In a heart-wrenching encounter, a 4-year-old Malti-poo named Gracie was attacked and killed by a pit bull on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The incident has raised concerns about the adoption practices of the Broward County Animal Care and Shelter, which allowed the pit bull to be adopted out to a homeless man despite its history of aggression.

Gracie’s owner, Lisa Zender, described the attack as a “nightmare” and said she was unable to save her pet despite her best efforts.

• According to the Broward County Animal Care report, the pit bull, named Lucy, was sitting on a bench with her owner, Roy Bissember, when she lunged at Gracie and began shaking her.
• The Fort Lauderdale Police Department confirmed that several bystanders jumped in to save Gracie from the attack.

Gracie suffered a major leg injury and a large open gash during the attack, and Zender was left with a significant financial burden trying to save her pet. Despite her efforts, Zender was ultimately forced to euthanize Gracie due to the extent of her injuries. Shelter Records Show Pit Bull’s History of Aggression

A review of Broward County Animal Care records reveals that the pit bull, Lucy, had a history of aggression. In January, the dog had been returned to the shelter by a foster due to “biting and fighting loose dogs.” She had also bitten a human in Palm Beach County, where the foster lived at the time. The shelter paperwork also noted that the dog had issues walking on a leash when she saw other dogs or cats, and was not nice with other animals. Despite this history, the shelter allowed Lucy to be adopted out to Bissember on April 16, just one day before the reported attack on Las Olas.

Zender believes that the shelter made a critical mistake in allowing Lucy to be adopted out to Bissember, who was homeless and unable to provide proper care for the dog. “I think Broward County Animal totally dropped the ball and taking this dog back in, knowing its history, ‘hey let’s put it back out on the streets, not only put it back out on the streets but let’s put it back on the streets to a homeless person,’ who can’t even take care of themselves much yet a dog,” Zender said. The incident has left Zender feeling heartbroken and frustrated, and she is now trying to pick up the pieces and move forward.

“Now I have to try to pick up the pieces and go on, it’s not fair,” Zender said. “It hurts, my heart is so broken.”

The Broward County Animal Care Shelter has stated that they do not keep data on how many animals are adopted out to people experiencing homelessness, and that they do not discriminate based on an animal’s history of aggression. However, Zender believes that the shelter should have been more vigilant in ensuring that the dog was going to a suitable home, and that the incident highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability in shelter adoption practices. In the end, the pit bull was euthanized after Bissember surrendered her back to the shelter following the attack. What Can Be Done?

The incident raises questions about the need for greater transparency and accountability in shelter adoption practices. Here are some potential steps that can be taken:

1. Shelters should be required to provide more detailed information about an animal’s history and behavior, including any instances of aggression or violence.
2. Shelters should implement more robust screening processes for adopters, including background checks and interviews.
3. Shelters should provide more resources and support for adopters, including training and behavioral guidance.

By taking these steps, shelters can help ensure that animals are going to safe and suitable homes, and that adopters are equipped to provide the care and attention that animals need. In the meantime, Zender is left to pick up the pieces and move forward, and to advocate for greater change in shelter adoption practices. “I will not give up,” she said.