An 'Angel' of a pit bull saves lives of tabby kittens

 

Here's a story for all the defenders of the pit bull:

A 2-year-old female boxer/pit bull mix named Angel, which had been turned over to the Nevada Humane Society’s shelter in Reno, is credited with rescuing six abandoned kittens Monday, according to Diane Blankenburg, a shelter spokeswoman.

While Angel was on a walk with a pair of volunteers, Frank Gomez and 9-year-old stepson Joel Fontes (pictured below with Angel), the dog became obsessed with something in the bushes.

With temperatures in the 90s on Monday, the two volunteers tried to initially coax the dog away from the bush.

But when Angel refused to move on, Gomez investigated and discovered a box full of 3-week-old orange tabby kittens that were frightened and hungry.

One of the abandoned kittens escaped before shelter staff was summoned to the scene, but Angel tracked it down and Gomez handed it over to safety.

Angel is up for adoption but the kittens won't be available for about four to five weeks, Blankenburg said.

Pit bulls are chronically challenging to adopt out because of their reputation as aggressive, violent dogs, so Blankenburg said she hoped Angel's story might help remove the stigma often associated with the breed.

"Angel is a sweet, playful dog who can now add hero to her repertoire," Blankenburg said. "Angel, herself a rescued dog, has paid back six-fold by rescuing these six little abandoned kittens."

--Francisco Vara-Orta

Photos: Nevada Humane Society in Reno

Comments

[Rochelle]

Beautiful dog, beautiful story and beautiful photo of Frank Gomez & his stepson, Joel Fontes. I hope that Angel finds a home just as special as she is.

[Catherine Jefferson]

A story to make me wish I had a house with a *big* backyard in a semi-rural area, and maybe a few kids that need a friend. :-)

[Spencer]

That pit bull didn't rescue jack squat. It 'located' the kittens with its nose and high prey drive.

This kind of trumped-up fluff plays better in Disney productions.

[Michele]

Great story!!! Thank you Frank Gomes and Joel Fontes for volunteering to walk this beautiful hero dog! You guys are AWESOME!!!

[Cynthia]

What an adorable and loving dog. I have a pit bull/GSD mix named Bunny that he is the sweetest dog ever. My chihuahua-beagle mix bosses him around, but Bunny doesn't mind. Bunny is great with small kids...even with his squeaky little voice my 3 yr old nephew can get Bunny to sit and shake hands. And Bunny loves to have my nephew crawl all over him. Bunny just smiles (like Angel is doing) and licks my nephew's face. So, I'm a big fan of pit bulls and pit bull mixes! I hope Angel finds the loving home that she deserves, maybe with her own pet kitty!

[Brien Comerford]

Edifying story. Pit bulls are innately tame. The people who abuse them should be charged with felony animal abuse and crimes against nature.

[Dawg]

I sure hope Angel is able to "locate" a decent human being with her nose and prey drive to provide her with a loving family and good home where she is not abused by those not so decent humans.
How about it Frank and Joel?
Can you keep her?
Thanks for this story L.A. Times for a great story about a great dog and 2 great decent human beings!

[Jamie Edwards]

While it's true, Spencer, that the dog probably did only locate the cats because of it's prey drive, the same would be true about almost any dog- including my own boxer. BUT regardless of whether the dog wanted the cats for playmates or for lunch, she still deserves a warm loving home and I hope this story helps... even if it is just a tiny bit puffed up :) Boxers are my very favorite breed with pittis coming in a close second... so I'm sure this sweet girl would make a very loving and loyal companion for whichever lucky owner that "locates" her! BTW, heard about this great story all the way from Dallas thanks to my Boxer Rescue Group which also has a branch in northern Cali. If you are interested in rescuing visit the link I listed above!

[Celia]

I knew a pit that found and raised a stray kitten...I don't think this story is nessecarily "puffed up" that dog produced milk for that kitten. It is semi common for a female animal to adopt an infant of another species, especially if the female had ever lost their own young....

[Lori The Pit Woman]

Yes Spencer it is true that Angel or any dog can smell life with their powerful prey drive, not just pit bulls. It is the choice this dog made which speaks volumes. If that dog had sought out those kittens for a meal it would have had them, no doubt.However, such is not the case and to paint the situation otherwise is both ignorant and superficial. Any breed could smell and kill kittens or smell and love kittens.