To Our Friends, Family, and Community,

We are reaching out with heavy hearts to ask for your support for our sweet dog, Scout, who is currently facing a devastating and deeply unjust situation.

Recently, Scout was labeled a 'dangerous dog' following a tragic incident involving a 12-pound neighbor dog who entered our backyard uninvited. This same dog had been provoking and taunting Scout at our shared fence line for over a year. Scout, feeling the need to protect his home and family, reacted as many dogs instinctively would. Sadly, the small dog did not survive.

In the wake of this accident, the consequences placed on Scout and our family have been extreme and unrealistic. We were ordered to:

• Keep Scout muzzled at all times when off our property
• Keep Scout on a leash no longer than six feet, even in our own fenced backyard, and only when accompanied by an adult at all times. 

These conditions are not only impractical for any dog, but particularly unfair for a dog who was defending his space from an intruder. Because we couldn’t comply with these strict guidelines, the NOCO Humane Society came to our home and took Scout from us.

Scout is now being held in isolation—in a cage with no human contact except for food, water, and cage cleanings—until our court date on May 7th. Scout is a deeply loved member of our family of eight. He’s now suffering in isolation—not because he’s a true threat, but because of a deeply flawed system. We are gravely concerned about the toll these inhumane conditions are taking on his mental and emotional well-being.

We are asking for your support to show the courts and our community that Scout is:

• A gentle, loyal, and loved family member,
• Not a "dangerous dog", but a dog who reacted instinctively in a distressing moment,
• Deserving of compassion and love , not a cold, isolated cage for nearly a month.

Please help us fight for Scout’s fair treatment. Sign this petition to urge the court and local officials to:

1. Advocate for Scout to be transferred immediately to a more appropriate and compassionate housing while awaiting his court hearing on May 7th.
2. Lift or reduce the “dangerous dog” label placed unfairly on Scout,
3. Allow Scout to return home to his loving family where he belongs,
4. Reconsider the unrealistic restrictions that would prevent any dog from having a humane quality of life.

With your support, we hope to bring Scout home—and shine a light on how we treat family pets in difficult circumstances.

From the bottom of our hearts,

Brent, Christy, Gavin, Avery, Delaney, Grace, Sam and Aspen (Scout's family of 8)