Looking for opinions/advice

[circe!]

I work w/ abandoned, abused, shelter, feral, and "throw away" animals. Besides being constantly heartbroken at how cruel humans are to other creatures, and besides being desperatly strapped for finances for food and vet care, I have a specific problem I'd like to lie at the feet of this Board.

I have 2 dogs which have thus far been impossible to place. One is a 3 year old neutered Rottie, Rain, who is great w/ kids and people he's familiar w/ but hostile to strangers. He only gets along well w/ the other dog, 18 month old Shasta, a very beautiful, very friendly 3/4 Aussie, 1/4 Chow Chow male. These dogs are penned seperatly in a 1/4 acre chainlink yard w/ their own stall. But anything that enters their yard is dead meat. I can't tell you how many chickens and guinea fowl they've gotten.They even pulled a nanny goat's ear off through the fence. They've also killed 8 cats. Some of my very favorite cats. I just went out and found 2 more, Jonquil and Blackberry, torn to shreds in their stall.

Apparently the cats can't keep themselves from going into this yard. This makes 10 cats.

I've got 5 more dogs which I've chosen to keep and which have the run of the farm, and 19 more cats I'm trying to house and hopefully place in good homes.

My question is this: Should I have Rain and Shasta killed?

I can't seem to make a decision.

Thanks much in advance,
circe!

 

[Mistress]

Aww hon! Snuggles you warmly*

That is a very hard decision to make, but it seems that these two dogs are dangerous! I am not one for putting down a animal..even if I dont like them but..I'm afriad I'd have to go with getting rid of them.

I had a handsome huge dog named Bosephus (Yes Hank williams) one day during his sleep he attacked my little sister, ripping part of her chin off. It was accident, she was only 4 years old and I guess while she too slept she must have kicked him. Had to kill him, though it was a ccidxent, he immediatly became a threat to my family. I miss the dog, he had never before hurt a fly until that day. Maybe I could have done something other then shooting him but, it was my baby sister.

 

[bluntforcemama]

Time to put those two dogs to sleep, dear. Sorry.

 

[DarlingBri]

Ugh, what a horrible decision to have to make

I think, sadly, from what you've said, any effort to rehouse them would fail.

Therefore, for the greater good of the other animals, who's lives are unfortunately at risk from your dogs, that putting these dogs down would be best for the future of all involved.

I commend you on your work for animals. Thank you for reminding us that this vocation isn't all kittens and puppy dogs, but often a difficult calling to follow.

Good luck!

 

[Madame Pandora]

Sweetheart,

If you can't bring yourself to have them put down, you're going to have to muzzle them. Otherwise they're going to continue to kill. They’re just following their instincts.

The problem is the other animals on your sanctuary obviously feel safe there and aren't aware that this is a "danger area." It's like having a patch of quicksand in a corner of your backyard.

The dogs are just acting out of their instincts - defending their territory. Unless you've got a top notch trainer or you place them with someone who can work with that, nothing's going to stop them from destroying the smaller animals and exerting their dominance over what they perceive as their territory.

If you want to create an atmosphere of safety for the other animals, you have to either remove the dangerous elements or muzzle them.

One other thing you might consider is making a "cage" out of their pens. Perhaps they could stay in a caged area - marked off by chicken wire and a roof for most of the day and be allowed out only while you or someone else is about to supervise. As long as they are outside and have room to move about, they should be okay. And there is always the chance you can place them.

It's a tough call either way. Good luck, honey.

MP

 

[CreamyLady]

I think you know the answer, circe. It's very sad, too.

 

[genderbender]

Perhaps you've seen news stories about a couple of dogs killing a woman in the hallway of her apartment building in San Francisco. I'm very much a lover of animals, but there comes a time when the destruction wrought by a particular animal is too much to tolerate. I can imagine having cats you love killed by these dogs must be very painful. You're the only one who can balance your love for these dogs against your love for those they kill. My guess is that in asking the question you already know the answer. I vote with Myst and Mistress for putting the dogs down. Good luck to you and thank you for all the care and hard work you put into these furry companions.

 

[Mistress]

It's probably why I no longer deal with dogs...me and my kitty cat are just fine. And I dont have to worry about any one in my family needing plastic surgery with her..err...not yet anyways.


Snuggles you close and kisses your nose! It'll be ok dear.

 

[Iris]

I love animals...all animals. While it seems heartless to put a dog down for just being a dog, these dogs are dangerous, both to other animals and you or their potential new owners. Both Rotties and Chows have a natural tendency to be protective and agressive, and if these dogs haven't been properly treated and socialized that instinct will come to the forefront. You can't win them all, unfortunately. I would put them down. And as hard as that may seem, you can take some comfort in the fact that you tried harder than someone else might have. I'm sorry.