Thanks to School Kids and Staff, Dog May Dodge Death Row

Students at Detroit Waldorf School want to save a pit bull mix from a likely death sentence after it wandered on school property and won their hearts. (Photo courtesy of Erica Brehmer)

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A stray dog was probably destined for death row until students and staff made an appeal to spring the friendly shepherd/pit bull mix that was nosing around their Detroit school.

Animal control officers picked up the dog on Wednesday and removed her from the Detroit Waldorf School grounds, setting off a frantic letter-writing campaign and petition drive to save her, teacher Erica Brehmer told The Detroit News.

Some of the students the K-8 private school who witnessed the seizure “were traumatized” by what they thought was rough treatment.

“Some of them were crying,” Brehmer said. “They were just in shock that this happened.”

The pooch, who students have named Jenga, will be held for four business days per state law. If the owner doesn’t come forward to claim the dog, there are plenty of people at the school who are willing to let a dog already firmly in their hearts into their home.

“The dog should go to a good home,” Brehmer told The Detroit News. “I just want to make sure the dog has an opportunity to be adopted.”

No one had stepped forward to claim the pooch as of Thursday, and Michigan Humane Society has intervened on the dog’s behalf. Spokesman Ryan McTigue told the newspaper that if the dog’s owner doesn’t step forward before the mandatory holding period ends next week, the MHS will work with animal control officials to explore placement options.

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When students spotted the golden-brown dog with white paws, they were sent in from recess early for their own safety. But school staff quickly learned the pooch is “really nice,” Brehmer said.

“She was just sitting there, hanging out,” Brehmer said. “She actually wouldn’t leave a couple of us alone. … She was super-playful. She had been crawling on my back. She was nipping like puppies do, trying to play with my water bottle, my ponytail holder.”

The dog obeyed commands, including those instructing her to sit.

“She absolutely, 100 percent was somebody’s pet at some point,” Brehmer said.

The head of Detroit’s animal control unit, Harry Ward, said his office is just following procedure. He said he understands the dog is “tugging at their heartstrings,” but said procedure is important.

And instead of just focusing on one dog, he suggests those concerned about Jenga should consider adopting a dog from the Michigan Humane Society to make room for more.

“Do something for all the dogs, instead of getting focused on the one dog,” Ward told The Detroit Free Press.