Save Lobo: A Siberian Husky Mix is Sentenced to Die

I have to side with Lobo on this. The Justice of the Peace erred by ordering a dog put down who never harmed anyone. However, Lobo's family should be aware that if you don't know a particular dog, especially one as big as Lobo, it can be intimidating. You don't want to find out first-hand that he is aggressive. Also, if there is a leash law, then the family should be fined if there is irrefutable proof that Lobo is allowed to run loose. In my own subdivision there was a family who lived near our grouping of mailboxes who insisted on keeeping their Rottweiler off its leash. I'm sure he is a gentle soul, I used to see him in the front yard with the couple's young kids climbing all over him. But every time I walked to the mailbox, he would come out and begin acting very aggressively, obviously protecting his family from me, a stranger. They moved out, but not before I got into the habit of driving to my mailbox to avoid this dog. My own beagle was 17 when he died and never bit anyone, but when a delivery man or someone else would come to the house and asked if he bites, I would tell them "not yet". In other words, the companionship and love a pet can provide comes with a certain amount of responsibility. If someone is not willing to accept that responsibility they shouldn't have pets. But please don't punish the dog for that.

Living with a Siberian Husky by Eddie Delgado
Getting home from a hard days work to be greeted by a Siberian husky is a great stress reliever. With their joyous attitudes and great energy huskies are very kind and loving animals. You will often find them full of excitement and howling like a wolf upon your arrival.
Huskies eyes are often blue or brown in color. Often times they may have one eye blue and another brown. Originating from extremely cold weather Huskies do very well in hot climate areas. Typical lifespan for huskies range from 12 to 14 years all though with good care they can last many more.

With a history of being guard dogs Huskies will often run and hide and not guard at all. Huskies do very well around children and will protect them if necessary. With their dominant stance and intimidating presence they often howl and hide during thunderstorms. I highly recommend Huskies as house pets but a play yard is highly recommended. If a yard is not available walk them frequently and see their excitement when you reach for the leash.

Always verify the history of the breeder. Huskies could be very sensitive pets and lots of attention is required. Be patient with them and discipline will come with time. Never leave them alone for a long period of time or destruction will be inevitable. Huskies will destroy furniture and any other items they can get their teeth around. If leaving them home for long periods of time is inevitable I would recommend finding them a companion.
About the Author
Eddie Delgado has researched & raised Siberian Huskies throughout the past 20 years. With it's thick coat of hair & beautifull color marks the Siberian Husky is by far one of the most elegant dogs of our time. Find more about Siberian Huskys at http://www.amazingdogsplace.com

Typical one sided reporting from the Houston Press.

Lobo sounds like a great dog. Rarely do you find a bad dog..bad owners - all the time.

The dog has no business running the streets of the neighborhood. It is not safe for the children, it is not safe for drivers, it is not safe for Lobo.

Maybe this family should rehome their pets if they can't be responsible owners and keep their dog safe.

Try to make the judge the enemy all you want, same thing with animal control. At the end of the day you are dealing with bad pet owners.

It appears that an overprotective grandmother started all this. And as a grandmother, I too want my grandchild safe. However, as the owner of a Siberian Husky, and a Siberian Husky/German Shepard mix, I can say without reservation that Siberians are the friendliest dogs around. They may look intimidating sometimes, but never have I heard of an attack, esp. on a child. My Huskies love my granddaughter (almost a year old) and she loves them. She can pull their hair or ears or tail and they do not mind. These two families need to get together with Lobo so they can all feel safe. It sounds like Lobo is just reacting to the stress put upon him and his owners by those who don't know the dog. Lobo, I wish you a long happy life.

this isn't a story about a dog. this is a story about a family who is too stupid to have a dog. the law states that the dog must be secured in a fence or on a leash. but these people think that they are entitled to ignore the law and let their dog pay the consequences? I've been on that street and the dog chased me down the street while growling at me, but that is still not the point. One cannot ignore the law and make it someone else's responsibility when asked to pay the price for breaking the law. From what I have read and heard, the Fraziers are not taking any responsibility in any of this. they are also quite pointedly attacking anyone who has asked that they abide by the law with their dog. no one in the neighborhood has asked that this dog be destroyed, but these owners refuse to keep their dog secured. the dog should be taken away from them and given to a home that will truly care for it.

I’m a dog owner, and I’ve followed this story since Lobo was taken from his owners back in January. I must say, Mr. Spivak, I find your version of the story to be quite one-sided and incomplete. Not once did you comment on the Frazier’s inability to properly care for the dog, or their responsibilities as pet owners. I also found it extremely sad and unfortunate that this dog was ordered to be euthanized because its owners couldn’t keep it in the house, behind a fence, or on a leash. Again, I have a dog, and it’s not too difficult to obey the law and keep my dog on a leash or contained on my property. Show courtesy and respect to your neighbors - it’s very simple.

I feel sorry for Matt and Jennifer Calk. It seems like all they were trying to do was protect their family. I’m sure I would have done the same thing and notified the proper authorities if my neighbor’s dog was frequently coming onto my property and around my small child. Unfortunately, their names are now published on neighborhood signs, in the local newspapers, and on the internet. They are portrayed as the people whose sole purpose in life is to have their neighbor’s dog killed. Are you kidding me? They both worked at pet stores, hoped to open their own pet store one day, and volunteered to help homeless animals in another state after a natural disaster. And their sole purpose in life is to kill a dog?? That is absurd. I think the Fraziers should be ashamed of themselves for making such statements, and so should any reporter who publishes the same.

I’m happy with the Court’s decision to release Lobo from custody and not euthanize him. He’s innocent. I’m certain the Court could have found a more responsible home to send him back to though. It appears the Fraziers have went to great lengths to get their dog back. They hired an attorney. They created a website. They placed posters in neighborhood yards. They attempted to discredit a local Judge and get an animal control worker fired. And they’ve portrayed their ‘complainer’ neighbors as heartless individuals whose sole purpose in life is to kill their dog. It seems like all of this could have been avoided if the dog was simply kept on the owner’s property. Mr. & Mrs. Frazier, please take responsibility for your own actions. It’s time to stop blaming others for your mistakes. If you love Lobo, keep him off the streets.

I’m a dog owner, and I’ve followed this story since Lobo was taken from his owners back in January. I must say, Mr. Spivak, I find your version of the story to be quite one-sided and incomplete. Not once did you comment on the Frazier’s inability to properly care for the dog, or their responsibilities as pet owners. I also found it extremely sad and unfortunate that this dog was ordered to be euthanized because its owners couldn’t keep it in the house, behind a fence, or on a leash. Again, I have a dog, and it’s not too difficult to obey the law and keep my dog on a leash or contained on my property. Show courtesy and respect to your neighbors - it’s very simple.

I feel sorry for Matt and Jennifer Calk. It seems like all they were trying to do was protect their family. I’m sure I would have done the same thing and notified the proper authorities if my neighbor’s dog was frequently coming onto my property and around my small child. Unfortunately, their names are now published on neighborhood signs, in the local newspapers, and on the internet. They are portrayed as the people whose sole purpose in life is to have their neighbor’s dog killed. Are you kidding me? They both worked at pet stores, hoped to open their own pet store one day, and volunteered to help homeless animals in another state after a natural disaster. And their sole purpose in life is to kill a dog?? That is absurd. I think the Fraziers should be ashamed of themselves for making such statements, and so should any reporter who publishes the same.

I’m happy with the Court’s decision to release Lobo from custody and not euthanize him. He’s innocent. I’m certain the Court could have found a more responsible home to send him back to though. It appears the Fraziers have went to great lengths to get their dog back. They hired an attorney. They created a website. They placed posters in neighborhood yards. They attempted to discredit a local Judge and get an animal control worker fired. And they’ve portrayed their ‘complainer’ neighbors as heartless individuals whose sole purpose in life is to kill their dog. It seems like all of this could have been avoided if the dog was simply kept on the owner’s property. Mr. & Mrs. Frazier, please take responsibility for your own actions. It’s time to stop blaming others for your mistakes. If you love Lobo, keep him off the streets.

Todd did a wonderful job printing the truth and if Matt and Jennifer are so worried about there names why did they start the fuss over one animal when there are a tons of dogs running the neighborhood. Lobo does not just run he lives inside a house and is let out in his fenced in backyard, so get over it the truth hurts, and this animal is loved a whole lot more than most.

Rosalyn--
I have been following this story with such horror that a family pet could be taken away for such ludicrous reasons! Our dog is a member of our family and can't imagine this happening. I was so happy to hear the outcome of your story and that Lobo is back home with his loving family!!

I currently work around the corner from 177 Lake Estates and drove through the neighborhood every work day for 8 months straight during 2007. This is the country and not the city. That is for sure. Every day you can count on seeing one or two dogs unleashed on a regular basis and a new one all the time. Anyone knows driving around country roads, that you have to look for animals crossing. It's nice to be able to live somewhere with enough land and community that communicates with each other enough to allow this type of no leash rule of thumb for dogs. I currently reside in Downtown Houston where this would not be acceptable. The comments that folks walk around with sticks is probably true, but not because of Lobo, I am sure. They live in the country and you never know what you might encounter. My coworker spotted a cougar crossing the road not even a couple miles from that neighborhood in 2006. Big Foot would even find this a nice place to live.

I think the Calks made a lot of ill judgments. For one, moving from Montrose to Magnolia to get away from sexual predators is silly. While there are probably more registered offenders (the responsible ones) in the city, there are still sexual offenders anywhere in the world. My boss even last year, who lives in a neighborhood similar to this one but on 1488, had someone in his house trying to wake up his wife who was asleep with his kid in another room one Saturday morning. He had awoken early and went to the kitchen to get water and spooked the guy out of his house. He did not even realize someone was in his house until he saw the man leaving through the window.

Bottom line is the dog never attacked anyone. Until then we cannot assume he will. If we do, then we need to assume that all dogs will attack and just remove any animal that could cause harm to a person. That is a broad range... And what about that unregistered cougar? Should we have it put down for trying to continue to inhabit it's space that is now a neighborhood?

I am appalled that the Calk's worked for a Pet supply company for so many years and have this much inability to work with animals. I wonder if I now shop at that exact store being I live Downtown. It's a real shame when humans act this way towards living things. The judge should be removed from office until he learns how to make legal judgments by way of the law. The Calks need to stop running from fears and acting preemptively. They also need to adjust from their hindered city life where you never know your neighbor, to that of the country community where people actually care for each other and communicate. It seems to me they are one family with more issues then a problematic neighboring dog. It's going to take quite a big neighborhood Bar-B-Q for them to make friends with their neighbors now. (that's what communities do… they get together now and then) The Frazier's need to protect their right to own a non-violent animal.

I hope to see all the good country dogs out here still running free while they still can before this area becomes too developed.

~Ted

P.S. One of the worst dog bites I have ever had was from a miniature dachshund… That dog lived on and continues to attack any new face that enters the home.

It's hard to feel sorry for Lobo's family here. If they loved him as much as they claim to, why do they let him roam free? Responsible dog owners keep their pets on a lead or fenced up at all times. At very least, Lobo should be placed with a family that doesn't have their heads planted squarely up their asses.

By the way I am no relation and I have cats. I have been around many dogs and I like Huskies. They have a natural need to roam. The reason I am commenting is I think there is more here than meets the eye. A dog does not react needlessly. It senses something. Mr. Calk may have something to hide that Lobo is detecting. I would suggest the neighbor hood keep a close eye on him.

Nice hit job on the local officals. Here's my advise to Mr. Calk. Next time that dog comes in your yard, blast it. When the cops show up tell them that he growled and tried to bite you and your child. You would have an unrestrained dog (as has been exceptionally well documented by rags like the Houston Press and Chronicle) that has shown aggression on many occassions before (again, as documented) that you took care of in a manner that Texas law allows. Case closed. To the idiots that own the dog.....good job of not taking responsibility. Make sure that you pass that on to your kids so we can pay for their future care at the hands of TDC.

stupid rednecks . . keep yer doggie in yer yard!
Could've saved you a mighty heap of time and money! Maybe ya can't figger out how to close a fence?

Perhaps if Lobos owners were as skilled at pet ownership as they are at harrassment and slander the situation would never have arose. They have attacked the Calks repeatedly in ways I don't care to even mention here, when all they ever had to do was follow the judges orders the first time and keep the dog in their yard. The Calks did not want to see that dog put down anymore then any of the neighbors. They only wanted to be able to leave for work without having to confront this dog in their yard every morning.

Pet owners are supposed to be responsible for their pets. Responsible means not letting them run loose and unsupervised. City, country, it doesn't matter. We're on 2 acres and pretty darn isolated. Our dogs are fenced for their own protection more than anything else because there are ignorant yahoos who will happily run down a dog on the road, others who will shoot anything that moves. And that doesn't count the litigious S.O.B.'s and their "Scwew You Wusty" type lawyers.

Don't kill Lobo, just take him away and give him to someone who will take care of him.

What a poorly written story about bad dog owners and a bad neighborhood. The author of this story seems to have taken the side that the Calk's were bad people because they don't want to be harassed by a somebody else's dog running at large. We live in a society now, not the woods. If you live in a neighborhood, your pets should not be off your property running at large.

I feel a lot of sympathy of sympathy for the Calk's, although I question there wisdom in moving from the Montrose to a sprawl area. And his kids are probably more likely to be molested in this area. I'm sure glad I don't live in Montgomery.

Possibly the worst piece of "journalism" ever to pollute the rack outside my local coffee shop. Why all the sympathy for a couple lousy dog owners who should probably have their dogs and their kids taken away from them?

And what relevance is there in the animal control guy's "myspace" page? I thought the Houston Press, and our society in general was supposed to be tolerant. Why would anyone even bring that up?

The only issue here is some bad neighbors who are too inconsiderate to contain their animals(they couldn't even find one of their dogs for the photo).

Why is the Houston Press doing articles about dumb rednecks?

My heart goes out to the Calks. It is awful to live in a hostile neighborhood, and to have neighbor's who feel that their right to do whatever they please is more important than someone else's right to peacably enjoy their property- or the public street for that matter.
Why is the neighborhood so quick to shut out the Calks when it's the Fraziers and others who are in the wrong?

"Todd did a wonderful job printing the truth and if Matt and Jennifer are so worried about there names why did they start the fuss over one animal when there are a tons of dogs running the neighborhood. Lobo does not just run he lives inside a house and is let out in his fenced in backyard, so get over it the truth hurts, and this animal is loved a whole lot more than most. - Rosalyn Frazier"

Which is it Rosalyn, what you said here? Or what the author opened this article with: "All his life, Lobo had the run of his neighborhood."

You're full of shit Rosalyn. Just keep your dogs locked up and you won't have to worry about 'all the other dogs running the neighborhood.' You gave yourself away right there.

And Calk is a tool in my opinion too. Couple of jerks just happened to move too close to one another. Adults work these differences out, idiots let it get to where it did.

This won't end well unless one couple grows the f*ck up. And it won't be the Calks - they've got a woman living over there that will say anything she's asked to say, and she's the mother of one of them and should know better!

Some people just love trouble.

What a poorly written article. How can you do a cover story about dogs running loose in a neighborhood without even taking the time to research and report on the state and county regulations regarding restraint of pets? If the owners lived up to the responsibilities that the law requires and fenced or restrained their pet, then the issue would be moot.

Obviously a bigger story emerged when an official ordered the dog destroyed when he hadn't really harmed anyone. I'm glad that order has put on hold and hope that it is canceled permanently. Having said that, I can't believe that the animal was returned to the people that have let it run, unrestrained on so many occasions. This is clearly a case where a problem has been identified and should not be ignored. But the problem is not the dog it is the owners.

How many people have been bitten by dog that 'has never bitten anybody' ... BEFORE. Don't punish the dog for being a dog, but do punish the dog owners for not being worthy of having a pet that they can't/won't control.

Save the dog.

Wow, what a lot of one-sided remarks! I've lived on both sides of the issue, & I'm shocked at this story - for the way BOTH parties and especially the judge behaved! I was surprised the author never mentioned the possibility of keeping Lobo in his own yard... but equally surprised that no evidence of this dog's "crimes" was required. Sounds like the neighbors' constant calls were such a harrassment that the authorities decided it would be easiest to just get rid of the dog, and then found out they were horribly wrong about that. In my neighborhood, a dog gets picked up only if he's still off-leash and in the vicinity when animal control finally shows up. Claims that a dog is off-leash are not accepted as fact.

Montgomery County apparently does have a leash law, so Lobo's roaming the neighborhood WAS a violation, even if everyone does it there. I live in Harris County in a similar neighborhood where dogs and cats roam free. However, I have always kept my dogs fenced when not in the house or on a leash - for their own protection more than anything, and frankly I have seen lots of scary looking dogs on my front lawn that I wanted to do something about. I couldn't even figure out who owned these animals, if anyone. Problem is, I could never get animal control to pick them up. Get this - I was told I had to catch the dog & restrain it, then wait for animal control to come.

On the other hand, one of my dogs decided to become a champion fence-jumper, & it became very hard for me to ensure that he would not escape from my yard while I was at work. My nearest neighbors acted almost exactly like the Calks, calling animal control (who would pick my dog up because he was stupid enough to sit on my porch & wait for them). They made the same ridiculous claims that the dog "almost" bit them various times. One claimed that her whacking the dog w/ a broom was the only thing that kept him from biting her (those of you with any knowledge of dogs will understand my astonishment at that remark). They made claims he chased kids (who had been seen taunting the dog daily). I have gone out of my way to do anything I can to keep the dog on my property, but when a storm hits he freaks out & tries to escape - even if he's escaping from the safety of my house & into the storm itself. The higher I have built my fence, the higher he jumps (right now he can jump almost 7 feet).

There really is no reason for it to be a big deal if this dog escapes my house/yard, as he's a gentle soul & has never bitten anyone. The problem is I have some neighbors who would apparently love to see him put down. They certainly enjoy making me drive across town & pay a fine to pick him up from animal control. Once, someone even let my non-jumping dog out of the back yard & HE ended up at the pound. I was incredulous - apparently you can let someone's animal out of the yard & get it picked up by the pound over & over & the only thing you can do is build a gate with a lock if you want to stop this happening.

My point is that it's easy for people to harrass neighbors either by letting their animal roam around the neighborhood unsupervised, and it's easy for people to harrass neighbors who own dogs by calling and complaining about them all the time. When authorities get involved in these disputes, they need to make sure they are following the law (duh), and that any allegations are substantiated. I can't believe that stupid judge's defense of "if that dog bites someone it's on me". Does that mean if you saw criminal cases every defendant would go to jail for life, regardless of whether they even committed the crime or not? Because hey, if you release them & they end up hurting someone, "it's on you." What a moron.

Wow- if these people took the energy they put into making a fuss and blaming everyone but themselves for their stupid dog- and just concentrated on being good people and good neighbors, Lakes Estates would be a great place. As it is, I'm staying away from a place where retards are allowed to breed without regulation and their animals terrorize the neighborhood. Thank you, Todd Spivak, for alerting to me this black hole in otherwise civilized region.

I say save the dog! My grandma Beryl had a great 4-legged companion named Grady that we all loved and we thought he Rawk'd. Please continue to support animals of all kinds, ecspecially if they rawk.

This story left me wondering...

Does Todd Spivak or the Houston Press receive some sort of financial incentive for purposely mentioning the brand name of cigarettes people smoke?

Thorough reporting? Perhaps.

Completely irresponsible? Definitely.

The neighbors my be jerks, but it's in the best interest of the dog to keep him in the yard or other enclosed safe space if he's not under immediate supervision of the owners. If you want to let Lobo run, don't let it be on his own.

Very one-sided article. Frazier's: really slimy people with no regard for the safety of their dog, or their neighbor's, no concept of civilized behavior. Their actions and inactions show what kind of people they are. If they were responsible dog owners the issue would have been moot. I think the root of it was that they weren't going to let any newcomers to the backcountry tell them what to do. Looking at their pic, I hear the theme from "Deliverance".