What do you think about this?

[gooeydog]

I was flicking through the channels on the TV earlier, and caught the last half of an episode of Miami Animal Cops on animal planet. Dunno if it was an old episode or what, but they were covering a case of two rotties seized out of a warehouse where they'd been using them as guard dogs. One of the dogs was pretty even tempered I guess (at least from what I saw), but the other bit a police officer visiting the dogs not once, but twice, both times requiring medical attention. The bites seemed to come pretty much out of nowhere, one minute the dog was being petted, the next he was gnawing on the guy's hand. They still decided to try and rehab the dog and put it up for adoption.

Was just wondering what anybody else thinks about this? Not even considering the dogs' breed, simply as a large dog that's bitten someone severely enough to need medical attention- twice.

I thought the whole idea of adopting the dog out was pretty irresponsible, yeah, they did talk about finding a special home for the dog, but A. what seems like the best adoption cantidate can be... not; and B. how many other dogs will be turned away/die while they try to find the super responsible home this dog will need? They did have a behaviorist evaluate the dog, and he said that the dog had only been warning the guy off, but IMO, a dog that's warning someone off with a bite like that isn't a much better adoption cantidate than one that doesn't warn at all. Just the idea of them adopting out a dog like that seemed strange to me and even a bit scary, not a dog I'd want living down the road from me :-?

[imported_Kat]

Sometimes a situation can make a dog go crazy manifesting in aggression. Once off that turf the dog could show more promising positive temperament. Its a very tricky situation but I would give the dog a chance of being tested in a neutral location then consider rehoming options or euthanasia if the dog is aggressive or shows even slight aggressive tendencies.

[ESSlover]

Oh! Oh! I saw that one! I about jumped off my seat when it bit him the first time! :o

[Guest Mutts4Me]

I have never watched that show and agreed with how they handled most situations, so I stopped watching it. I've seen them put down good dogs and give very questionable dogs another chance. I've seen them capture an incredibly aggressive attack dog, locate its owner, watch as its owner tries to get the snarling dog out of its cage, finally manages to transport it, and lets them ride off into the sunset. Didn't get in trouble for owning a potential man-eating beast or for being irresponsible enough to let a trained attack dog get loose, and didn't question his ability to control an animal that was trying to attack him as he was trying to unload and reload it.

That alone was weird, but I think it was that compared to something else that really got me mad. It might've ben on the same episode, or maybe they were doing a mini-marathon, but I remember being royally POed about that, and I normally wouldn't get royally POed about them giving a dog the benefit of the doubt unless it'd killed someone or something. But in the few episodes I've seen of MAP, I just got too mad, and it is without a doubt my least favorite of the Animal Cop series.

[gooeydog]

Forgot to mention that the first time, the dog was in a kennel with the other dog that'd been siezed; second time, the dog was out with a handler/trainer, who tried to introduce him to the guy, the dog was fine for a minute, then turned around and snagged the guy again.

That's what struck me as odd Sash. They're so worried about the threat of one type of dog that they kill them all, then they put up for adoption a dog they KNOW will bite people. It just doesn't make sense.

[kendalyn]

When there are so many good dogs being put down everyday, I think it's ludicrous to give a known biter another chance. :x

I realize the dog came from bad circumstances, and in a perfect world it would be nice to try and rehabilitate the animal, but this is just not the time for that.

[__crazy_canine__]

IMO I think it was the officer's fault that the dog bit him, well at least the second time around because I could tell by the dogs expressions he was ticked. :x

Its hard to say whether or not trying to place the dog was the best idea but sicne the dog bit TWICE not once, I think it wouldve been best for the dog to be PTS. I only say this because I dont want that dog biting someone else and adding to the breeds bad reputation. Plus Im sure there was other dogs needing a home who wouldnt be such a big problem.

I dont know, its so hard for me to say I would prefer the dog to be PTS when I honestly do believe every dog needs a chance. I hate to see a life wasted... :cry:

[DogPaddle]

I think Miami Animal Cops is . . . crap. They perform "feild euthanasia" on injured dogs found without tags. Additionally they seem comfortable with the idea of distinguishing between pet dogs and security dogs and are not opposed to placing dogs based on such. They suck, the shows presentation is overdramatic and the staff are uninspiring and are not really likable (not unlikable just not tv sort of personalities.) They spend half of each show on catching crocadiles and have a policy of euthanizing any over a certain size - which is most of those they catch.

[Horsefeathers!]

kendalyn napisał(a):

When there are so many good dogs being put down everyday, I think it's ludicrous to give a known biter another chance. :x

I realize the dog came from bad circumstances, and in a perfect world it would be nice to try and rehabilitate the animal, but this is just not the time for that.

I totally agree with this. When there are so many good dogs languishing away in shelters, I can't justify "rehabilitating" one. I'd love to see all dogs have a second chance, but the awful truth is that there aren't nearly enough resources to save all the dogs that need saving. IMO, the "good" ones are where the resources should be going since it would have a greater impact on the sheer volume of dogs going through shelters and rescues. I hate to think of any dog being put down simply because there aren't enough resources, but I shudder to think of how many good dogs will likely die in the time it would take to try to rehabilitate one aggressive dog.

[gooeydog]

IMO I think it was the officer's fault that the dog bit him, well at least the second time around because I could tell by the dogs expressions he was ticked.

While this may be true, this sort of thinking can get dogs (and dog owners) into more trouble than its worth. Despite the fact that there are a substantial number of dog owners in the general population, most people are still pretty ignorant as to dog behavior, body language, etc. A dog person will probably pick up on a goofy look, or a hint that a dog is uneasy, but the world at large isn't going to. And when the dog progresses to further warnings, they're going to wonder why "it" came out of nowhere, and think the dog is dangerous. When people think something is dangerous, they'll seek to eliminate it. There isn't room for error in dealing with dogs that get ticked off by normal human actions. It takes a particularly observant owner that has the skill to read their dog well. Most dog owners don't fit that category, and if they get their hands on one of these dogs that is easily aggravated, and can't figure out how to keep them out of trouble, we all pay. Blaming the guy for not backing off when YOU could see the dog was ticked off is like blaming someone for walking across the crosswalk as you realize your car brakes are out and you can't stop for them.

MeiMei, I hadn't noticed that until you pointed it out, but you're right. I would think though that they'd have vet checked the dog before starting to work with him, though I guess they probably didn't spend much time checking specifically for vision probs.