Sarge bites again, is put in quarantine

John Dinon, executive director of the Toledo Area Humane Society, said that on Sunday Sarge bit the wife of a humane society employee, causing puncture wounds to her hand requiring a dozen stitches.

It was the dog's second biting incident at the humane society since July 26, when he lashed out at their veterinarian and head dog trainer.

As a result of Sunday's bite, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department ordered Sarge quarantined for 10 days - the standard period required by state law - to see if he shows signs of rabies.

Health Commissioner Dr. David Grossman said Sarge must remain in Lucas County for the quarantine. Until that period is over, the dog can't leave for the Best Friends Animal Society in Utah, a long-term animal sanctuary that agreed to take him in for life.

Dr. Grossman said he received advice on that matter from the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association.

Mr. Dinon noted that Sarge had been vaccinated against rabies but said he respects the health commissioner's orders.

"Since he's vaccinated the chances of him having rabies are almost zero, but the regulations are in place for a reason," Mr. Dinon said. "I am confident that we will be sending him to Best Friends as soon as the quarantine is up."

Mr. Dinon said Sarge was outside his cage Sunday for his daily walk when the bite occurred. He did not know if anything had provoked the dog, and he declined to identify the employee whose wife was bit.

"Frankly, someone made a little error of judgement and allowed someone who shouldn't get that close to him get close to him," Mr. Dinon said, adding that any disciplinary action is considered a private internal matter for the humane society.

Mr. Dinon is also confident that the sanctuary will still accept Sarge after this latest bite.

Best Friends cares for about 1,700 animals in southern Utah, and famously took in 22 of the "pit bulls" seized from football player Michael Vick's dogfighting ring. It is also the setting of Dogtown, a National Geographic Channel series.

Sarge was booked to leave this morning on a commercial flight from Detroit Metro Airport. He was to fly in a dog crate in the jet's cargo hold.

John Brown, the dog trainer whom he previously bit, was to accompany him on the trip. And one of Sarge's playmates, a female mixed-breed dog named Poppy, was to go along too and join him at Best Friends.

The humane society plans to reschedule the flight and is still accepting donations to cover Mr. Brown's $400 airfare and the combined $1,000 cargo fees for Sarge and Poppy.

The case against Lawrence Mick, 57, of 631 Federal St., one of two men charged with shooting Sarge in a cage, is scheduled to continue Sept. 17 in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Each man has said the other shot Sarge as the dog tried to break out of the cage.

Contact JC Reindl at:

jreindl@theblade.com

or 419-724-6065.