Humane Society can’t confirm pit bull came from them

The Thunder Bay and District Humane Society cannot say whether or not a pit bull-mix that allegedly attacked a killed a chihuahua-mix at a city off-leash dog park Nov. 9 was adopted from the shelter.

"We don’t know the owner’s name and the dog’s name may have been changed after it was adopted," said voluntary board of directors member Judy Decicco.

The belief that Jimi – the dog in question – was adopted from the Humane Society began after a letter to the editor was published in a local newspaper. Messages posted on Facebook and other Internet forums have also suggested that Jimi is from the animal shelter.

The dog’s owner has never stepped forward to local media to confirm or deny the rumours.

"Until we get all the information from the owner or from animal services, we can’t say one way or another if the dog was adopted from here," Decicco added.

The Thunder Bay and District Humane Society does not adopt out or take in pit bulls. Decicco said people wanting to surrender the dogs to the society are asked to take them to out-of-province agencies and groups.

She added that if Jimi was adopted from the humane society, she’s sure at the time it was not deemed to have any pit bull characteristics.

People can do a DNA test to see if their dog has Staffordshire or American bull terrier in their background. Decicco said the tests aren’t done at the humane society because they’re expensive.

"We have trouble spaying and neutering all our animals so DNA testing isn’t at the top of the priority list," she said.