Alice B
Fish Herder
AdoraBelle, I saved a poorly treated 1 year old GSD mix from the pound. The next year he repaid me by waiting until I went to work and carefully lifting the hook on my chicken coop, then killing all my hens. I put an electric fence on the coop, put more hens in it and gave him a personal introduction to the fence. He was involved in the attack on Teddy a year and a half later. There were no incidents with the other dogs until my big rottweiler pack leader died, then he decided to attack the other males but generally no serious injuries and he did it when I was at work.I'm imagining by "get rid of him" they mean they'll give or sell him to someone else.
The problem is fairly easily resolved, for owners of aggressive dogs. Basket muzzles are not cruel, allow the dog to pant and to drink - people who take in ex-racing Greyhounds commonly use them, because they're aware of the potential drives of their breed, and accept the limitations and responsibilities that come with that. Not all ex-racers need them or are prone to it, but the fact is they're bred to chase a small furry thing as fast as they can - and they're incredibly fast.
That often means off-lead time usually means only in an enclosed area, careful around cats, especially unfamiliar, unknown cats, and other small furries. If the dog is likely to nip or potentially fight with other dogs, whether from excitement or lack of socialisation, and prone to chase either small furries, or huge mammals like deer - they put a basket muzzle on their dog if it needs it.
Because they know no matter and sweet and goofy they usually are, they are hunting dogs. Sighthounds with incredible distance vision, incredible speed, but not much endurance, and ex-racers at least, bred for a high prey drive.
I rarely, RARELY see a bully breed with a muzzle, even the ones that really, really needed one.
The solution is that the aggressive dog doesn't go outside without a strong lead/tether, a muzzle, and supervision. Isn't allowed around other dogs, kids, or elderly people- best kept away from unknown people. And if that isn't possible, or they can't provide any kind of decent quality of life and can't keep others safe from the dog, then euthanising is the responsible and often kindest thing.
The attack on Teddy, those dogs had been in the back yard for less than 5 minutes when I heard Teddy scream. I got he and Camelo to turn loose. Maybe Teddy started it. Maybe. 35 staples and drain lines and misc vet visits for a month with antibiotics. 3 years later Bravo attacked Camelo in my office for no reason in front of me. I attempted to get him loose and he bit me. I dangled an 80 lb dog with a 60 lb dog dangling from his mouth until he dropped Camelo. 2 minutes later all aggression was forgotten. I believe the dog had a brain injury. It was a sunday, during covid. I consulted a friend who was an ACO from the city I adopted Bronx from and she advised me to have Bravo put down, because shelters will adopt a dog out to anyone that steps up, if you tag dog "dog-aggressive" they will still adopt him out. If a kid was between him and Camelo in my office at least he'd have been trampled by Bravo. The dog would periodically snap. He was put to sleep at my vet who had treated all the dog injuries since I'd gotten him. I had to lie about being bitten, but he'd had his rabies shots. He didn't have rabies. I couldn't be there to watch him every minute or crate him, I was not having visiting grandchildren at risk and this was at least his 5th offense. He was humanely pts. It is irresponsible to adopt out a vicious dog.