When you think of the kinds of dogs that end up in shelters, you figure most of them were found on the street. But did you know that a significant amount of them were actually brought in by their previous owners?
The most common reasons why people surrender their dogs, according to the American Humane Association, are because their place of residence does not allow pets, there is a divorce or a death, or the pup has behavioral issues.
Yet, sometimes people have stranger excuses, like in the case of Mitsie, an 11-year-old beagle that was dropped off at a shelter merely because her owner was “sick” of her.
Monte, a sweet, 6-year-old American bulldog who was surrendered to Hempstead Animal Shelter in Wantagh, NY was brought in for an even odder reason — his owner thought he was “too big” at 100 pounds…
This seems like a thin excuse as to why someone would want to relinquish their dog, but the fact that Monte’s owner also requested euthanasia — or that the shelter put him down — seems downright inexcusable.
The shelter, however, had another idea…
This is Monte, he is a 100-pound, 6-year-old American bulldog who, according to one staff member at his shelter, “may be huge, but I could hold [his] leash with my pinky. He is the definition of gentle giant.”
According to his bio at the Hempstead Animal Shelter, “Monte is house trained, crate trained, and knows the commands ‘sit’ and ‘down.’ " He is also afraid of vacuums, brooms, and cats.
After Monte took a behavior evaluation at the shelter, he was deemed to be a straight-up sweetheart.
The shelter also claims that he's a big fan of music, which is why they've decided to make a very important decision regarding Monte's fate.
They are not going to put Monte down, despite what his previous owner had intended.
In fact, they’re trying very hard to find him a permanent home. Here he is at the Best Friends Super Adoption Event in New York City, where he will be available to meet potential pet parents until Sunday, April 30th, 2015.
If you live in the New York area, or know someone who does, have them come in and take a look at Monte, a dog who has also been described as “big, playful 'ol boy.”
For more information about Hempstead Animal Shelter, click here.
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