Friends of Alexi

Alexi's Story

A recently rescued dog's life is hanging in the balance.

The dog, a German shepherd named Alex, was "saved" from a high kill facility in Los Angeles, CA. Alex made his way to the East coast where he was taken in by the Mid-Atlantic German shepherd Rescue.

When Alex arrived he had several health issues which needed to be addressed.

Alex was severely underweight and suffering from a painful, chronic untreated ear-infection.

Though the California vets had advised that Alex should not be neutered until he had gained weight and his ear problem was addressed, the veterinarian with his new rescue went forward and he was altered - just days after the cross country flight.

Shortly thereafter, Alex went home with his new foster handler with instructions to keep him quiet - allowing him time to heal.

But the very next day, it is reported that Alex was taken to an off-leash dog park. Though he made it through the outing without serious issue, it was likely a poor move on the part of his foster family.

The foster home had no bond with Alex at this time - his full temperament was not known - and, he was still recovering from surgery and a severe infection.

It is reported that Alex was confronted by several dogs at the off-leash park, but he did not react. No reaction would indicate that Alex is not a vicious, dog-aggressive German shepherd.

The next morning, things seemed to fall apart.

It is alleged that Alex got into a tangle with one of the foster home's dogs.

The foster handler attempted to intervene and in the process, was bitten (rule number one - do not put your body parts into the middle of a dog fight - it will not end well).

Though dog fights are not unheard of - especially when new dogs are thrown into the mix, and especially in light of the stress that this dog had been through with the surgery, illness, and cross country flight - all hot on the heels of being in a stressful animal control facility - Alex was deemed "dangerous".

Now, his life literally hangs in the balance.

The board members of the Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue are torn over whether or not Alex should be saved. Some want to fight for his life - others feel that he should be put down.

Currently, Alex is housed at the Anne Arundel County Animal Control. Unless the board members of the Mid-Atlantic German shepherd Rescue appeal the decision to euthanize him - he will die.

Regardless of the fact that this dog has been in a highly stressful environment - while recuperating from surgery.

A Facebook page has been created for Alex - "Save Alex the German shepherd dog".

Those fighting for Alex's life have also created a petition - you can read more and access the petition at this link.

The individuals who created the Alex Facebook page are pleading for people to email the board of directors at the Mid-Atlantic German shepherd rescue.

If just one board members agrees that Alex's life is worth saving, the rescue will stand a chance of getting Alex released from the county animal shelter.

Polite correspondence voicing your questions and/or concerns can be directed to the rescue at this address: BOD@magsr.org.

A dog bite should be taken seriously - however, the circumstances surrounding that bite must be taken into account.

Was Alex displaying the behavior of a vicious dog, or that of a dog reacting to a stressful situation?

Was Alex biting due to outright aggression, or was it reactionary and provoked by bad circumstances?

Was the foster handler bitten because hands were in the middle of a dog fight (where they shouldn't have been in the first place)? Or, did Alex seek the foster handler out and viciously attack without provocation?

If nobody fights for Alex, those questions will never be answered.

His cross country trek and pull from a high kill facility will all be for naught.

Penny Emis
Dog News Examiner