As the ugliness of the Vick legal matters is being played out, there remains some dogs that were seized by the authorities. Perhaps these animals are regarded as evidence. In the near future, there will be a decision as to the fate of these animals. Some kind hearted souls would like to have these dogs given a chance. It is certainly understandable, especially with the extreme handling that they have had to endure. It is disheartening.

Elizabeth Merrill did an exceptional article for ESPN online about this matter.

My personal perspective is that these dogs should not be placed in adoptive homes. These dogs should be put down - euthanized. It is unfortunate but to do otherwise is simply too dangerous. It is not the dog’s fault. It is not because of the breed or innate personality. These dogs are dangerous due to the experiences that they have had to endure, at the hands of humans.

In canine behaviour, dogs have a body language that speaks to other canines. For example, one dog will signal to another that it has had enough. There is body language that communicates ‘I quit - you win’. In dogs that have been trained to fight to the end, they no longer listen to this communication. That part of their language has been extinguished. There is nothing to stop that animal from finishing off the other dog.

This is what has been taught to the animal (and I will not go into details). The dog may appear to be fine with a dominant human but the dog always has to be watched. The owner cannot afford to make an error. And it would be an error to allow a dog with this background near other animals or children. It is simply too dangerous - far, far, too dangerous. The dog cannot be treated simply as a family pet. It is a ‘forever’ rehabilitation project, with absolutely no room for error.

You might ask if putting down these dogs would continue the injustice. - And I would agree completely. It is not a happy ending. These dogs have not had a fair life. Their fate was sealed when they fell into the hands of the wrong people. Now, the damage must be contained so that these animals cannot do further harm. It is not fair at all. Unfortunately, the bell for these dogs rang a long time ago - and it is not possible to ‘un-ring that bell’. I wish it wasn’t so…

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster:  http://flyinghamster.com/

[tags]dogs, security, evidence, body language, rehabilitation[/tags]