Sarge to be transferred to pet sanctuary

Staff member John Brown gives Sarge a treat at the Toledo Area Humane Society. Enlarge

Sarge, the East Toledo German Shepherd who was shot six times and survived, will be transferred to the Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah, a renowned long-term sanctuary for "unadoptable" pets.

"We are very pleased that an amazing organization like Best Friends Animal Society was able to make room for him," John Dinon, executive director of the Toledo Area Humane Society, said Friday morning in a written announcement.

"We were very concerned that Sarge not end up with someone unable to handle him, or that Sarge would end up in a worse situation than he previously was."

Mr. Dinon said the humane society entered discussions with Best Friends after deciding early on that the dog was too aggressive to be adopted as a house pet. The sanctuary agreed to take Sarge, and the humane society received permission to make the transfer from Toledo Municipal Court.

Toledo police have charged two men with allegedly taking turns shooting Sarge in a cage July 9 with a 25-caliber gun. Each man claims it was the other who did the shooting as Sarge tried to "bust out" of the cage.

After a stay with the Lucas County Dog Warden, Sarge was handed over late last month to the humane society, which received full custody of the dog. Sarge then bit the humane society?s head dog trainer and veterinarian during his first days there.

The humane society is accepting donations to pay for travel and other expenses related to Sarge?s care. Those wishing to contribute should contact the humane society at 419-891-0705 or visit its Web site at www.toledoareahumanesociety.org.