Odie the dog has been back with his family for two weeks since being released back to Jenn Santana and her family following being held by the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society.
Saultonline.com / ONNtv first brought you odie’s story back in June.
The Shelter believed the dog to be a pitbul, and pitbuls are banned in Ontario. For that reason, when Santana went to claim her dog after being lost , she was shocked to be informed that she could not have her dog back.
After numerous court appearances and 65 days of not being with his family, the court was satisfied that Odie is a boxer / lab mix and not a pitbul. Charges were withdrawn.
The story should have ended there, but it didn’t.

While Odie was being held behind bars, the dog experienced stress and caused injury to himself, mainly his teeth from biting the bars in his pen at the Humane Society.
“we have fractures on all 4 of Odie’s larger canines are all affected by the trauma of being caged for 65 days” Santana tells SaultOnline.com
Santana says she has had no hope in finding a vet locally and she can no longer take Odie to her vet across the river, as Odie is still listed as pitbul on papers released from the Humane Society. Meaning Santana would have a problem bringing Odie back into Canada.
“He has 8 dental fractures and this is urgent we have started a go fund me in an effort to raise funds as we are looking at 2000+ just to fix his teeth, and the court order gave me several stipulations that I cannot meet as I can’t gets vet anywhere local, I’ve tried Sudbury, North Bay, Elliot L ake we are looking into Ottawa. ” Santana said.
Santana had numerous conditions put on her from the court and the Humane Society and all of them, including getting Odie fixed and all shots up to date must be complete by September 21. Other conditions include, all appropriate vaccinations to the satisfaction of a Veterinarian in good standing with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario OR to the satisfaction of a Veterinarian in good standing with the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association by September 21, 2019; b. The Defendant is to apply for a City of Sault Ste. Marie Dog License for Odie by September 21, 2019; c. Odie is to be neutered by October 14, 2019; d. Odie is to remain on a leash while outside the Defendant’s domicile, for the remainder of his life.
Santana is more than willing to meet all the conditions, however the cost of fighting for her dog back and now along with the dental care he needs is adding up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Not surprisingly , a gofundme page has been set up to help with the mounting expenses.
“We are looking at a very significant veterinarian bill in order to not only comply with the terms of his release and to also make sure that Odies immediate health issues can be met in a timely manner.” Santana wrote, “He is psychologically not the same dog that left during the 65 days he was held and incarcerated I cannot imagine what he endured. He is scared of loud noises, his leash, people visiting , he doesn’t sleep he hyperventilates and surface sleeps and any noise causes an immediate stress/anxiety reaction.”
Perhaps some commenters should read the law.
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90d16
If the injuries happened at the humane society, while Odie was incarcerated, then they should pay the bill. They are responsible for Odie’s safe keeping durring court proceedings, just like inmates.
The city has a record of hiding negative data .. like the last fire cheif .. the taxes ESSAR didnt pay ..
This doesn’t even make sense…
8 fractures, but hasn’t seen a Vet?!
Someone had to do x-rays to confirm this?
I doubt any vet service is in the business of providing FREE SERVICES…why should they? If one cannot pay the bills associated with owning a dog….give it up to someone who can provide the necessities for said dog.
People should not judge humane society.they have their reasons to keep the dog as it looks like the agressive breed pitbull.they are thinking for the safety of the society when that pitbull looking dog was roaming around freely and pitbull can do a lot of damage once it bites and attacks and lockjaw .
The Sault Ste-Marie HS was wrong – they misidentified the dog as it is too often the case when it comes to BSL and made a victim out of a family dog while their mandate is to protect animals. And by the way – Appearance does not predict the behavior of a dog, it never did, it will never do – to judge a dog on its appearance is DISCRIMINATORY nothing more! You are obviously very misinformed. There is no dogs, nor breeds, whose jaws can locked! Dr. Brisbin, University of Georgia : “The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of pit bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is NO DIFFERENT THAN that of ANY BREED of dog.
There is absolutely NO EVIDENCE for the existence of any kind of “locking mechanism” unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Furthermore, the APBT constantly reach the best results on temperament tests. In the 2015 American Temperament Tests – They achieved better results than Golden retrievers, Border Collies, Australian Shepperds, etc.
Your allegations are myths and misinformation spread by fear-mongers.
Lockjaw in pitbull’s is actually false. I was surprised to learn this a few years ago. But it’s true. They do not have lock jaw.
They do NOT have Lock jaw there bite is actually less then German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher it has been tested and states in many forms if you just take the time to do some research instead of just going by a bunch of myths
Try the vets office in Espanola they do wonders for surgical procedure
Poor pup.
My question is why don’t human society have him fixed before he left the shelter?
Firstly the Humane Society did not have to determine was a “pit bull”. If one reads the act itself the act says “may” determine. The society made a choice and shame on them for doing so. The dog obviously suffered greatly from being caged. It’s way past the time to remove this horrific legislation that never should have been put in law in the first place.
Absolutely!!! Totally agree with you.
Kelsey Leigh Eagleson Cormier would you know anyone who would take him as a patient? ❤️
Alex Moar I’m sure grey street veterinary here in espanola would take new clients!
Kelsey Leigh Eagleson Cormier that would be great. Jenn Santana maybe call Espanola?
Air port animal hospital in north bay might as well if they haven’t called already.
I know Walden in lively is also really good about taking on new clients as that’s where my bully went for an emergency visit when he was sick.
Clearly not a responsible owner if wasn’t already neutered, UTD on vaccines, and had regular veterinary appointments. If she had a regular vet and was doing preventative care she would not be searching for vet now. Also vets don’t discriminate based on breed, vets don’t enforce breed bans. It’s more likely she doesn’t want to pay the vet bill, and most vets don’t take a payment plan for a non-client. I feel bad she has to get his teeth fixed, but the bill for the neuter, vaccines and exams is on her, should have been done long before now! In fact if she had of been a responsible owner in the first place the dog would never have been in this situation to begin with. I feel bad for the dog, not his fault his owner wasn’t responsible, she gives good Pit-bull owners a bad rep.
It’s not a pit bull
I would like to see the local media do a full investigation into this story if they are going to publish it. There are obviously a lot of missing facts.
I hope Sault Online will do research into what the vets and humane society’s rights and responsibilities are to validate this story.
An important resource in our city, with a volunteer board and limited resources has been painted in a terrible light by one individual. The humane society has not yet been able to make a statement with their version of the story.
Volunteers have faced terrible treatment, including death threats, because of this twisted story. It’s extremely sad and disappointing to see many individuals believe partial truths and some completely fabricated misinformation
Clear example. Vets determine the breed of a dog; the humane society will not question that.
I really doubt that the humane society did anything wrong to that dog. And of course the owner set up a go fund me account. She is ridiculous!! This is a case of the owner not looking after her dog properly to begin with. She should never have gotten the dog back to begin with. She is irresponsible and attention seeking. That dog was not as well looked after as she says it was and was on the loose all the time. If I was the humane society I would be taking action against her for all the damage she has done to their reputation. You have to know this woman to understand
Damage the reputation of a kill shelter? Weird
I have been following this situation since day one and have been biting my tongue, but no more. I can’t bear seeing the Humane Society trashed for doing their jobs any longer.
First, to be clear, I vehemently disagree with BSL. I’ve signed petitions against it and contacted politicians about it. I believe in deed, not breed, and that it is bad owners who should be banned.
That being said, from reading both sides of this poor dog’s story and talking to people who are more intimately familiar with it, I have to say this is a prime example of bad owners who should not have a dog.
To begin with, as I recall, the very first post I saw on Facebook said he got out while chasing a squirrel, not a bear. From the beginning, people in their neighbourhood (which admittedly I am not) have said Odie is continually running loose, not neutered, not taken care of, not seeing a vet. This was not the first time this happened, and all of this is likely part of the reason why Ms. Santana is encountering roadblocks from our vets who know how to recognize an irresponsible owner.
Like it or not, Ontario has BSL, and the law bans pit bull-like dogs. That means a dog who looks enough like a pit bull that it could conceivably be one. Odie definitely falls into that category, in more ways than one. He is too young to have been grandfathered in, and thus is illegal. Especially given the fact that he is illegal, no matter how sweet and gentle he may be (and most pit bulls are), a responsible owner would have been sure to keep him controlled, leashed, and neutered, and if she had, none of this would have happened.
But it did happen. He ended up at the HS, and at that point the staff had no choice but to follow the law. That is their job. That is what they must do. They are not and have never been in the wrong, and I’m sick of the abuse being hurled their way. They do what they do because they love animals. The only one in the wrong here is the owner, and if she truly loves Odie she would have conceded that he was illegal by the definition of the law and allowed him to be re-homed (to an approved, responsible home) in Michigan. But she didn’t. And now this is the result, one which was easily predictable to anyone who knows and cares about dogs.
Sadly, as is always the case, the victim here is the dog. He suffered and will continue to suffer because of his owner’s choices from the day she brought home a banned dog. He should be healthy and happy in Michigan right now, and that he isn’t is most certainly not the fault of the Humane Society.
A law is law, whether it’s right or not. If you choose to break it, accept the consequences. Sadly, for Odie, this didn’t happen.
So true and well said!!
I’m so sorry this has happened to odie…humans suck eh odie
Feel for this family and their fur baby. Hope he gets well soon.
Try the vets in Desbarats to see if they will help poor Odie!
There are two sides to every story, along with the truth. I’m just curious to see what more there is to this story. 🤷♀️
No hope in finding a vet locally.. jee, I wonder why. Something stinks here.
The Courts and the Sault Ste. Marie S.P.C.A. conducted themselves very poorly, it`s actually disgusting. I thought animals were treated well at the S.P.C.A., apparently I was mistaken. Odie and his family have been treated very poorly, by both the Courts & S.P.C.A. or should I say mistreated ?
Jim Sweezey they are, get facts before you judge!!
You`re entitled to your opinion, I HAVE ALL THE FACTS I NEED.
Jim Sweezey Don’t confuse our local HS with the OSPCA..
That said, I believe our HS needs to be more accountable (to the city, taxpayers, etc.) for what goes on there.
Jocelyn Evoy There is no confusion, and yes they should be more accountable.
So many judges who only listen to one side of the story! Wow! People.
So if you know the other side…..please could you enlighten us as the SSM HS is not disclaiming any of the accusations and when you only hear one side of the story, what should we make up the other side?
Millie Jackson i dont. Nobody does. HS wont ever discuss tthis in public. Confidentiality issues and rightly so.
What about contacting the Vet College in Guelph? Maybe they can help them?
There is two sides to this story!! However, unfortunately the humane society can’t reply do to confidentiality reasons!! If you guys knew the truth you will be walking with your tail between your legs!! The humane society has to put up with death threats and more from idiot pet owner etc!! If it wasn’t for the humane society were would all the unwanted abuse dogs and cats go that so called owners diguard!! You people need to stop taking this out on the humane society! I have six dogs two cats and all are up to date with shots and are all fixed!! I am a responsible dog owner! When you own a animal you need to be able to look after it financially and provide veterinary care! Until more information is out I would definitely Stop bad mouthing the humane society!! There is alot more to this than you think!! It’s not that this dog was a pitty!! What it comes down to is being a responsible dog owner!!
Deborah Ann Troke exactly !
Deborah Ann Troke are you apart of the humane society? If not then why don’t you tell the “truth” or the other side..
Deborah Ann Troke well said!
Deborah I asked you this before. Why don’t you enlighten us? Why don’t you answer us.
Christina Corbiere no I’m not part of the humane society but if you can’t figure it out as to why this was happening, there is definitely underlying issues.
Pamela Bell I’m not getting involved eventually everything comes out in the wash!
Deborah Ann Troke if you don’t want to get involved than I guess you should of NEVER made a comment!! Not getting involved my ass!!
Deborah Ann Troke you seem to know what “the other side” is…please share so we can all understand.
Pamela Bell Because I’m tried of the backlash that you are putting on the humane society!! They have rules and regulations to follow!! That’s why I’m getting involved!
Christina Corbiere there has to be underlying evidence for humane society to hold this dog!! It’s just common sense. Why would they have done it! And it’s not because it was a pitty !
Deborah Ann Troke is it a pitty? Looks more of a boxer mix to me…but I’m not a vet. Didn’t she bring papers stating its breed? Maybe she was too hostile with the HS worker and they retaliated by saying it was a pitty just to keep the dog and piss the owner off??
What is this common sence you speak of? You said you know the other side so why cant you just tell everyone what the other side is so all the speculation and drama ends?
Deborah Ann Troke okay lets get this right…the SSM HS does NOT take your dog because it’s not up to date on shots or not neutered (ps neutering is not a law and just so you know is very unhealthy for your pet..do some research) The SSM HS took and kept this dog because it was a “Pitbull Looking” dog in their eyes. A simple DNA would have told them exactly what breed it was. Oh and that wouldnt have taken 65 days either. Oh and this “law” is not even enforced in most cities across Ontario but, big ego’s at the SSM HS CHOSE to enforce it but they just dont enforce it on a regular basis. If you are privvy to information that could prove us all wrong…please enlighten us!! Please dont tell me you dont want to get involved then come on here spouting off about how we dont know the whole story k….lol so please also tell me who is responsible for his broken teeth and marked up face and WHY they didnt bother giving him the medical and dental treatment he required while in their “care”?
Deborah Ann Troke oh PS …its a lab boxer cross. Frik get informed before you run your mouth!!
Pamela Bell brcause she can’t…because she is just a troll and foesnt know anything as to why!! Lol
Did you just slander the name of the dog owners? Yikes.
Ouff.
Peter Florio you actually think that dog didn’t receive care!! It probably was looked after better! So were are the proof of pictures
Deborah Ann Troke I think you’re slandering someone name and calling the owner a idiot on Facebook is enough for her to seek legal action. Tread waters carefully. Especially if you are PART of the shelter ;)….
That’s why I think you’re lying. Going for the throat like a lunatic not thinking of the consequences. Loose lips sink ships.
Good day.
Peter Florio all idiots not them
Peter Florio if you can read I’m not part of shelter!
Peter Florio you cannot get charged with slander lol ask any city police officer slander is not a thing anymore lol you are looking way into peoples words too much it’s her opinion and she has a right to express it
My god 😂
Deborah Ann Troke just so you are aware and a little more educated….there is a pic of his broken teeth somewhere in the post as I do recall seeing one.
You can still say whatever you want, but you may have to pay for it (and you may have to pay a lot). It should also be noted that defamation law in Canada varies from province to province. In Ontario, for example, legislation on defamation is found in the Libel and Slander Act. https://www.cjfe.org/defamation_libel_and_slander_what_are_my_rights_to_free_expression
Seriously, so much drama over a dog
Enough already
If you feel there is “so much drama over a dog”, just pass on by and don’t read the story or take the time to comment.
I take it you don’t own a dog then? “So much drama over a dog” Some people’s dogs are like FAMILY MEMBERS. I would hope that all dog owners would fight this hard for their pets.
Melanie D’Orazio to some people…their dogs are family members…sorry not sorry!
Millie Jackson kinda ridiculous
Sorry not sorry
Melanie D’Orazio only for people that don’t respect and love their animal like a family member. lol
Bring him to vet out of province if no one in ontario will
Was never worried for the dog before..wasn’t its first time on the loose..a friend of mine found it last year full of fleas..when she returned the dog it would’nt even go to the owner, he stayed in the car shaking like a leaf, it’s owner had to come to the car and carry it in..🤬
Bring him to ablesons! On trunk road!!! Hope he is okay ! Poor baby
I’ve been in a similar situation in the past with my lil fella Yorkie jackrussel I hope u find some kind able souls to help you make your sweet boy well again. It’s a sad struggle way too many have problems with in the soo and area.
So sad .. Sault humane society should have to pay .. just wrong .. and there is nothing wrong with pit bulls.. it’s the humans to blame.. !!!😡😡😡😡😡
There has to be more to this story. Either
1) the humane society is in cahoots with the vets , and they are blacklisting this dog ..
Or
2) the owner after enduring ridiculous amount of expenses can’t pay upfront for the procedures and no one will take payment plan which Is very possible
Kayla Matthews or a lot of it is untrue and the humane society did their jobs properly.
There’s always that ..
Jack Derek Jackson yeah…you keep telling yourself that. If the SSM HS is in the right than please explain why they have not held some sort of press release to inform people that they did nothing wrong and set the record straight so people won’t stop supporting them?
Kayla Matthews so many triggers in this story has me fired up. The owner wouldn’t be facing thousands of dollars in vet bills if she was a responsible pet owner in the first place. Bully breed owners need to be even more diligent due to the legalities of Ontario. That dog should have been up to date with vaccines to begin with and should have been neutered. The owner has called vets trying to get dental care but has no intention of getting neutered. The vets in town are taking on new clients IF you are able to pay your bill. Too many times vets have to front the cost of treating an animal because the owner does not come back and pay. It’s no wonder they don’t do payment plans because people like this woman screw them over. Vets in town also won’t deny treatment due to breed. If you can pay the bill, they will see you eventually.
I’m on the humane society’s side 100%. The owner never should have gotten the dog back, then it would have been neutered and up to date on shots and adopted to a more responsible owner. Smh 🤦🏼♀️
I am just wondering where it says that a vet is being sought out to get Odie dental care & that his owner has no intention of getting him neutered?
Vets take new patients. This is absolutely horrible treatment of this dog and owner.
😔
I don’t. Understand why they can’t get a vet in the soo there’s so many vets and the one on black dirt road is really good I live in white river and they took my boy right away
Barbie Michelle Isabelle Siegwart exactly… It’s all bullshit….
Barbie Michelle Isabelle Siegwart and most bets will not turn away a sick dog
Annette Bouchard yes theres two sides to every story we are only seeing the one side i feel like theres more to this then whats being said
It just doesnt make any sense that not one vet can take this dog
They should have to pay
Lisa Gjos for what!!
Lisa Gjos If she was a responsible pet owner she wouldn’t be in this!! She made her bed now she has to deal with it!! It’s her mess not our mess!!
The more you post on Facebook the more it becomes your mess. I love it.
Deborah Ann Troke wow you are a very special person aren’t you? They should be paying for his teeth and whatever he needs for the abrasions on his face?? Yeah there is that….
Deborah Ann Troke “its her mess not OUR mess!” So you are with the HUMANE SOCIETY!! 😲
Lisa Gjos 👀
Did she block me… Yes she did. She blocked me
That’s why I can’t see her messages
Peter Florio def blocked
Alyssa Kara The Sault Ste Marie Humane Society I hope this lady doesn’t work with you. Libel isn’t fun. Defamation of character is serious. You calling the owner a idiot and then publicly admitting you are part of the humane society. Oufffff.
And not only that. You’re challenging her mental health at a time where mental health is under a microscope.
You should be proud…
Peter Florio Dont feel bad she blocked me as well….oh I am so shattered LOLOL
Peter Florio So Deborah Ann Troke does work for the city or the HS …..?
just sad ..poor dog …hes home ..thats the best part …love him ..
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