Dog, Once Defended In Florida, Euthanized In TN

Re: Dog, Once Defended In Florida, Euthanized In T

Did you guys read the comments by the people at the bottom of the article??

This one made my blood boil!

Posted by ( SAC7O ) on May 29, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Thousands of $$$ spent in defense for the animal’s life and the owner after her spouse’s death gave up the dog???? I am not in favor of any animal suffering, however if the owner was able and willing to give the dog up, why spend the effort at all from the original bite? Seems to me much time, effort & $$$ was spent in vain and for what? Another bite!!! The Dog appeared to have been untrustworthy from the beginning (“The worker had been warned by Zeus' owners, Ana and Gilbert Otero, not to approach the dog, who was in the house, but the worker said he had a way with dogs and made a move to pet Zeus, who responded with a bite to the arm”) according to this story.

I know there are different circumstances that could cause a dog to bite, but once they have bitten can they be trusted not to do it again?? Plus there is a fine line between “guard dog” and family pet. When I researched the choices for a dog as a “pet”, it was very clear that German Shepards were not ideal foe what I wanted. Of course there will be advocates that will post their wonderful experiences, but the Dog experts (AKC) will suggest that the German Shepard along with other breeds isn’t necessarily the right choice for children.

Re: Dog, Once Defended In Florida, Euthanized In T

Quote:This is so sad I can't believe he was sentenced to death for biting someone in his own home after his owners explicitly told him not to touch him.

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I can believe it, happens all the time.

And the fact someone touched a dog after being asked not to... also happens all the time.

This is why I decided long ago, that I would do everything that IS in my control to assure a situation like this never occurs with my dogs. Good temperment and breeding from the parent dogs, and socialize socialize socialize with training from me.

My dogs don't have to love everyone, but they know if I'm calm and around, then anyone can come in the yard (they'll have a GSD running at them, maybe barking, but not with the intent to bite).

My choice, my dogs, and they won't ever be in a situation where they will be put down cause they bit someone in my yard/house. Not my dogs. And I put in the 'work' to assure this from the day they hit my front door.

Re: Dog, Once Defended In Florida, Euthanized In T

Originally Posted By: ceardachThis is so sad

I can't believe he was sentenced to death for biting someone in his own home after his owners explicitly told him not to touch him.

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His death sentence actually came after he bit a child bad enough that the child had to go to the hospital. That was his second bite in his bite history.
The rescue, which took him in after his original owner passed away needs to review the situation.
1. Did they place this dog w/ contract?
2. Did they place this dog in a family w/ children? (not a good idea w/ a bite history)
3. Was this dog passed to another home after the rescue placed him?

However this second bite happened, the end result was not good. But, as much as people state this is so sad, and yes, this is our beloved breed, where would he go after biting a child? And this being his second bite?
He could not be placed in rescue unless it was a sanctuary. He is a liability in another home setting. And, I'm sorry, but most importantly, could someone GUARANTEE he would never be in contact w/ a child again?
In a home setting the answer is probably no, therefore, allow him the dignity to be rid of his demons and go peacefully to the bridge. Don't take the chance of him being passed around again. Who know what could happen the next time.
K, I'm ready, be kind with your rebuttals.

Re: Dog, Once Defended In Florida, Euthanized In T

I agree, second bite is bad news and although sad, the decison to PTS was probably appropriate.

I think that the second adoption is what should be questioned. Was the family appropriate for the dog and did they understand his history? Did they realize he should be muzzled and that he still needed behavioral and training work?

Rescues are always unknowns. Imagine my surprise when I adopted Max. He is fine for months adn then growls at a man that approached and admired him and asked to pet him. The approach was non threatening in the physical way the man came to us and Max. He clearly knew his way around dogs yet Max growled. Max did not bite but that is when I realized there were things I would never know about this dog or what his past was what he might do. We have had Max for 8 years now, he still growls at some men. He is never out unless he is leashed and I always watch him carefully when someone asks to pet him.