Bones update

The Bones affair is rapidly evolving into a soap opera.  To say that the working relationship between Northwest Ohio Underdog Rescue and the Lexus Project has become strained would be an understatement.  The city of Toledo is seven days into this disaster and neither Northwest Ohio Underdog Rescue or the Lexus project has a single word to say about any public safety concerns.

This morning (1/12/2013) on their public Facebook page Northwest Ohio Underdog states " UPDATE ON BONES: There is no new information on Bones, the tips coming in are on white dogs that look like him but so far have not been any concrete leads. The Lexus Project has seen fit to blame the rescue and slander our name. This is very sad and unprofessional behavior and I feel it only hurts our chances of finding him. This matter will be turned over to my attorney at this time."

This morning (1/12/2013) on their public Facebook page the Lexus Project stated  "I am getting too many emails about Bones to be able to answer everyone individually. 

Right now we are having some serious doubts regarding the varasity (sic) of what we were being told by "kat" -kathy sutter (Johnston) of NWO dog rescue of Toledo Ohio,

After we were given custody of Bones he was place (sic) with Kat for rehabilitation so that we could eventually place him in a forever home. almost immediately, though he was proving to be a loving, happy and playful dog, Kat started telling us he was not adoptable, though she could never articulate a clear reason. We continued to receive pictures of him playing and happy and it was clear she loved him and was giving him attention so we allowed it to continue.

Recently, the photos and reports stopped. on Sunday, January 6 i received a matter of fact text (sent at 8 am, read at 9 am)from Kat asking me if she could give me a call but I should have a cup,of coffee first as it was early.

30 minutes later Kat called to tell me that someone had broken into the house the day before and Bones was stolen along with his blanket and toy. Only Bones was stolen out of 16 dogs. When I asked her what the police had said, she told me she hadn't called them and had done nothing to find him or set out an alarm to try and get him back. Though we found it strange that she was being so matter of fact about this, we understood that she had been at her fathers wake and was emotionally drained. We offers (sic) our condolences when we learned of her fathers death.

Being knowledgable (sic)  about how to bring home a lost dog I went over the steps that had to be taken starting with the most important step: 500 PLASTIC enclosed flyers posted everywhere with his picture. We offered to pay for that. flyers bring home lost dogs and are a continuing reminder after the news forgets or when the delivery boy sees the dog while delivering pizza or Chinese or whatever. Additionally we insisted she notify police, animal control and call each vet, and shelter. We offered to call vets and shelters but she said she had someone doing it.

We posted on craiglsit (sic) since that hadn't been done and spoke to the reporter from the blade and one of the tv stations to help get the word out.

TLP is lucky to have a wonderful and large following of supporters who helped to mobilize and get the word out about Bones. As the hours and days past (sic), we started to notice that Kats story was inconsistent to what she was telling other people. After one person called animal control because of an supposed sighting, animal control knew nothing other than what they heard on the news and had never been contacted. As Kat had assured us, animal control had been contacted and were going to try and help, we personally called animal control and were told other than seeing this on the news, no one had contacted them about Bones. When we called the Toledo police department, we were told no report was filed. ( We find that very strange not reporting a breaking and entering) when we had a local person go to the Pizza Hut where he was supposedly spotted, the Pizza Hut employees and manager knew nothing and they had no fliers. Nor had anyone followed up with them. We left fliers with them. It was also noted that there were no fliers anywhere.

Additionally we found out that she had been telling the volunteers we had rounded up to ignore us and not to worry or bother with the plastic on the fliers ( which otherwise are garbage after the first rain or wind) and not to worry, she'd deal with Tlp. She told us that no one tells her what to do and she will do things her own way.

We find her lies and attitude distressing and can only come to the conclusion that the entire story of a break in is either completely manufactured to hide whatever she has done with bones or she is complicit in his theft and knows more than she is telling. In either case having come to the conclusion that she is untrustworthy and not looking to have Bones found, we must appeal to the public in general and our 12k + supporters to help find Bones and bring him to safety.

Any information should be reported directly to TLP at thelexusproject@optonline.net and will remain confidential. A large reward is offered both for his safe return.

All conversations with Kat are via text and documentable.

This evening (1/12/2013) Lexus Project stated on their public Facebook page  "We are heartbroken that in a week there has been no concrete sighting of Bones. 130 pound white dog. Poof gone. That's what happened to Sasha another dog who was dog aggressive who was being 'rehabbed' by Kat. Poof gone in September. the emails keep pouring in. several have pointed out that maybe Sasha and bones got into it and they are both dead. So many of you think there is a coverup for something. I don't know what to think. I just want Bones returned safely. Thinking he's out there and scare (sic) or hurt or both or worse is starting to really get to us. Thank you for all the emails. We know you are all so concerned.

In response to a question from a supporter Lexus Project stated  "The Lexus Project, Legal Defense for Dogs Here are the facts. Her garage is where she has 16 dogs. she uses crates. Thats the kennel. she said it was converted. seems like a lot of dogs and crates ( they are crated) per sq footage. I had had a great recommendation about her BUT since then that person has turned out to be a real wack a doodle. I don't believe she had that many dogs when she took Bones in. Her home is 725 sq feet and her entire property size is 6700 sq feet. About 100x67. She clearly shouldn't have that many dogs.

A rational adult, looking at the Bones disappearance would have questions.  Why would the animal rights advocates at Lexus Project take a dog too dangerous to remain in New York and send him to a private home in Toledo Ohio?  Why didn't Lexus Project investigate the facilities at Northwest Ohio Underdog? Why does the City of Toledo allow this rescue to operate without adequate containment for the dogs housed there?  Lexus Project claims that Bones is the second aggressive dog to disappear from Northwest Ohio Underdog.  Why wasn't there an investigation after the first disappearance?  Is ANYBODY looking out for the safety of the public???

 We will continue to watch this meltdown...   pass the popcorn.

Another look at how HB 14 fails Ohio residents

From the Toledo Blade, strong supporter of HB 14 comes the story of Bones.  Bones is a 130 pound dog reported by New York newspapers as a pit bull, now identified as a Dogo Argentino.  Bones was involved in a murder in New York City.  This is a complicated story so hang on.

Bones was owned by Shaun Dyer who allegedly killed his roommate by striking him on the head with a pipe. David Shadha, the victim, was able to call 911 and told the dispatcher that Dyer had sicced his dog on him.  Shadha died and bite marks were found on the body.  The dog, covered in blood, was seized.  Apparently the final cause of death was attributed to the head injury so bites inflicted on the victim by Bones, while they obviously existed were not listed as the final cause of death.  Please note in the linked stories that this dog had a bite history.




Enter the Lexus Project, an organization run by animal rights lawyers who feel that dogs facing euthanization for involvement in the deaths of humans  should be "saved" and sent to sanctuaries to live out their lives in protective captivity.  Some question the humanity of sending dogs to what has been referred to as "above ground cemeteries" but the outer fringe of the animal rights movement fails to consider the safety of mere humans or the quality of life for the incarcerated dog.  Operating on the "not in my backyard" principle, New York prosecutors released Bones to the Lexus Project to be removed from their city.  The Lexus Project selected The Northwest Ohio Underdog Rescue operating out of the West Toledo home of Kathy Sutter as the appropriate place for Bones.    Per the Toledo Blade, Ms. Sutter was selected because of her reputation for dealing with aggressive dogs.  This transfer was perfectly legal under the terms of HB 14 because the dog was not implicated in violence in the state of Ohio, and insurance for this dog was no longer required by state law.  The Lexus Project had a plan for Bones to be returned to them at some time in the future for possible adoption.  Please click here for Ms. Sutter's description of Bones behaviors at Northwest Ohio Underdog Rescue, scroll down near the bottom of the page.   For your convenience, there is a "Donate Now" button.  Does any rational person feel that any of this included any provision for public safety????

Now we get into the current problem.  This dog may be at large in the Toledo area.  This dog, transported across state lines for the purposes of rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing after implication in a New York murder was stolen from the home of Kathy Sutter.  Ms. Sutter describes the dog, the same dog that faced euthanization in New York for his role in the death of David Shadha as "just a massive puppy.  He's as strong as any dog I've encountered.  This is not a Yorkie."  Ms. Sutter's concern is for the safety of the dog with no apparent concern for residents of the community.  She stated "Unfortunately this is the kind of dog that police are frightened of and would shoot it."  The Lexus Project is offering a large reward for the return of Bones.

There are clearly issues that must be considered.  Why was a dog that faced destruction in the city where its history was known, transported across state lines to Ohio?  Don't Ohio residents have any right to safety?  Is the administration of the city of Toledo aware that Ms. Sutter is running a sanctuary for dangerous dogs out of her home?  It has been reported that she kept sixteen dogs in her home.  A google map perusal of  West Toledo reveals small, neat homes set close together with small yards and neighborhood schools.  What provisions have been made for containment of the dangerous dogs housed at Northwest Ohio Underdog Rescue?  A sanctuary for dangerous dogs should be fenced like a maximum security prison.   Is this enterprise insured?  Are there any schools nearby?  Why does an animal rights organization with no concern for human safety have the right to decide where a dog that even they consider to be aggressive will live out the rest of its life? When will the legal system consider the welfare of the public over the wishes of breed specific advocates,  animal rights loons, and thousands of fur mommy "facebook friends" of violent dogs?   Who is responsible for the safety of peaceful citizens, unfortunate neighbors of  people who accept dogs with a violent history?  Will the inability of the Lexus Project to maintain control of dogs that they have "rescued" after violence impact their ability to obtain more violent dogs?

If you see this dog, please call your local police.  Possibly a responsible and adult decision will be made and the dog will be shot, taking responsibility for this animal out of the hands of breed specific advocates, "no kill" kooks,  and incompetent rescue angels.



 For the record, this blogger would support a federal law to ban the practice of transporting designated dangerous dogs across state lines for  the purpose of re-homing or "rehabilitation."


This update from the Facebook page of NWO-Underdog Rescue, look out Toledo!

BONES UPDATE PLEASE SHARE : Bones was spotted today at Sylvania and Jackman, we have been canvassing this neighborhood since. He was last seen by Pizza Hut and he is STILL WEARING HIS COLLAR WITH TAGS. If you live in this neighborhood PLEASE keep a look out and call 419-508-5730 if you see him. If you are the person who has him, please just bring him to Slyvania Vet. and you can collect the reward no questions asked.

The question was asked in a comment "is he alone or with someone?"  The one word answer was "alone."