Dozer will react to his name so please call his name or say his name if you see a dog who looks like him. Dozer is all brindle EXCEPT for the white under his chin and splotch on his chest, I have uploaded 3 pictures to better show his markings. Please be on the look out for him! He is very loved at the shelter and he needs to be found the right forever home. Whoever did this needs to be punished, and if they will steal a dog from the shelter, they can get away with a dog in your backyard. Lets get this thief or thieves off the streets and get Dozer back where he belongs!

That's a shame. I hope he returns safely

Only one reason for punks to steal a pitt bull, dog fight.

Oh poor Dozer:( I hope he is found safe and sound!

If this dog was so loved by everyone, what was he doing in the pound? Did his owners get sick of him? Did he finally bite someone? Did he get loose and almost bite someone? Why was he there all night unclaimed? Come on all you dog fanatics, chime in! Would any of leave poor Dozer in jail? How could this happen to a pitt bull?

Paul- if you wanna comment on hypothetical dogs that's fine but you keep your nose out of this one. I'm a pretty peaceful person but if you don't butt out and I find out who you are hiding behind that screen- you're in trouble. This dog is in lost, confused, with someone who may or may not be doing horrible things to him. You are heartless, rude, uncouth, and know NOTHING about Dozer and his situation. Joking about an animal who has been stolen and could be hurt? SHAME ON YOU. He is a sweet and loving dog and deserves a lot better than the life he's been given. Whether or not he's in the shelter he is loved and cared for and the volunteers will do anything for him. If he was such a horrible dog I doubt that would be the case.

I dare someone -ANYONE- to say something terrible about Dozer to my face, which I doubt you'd ever have the guts to do Paul. Go back to sniveling behind your monitor.

And for everyone who has been sharing Dozers picture, his story and been keeping an eye out for him- I cannot thank you enough. When we get Dozie back were going to have to set up a kissing booth so he can give each of you a big wet kiss! We will find him!

Briana, I understand this is an emotional situation, but please do not tell people to "butt out" and definitely do not threaten people on the site. Patch is many things, including a forum to share opinions, and not just opinions you like. On the other hand, Paul, before you write your posts, you should think about what you are writing and try to be sensitive when it is clear many people are upset. You don't care for pit bulls. This is the second thread where you have shared this opinion. We get it. I believe your above comments are not productive and are intentionally hurtful. I don't know why an adult, which I believe you are, would write that.

I hope Dozer is safe. I just wonder how such a fine dog can end up caged in a city shelter at tax payer expense for an entire year and not be adopted out. And please don't take offense to my question. I know someone who tried to adopt in Seekonk and was denied for no legitimate reason that I could see.

DOZER IS BACK! THEY FOUND HIM! Thank you to everyone who had even the smallest part in helping out, Dozie is back home at the shelter being showered in love, pats and kisses. I am so happy right now! YES!

Thank you for the update. That is great news.

deb of see-attleboro
I would suggest that you take a trip to the accounting office at City Hall. Ask to see the budget that our Animal Control Dept functions on........The volunteer group and private donations pay for just about everything but the salaries of the ACO's. There is a small amount of money in the budget. set aside for injured and sick abandonded animals. Our shelter could not function as it does if it were not for the generosity of the residents of Attleboro. Evidently a lot of people in this city care about our abandoned, abused, senior and homeless animals. Attleboro decided about 15 years ago to support a safe haven for animals, and although this seems to irk you - its not goint to change. I am very happy that "Dozer" is safe and back where he matters. Great job to all the volunteers and to everyone who cared!!!!! I am greatful that we have so many people in our city that are "big" enough to care for our "smallest" and most vulnerable among us. Go Dozer!!!

The goal of the shelter IS to find a responsible and caring home for each animal. I am not sure what you are suggesting........The volunteers at the shelter are savy enough to uderstand that not every animal fits into every home. They want every adoption to be successful - not just to hand an aimal to anyone who wants one...that would be ridiculous.....they know what they are doing. There is someone for evryone - just takes time.

Roxanne: So what is it about Dozer that makes him unadoptable? A whole year? According to reports here, everyone should have felt safe to call Dozer's name so he could be returned safely to the shelter. (In the human world, we call this prison).

So what is the deal? Has the shelter been proactive in finding Dozer a home or not? Have people been denied Dozer's companionship? If so, why?

And, btw, 1 year for a dog is 7 for a human. Would you cage a child for seven years to fine the absolutely perfect home?

I added a statement from shelter volunteer Steven Dunlea.

Deb, as one of the volunteers at the Attleboro Animal Shelter, I welcome you to fill out a volunteer application, receive the necessary training it takes to become a volunteer at our amazing shelter, and join us! Come on down and use all that incredible energy and passion you have to help the animals in our care! Many of our volunteers are at the shelter every single day and some, when not physically at the shelter, are still doing shelter-related duties. Some of our volunteers help out an hour a week and others much more, so you should be able to fit in perfectly. Thank you so much for your interest in Dozer! Dozer, along with every other cat and dog in our care, is loved and cared for as if he were one of our own pets! And I assure you Deb, if a family has been denied for a dog or cat, it IS for a good reason, but it does not always mean they have been denied for every dog or cat. We make the best choice for that family and that fur kid and sometimes that means one of kids has to live at the shelter a little longer than we would like. Please join us Deb and help us make a difference!!!

It's great that you found your mascot, my only concern is that you can remove all the flyers as fast as they went up. Nothing worse than all those flyers flying around town with all the yard sale signs that are left up after the 1st storm.

Thanks for the invite, Sue. But I am not a suitable candidate for a volunteer. I simply asked some questions, NONE of which are being answered. Why be so evasive? If I was in a position to take on Dozer, I might consider it. He sounds like a lovely animal.
Even though I am not, I know of someone who lost a beloved companion about a year ago. Before I suggest that he take the trip to the shelter, what exactly are you all looking for in a match for Dozer? I wouldn't want to set my friend up for disappointment and an embarrassing rejection.

WOW It is really sad reading these negative comments...Obviously Volunteering at an animal shelter and what it involves is not known to all or what the Friends of Attleboro Animal Shelter Volunteer contribute. As far as being evasive, this is a criminal investigation being conducted by the APD, we CANNOT comment at this time....Surely that is understandable to most. Please feel free to stop by during our adoption hours, any of our Volunteers will answer any questions you may have.

Animal Shelter personnel are right to not share info at this time. It would compromise the investigations. They have to be careful! Otherwise the person or persons who took the dog could get off scot free. Do you want that?

I'm not a volunteer but I think this is a time to support the volunteers and staff. Don't make a big deal out of this. Don't criticize. Don't judge. Too many people in PATCH make judgmental comments on incomplete information. As the Native American saying goes, "walk a mile in my shoes" before you presume to say you know better than the people doing the work and bearing the responsibility. Another old chestnut of mine is "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.' Folks who post here, please don't be part of the problem.

I'm beginning to think you're all NUTS!! Most of my questions have been about Dozer and why this dog you all claim to love so much has been held in captivity for over a year.
1) IS HE ADOPTABLE OR NOT!?!

2) SHOULD I SEND MY FRIEND FOR A VISIT TO THE SHELTER TO SEE IF HE WOULD BE INTERESTED AND IF HE IS A SUITABLE COMPANION FOR DOZER OR NOT!?!

3) WOULD ANYONE JUST BE WASTING HIS/HER TIME BECAUSE THERE REALLY IS NO HOPE FOR A FUREVER HOME FOR DOZER?!!

Sorry to "shout". But like I said. You are all sounding certifiable.

Deb, no need to hit the Caps Lock and name call. Please, everybody, keep it civil.

I think have been very civil. I'm just asking reasonable questions that no one will answer and then St Gretchen chimes in to lecture me about judging people. Sorry, I just lost my cool. I am just shocked at how defensive this gang at the shelter are.

Seriously Deb, you're going to respond to a request not to name call with a name calling? Come on, you can do better than that.

Usually I can. But this topic is a different "animal":)

I would say, (again I'm an outsider here to the Shelter), that the folks there are being reasonable and are highly protective.

The two dogs whose owners died in a fire recently are going to a family in Conn. I assume that the family was highly vetted. They had a retriever already (one of the dogs was a retriever). Again, an assumption on my part. But I know how carefully shelter staff are about placing dogs and cats. When I adopted my cats, I had to give the names of neighbors and friends before they'd let the cats go. I had to prove I was a committed and experienced cat owner. Anything less is a disservice to the animal.

I know you want to protect your friend from being rejected, but the main concern of shelter staff is the animals under their protection. Staff members have a strongly felt responsibility to give an animal a "forever home" where they have good reason to think the animal will thrive. The goal is what's best for the animal and not everyone who applies, gets the animal they want. At that point one has to be adult about it and not act like a victim.

Finally I want to offer to have a private email conversation with you. Maybe we could find a way to communicate better and perhaps have a detente here.
Peace

thank you. Peace.

I'm so happy Dozer has been found. Give him plenty of hugs & treats. He has had an ordeal I'm sure. He will get a loving home some day. Anything all of us can do to give money to make things more secure there at the shelter ?