Latest news with #PlottHound
Newsweek
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Owner Rescues 'Pit Bull' From Shelter—DNA Result Stuns Internet
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When a family welcomed their new puppy, Lieutenant Ripley, into their home, they believed they were adopting an American Pit Bull Terrier. She was rescued from a shelter specializing in pit bulls, but as the weeks passed and Ripley began to grow at an astonishing rate, her features sparked curiosity and a DNA test—which ultimately revealed an unexpected genetic makeup, shocking viewers in a post to Reddit. In the post, the owner shared their story along with a plethora of photos of the pup. A woman holds her Pitbull close to her. A woman holds her Pitbull close to her."Adopted Lt. Ripley at 15 weeks old from a dedicated Pitbull rescue," they wrote. "They listed her as American Pit Bull Terrier. With her long snout and body type and coloration, we figured she was more hound than anything. I was thinking Plott Hound. Some people were saying Greyhound or Whippet." Their initial guesses proved far from the mark when the DNA results came back: Ripley is a striking 50.8 percent Great Dane and 49.2 percent German Shepherd. The revelation immediately captivated Redditors, who found the mix surprising and fascinating. "Okay that is hilarious. I love her," one user commented. Another added, "That is such a neat mix! I'd guessed Sighthound/[German Shepherd] but I guess the lanky-ness I was seeing was the Dane!" The dog's distinctive ears also provided a clue to some. "It's those ears, OP!" one person wrote, adding, "The 'weird/goofball floppy triangle' on top of the head—like they want to stick up, but have a mind of their own, and may just decide to walk off entirely one day' thing is 100 percent a [German Shepherd] thing!" The owners, who were fully intending to adopt a Pitbull, embraced the surprise with open arms. The decision to adopt a new puppy came at a significant time for the family, as their beloved pit bull/Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix had recently passed away from cancer, and they were expecting their first child. "We were hoping [our dog] be here to help raise our son," the owner shared in a comment. "It was a difficult decision to get a new puppy and try to train it in the short amount of time we have, but growing up with a dog is such a beautiful thing." Ripley has already shown incredible progress in her new home. "She has taken to our own training pretty seamlessly and is very intelligent," the owner wrote. Ripley is actively socialized, joining her owner for skateboarding sessions and runs at the local park where she interacts with other dogs. Despite being initially "highly skeptical of other humans," regular park visits have significantly helped her social skills. But ultimately, Ripley's size has become the constant discussion point. She gained "40 pounds in two months and is around 60 pounds now," the owner wrote, leaving them to wonder "how much larger she'll get now that we know her actual breed mix." Despite the initial breed assumption, the family is thrilled with their intelligent and rapidly growing gentle giant. Newsweek reached out to u/pleasedtomichu for comment via Reddit.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man Sentenced for Murdering Pet Dog He Reportedly Didn't Want
A Maryland man has been sentenced after pleading guilty of killing his six-year-old dog, whom neighbors say he couldn't stand and kept trying to give up for adoption. Ryan Kenneth Ball, a 38-year-old pharmacist from Bel Air, MD, pleaded guilty to aggravated animal cruelty and obtaining prescription by fraud in connection with the July 2024 death of his dog. On July 17, police responded to a report of a controlled dangerous substance being found in Ball's neighborhood. The officers learned during their visit that Ball's dog had recently died. Shortly thereafter, they found syringes and two vials in Ball's trash can. A joint investigation on behalf of the Hartford County Animal Control and the sheriff's office found that Ball was reportedly at odds with the six-year-old Plott Hound named Louie and repeatedly tried to pay people to take the dog from him. Animal Control was able to intercede before Louie was cremated and conducted an autopsy, which found that he died due to an overdose of rocuronium, with traces of succinylcholine also found in the canine's system. Both drugs are used as muscle relaxants for human patients undergoing surgery and can lead to death if not properly ventilated. Ball had access to both substances through his pharmacological practice and used his position there to obtain the drugs illegally. Ball was sentenced to five years in prison for the crime, though a majority of his sentence was suspended. He is expected to spend about one year in custody. In addition to being prohibited from owning any animals while on probation, Ball's pharmacist license is set to be reviewed by the Board of Sentenced for Murdering Pet Dog He Reportedly Didn't Want first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 9, 2025
Miami Herald
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Dog saw 9 siblings get adopted. He's still waiting for a family one year later
Sure, he has a terrifying name, but a pup named Monster doesn't exactly live up to it, a Kentucky shelter said of one adorable resident. Despite the dog's disarming looks and charismatic personality, he's still waiting for someone to notice him. 'Monster – The Sweetheart with a Big Heart and an Even Bigger Hope,' the Ashland Animal Rescue Fund said in a May 8 Facebook post. 'Don't let the name fool you—Monster is anything but scary. This handsome boy is overflowing with love, silliness, and charm. He's sweet, smart, affectionate, and a total heart-stealer. His smile alone will make your day and he is a professional hugger. Monster is dog-friendly, people-friendly, and great with everyone he meets—a true family dog in every sense.' Unfortunately, Monster has been a familiar face around the shelter, spending nearly his entire life around the kennels. 'Came to us as a puppy March 2024 with nine siblings. One by one, his brothers and sisters found their forever homes… but Monster is still waiting,' the shelter said. 'A whole year has passed, and somehow, he's still being overlooked—and we just can't understand why. He's exceptional in every way.' The Plott Hound mix not only has all his vaccines, but he's also house- and crate-trained, walks well on a leash, and has been taught basic obedience, his shelter profile says. 'Yes, he's grown up in the kennel, so he'll need some guidance learning home life, but with love and consistency, Monster will absolutely thrive. He's already shown how eager he is to bond, learn, and be someone's loyal companion,' the shelter says. 'Can you imagine how he must feel—watching others leave while he stays behind, day after day?' For information, visit the shelter's website. Ashland is about a 125-mile drive east of Lexington.
Miami Herald
30-04-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Costco answers a common customer question
I often describe my Plott Hound mix Winnie as the love of my life. No disrespect to my husband or my human children, but she is my most loyal companion. She doesn't talk back. She is always happy to see me, and she eats whatever I put in front of her without complaint. I often bring her along with me if I have errands to run after we hike, so she has accompanied me to Lowe's and Ace Hardware, CVS, and Trader Joe's. She has even dined at restaurants al fresco a handful of times with my husband and me. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter After our walks I can't leave her in the car from May through October because it's too warm. So what's a dog mom to do? The Trader Joe's in my neighborhood recently plastered a "no pets" sign on the front door, so apparently I can't bring her on my weekly grocery run any more. But it made me wonder about some other spots, like Costco. Americans are pet crazy. Just a quick look at some statistics will confirm this. Most Americans (62%) own a pet and nearly all of them - a whopping 97% - say their pets are part of their family, according to a Pew Research Center survey. About half of these pet owners not only consider their pets to be a part of their family but say they are as much a part of their family as human members (sorry, kids). Related: Costco quietly makes huge change that will save you money That may be why it seems like no matter where you go, you see people with their pets in tow. Restaurants, retail shops, casinos, hospitals, you name it. Yet chances are pretty good that most of these pet owners are violating city ordinances because the dogs are not service animals. A service animal is one that has been trained to work or perform tasks for a person who has a disability. A service animal is not one that merely provides "emotional support," however essential that support might be to a person. There are some places where it seems perfectly natural to bring your dog, like Lowe's or Home Depot. The aisles are wide, there isn't much in the way of food, and overall the store is a bit dusty; a little pet hair isn't such a big deal. Other retailers have very strict no-pets-allowed policies. Turns out Costco is one of them. Related: Amazon quietly makes big change that gives shoppers more choice Costco allows only service animals in its stores. Granted, Costco stores tends to be very crowded and chaotic, even during the less busy times, so it wouldn't seem to be the most relaxing place to have a dog in tow anyway. But on the company's website, right there in black and white, Costco says: As for Winnie, she has her "Canine Good Citizen" certification, but she is not a service animal and I'm (mostly) a rule follower. So it looks like she will not be coming to Costco with me. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
