Dear Governor Baker:

We are writing to ask you to spare the life of Vito, a two-year-old Great Dane who has been in limbo in a foster home in your state for the past seven months because of out-of-control bureaucracy. Vito is in danger of being killed as soon as Monday, September 10, because his rescue didn't know and follow the rules of an Emergency Order from 2005 which continues to regulate the entry of dogs into the state. What kind of Pet Emergency goes on for 13 years without scrutiny or checks and balances? 

Vito has been a victim, first of irresponsible owners, and then of a one-sided animal control system and ill-informed rescuers. Now he is the victim of the Massachusetts Department of Animal Health, whose regulations require that he either be surrendered to a "state approved" shelter or rescue or be killed. Vito's rescue, Save Rocky the Great Dane Rescue and Rehab, Inc., has applied for approval and months later, has still not been approved. No other approved shelter or rescue is willing to help. No one is saying that Vito should be killed, but so far, no one will help him.

Vito's only chance is for you to direct the state Department of Agriculture's Division of Animal Health to allow Vito's rescue to take possession and move him out of Massachusetts. Vito needs you.