Home » Plants & Animals » Dog Rescue » Answering The Most Difficult Questions

Answering The Most Difficult Questions

© Joan C. Fremo

Rescue isn't just taking dogs from shelters, getting them well and healthy, and finding appropriate homes. We are often contacted by Pet Owners for a variety of situations. Rescuers are looked to for answers. We may be asked for guidance with health or behavior issues, and sometimes the answers are difficult to deliver.

The following was received through Pyrangel Rescue Network's website:
I have an urgent problem with my Dog. Please have someone contact me as soon as possible, we adopted him from the pound, he was a voluntary turn in by the previous owners. We have had him since Feb 11, 2002. He is only a year and a half old. He has started to get aggressive over the trashcan; he gets snappy when you try to discipline him. He bit my husband, when he turned his back and left bruises, and the reason he bit was because my husband stopped playing with him and he was not done yet. He bit my daughter in the chin, leaving marks. I kenneled him at the vet for 2 days they tried to provoke behavior and ended up with very nasty looks from him, they could tell he was mad. I discussed this with the lady at the animal shelter where I adopted him and she to recommend he be put to sleep. We can no longer trust him. I just can’t stand the thought of him being put to sleep. Is it possible that someone could rehabilitate him, so he has a chance at life? I was! Told that if I give him to anyone, even when I tell them he can be aggressive, they say if anything happens that I can be liable, is that so? However the fact is he can no longer stay with us because of what he has done. Can you help us? Or does he need to be put to sleep?

This is my answer:
I truly hate emails like this. I grieve, because I am afraid I am unable to help you in the way you want.

This dog would not be appropriate for Rescue. The public must be able to rely on Rescue groups for safe and appropriate placements. While I might be able to handle this dog, because it has already bitten someone, I would never be able to place it with confidence. I can advise you as to training, which might help--but there are no guarantees. I am sorry, and I know this is not what you want to hear.

The copyright of the article Answering The Most Difficult Questions in Dog Rescue is owned by . Permission to republish Answering The Most Difficult Questions in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.