On Thursday, 9Wants to Know reported how images of a chained-up dog just outside of Fort Collins went viral, with hundreds of people calling for animal control to seize the dog and cite the owner.
Kaylee Gleason, 15, spoke with the permission of her mother to 9NEWS on Friday afternoon.
"I was very upset. My mom's devastated," Gleason said. "I just want it to be out there. We don't abuse our dogs. We are taking the steps to give him great care."
Gleason said her family feels they have been the target of defamation on the Facebook page and wanted to get their side of the story to the media.
Gleason said the photos of Bolt on the Facebook page were captured on a day when he was outside only for a short period of time.
Gleason also said Bolt has always had a safe heater inside his dog house and that he comes inside when it's too cold.
"He comes in a lot. He comes in once a week for a bath. He comes in for at least three hours a day," Gleason said.
She also explained Bolt was raised outside and is usually kept in the backyard because he doesn't get along with two other family dogs.
Gleason said people have been donating materials to their family to improve Bolt's shelter, including straw from the Larimer Humane Society.
A dog trainer is also going to help the family, Gleason said, with the aim of getting Bolt in a position where he can stay inside the home.
The Larimer Humane Society's animal control division visited the Gleason home on Tuesday and instructed the family to improve Bolt's shelter. They determined Bolt was in a good health and not in immediate danger because he had access to food and water.
A tethering law in Larimer County allows dogs to be chained up as long as they have access to food and water and adequate shelter.
(9NEWS.com - Nov 21, 2014)
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