Save Winston

Save Winston

Hello friends and neighbors. I'm writing to ask for your help. My buddy Winston is my seven year old golden retriever. Its very likely you have seen he and I around the village. In fact it's very likely you have met us both.

He has been a "fixture" around town since we moved here in April, and has become somewhat of a "celebrity" here in the village. We are out walking every day, around the lakes, and through town. He has brought many smiles to even passersby in vehicles, who watch us play ball in the park.

Well, due to a very unfortunate incident which occurred back in September, in which Winston was simply "being a dog", he was seized by the town from me, and has been locked up in the Monroe animal shelter for about 3 weeks now, being deemed a "Dangerous Dog".

Of course, if you have ever met him, you know that he is the farthest thing from a dangerous dog. In fact, the exact opposite. Anyone who has met Winston knows that he is an amazingly friendly, fun loving, well behaved, well trained, happy, and very well taken care of DOG. He lives to play ball. And he loves children. Any time he sees a small child his tail starts wagging. I'm sure its due to his experience that children have much more energy to play ball than adults. But the bottom line is that he is just a really really good example of a Golden Retriever. The breed is known for their love of people, and for being great family dogs.

OK, so why was he seized, and locked up?..I would be remiss If I didn't give a brief explanation. One day in late September, a very, very small dog, being walked up the road past my door, wandered into what I would consider Winston's "domain". On my property, within the borders that Winston knows not to cross. Actually, within a foot of my porch. The door was open, and Winston, being a DOG, reacted and jumped up, most likely thinking the small dog was a squirrel, or a critter of some type. I ran right out behind him. He grabbed the small dog in his mouth, at most for 2 seconds. Dropped him and went back inside. The small dog seemed fine. Unfortunately, several days later, the small dog passed away. I was issued several citations, and Winston was taken away.

What has been accomplished? Nothing. Nothing good. Two wrongs don't make a right. Im doing everything I can think of to get him back home with me where he belongs. He is traumatized, as he knows no other "owner" but me. He is truly, "man's best friend".

The following page is a informal petition. It is my hope that if enough people who know Winston will sign it, I can take it to village court on Wednesday, December 9th, at 9:30 a.m., at which time his, and my fate will be decided by the judge. I'm just trying to make the "powers that be" understand that he is NOT DANGEROUS!

Thank you so much for your support!

Feel free to attend the court proceedings in support of this beautiful dog.