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A Denver household is trying to avoid having their English Setter wasted from being euthanized after they surrendered the dog to an area animal shelter for biting their 2-year-old son.
Nicole and Lars Ellingson surrendered their 10-year-old dog, Watson, to a Denver animal shelter after he bit their sleeping baby in the face earlier this month.
When they sent the dog to the shelter, they were told there was a “risk of euthanasia,” but the couple claimed the shelter agreed to keep their dog for 10 days and put it into service once they found a suitable home.
When they alerted the shelter that their beloved Watson could be rehomed at Southwest English Setter Rescue, the shelter informed them that their dog could be euthanized.
The victim couple informed Page 31 news ‘the shelter story has changed’.
“Now we’re dealing with the fact that this one decision we made, seemingly under false pretenses, was a death sentence,” Nicole said.

Watson, a 10-year-old English Setter, bit a sleeping baby in the face and is now up for euthanasia at a Denver animal shelter.

Nicole and Lars Ellingson informed Fox 31 that the scenario was a “huge misunderstanding” they’ve usually discovered a brand new home for his or her puppy, however the shelter has informed the couple that Watson will be euthanized.

Nicole is pictured with her two-year-old son, who was bitten in the face by the family dog, Watson.

On Friday, several protesters gathered outside the shelter with lights and chanted: “Free Watson… save his life… do the right thing.”
A city spokesperson said the household signed an “Owner Waiver: End-of-Life Request” document that gives them “full legal custody of the animal.”
The doctor writes: “I release full legal custody of the animal described above with the request that DAP humanely euthanize this animal.”
The Denver Animal Shelter told the clearinghouse that they may euthanize the dog because it bit the kid twice, and for safety reasons, they generally don’t want to release the animal to most people.
“Last week, Watson was transferred to the Denver Animal Shelter after severely biting a child in the face,” the company said in a statement.
“When it was returned, it was explained to the owner that this was the final decision. Denver Animal Protection’s mission is to protect the safety of both people and animals in our community.
“Given the severity of this bite and the history his owner disclosed to us when he surrendered – he has bitten the same child in the face before – we are carefully reviewing whether it is safe to release him back into the community.”
“We take this decision very seriously and will act in the best interest of our community.”
Sunday marks the end of Watson’s 10-day quarantine.
A spokesperson for the city mentioned that they are still looking into the matter and no final choice has been made.
Lars called the whole ordeal “a big misunderstanding.”
“I’d like to be hopeful,” he mentioned. “But I think they’ve made up their minds. We hope we can reconsider.
The Ellingsons’ Facebook page features several photos of a happy Watson with the smiling couple, with many posting their support and prayers.
“Oh my god Nicole!” wrote a friend of the household. “I saw this story all over social media today. My heart goes out to you! Hoping for the best!’

Watson is pictured in his undated photo with Nicole when she was expecting a baby

Lars imagined Watson sleeping outside in a hammock one-on-one

Protesters gather outside a Denver animal shelter with signs and chants: “Free Watson… save his life… do the right thing.”

The South West English Setter Rescue has a web page dedicated to Watson that reads: “Free Watson!” Act now. Tell Denver to run Watson

Saturday at 8:00 p.m Southwest English Setter Rescue posted an ‘urgent’ message.
“URGENT – You may only have HOURS to live – Save Watson’s life!” get the news. “Call and email Melanie Sobel, Director of the Denver Animal Shelter immediately! Watson must not be killed!
Numerous English Setter experts have informed him since Thursday that this was not an aggressive incident.
“No EU breed expert agrees with the shelter’s aggressive assessment, including DVM. Watson has NO history of aggression,” she wrote.
The pack has caught the eye of the group, one member pleads, “Mayor (Mike) Johnston, please step in!”