Save Rocco!

Hello my name is Michele I am writing to plead for your assistance. On behalf of my daughter Demi and our beloved family dog Rocco. Rocco has been our family member for 4.5 years. Rocco is a sweet Pittie and a true rock in our family! Sadly he has been taken from us by Joliet Animal Control last week. My daughter is doing everything in her power to bring him back home safely. We are reaching out to each and everyone of you.

Between the tickets issued, lawyer fees, animal control fees and everything Demi is putting into this is hard to watch her go through each day! So today on her birthday I am pleading with all of you to please help her get Rocco back. If you know my daughter you know she never asks for help but is always willing to give it. I’m asking in her behalf for help! Whether it is information that could help us or donating to Rocco’s fund. We are grateful for anything!

Here is the story:

We all know pitbulls can have a bad rap but if you know my daughter, her dog is her life. Rocco is a sensitive pup with lots of love to give!

On June 26th it all started. Rocco did jump out of the car in the driveway with a leash on and tried to play with a neighbor dog that was being walked on our property. Wiggling his butt, all excited the other dog bit Rocco in the face, the dogs knocked each other to the ground, Rocco still never bit anyone or anything. The owner of the other dog (an Australian Shepherd) started hitting Rocco. Rocco got so scared that he peed on himself. The two dogs were pulled away from each other. Rocco was left bleeding from multiple bite and scratch marks. While after inspection from the police and owner the other dog had nothing. The neighbors called the police and came to our house, interviewed neighbors who were not outside at the time of the incident. We got a ticket for him jumping out the car. Our next door neighbor then threatened to shoot me and my dog. A couple hours later when Demi I got home the neighbor stood outside calling my daughter names. Since June 26th, 3 separate neighbors (not apart of the incident that day and did not see it), especially the neighbor threatening us has proceeded to video tape and take pictures of my Demi whether or not she has Rocco with her. They follow her throughout the subdivision, take pictures of her in the backyard and pool. Constantly calling the police to make complaints and yelling things at Rocco & Demi. On July 13th the police came to the house at 8:30am with complaints that I was walking Rocco without a muzzle. We were never told he has to wear one. The police then told Demi she needs to put one on him when walking until the hearing (which we had not been notified of at the time). My daughter agreed. After she was playing with Rocco on our deck that is completely fenced in the neighbor took pictures of Demi through the fence violating her privacy. And continued to call the police until them came back. At 12:30pm the local police and animal control came. They said our neighbor was calling every 5 minutes. The police & AC asked my daughter to bring him outside so they can see him, evaluate him, and help me with a muzzle. Next we know AC took Rocco from my daughter and then proceeded to tell her they have decided to take him until the hearing. They were tired of the neighbors calling and making complaints. The police created a ruse to take Rocco. My daughter threw herself over her dog to beg and plead them not to take him. Crying and screaming in our front yard while the neighbors who called watched they took Rocco. Lawyer fees are accumulating by the day and with everyday they keep Rocco they are charging my daughter for him to be there, for food, care and a vet daily. Animal Control has already told Demi he is very good but barely eating and seems depressed.

The hearing is not until the last week of July where the could deem Rocco dangerous or vicious and decide to euthanize him even though he has never bit anyone or anything!