SOS - SAVE OUR SAXON - Page 3

Hi Vette, some of our responses were put on the original Saxon thread, dont know where it went though? Well done Radical hope your endeavours save Saxon from the clutches of Gwent Police Authrities despicable 'Death Sentance'. Saxon deserves no less than to be awarded the same Faithfulness, dedication and Loyalty from the Gwent Public than he gave to them during his service in the Gwent Police Authority. As the Police are continually finding it harder to find suitable dogs, perhaps they will now take a long hard look at their disgraceful, cruel attitude towards dogs reaching retirement and realise why! GOD BLESS SAXON we PRAY you WILL be SAVED Sue

Thanks to Brittany too for generating an on-line petition to return Saxon to his handler. So far there are around 70 signatures from GSD lovers from all countires of the world. Regardless of the outcome, this should be a proud moment for the entire GSD community....united we stand.

Statement issued by Police headquarters today ASSESSING/LICENSING POLICE DOGS All police dogs are regularly assessed and licensed with regard to their effectiveness as working dogs, also to ensure that they are able to work safely with handlers, and do not present a danger to the public. This happens throughout a police dog’s working life. Should the decision be made to retire a dog or to withdraw its license, the dog’s future is always considered very carefully. Every effort is made to ensure that the dog has a happy and healthy retirement, whether with its force handler or in a new home. Sometimes a police dog may be humanely put down due to ill-health or injury, this always done in consultation with a vet, to prevent suffering, and only as a last resort. Very occasionally a force may have to consider what to do if a dog can no longer be granted a license on grounds of safety. In this case several options may be considered including appropriate re-homing. Destruction is only considered if a force believes that the dog in question cannot be re-homed, re-deployed or retrained successfully and therefore presents an unacceptable safety risk to the public. ‘Saxon’ has been denied a license on the grounds that he is unsafe to work with, and his future is currently under consideration

Blitzen, Not anymore! Now theirs 97 Total Signatures! Keep it up guys! http://www.petitiononline.com/k9saxon/petition.html For those who haven't signed yet PLEASE do so! Also I've recieved some email that gave me some ideas... David (Videx) should provide us some email addresses/phone numbers of his local congressmen including his senators... I also encourage David to get all of the local voters to protest... And to demand to change the laws, if it is indeed a law to destory all healthy K9s thats going into retirement.

Radical, As to the statement issued by the Police Headquarters today that Saxon has been denied a license on the grounds that he is unsafe to work with, all I have to say is "What a crock..." All they're doing now is trying to cover their asses. Cowards to the end. Please forgive my language, but I'm totally fed up. I, for one, choose to believe the evaluation of Saxon that was given by the handler's wife. It's really quite pathetic of them not to realize how awful they appear to the general public. You would think someone at Gwent would have the intelligence to stop this now, and just give this dog to his handler. On the other hand, even if Saxon isn't a perfect little gentleman all the time (SOMETHING I DON"T BELIEVE), he still should go home with his handler. He served that community and doesn't deserve a death sentence. It's wonderful how everyone has pulled together to help him. Anyone who hasn't already signed the on-line petition AND emailed the police at Gwent, please take a few minutes to do so. Saxon, as well as any service K9 deserves as much.

Amen, LMH, it is a classic CYOA statement. I wonder who has declared him "unsafe to work with"? Another self-proclaimed dog trainer/expert?

Blitzin, The dog probably sensed something was amiss when being evaluated---saw what their intentions were---and wasn't overly friendly. It always amazes me how smart the gsd is when judging us humans. They pick up on everything---good and bad. No animal lover could even entertain a thought to kill this dog. We can't save the world, but perhaps one family won't suffer needlessly if enough people respond. Did you read the plea of the handler's daughter? It's no.107 of the petition? I will just never understand how cruel and heartless some are--- but then again, look who I'm talking to---we're usually in the same boat, thinking "What about the dog?"

LMH, I feel as if I'm really loosing my edge lately. It does get harder and harder to understand why so many do the things they do with these dogs. I've been in dogs for a long time and I can honestly say that the GSD has got to be the most exploited breed in the world. Maybe this time there will be a good outcome for this dog. If not, I'm not sure I want to know how it ends. There are always those like Do Right who rescued that elderly dog and did the right thing by him. People like him keep people like us optimistic....hope springs eternal.

I said this on another thead about Saxon and I'm repeating it here. Why are you people relying on a email or petition for this dog only? Can't people protest and get others involved to help this dog? Have the public involved in this matter. I would think there are ways to draw attention to Saxon's plight in other manners as well. What about news, radio even flyers? Take out an ad in the paper for others to read. Get out and scream it to the higher ups in the dog's community. Geesh, I'd try everything I can. Petitions are good but this dog sounds like his time is very limited he needs voices not signatures. Birdy...

What an utter disgrace to destroy a healthy animal who has a good home to go to. To add insult to injury - death - this dog has served us well and cost the police a lot of money in training etc so where is the sense or logic in destroying him. I appeal to the powers that be to show good management and common decency to allow Saxon to enjoy a well earned retirement. If I hear that this dog has been destroyed I will launch a national campaign to identify the person responsible and to hound him/her out of office. That is a promise, not a threat. Regards Bill & Ellen Thurston Ermine Lodge * * * * Bed & Breakfast Caenby Corner, Lincolnshire LN8 2AR Tel: / Fax: 01673 878152 Mobile: 07771 740722 info@erminelodgebandb.com www.erminelodgebandb.com