DOG PROFILES

• Diesel

Deisel was caught in the media cross-fire and was sentenced to be euthanized.

Diesel was all over the local Portland area news in March of 2004 for biting a neighbor and her dog. We were, as usual, shocked at the sensationalistic fear-based news coverage of this story. The footage of Diesel was of a beautiful golden pit bull puppy behind bars, looking confused. The headline over the story was common, “Pit Bull Attack.” Whether or not this was actually what happened, all that watched the story would just remember that another vicious pit bull attacked somebody.

Details of the injury were not consistent with that of an actual dog-bite. After hearing the statements of the owner, witnesses, and the court, it appeared to us that Diesel got through a weak fence to play with this neighbor dog. When the owner saw them playing, she panicked and bent down to grab her dog and was supposedly bitten in the corner of her mouth. This is quite odd, since the injury shown was more consistent with a dog’s toenail poking you in the mouth. If a pit bull, or any dog, aggressively bites at your face, there would be far more substantial damage than a small poke in the corner of your mouth. There was no tearing or slashing of skin, no deep punctures across the face, etc.

Deisel enjoys the green fields of Camp Pitbull!

Unfortunately, Diesel was scheduled for euthanasia by the court and was in quarantine at the Humane Society of the Willamette Valley in Salem. Diesel’s owner contacted us and asked us for help. They would not release Diesel back to him and he had nowhere else to place Diesel. Diesel’s owner was a very responsible pit bull owner who loved his dog immensely; he just didn’t have a strong enough fence. Many friends and family came to testify to the court that he was a loving dog owner and was not raising his dogs to be mean or aggressive.

At the hearing for Diesel’s euthanasia, his owner told them about our sanctuary, and that we had agreed to take Diesel. After checking several of our references and confirming that we could maintain Diesel safely, the court agreed to release him to our custody on the condition that we neuter him. We spay or neuter all of our dogs, so this was perfect. The court overturned their decision to euthanize Diesel and his life was saved.

Deisel has never shown any signs of aggressive behavior since becoming part of the PPB family in March 2004.

We have had Diesel now for almost five months, and he has never once shown any aggression towards any human or dog. Not once. He doesn’t even have any toy aggression. He is the sweetest, most playful boy. He is best friends with Maui and Drunken Noodle, and loves to explore our property and run around with his friends. When a neighbor dog jumped our fence and got into our yard while Diesel was out, he just ran around with the new dog like they were buddies until we escorted the dog out. After living with Diesel for this long and observing him daily, we can only conclude that the incident where he “attacked” the neighbor dog and owner must have been misconstrued.