It's a shame that breed profiling is taking place in Wilmington, Mass. If you read the Town Crier last week on the front page you would see an article about a DOG fight that occured at Silver Lake involving a pitbull named Mercedes and another dog. Yes, she did get away from her owner, but it was to engage in a playful manner with another dog. Dogs being dogs, she then tried to climb on the other dogs back and that dog ( a lab/chow mix) then aggressively resisted. She ran away , but then was engaged by this other dog into a fight. She was subdued by her owner, but the other dog continued to be aggressive and excited as his owner kept yelling, and this dog actually attacked its owner in the neck causing so  much damage that he was taken to Boston for an over night stay. Mercedes has NEVER bittena Human being.

Wilmington Police dog officer Ellen Sawyer was involved and issued a 10 day quarantine for Mercedes.( Usually happens when a human is attacked), and had Tewksbury police handle the issue of the other dog, as it was from Tewksbury. Why she didn`t handle and ensure the other dog would be treated the same way as Mercedes does not make sense to me. His attack was more severe and on a human that involved turning on its own owner which is worse as far as trusting a dog in the community. A call was made to the Tewksbury dog officer today and he was not called on this case right away but Tewksbury Board of Health was involved and issued a 10 day Quarantine in the home for 10 days. The board of health was involved as the owner was treated at a hospital for injuries and I am sure it was reported from the doctor. AND the quarantine was at the dog`s HOME, not at the Vet in Dracut that they use. The Tewksbury dog officer is now following up to see if this dog is vaccinated and licensed. It seems that  Wilmington could have issued a home quarantine for Mercedes especially with financial issues on the owners part and she did not attack a human being as the other dog did. The Wilmington dog officer seems to be the Aggressive one here.

Andover Animal hospital is housing the dog, and nothing  more. No evaluation being made on her temperment or check for any illness, etc. This is costing the owner who has little means almost 300.00 per day. My understanding of quarantine was to evaluate and make recommendations to the dog officer, or at least should be. The owner does not have money to go to court and is being harrassed and pressured by uneducated neighbors, and the dog officer who recommend ending her life tomorrow. The owner feels he has no choice which is a pitty. This dog could be placed back at home and or in an appropriate environment . The owner is willing to place her up for adoption as he does not want her put to sleep either.

Please advocate for Mercedes by calling the Wilmington dog officer before tomorrow 5/16, as she does not have much time. Ask for home release and help for the owner and letting him place her up for adoption at the humane society if he chooses. Also  let Andover animal hospital know to advocate for her and not to do it. Or if you know anyone who is willing to adopt her, please contact me at my e-mail address as I can reach the owner.

It looks like Wilmington has more that one pitbull on the loose, and has a police title.