Our Bella needs support.

She has a beautiful, gentle, kind, rescue dog name Lady. Lady had many issues. Bella worked with her through all of them. Lady and Bella's young daughter "E" are best buds. Lady isn't a pitbull, but she falls under that qualification where narrow minded un-educated people are concerned. Not that it should matter if she is a pitbull. It really shouldn't.

Well, Lady is now re-homed to escape death. Why? Lady chased a cat that came into her yard. Yup, that's right, the cat was on Bella's property. The cat was injured, had to have it's leg amputated (if I'm getting the story right, please Bella, if I'm not, correct me).

Don't get me wrong, I feel horrible for the cat. I know that Bella does too. But the owner of the cat is now demanding that Lady be euthanized. How is that right?

There are dog laws coming out the wazoo! BSL, restrictions, leash laws, you name it. If my dog craps on your yard I could face hundreds in fines. But cats can go anywhere they want, go on to someone else's property, someone that has a dog, and when that dog does what's natural for all dogs to do, which is to chase the cat, the dog has to be killed?

How is that okay? How is that right?

Human beings have to start realizing that animals have just as many rights to be who and what they are, as humans do. If someone chooses to own a cat, then keep that cat safe. Don't allow it to go onto any property it chooses. It's your responsibility as the cats owner! Leash the cat. It's only right! I don't want cats on my property, because my dogs will chase them, and I want my dogs to live!

Dogs chase cats! It's well known! It's not a surprise! If your cat goes onto a property that owns a dog, whose fault is that? Not the dogs, not the cats, but yours! The dog shouldn't die for that! The owner should be fined for that! You should!

Makes me so mad! When did we all agree that cat owners could do whatever they want without consequences? Irresponsible ownership, that's what this is. But Bella and Lady, they're not the irresponsible ones. The cat owner is! :(

So mad. I'm probably rambling, and I'm sure WG could pick this post apart for spelling and grammar errors. I'm just so mad, so upset, in tears, and this isn't right! It's not right!

Please, support Bella and her Ladybug. Lady doesn't deserve to die because a cat owner didn't control her pet!

Had it been my cat, rather than amputate the leg, I would have euthanized the cat. Cats don't belong outdoors (too many dangers).

Anything we can do? -- call, email, write letters?

Support WG. Bella is a wreck. Lady is her baby, and she just lost Max not that long ago. It seems to be a trend for the both of us, two dogs within months.

So far Lady is alive and well. Bella took her to a friend. But the owner of the cat is demanding that lady be killed. She wants her dead for something that's her fault, not Lady's, and no the cat's.

So how does this stand? It's a legal matter? Up to the humane society? What determines if Lady lives or dies? She was just defending her turf.

I wouldn't think the woman would have much clout in getting Lady euthanized. The cat was trespassing, and Lady was not only defending her property (as all good dogs do), but going after an evil stranger.

Aww thank you Alty. I volunteered to pay the vet bills. She just came to my door and told me it's $1100.00 to have the cats leg amputated, plus the $975.00 fine for removing a "dangerous dog" from the scene of an attack. If I didn't get her out she would be put down. I would be responsible for the cost of having her put down which would be roughly $900 as well.

There are no by laws in my county restricting cats to their properties, so you basically this cat can go where he/she pleases and apparently on my property to do it's business.

I'm devastated. I don't know what to say.

Who would put Lady down?

Wg, the AC officer told me lady would be impounded for two Weeks to monitor her behavior, remember bsl? The thing I fight so hard to keep out of deciding the fate of our family pets? Unfortunately lady gals under the dangerous breed category. They have a whole new set of rules.

Falls not gals. Animal control can make the decision to have a dog destroyed.

Don't these people have brains?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

So how does this stand? It's a legal matter? Up to the humane society? What determines if Lady lives or dies? She was just defending her turf.

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It's a toss up. BSL is a live and well in Canada. Lady is not a pitbull, but she falls into that category.

The cat's leg was amputated because of this incident, even though the cat trespassed on Bella's and Lady's property.

Fact is, if it is a legal matter, I don't have any faith that justice will be served. I don't know if you heard about Lennox, Wicca or Diesel. All dogs judged because of their breed. Lennox was jailed for years, and euthanized, because of how he looked. Two animal behaviorists assessed him and said he wasn't dangerous. Didn't matter, he was still killed.

The family fought for him in court, but the law ruled, and killed Lennox.

Lennox never even growled at anyone and he was killed. Wicca and Diesel are similar stories. Lennox was in Belfast. Wicca and Diesel, they're Canadian. Wicca was killed. Diesel is on death row, 17 months and counting.

Lady did attack a cat. Her fault? No! She's a dog! The cat was in her yard! Dogs are dogs! But will that matter?

After Lennox, Wicca, Diesel, and other dogs I've read about lately, I doubt that it will matter. They'll kill Lady just because she's a dog that looks like a pitbull, and the lady that's actually responsible, should be held accountable, the one with the pet she lets roam wherever it wants, won't even get fined.

That's how the law works right now. If you look like a pitbull, and someone complains, we'll kill you.

Let's hope that people don't start treating other human beings like that. Hmmmm... I don't like chinese, you look chinese. I think we should kill you. (just an example. I'm not that type of person).

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Don't these people have brains?

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The cat and Lady have more brains than these people.

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Originally Posted by Alty

Let's hope that people don't start treating other human beings like that. Hmmmm... I don't like chinese, you look chinese. I think we should kill you. (just an example. I'm not that type of person).

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Oh, that's already happening (again) in this country with Muslim-Americans. During WWII it was the Japanese-Americans.

And bsl doesn't just effect pit bulls, it's avg dig with a square head. Also there are 4 breeds that make up a pit-bull, pit-bull is really just a blanket term that covers dogs of a similar appearance.

How did the injury get so bad that amputation was needed? Usually cats can run faster than dogs, run up trees, etc

She's a75lb dog, she attacked it. She ran after it and pounced on him.

Usually cats can run faster than dogs, run up trees, etc. Did anyone see this? Is it an old cat? (I have always had cats, so this makes no sense to me.)

I was at work, apparently lady jumped a 7ft fence and attacked the cat. I've only heard the story 2nd and 3rd hand...

The cat was only a year old I was told.

That should say 5 ft not 7... posting from my phone.

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Originally Posted by Aurora_Bell

I was at work, apparently lady jumped a 7ft fence and attacked the cat. I've only heard the story 2nd and 3rd hand...

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So Lady was not in her yard when the attack occurred?

Yes I have two acres but only 1/4 of it is fenced. My neighbor it's quite a distance from me. It's not like suburbs, I'm country.

I am somewhat relieved that Colorado has a law of "fence to keep out"... If someone's cat wonders onto my property and is killed, it's the owners fault.

You should look into your county rules and regulations and see if there is a way to fight this

Isn't it enough that you have to fork over $1100 for you to fix her cat?

Everyone is so hyped up with this pit bull thing that is spiraling out of control.

Other pet owners and lovers of pets need to realize that a government telling its people which pets they can own won't stop at pit bulls (or their mixes). Since animals are considered property still, this is just as ridiculous as the government saying you cannot own a specific type of car because its fast and can potentially do some damage to you or others.

Oh Bella, I'm so sad for you right now :( Its not fair.. any way you look at it, its just not fair. :(

So what would this woman have done if a coyote or raccoon would have attacked her cat (on HER property)? I want to do something to help Lady.

I'm not sure what can be done right now. All this support is amazing. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. At this point it's all up in the air. I never thought it would be me in this situation.

I'll write letters and make calls. Tell me details, if that time comes.

The attack occurred on Bella's property, but only part of her property is fenced. I don't live in the country, but hope to within the next 2 years. It's very costly to fence a few acres. My yard is tiny, super small. To fence my yard, 16 years ago, cost over $1000 dollars. That was just for the supplies, not to put up the fence. We did that. I don't even have 1/8 of an acre for my yard. Tiny!

This just makes me so mad. So upset. So... I don't even have the words! I'm pi$$ed off!

WG, I've had a few cat incidents, and before I go on, I want to tell you that I love all animals. I love cats. I'd have cats if hubby wasn't allergic. So would he. We love cats.

Indy, our lab cross that died just before Christmas, was the most docile dog I've ever met. The neighbor kids used to ride on his back, when I wasn't looking. He never so much as growled at them. My bunnies used to jump on his back, used him as a stepping stool to get on the couch. His response? He's lick them. Our bird used to peck at his fur. Once, Marty got a bit frightened, flew, landed on Indy's head. Indy didn't even blink. He took it all in stride.

Having said that, Indy had two run ins with cats. One was a kitten. Indy was tied up in our front yard. I was with him. We have an even smaller front yard than we do a back. The leash extended to the edge of our driveway, and the edge of our lawn. He was kept on our property. The neighbor across the street got a kitten. Cutest little thing. That kitten, at less than 8 weeks of age, would cross the busy street, come to our property, and sit on the tree just out of Indy's reach. Indy would whine, wag his tail, and the kitten would sit in the tree, taunting (for lack of a better word).

This went on for 2 weeks, every single day. I'd take the kitten back to it's owner, ask that they keep it inside, that I was worried that it was crossing the street and taunting my 70 pound dog. They laughed it off.

Well, after 2 weeks of this, Indy had enough. It was one taunt too many. The kitten came to our property, climbed the tree, and Indy broke his leash. The leash was made of mountain climbing rope. It was tested and approved to hold 300 pounds. He snapped it in half like it was thread. The kitten pounced out of the tree and ran, Indy at his heals. The got to the middle of the road, the kitten turned, and slapped (that's the only way to describe it) Indy in the face with both paws. Indy was so shocked that he turned around and came back home. No injury.

The second time Indy was on a new leash, stronger than the first. It was winter. He saw a cat at the neighbors house, by their garage, across from our culdesac. Indy once again broke the leash and took off. The cat sat there, by the garage, Indy charging towards him, both hubby and me running after Indy screaming "Stop, come, no!" The cat didn't move. Indy got to the cat, picked him up, and tossed him in a snow bank. Thankfully we were right behind him, grabbed him before he could hurt the cat, and that was the end of it. That was also the end of Indy being in the front yard.

I refuse to let lady's rehoming go in vain. No dog should hands to be torn from it's family because of the way they look.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

So what would this woman have done if a coyote or raccoon would have attacked her cat (on HER property)? I want to do something to help Lady.

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R (hubby) said the same thing.

If a pet is attacked by a wild animal when you're being an irresponsible pet owner, it's an act of God. If a pet is attacked by another pet, on the other pets property, and your pet has no restrictions, even though you're at fault as a crappy pet owner, the animal defending it's property is at fault.

What needs to be done is this. Laws need to be changed. Pet owners need to be made responsible for their pets, regardless of that pet is. If you have a dog, and it attacks someone off leash while you're going for a walk, you need to be responsible. If you have a cat and you decide to let it wander the neighborhood, going onto other people's property, and it gets injured, you're responsible.

The thing that makes me the most upset about this, is that people are expecting animals to act like people! A cat doesn't know that it shouldn't go into the neighbors yard! If a cat is allowed to roam, that's what it will do. A dog doesn't know that it shouldn't chase the cat that comes into her yard, otherwise it's a death sentence!

Dogs are dogs, cats are cats, birds are birds, animals are animals! It's human beings that need to learn. Not the animals. It's a human change that needs to take place. We need to wake people up!

Sorry Bella. Don't mean to rant here. I'm just so mad about this. So very mad. Love you!

Like I said before, cats don't belong outside, even in the country. Too many dangers. I've spent my life trapping and rehoming or finding homes for outdoor feral and stray cats. Too bad if someone owns that cat. (And I do know which neighbors stupidly let their cats go outdoors 'cause their cats wander over here to visit our cats sitting in the windows.) I don't think I've rescued an owned cat yet, but don't make me swear to that.

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Originally Posted by Aurora_Bell

I refuse to let lady's rehoming go in vain. No dog should hands to be torn from it's family because of the way they look.

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I'm with you. I think we all are.

So what can we do to change this?

It's in our hands. Human hands. Only human beings can change this. So how do we do it?

It's no longer of "we have time, people will wake up". It's now a matter of "We need to save Lady".

Bella, if this happened while you were at work, was Lady out of the fenced area when you got home? If she was in the fence, who put her back in or is this woman claiming that after attacking the cat Lady jumped back over the fence?

What proof does this woman have that Lady attacked her cat? Was there an eyewitness who is not a realtive or 'close' friend of the cat owner? Are there any bite marks on the cat?

This is starting to sound very fishy.

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Originally Posted by Cat1864

Bella, if this happened while you were at work, was Lady out of the fenced area when you got home? If she was in the fence, who put her back in or is this woman claiming that after attacking the cat Lady jumped back over the fence?

What proof does this woman have that Lady attacked her cat? Was there an eyewitness who is not a realtive or 'close' friend of the cat owner? Are there any bite marks on the cat?

This is starting to sound very fishy.

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My very thoughts. I also wonder if Lady is a scapegoat (and a source for easy money). That's why I was trying to find out what happened without saying what I was thinking.

Has this neighbor ever expressed dislike for Lady?

I would sit down and write out the entire episode with who, what, where, how, why, etc. Were there witnesses? Who says what? Which animal was where and when?

I agree wg, a cats place is in the home. Alty 100% agree. Too much pressure on family pets to behave like humans. People forget animals don't think like humans.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Like I said before, cats don't belong outside, even in the country. Too many dangers. I've spent my life trapping and rehoming or finding homes for outdoor feral and stray cats. Too bad if someone owns that cat. (And I do know which neighbors stupidly let their cats go outdoors 'cause their cats wander over here to visit our cats sitting in the windows.) I don't think I've rescued an owned cat yet, but don't make me swear to that.

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I completely agree. I'm in the burbs, but even here there are coyotes, and other wild animals. A cat that's allowed to roam and wander, is just easy prey.

We learned the hard way not to let our cats have free reign. I have to admit, we let them roam and wander for many years. My mom and dad felt that was a cats right. Some of our cats went to wander and never came back. Whiskers came back with an ear missing, and scratches. Ginger killed a neighbors cat, also allowed to roam free. :(

Well, it's a dogs right too. Dogs aren't born to be leashed, enclosed. Wild dogs roam, they hunt, they live in packs. Why aren't dogs allowed free rein?

Why are cats allowed to roam, unless their owners decide to be responsible, but dogs have to be tied down, or enclosed? But, when that irresponsible cat owners cat comes into the yard, the dog, a hunter, an animal that protects its turf, is the one that's killed when it attacks the animals invading its space? Cats are hunters too! Cats and dogs aren't really all that different. But cats have freedom, dogs don't. Should one invade the other, it's always the dog that dies for it.

Animals are animals! That's really the bottom line. Until all humans are responsible for any type of animal that's in their care, it's not fair to punish the animals. By this I mean the cat owner, not Bella and Lady. I know that Bella treats her dogs like dogs, and does everything right for them. They're walked, fed, loved, trained. They have space to run, and be dogs. This is all on the cat lady, and not at all on Bella and Lady.

Good questions Cat and WG (feeling a bit weird calling Cat, Cat, right now). ;)

Bella, does this cat lady have proof that it was Lady that attacked her cat? Or did she just say so?

If she has no proof, fight it.

Don't say a thing to her. Don't apologize, don't offer to pay vet bills. Demand proof that Lady attacked her cat.

If she can't provide the proof, then she has nothing.

She needs photos or witnesses. The cat could have gotten injured in some other way and she is blaming Lady. Did Lady have blood on her muzzle? Like Cat said, was Lady out of her fenced-in area? Was the cat lying on the ground near Lady? How did someone get Lady to back off from chewing on the cat's leg or attacking the cat? (I thought that was often hard to do.)

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

She needs photos or witnesses. The cat could have gotten injured in some other way and she is blaming Lady. Did Lady have blood on her muzzle? Like Cat said, was Lady out of her fenced-in area? Was the cat lying on the ground near Lady? How did someone get Lady to back off from chewing on the cat's leg or attacking the cat? (I thought that was often hard to do.)

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All good points.

We've established that Bella was at work when this supposedly happened. I say supposedly because it really hasn't been proven that Lady did this.

Bella, where was Lady when you came home from work?

When did this happen, and when did the cat lady approach you about this?

Was there any indication that Lady did this? Blood on her, she was outside the fenced in area of your yard, etc. etc.

Did the cat lady see this happen, and she pulled Lady off the cat, or is she assuming? If she's not assuming, then how did she get Lady, the supposedly vicious dog, off her cat?

None of this is adding up for the cat lady. Did Lady attack the cat? Could be. Lady is a dog, and dogs chase any animal, or human, that encroaches on their territory. Doesn't matter what breed the dog is. But was it Lady?

Bella lives in the country. She's told me about coyotes in her yard, a pack of them. Happens all the time. She lives in the wild. It's just as likely, even more so, that the neighbors cat was attacked by a coyote. So, unless she has proof that Lady was the one that did this, this is a bunch of bull on the cat lady's part.

Coyotes think cats are a tasty treat. That's what Chicago area coyotes live on, stray cats and squirrels and mice. I used to feed lots of stray cats every evening. Now there are none. The coyote population has risen; the stray cat population is very low. Hmmmm. I wonder if a coyote got to the cat and Lady is being blamed.

I just got home and have been talking to Alty when out. I have made myself very active in the BSL debate and helping dogs I am in the process of typing stuff up to help out. I will post it here as well. Lets not let another Wicca or Lennox happen to Bella

This is beyond unfair, honestly something doesn't add up.
A roaming cat is apt to get injured plain and simple.
What can I do? Sign a petition, write a letter, e-mail someone?
Bella, I am sorry you, your little one and Lady are having to deal with this.