The owner of a dog facing a destruction order wants the public to know that the Humane Society is taking an unfair hit in the issue.
Rob Szalas, whose Doberman, Dunaj has been ordered destroyed, says the Society has been very supportive.
"The Humane Society, they are good people first of all. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise," Szalas told BayToday.
"The dog handlers there love him and they said they couldn't see this dog ever biting or hurting anyone."
His dog, nicknamed "The Downtown Doberman" presently sits in a two by three foot cage at the Humane Society waiting for his owner to visit, make him breakfast and take him for walks.
The dog is being held after a man complained he was bitten last October outside Szalas' downtown store.
However, a witness says the man was drunk, kicked the dog in the head and was never bitten.
The executive director of the Humane Society is Daryl Vaillancourt. He also sits as city council's representative on the Health Unit.
He also feels the Society is taking heat it doesn't deserve.
"The only role we have is housing the dog because we are the designated city pound. We are basically babysitting the dog," he said.
"We're not responsible for carrying out the destruction order."
Vaillancourt explains that, whatever the outcome of an appeal is, it's up to the owner to carry out the order of the appeal board.
That means, if the board denies the appeal, it will be up to Szalas to arrange his dog's death.
The Health Service's Appeal and Review Board's decision is final, and it's expected that review will take place early next month.
Meanwhile Szalas, who says he hasn't slept properly for two months, visits his best friend every day.
"I'm glad to have a chance to walk him, and I bring him food everyday, but I'd like him home for Christmas."
