Florida: Pit bull reacted with aggression in 3 separate tests. Nevertheless, the Lake County Animal Shelter named the dog "Heaven" and suckered a guy into adopting it. At its new home, it promptly attacked him and threatened his child

FLORIDA -- A dog that was adopted from a Lake County animal shelter bit its new owner, deputies said.

The dog, named Heaven, was known for being aggressive before it was adopted, according to a report.

Deputies responded Wednesday to a Eustis home for a report of a dog bite.

The owner, Matt Waldron, said Heaven had attacked and bitten him on both arms, puncturing his skin. Waldron was giving the dog a verbal punishment for going to the bathroom in the house.

“Dog behavior is a tricky thing. Every dog reacts to different stimuli and different environments, and there are different triggers,” said Lake County Directors of Human Saftey Brian Sheahan.

Waldron said he adopted the pit bull mix Saturday, and since that time, the dog had snapped at him and his child.

Waldron said that after the dog bite, he wasn’t able to get near the animal because it was snarling and growling at him

The responding deputy recognized the dog from Lake County Animal Services because of the dog’s documented aggressive behavior at the facility.

Also, apparently the pit bull had been adopted once before and its owner returned the dog, asking for it to be euthanized, saying it had repeatedly tried to attack their children. This adopter tried to do the right thing. 

Instead, Lake County tossed the pit bull back on the adoption floor and convinced Waldron to take it home.

And the latest news is that even after Waldron made them take the vicious dog back, they refused to euthanize it. Instead, they shipped it off to an unnamed rescue that is not legally required to tell anyone its history. They can change its name and lie and make its backstory seem sad "She was neglected by dog fighters!" 

So when it attacks someone and animal control does a report, the newest owner will say, "It's never done anything like this before!" - and no one will be the wiser. 

Deputies said the dog was found tied up and abandoned at a home.

Once in the shelter’s care, three separate assessments were conducted about concerns for aggression.

Despite those concerns, the shelter deemed Heaven adoptable and never warned its new family about its history.

“One of the things we’ve already implemented as of yesterday is ensuring that every adopted animal, whether it’s a rescue or an individual, (includes) a complete animal history with the adoption,” said Sheahan.

After learning about the dog’s past behavior, Waldron said he no longer wanted the animal.

Uh, well I would think after it bit him and tried to attack his child, he wouldn't want it any longer.

The dog was taken back to Lake County Animal Services.

The adoptee signed standard shelter paperwork, which states adopters assume all risks, including bites.

“We do our best to assess them and make sure they’re safe to the public,” said Sheahan.

In Orange County, officials said adopters are required to sign a specific waiver acknowledging that they are well aware of their new pet’s behavior issues.

(WFTV9 - Feb 24, 2017)

Related:

• Florida: Man recovering from attack by pit bull up for adoption at animal shelter