Denver - Help Us Save Thunder
- Davyd Smith
- 6 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Update regarding the ongoing legal battle for Thunder.
July 8, 2026, the court issued a heartbreaking ruling, officially relinquishing ownership of Thunder to Denver Animal Protection (DAP). While the defense team is already moving to stay Thunder’s death, Thunder’s life still hangs precariously in the balance.
The family, the legal team, and compassionate Colorado animal welfare advocates have fought tirelessly to give Thunder a second chance at life. Yet, DAP has made its intentions chillingly clear: they want to kill Thunder. They have aggressively testified against letting him go to a ready and willing Colorado licensed PACFA secure sanctuary, choosing to demand his life instead of allowing a humane, safe alternative.
Let’s look at the facts: a jury of regular citizens heard the City’s case and firmly decided that Thunder is not dangerous, acquitting the defense on all dangerous dog counts. Lightning was tragically killed by DAP last month in a separate court case, but when it comes to Thunder, the evidence is incredibly weak, inconsistent, and falsely framed.
Three dogs were present on the day of the incident, creating a massive "identification gap" where witnesses completely failed to prove which dog did what. There is no clear evidence uniquely tying Thunder to the minor jogger nips or the tragic death of the cat. Punishing Thunder by taking his life when a jury explicitly cleared him isn't justice; it shows DAP is vindictively targeting the people at the expense of an innocent animal's life.
DAP cannot hide behind the gavel this time as they did with Lightning. For months, shelter management has attempted to pass the buck, claiming their hands were tied or that the final outcome rested entirely with the courts. That excuse is officially gone. Under today's court ruling, the authority to decide whether Thunder lives or dies rests entirely in DAP’s hands.
This is now a direct, ethical choice to be made by DAP leadership. They can no longer deflect responsibility to the judges. If Thunder is killed, it is because DAP is choosing to take the life of this dog that has an alternative, safe, humane option.
DAP testified that keeping Thunder confined in a shelter box is a detriment to his welfare , yet they refuse to allow him to step onto a sanctuary.  We would agree. DAPs handling of Thunder and Lightning caused kennel stress that let them frame Thunder as hostile, in direct conflict with their own records! That is not the Basecamp Eden Sanctuary's alternative.
Basecamp Eden is a secure, state-licensed sanctuary approved by the Colorado Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA). It features 236 rural acres and triple-fencing designed specifically to handle dogs with behavioral needs.
Basecamp has provided an uncompromising guarantee that Thunder will not return to the former owners, as DAP has recommended. Thunder should go to Basecamp. In fact, no Colroado PACFA Licensed, state-inspected organization should ever be rejected when they are standing by, ready to save the life of a Colorado shelter pet when available.
Taking the life of a dog when a Colorado PACFA-licensed sanctuary is ready to take him off DAP's hands is a choice to take a life, not a necessity of public safety.
Please respectfully but firmly contact Denver officials and Denver Animal Protection. Demand that they respect the jury's verdict, stop the targeting, and immediately release Thunder to Basecamp Eden.