JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- An advocate for collies is upset but not surprised that Tippy was attacked by a pit bull last week at Jacksonville's Animal Care and Control facility.

Tippy, a 7-year-old collie, was placed in the same kennel as the pit bull that attacked him.

City workers said the pit bull grabbed Tippy by the throat and they had to beat the dog off the collie.

Sandy Shevlin, a member of a local collie-rescue group, is upset that animal control officers locked the two dogs of very different temperaments in the same cage.

"I would never allow a pit bull to be put in with a collie," said Shevlin. "Collies are very sensitive, laid-back animals and pit bulls do have the tendency to be more aggressive."

Shevlin said Tippy wasn't hurt badly, but worries there may be lasting effects of the attack.

"I'm hoping that Tippy will not be traumatized by this in the end and that will be able to be a good family dog," Shevlin told Channel 4's Jennifer Bauer.

Kristen Beach of Jacksonville Animal Care and Control said any animal can potentially become aggressive if stressed, especially under the crowded conditions animals at the city's shelter.

"Our shelter is quite limited and we have very few runs available, unfortunately," Beach said. "Se we take the necessary steps to place animals together that are of similar demeanor and similar size and weight."

Shevlin said she understands that animal control is in a tough situation.

"There’s a lot of people out there that have been affected by the overcrowding of animal control," Shevlin said. "I'm sympathetic to both sides."

Shevlin is trying to make sure this story has a happy ending. Her rescue agency is trying to adopt Tippy.

The solution for overcrowding at Animal Control is much longer term.