We told you two weeks ago about Charlie, the American Staffordshire terrier who chased and attacked a U.S. Park Police horse in Crissy Field on August 6, and has since been ordered to be put down by Animal Care and Control. Charlie's owner, David Gizzarelli, has been trying to appeal the decision, and thus far Charlie remains alive in a shelter kennel. Today we learn that Animal Care has made an offer to Gizzarelli to place Charlie in someone else's home while he gets tested at UC Davis.

What happened was this: Gizzarelli had taken Charlie to the off-leash area and lost control of the dog when it ran up to a U.S. Park Policeman on a horse patrol. The dog had never seen a horse before, and proceeded to bite the horse on the stomach and lock onto the horse's rear leg, damaging a tendon. The horse reared up and threw the officer off, and then gave chase around the nearby stable. Gizzarelli was not able to regain control of the dog through any of this, and ultimately Animal Care and Control showed up and reined in the dog after Charlie had already been kicked by the horse and retreated.

Some advocates are encouraging Gizzarelli not to accept the deal and to continue arguing with Animal Care over his fate. Gizzarelli said in a hearing on August 23 that he felt that horses have no place making patrols near an off-leash area. "They’re putting farm animals together with domesticated animals," he said. "Any dog, not just a Pit Bull, not just Charlie or my dog, could have chased after that horse, could have caused a problem."

There's now a Help Save Charlie Facebook page and a petition here that's already been signed by over 8,000 people as the story of Charlie has spread beyond San Francisco. It's also caught the attention of Dogster, a website for dog-lovers, which has already gotten over 100 comments on the story — most of which are hoping Charlie doesn't have to be euthanized.

We're a little surprised at the outpouring, given what we thought was a general prejudice against pit bulls and the like, but we suppose the dog does at least deserve another chance if it didn't have a history of aggressive behavior toward any other animals or people. But it's a tough call, especially for those who love horses as much as they love dogs.

The horse, Stoney, meanwhile, has been taken off active duty while his injuries heal.

[Dogster]
Previously: 18-Month-Old Dog That Attacked Police Horse To Be Killed