The sadness of this is overwhelming. It’s so unfortunate that much of our society stands idly by while this stuff happens in their name…

Testimony from the good people over at DDA Watch:

When we tell you about dogs coming home everyone rejoices. We have pictures of happy dogs, great footage of reunions sometimes. Happy dogs and happy owners. It’s just great. But now I want to tell you a different story of one dog and her owner.

Roxy and her owner found each other a few months ago. Roxy was being beaten by her previous owners. David saw it and wouldn’t let it lie…and Roxy came to live with him. He took Roxy to the vet who promptly told him they couldn’t treat his dog as she was illegal and frankly scared the life out of her owner. As advised by the vet he called the police as he is a good law abiding person. The police came and took his dog….a ‘dangerous’ pit bull. By the time the vets and police had finished David was convinced his dog was actually nasty and would turn and so when asked, he signed her over to be destroyed.

But it all didn’t quite make sense to David and he came through to DDA Watch. We told David the truth and immediately sorted a revocation of his sign over with his consent. But it didn’t end there. David had a lot of pressure from many directions to let Roxy die. He was stressed and worried, for himself, for his dog and for the public…what if we were wrong? The next blow came when he was told, through no fault his own or Roxy’s that Roxy would not be allowed back home to his current property.

So he had a dog whose life relied on him and now he couldn’t bring her home. With the support of DDA Watch he continued to fight. He refused to sign over. He went to court on his own without a solicitor and no legal aid. The court ordered Roxy to be exempted. Her life had been saved. David carried out all the exemption paperwork and Roxy was registered to him.

She was due to come home on Tuesday but had opened her spay wound so she was not returned until Wednesday.

David and two members of DDA Watch went to pick Roxy up.

But here’s the crunch.

At this moment in time, Roxy cannot go back home to David. She is currently staying with DDA Watch while she receives vet treatment and her future is secured. David had to pick her up yesterday knowing he could not take her home. He couldn’t even play with her due to her being so poorly. He picked up the dog he adores, whose life he saved. A dog who was taken from him a few months ago. He picked her up and then watched as she was taken away from him again.

It’s not all happy endings. It’s not all straightforward. Sometimes, it will simply break your heart.

Roxy has been deemed a “pit bull type” (commonly referred to in the press as a “dangerous” pit bull) and her owner is a young male (commonly referred to in the press as thugs and hoodies.) David, I know you’re reading this. I cannot begin to tell you how proud of you everyone at DDA Watch is. Never question the power you hold in your hands. You, literally, are a life saver.

This is David and this is Roxy and this is how to say hello…and goodbye.