Italian GSD found in California - Page 1

In case you know anyone looking, the CHP found a GSD with an Italian microchip.

www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jun/19/italian-shepherd-has-strayed-far-from-home/

Bump!

Microchips only work if you keep the info current!!!!!

However, it may be this dog was dumped. In which case the owner doesn't want the info traced.  I mention this because I REALLY recommend all BREEDERS KEEP THE CHIP INFO IN THEIR NAME!  That way you will be notified.  I can't tell you the number of "good breeders" who would argue with me that "no dog of theirs had EVER shown up at a shelter" - but they have NO way of knowing as they did not chip or keep the chip info in their name.

Just an FYI as I know everyone here wants to keep tabs on their pups!

I REALLY recommend all BREEDERS KEEP THE CHIP INFO IN THEIR NAME!

That is a good idea!! Makes sence unless a breeder doesn't chip their pups or doesn't care where they go or what happens to them. I know some that are like that.Very sad.



Added: Here is what the head of Animal Services e-mailed me  regarding the GSD

Lauren:
Thank you for your concern regarding our dog. We are slowly but surely tracking down his owner. We obtained the owner’s information from the veterinary clinic in Italy where the dog’s microchip was implanted in December of last year. The owner is in the Navy (on a ship home ported in Italy) and I have e-mailed the Public Affairs Officer of the ship.

Daniel E. DeSousa

Good News!



With assistance from people from across the United States and Italy, we have been able to locate the owner of the German Shepherd from Italy. We knew that the dog owner, Edmond Stevens, was assigned to the USS Mount Whitney in December of last year (when the dog was microchipped in Italy). However, a man from Maryland let us know that Stevens was no longer aboard the Mount Whitney (as his son is still stationed aboard the ship). From there I contacted Naval Criminal Investigative Services at 32nd Street Naval Station and they were able to provide me with a local address and telephone number for Stevens.



Stevens stated that when he and his wife came back from shopping one day the dog was gone from its chain. Stevens said he drove all around Coronado looking for the dog. Based upon his current situation (still in the military, living in an apartment and his wife expecting a child), he has decided to relinquish the dog to the Department of Animal Services and we will likely be sending the dog to one of our approved adoption partners. They have the time and expertise to work with “Cane” (socializing the dog with both people and other dogs) and then they will be finding him a new home here in the area.





Daniel E. DeSousa

County of San Diego

Department of Animal Services




 

Wow! Great detective work.

That last bit of the story was a little bit weak.

So, is this dog from Italy?

He sure is a pretty boy.  I predict he will have his pick of homes.

I hope he doesn't have permanent injury to his legs-does sound like somebody dumped him and he got hit by a car.

Michele

Yea kinda thought that the reason why the guy didn't keep Cain or want him back was bs. I would be thrilled to find my dog and get him back!!  Maybe it is best for the dog to get a different home and hope it is a better one. From what DeSousa said the dog is from Italy.At least was out there when the owner was stationed there.

Sorry, but if I had a dime for every military pet I have had to euth I'd be rich...   :  (

I always get flamed for being "anti-military" when I point out that military homes are NOT a good bet for adoption or sales, but the proof is in the pudding. Check out Craig's List... TONS of "being deployed..."

I gave military families a break when the war first started as at that time a lot of National Guard folks didn't know they were going to be shipped off.  But now? Seriously, you don't think you are going to be deployed?

Around here a LARGE % of military folks move in, get a pet, and then 9 months later they are back dropping it off...

My own sister brought a cat home from Greece while in the military, so I know some folks do, but as the case of this GSD shows, it is not always the case...

Nocurs,

I agree with you. I wont adopt to military and I have friends in the military. Told a friend the other day about a nice English Mastiff but advised that he will most likely be denied because we all know: who will take a mastiff with them on their next base excursion.

Im all for supporting our troups in every way but this one. I have known guys who take their dogs with them wherever they go but those are the few and far between. The rest of the dogs end up where they started.

I hope this dog finds a great home.

I'm military. I find ways to bring my dogs with me; and I have a back-up plan with friends and family who will foster stateside when something comes up, like special training or deployment.

I've downsized on my reptile collection due to moves -- anyone in the Chicagoland area want 2 milksnakes and a cornsnake? -- but dogs are different. The snakes don't know or care who their owner is; they just want a warm place to hide, fresh water, food, and to be left alone.

Dogs on the other hand are part of the family. They know their people, and mourn separation from their family. Can an active duty service member own a dog? Yes, but they should have a contingency plan in place beforehand, and many people don't want to plan that far ahead. Or they think it'll be easy, and wait till the last minute, and find out (surprise!) their friends or relatives don't want to foster their pooch for several months.

But I think the "expecting a baby" excuse is lame. What does having a child have to do with dog ownership? I have two kids, never had to give up a dog because of it.

If he was keeping it on a chain to begin with he shouldn't own a dog.  A new foster home is much better for the dog than what he apparently was subjected to.