the voiceless, the forgotten, the invisible victims of our society. If I had my way anyone who hurts an animal would get an automatic death sentence.

9:39AM PST on Jan 18, 2012

I get your points,Katherine (and Sharon), and yes, the timing bothers me a bit. I'm STILL angry and annoyed at every TV show I see about the MHS where they claim to care so much about animals, knowing what I know and saw a year or so ago, when they put down a perfectly healthy Black Lab for no other reason than the poor dog ended up "freezing a bit" when they ran a plastic hand on the end of a broom over his back when feeding him. The poor dog had been starving. You want to see food aggression? Go outside with me and feed the TB mare I rescued who was starving. Any animal who is, will be to some extent. So, why bother to get them back to health, knowing they probably WILL be a bit food aggressive, just to euthanize them afterwards when they are so. Makes no sense.

9:14AM PST on Jan 18, 2012

Diane, you seem to have some sort of issues with the timing and sincerity of this woman's donation in Ace's memory. That I can't do anything about. What I can do is rejoice in what is taking place in Detroit first because of a dog named Ace and now because of this woman's incredible generosity. I can also support DDR in their mission to build Detroit's first no kill shelter and help the stray, abandoned and lost animals in Detroit.

To me that is what this is all about.

And I don't think Sharon B has missed your point at all.......I applaud and thank her for the response.

BTW, it's NEVER TOO LATE TO DO SOMETHING GOOD.................................

11:10PM PST on Jan 17, 2012

Sharon B., you're missing the point, specifically the one I was trying to make. I'd never mock or put down, the death of any animal that was unnecessary. I am incensed when somebody says, "Oh, it was JUST a dog". I broke down at work years ago after my 13-yr-old male Collie was euthanized (he had acute cancer) and my boss said, "Oh, for crying loud. It was JUST a dog!". I slapped him, punched out and went home.

The point was that there are literally thousands of strays that are put down every day all over the country, of all breeds, and most are more adoptable than Ace for many reasons. This was very sad, and Ace should NOT have been put down, at least not until all ways had been exhausted to try to find his owners or re-home him.

As for the black lab I referred to previously, it was Michigan Humane Society, featured on Animal Planet, and the dog was rescued, emaciated. They spent weeks nursing him back to health. He was friendly, given all his vaccinations, eating well and had no issues UNTIL they gave him a "disposition" test and the poor animal "frozen" after they rubbed a stupid plastic hand all over his head while feeding him. They decided he was "food aggressive" and wasn't adoptable, so put him down. I was incensed! Many dogs are food aggressive. Good grief, you just find more appropriate homes for them.......ones with no other dogs, no small kids!

Sharon B.

5:44PM PST on Jan 17, 2012

To Diane L., Ace was not "just one stray dog" as there is no such thing. Lots of dogs end up as "strays" but that doesn't mean they are "just strays". Many have had homes, they have names and personalities as well. I would never refer to any dog or cat as "just one stray". Their lives are worth as much as your beloved animal companions. As to why Ace was not chipped, did you ever thing it was because he was so young and the owner just hadn't had that done yet when he was stolen or someone opened the gate at his home. A contribution in memory of Ace is a good thing since it reminds everyone the sad fate that awaits many companion animals. And, good for the donor, no matter when that donation was given. Hopefully, Detroit will soon have a no-kill shelter up and running. So, in my opinion, Ace did not die for nothing, he died for all those who will be saved in his name. Yes, it still hurts every time I see his photograph but at least some good has come from his ordeal.

9:52AM PST on Jan 17, 2012

In a way this is not much different from which stories make the news and which don't. Many have questioned over the years why certain killing or kidnap cases make national news and others seem to fall through the cracks even though they may have happened on the same day or in the same city. They happen every week but yet only a select few seem to make the headlines, why? What makes one story more important than another when in reality they are all equally {or should be} important?

Why Ace, why now, why not sooner, why not that black lab??????