Greytmate

Yes well they need to justify their actions somehow, otherwise they could be seen as being heartless This dog is for sale. If it was loved by somebody, it wouldn't be up for sale. In some parts of Australia it is illegal to sell dogs like this. The dog may look happy as a pup, but with those deformities it is likely that the dog will have problems during its life that will cause it a lot of pain. I would rather see the resources put into saving many healthy dogs than one deformed dog. Nothing sanctimonious about that at all. I can't look at one dog in isolation without thinking about the bigger picture of rescue, and the best ways to save the largest number of dogs from being killed. This topic would probably have some different responses if posted on the rescue forum. I would also really wonder why somebody would be attracted by an advertisement for a deformed dog, and whether that is really healthy. Is it a dog they want, or something else?

The colour and the type of hair are determined by genetics. But the coat won't really shine unless the dog is healthy and is producing the right amount of oil from its skin. Dark hair appears to be shinier than lighter hair, and it might be that your SBT is 'blacker' than many others are. SBT are not pure black, they are actually a dark brindle, and the lighter hairs tend not to be as reflective and shiny as the darker ones.

It isn't like putting down a deaf dog. Deaf dogs don't usually go on to have conformational problems like this dog has and will have. It is a foster dog, meaning it is a dog that somebody is putting up for sale. Passing on a dog with problems. So how is that inspirational? Do you want to buy or own a deformed dog? Has it inspired you do do anything other than start this thread? What about healthy dogs sitting in foster care trying to find good homes. Dogs with no problems at all that will make truly wonderful pets. Are you inspired to think about them? What happens when they get put down because nobody was inspired to adopt them? Is that cruel by your standards too? Or is it only cruel to put down deformed dogs?

Bertie was special. She was one of two hermaphrodite greyhounds I rehomed. The other one was registered and raced as a female, but when we had her desexed, she had male bits inside. It is extremely rare. You cannot blame the breeder, because we don't know what causes it, and we don't even really guess the dog isn't really female until surgery confirms it isn't. Both these dogs made wonderful pets. I hope your dog gets the surgery it needs and is a great dog like the two that I know.

Yes, I have had to use them far too frequently. They provide excellent personalised service. Even on public holidays, even during floods. I trust them, and I have been out to their premises. I'm sorry you are in this position, I would recommend you call them.

I agree. Why would a person really want to adopt a dog that is incapable of moving properly, and will probably end up with arthritis and all sorts of painful problems? Especially when there are so many normal healthy dogs desperately looking for homes?

I agree with a system where a dog can be decalred Dangerous after an offence. A dog and owner should get one last chance. What if the behaviour is out of character? If a Dangerous dog is kept in the correct manner, it isn't a danger to anyone. It is quite onerous keeping a Dangerous Dog with all that entails. If people are prepared to step up to that and make the effort, I don't have a problem. We can't be sure if that article was really about a dog attack or a dog fight.

You had better qualify that to 'some rescues'. In some areas of Australia it would be illegal for a rescue group to rehome these pups, and many rescues would never rehome pups like that in other states.

Makes me wonder why you didn't want to hold them for a week like he asked. I am sure the new beds didn't turn up at the hotel by surprise, the assets manager that ordered them was responsible for the removal or disposal of the old beds and could have planned for them to be recycled or reused, but failed to do so. If the value of the goods are not worth as much to the charity as the value of the labour involved with collecting, processing storing and selling them, who does it help? Finding an instant removal and storage solution for a lot of old furniture is a difficult thing for a person or a company to do. You need resources to jump at opportunities, and the resources are not always there ready to jump at that short notice. I agree that freecycle is a good way to distribute unwanted goods. Why not use technology to communicate what you have to offer people in your community, instead of expecting a charity to do that work for you for free? I use freecycle for anything that is slightly damaged, or that a dog has slept on. I usually receive a token amount of money if I put old furniture on eBay, and have sometimes waived the price. I have been given chocolates and scratchies by grateful buyers too.

Gosh, I love Op-Shops. For Clothes and some "special treasures" but I get the feeling these days they get "picked over" well before the General Public get a chance to have a look-see. I wouldn't bother with E-bay or a Garage Sale as I'm not after any money. I would hope the goods would be donated free to those who need it and not sold in an Op-Shop though. You don't usually get much money by selling unwanted things on eBay. But you can be sure the goods go to people that do need them and appreciate them. The logistics involved with the collection, sorting and distribution of material aid could be described as an increasingly massive burden on those organisations that traditionally offer this type of support. With the trend towards consumers buying cheap disposable household items and furniture, and replacing them much more frequently than previous generations did, it means that charities are literally being overwhelmed by junk from people that want old stuff gone from their homes instantly. Almost a free disposal service. The best support for people that are desperately in need is usually cash support, as this supports the person with dignity and also supports the local community. It is good to see donated goods sold in op shops and the proceeds used in this way. Think about whether your priority was to get rid of the couch or to help a family in need. Then think about how this old furniture could be best used. It might be ideal for a student or a single mum, who is trying hard to get started in a new home. eBay and Freecycle are really efficient and effective ways to get the best use out of unwanted items.

I put everything on eBay. It then gets bought by poor people that probably wouldn't be seen dead going anywhere near an op-shop, and who are not looking for charity. Better than having to get rid of it myself.

Our dogs don't play, unless I withhold their walks. If they get a walk, they don't bother playing. But they really do love their walks so much.

There is a huge difference between a snap and a bite that rips open flesh. There was no threat to this dog, except that a stranger was restraining it. Its reaction was a very aggressive and violent reaction. That is a world away from a dog that nips or snaps to communicate its needs. It doesn't matter what the indication of aggression is. One bite or a thousand snaps. What matters is that this dog has inflicted horrific injuries, and this dog is clearly aggressive and not a safe dog to have in public. Aggressive possibly, Violent not so sure that fits as dogs aren't usually Violent per se.. not that it matters, it's just that so many posts have all these human adjectives for a dogs behavior. (ie rips open, my dog would only have to have his mouth open to 'rip' flesh if his head was moving fast enough) It bit the fella under some duress, yes it probably bit too hard, acceptable for society, probably not, would the dog do it again, if in the same situation probably.. risk vs probability will determine the outcome. Not suitable for suburban life but out in the middle of the bush somewhere i'm sure he wouldn't get into trouble. I used violent for a term to describe an act that resulted in serious injury. Dogs are not usually violent. Lots of owners on forums here are totally responsible for controlling and confining their dog, and would have to take responsibility for any harm it caused if it did get out. Lots of dogs can handle mild stressors like being grabbed, without inflicting serious wounds. It is a shame that WA doesn't seem to offer one last chance like the Dangerous Dog laws do in the eastern states. However, this dog has proven to be very dangerous, and the owner has proven to be very irresponsible.

There is a huge difference between a snap and a bite that rips open flesh. There was no threat to this dog, except that a stranger was restraining it. Its reaction was a very aggressive and violent reaction. That is a world away from a dog that nips or snaps to communicate its needs. It doesn't matter what the indication of aggression is. One bite or a thousand snaps. What matters is that this dog has inflicted horrific injuries, and this dog is clearly aggressive and not a safe dog to have in public.

Licking themselves, the cushions and the couch? Not sure why some dogs do this at times. They do it as a diversion behaviour around here, but perhaps for the reason you mention as well.

Maybe you could fence off a smaller area in your yard as a priority? There is a danger that a dog like this could ingest something it shouldn't and then you will have a much more serious problem. If you padlock the fridge you can expect the dog to put a lot of effort into attempting to get the fridge open anyway. You have a very robust breed, in its prime, that might actually win the Dog V Fridge battle.

If I leave Coco in the house and go out, she will also help herself to any food she can obtain. She will open the pantry and jump up on the bench to reach high shelves. I think your dog's behaviour is normal. Dogs like food. Flimsy barricades around the house are not going to stop a breed like that. Why shouldn't the dog just barge your stuff out of the way and continue his snacking? He knows where the snacks are kept, and he obviously enjoys eating them. I wouldn't leave a dog like this alone in the house. You could expect the dog to carry on for a while, he is used to having easy access to his snacks and will keep trying until he realises that either his efforts will not be rewarding (might take a while), or until he realises that trying to get the snacks will bring an unpleasant consequence.

No, some dogs will freeze, and some will try to escape. Some will vocalise in different ways and some will snap. Biting people's fingers off is not the just 'the way dogs are'. Not many dogs will ever do that. "Biting people's fingers off is not just 'the way dogs are'. <- I don't believe I ever said it was? Perhaps it would have been better for me to have written "...he/she is being attacked will DEFEND itself. It's just the way dogs are". I do believe when a dog freezes, tries to escape or vocalise (for help, perhaps?), it is an act of defense. Just as a human would freeze when a knife is held to their throat, scream for help when they are being assaulted or try to escape when they are being chased. Although, does that not constitute fighting for their life if the person (or dog, in this case) feels threatened? "snapping" is also a defense. He did what he did to defend himself. The dog did a lot more than he needed to defend itself. Maybe Rocky could spend his time in jail studying basic dog behaviour. Then he might accept responsibility for all of his actions that led to somebody losing their fingers. This sort of incident is completely unacceptable, dogs like that are not normal or desirable in our community. Dogs that bite with that sort of ferocity are not really suitable as pets, and this story shows exactly why they are not.

An ex-racing greyhound would probably suit quite well. It wouldn't really need as much training as a pup would, so your brother may be able to take care of the dog by himself without having to rely on you.

No, some dogs will freeze, and some will try to escape. Some will vocalise in different ways and some will snap. Biting people's fingers off is not the just 'the way dogs are'. Not many dogs will ever do that.

Absolutely not. You have made a good effort with her and tried to find a solution. You recognise there is a problem, and there is nothing to suggest that you created that problem. You are taking responsibility. There are many ways that people fail their pets. Allowing the problem to continue is to fail her and to fail the pets of other people. Maybe it was her breeder that failed her, or maybe her nature is just an unfortunate thing. Trust your own feeling if you think she is not normal for that type of breed, because nobody else can really know her like you do.

Agree. Yes it is.

Then how can they advertise a zero euthanase policy/rate? Zero euthanasia of dogs that are deemed adoptable (no health or behavioural issues), I presume. Do AWL automatically euth pitbulls, or are they eligible for rehoming too? The AWL shelter doesn't accept any or all dogs surrendered, and they choose which dogs to bring from the pound to their shelter for rehoming. Zero Euthanasia is all about the dogs that do make it into the AWL shelters, not the dogs that never make it that far.

Yes. Let's start by taking the tens of thousands of dollars the council gives to the sport of greyhound racing each year, and use it to embrace that concept and achieve those goals.

There are a few varied dog control acts in different places. The acts are not always policed very closely. Nobody is going to come and measure your lead or ask your age. But, if your dog goes out of control and causes an issue to people, you might have a problem. It is usually only once a problem has happened that the charge of failing to control a dog is applied.