mita

The dog was put down because the owner failed to: a) microchip b) register the dog with Council c) claim it after 7 days With the information provided by another DOL member on here I hope the paper runs an article on how these "poor hard done by owners" left a second dog in the pound to possibly the same fate. With BSL in place why do people keep buying unpapered bull breeds, not register them and then cry "victim" when their unregistered, unpapered dogs are picked up at large? They should get no sympathy, only their poor dogs and should be banned from owning a dog for x amount of time. The amount of AST, SBT and AmBull dog and their crosses available on FB is so sad, there was 32 puppies go up on one day from different "breeders" - surly if someone's dog is seized under BSL they can sue the breeder? Read the rest of what I wrote. The fact that BSL is in place, put the dog in the category of restricted breed. That's in the account in the first post. Mr Black was told he couldn’t have his dog back as it was a restricted breed, unless it was inspected by a breed assessor and reclassified. It also seems there's possibilities of dogs from that pound being adopted, or going to rescue, if they're not claimed. The fact that this dog was said by the Council to be a restricted breed, took it out of that possibility. Note...possibility (it might or might not have happened) NOT probability (it would likely have happened). So.... again.... whatever the behaviour of the owners in what they did or did not do.... a bottom line was BSL being applied. I repeat, any jurisdiction which has such unscientific beliefs, is back in the dark ages. I'm not the owner hollering unfair. I'm a person who finds it totally stupid... & unjust to dogs... to have laws which equate appearance with behaviour.

Whatever the owner behaviours were, the essential point is that a dog was put down for a reason based on its appearance, not on its behaviour. If such pre-scientific age laws did not exist, the dog might've made it into an adoption program. I always wonder if, in jurisdictions that have such a law, criminal traits are detected from bumps in the skull & witches are identified from shape of moles.

Nothing callous about a registered breeder rehoming dogs to be desexed pets. You're right.... it's a rational decision based on both breed development & also welfare. That is, improving the breed & in doing so, giving a dog the chance to have a good life in a pet home. My only request would be for breeders to give their dogs & puppies as close as possible access to everyday domestic & family life....even if kenneled at night. That socializes them in the pet lifestyle... & so makes the transition to full pet home, so much easier. In fact, this aspect of the purebred dog world...when carried out like that.... should be publicized. All our purebred dogs have come via that route. And they've come with the best of both... breeding for good health, conformation and temperament & well socialized by breeders who considered them part of their families. I continue to point people towards this way of acquiring a pet dog.

Why do you use irrational language...'love affair'... to describe something that can be observed & described? My own preference for purebred dogs is based on interest... in 2 breeds now... where there have been breeders whose interest lies in widening the gene pool. With latter-day technology in both the breeding itself.... & in communications... the best in the purebred breeding world have never had it so good. Excellent joint paper from the Dpt of Vet Science at the University of Oslo & the Norwegian Kennel Club. http://www.actavetscand.com/content/50/S1/S6 Not by happenstance that my p/b tibetan spaniel has a sire from Norwegian bloodlines & a dam from Swedish. Also in her lineage, Finnish & English lines. And there was even an imported Australian. High standards in breeding in the Scandinavian countries with the tibetan spaniel breed ... which has large numbers there. Great acknowledgement of similar high standards amongst breeders in Australia.... they'd imported some of our dogs. High standards like these.... can be described.... not justified. BTW I was given a great introduction to the standards for p/b breeding by the then President of the Sheltie Club of Qld.... who was a science co-ordinator at a leading high school. Cannot praise too highly the standards of those associated with the Sheltie Club of Qld, too.

You just beat me to it, with the link to the Snopes site. Yes, hoax.

The manager at the Royal Guide Dogs who originally got the idea to cross Labs with Poodles, is on record years later, regretting bitterly what he did... & what it started. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/labradoodle-pioneer-regrets-fashioning-designer-dog/story-e6frg6n6-1225860829155 Even tho' the 'Labradoodle' has since been picked up in breeding for pets, the Guide Dogs reverted to Labradors. The 'popularity' of the 'Labradoodle', like the other designed crosses that followed, rested on statements about 'combining best of both breeds' (massive over-simplification) & cutesy labels. So the man who originated the Labradoodle is frowning on his 'mixing' experiment & others that followed, in retrospect. And just a caution about invoking 'evolution'. That term is scientifically specific...it does not refer to man-made interventions. Possibly a more accurate term for what you're trying to get across is 'development' (?)

Agree with all this. Maybe the pinned post cautioning about disinfection & handling should always be given as a reference every time a volunteer is involved in a transportation 'chain'. Along with a reminder temp care quarantine would be best, if possible. But, if not.... then every care, as set out in the PP, should be exercised.

Well said, BJ. I have to remind myself when I get an immediate reaction to something someone's said about dogs....some years back, I might have thought that, too. Years ago when I first came on DOL, I knew nothing about BSL, for example. I thought the BSL legislation was right because there were some breeds that just automatically would be aggressive. Then a very patient DOLer.....she was a Qld vet nurse.... spelled out the actual situation, to me, in a polite & just plain helpful post. That opened the window of accurate information for me... & I was able to then pick up more from other posts on DOL. Not long before I was the fiercest opponent of BSL... on evidence-based grounds! And remain so. So, Chris, I hope it's the same for you, re this thread. There's excellent information from DOLers.

Wundahoo, I thought your post was excellent. Your point about the behaviours that may show in the new pet home.... after a dog comes from a mainly kenneled environment (rather than lots of access to house living) ... matches our experience. The sheltie & tibbie who came from environments like that, showed clingy rather anxious behaviour when they got into a pet home. I hasten to add that these dogs had been treasured & beautifully cared for by their registered breeders & long lives proved them to be outstandingly healthy. But I had to seek professional advice when the sheltie came, as she'd be so anxious when I wasn't in her sights... & specially when I wasn't at home. I got excellent.... & easy to follow.... guidelines from a vet behaviourist at UQ. They worked very well. When later we got a tibbie from a similar background, she showed similar anxiety when I wasn't home. I applied the same guidelines to her... & they helped enormously. Funny you should mention the issue of coming from a situation where the 'pack' was so important. Both these dogs, apart from the training ideas we had to put in place.... did specially well, when later we got dogs that they seemed to gell with in a special way. The dogs we've got from registered breeders where they've had access to everyday life in the home & with the family (tho' kenneled at night) seemed to make the transition to full attention on them in a pet home, very easily. They seemed to have already experienced that kind of socialisation already so there was nothing unusual to challenge them.

You can't and the subject has been discussed ad finitum. A search will find lots of questions about the transport of dogs straight from pounds. But it never hurts to have a reminder topic every now and then, does it DD? Just so none of us becomes complacent... Especially as we are seeing larger numbers of parvo popping up right now... T. Couldn't agree more, T. There's even a name for the kind of learning which needs to become automatic....called over-learning. And every time the subject comes up, I've noticed there's been variations and slightly different emphasis. This thread has taken the topic from single location to moving often via a number of people/ cars/places, as dogs/puppies are transported from pounds. So the emphasis here, is on continuity & agreed upon procedures right along a chain. It also highlights record-keeping - as any patterns in outbreaks might be traced. The thread is about sharing information about procedural guidelines, not about witch-hunting anyone who transports dogs/puppies from pounds.

How will crate training help? I am not a great believer in crating dogs, but if you can explain HOW it would work, I will try anything. Even when we are watching her she will either urinate of do a poo until take her outside and stay with her until she finishes it out there and then gets lots of praise (the neighbours must think I'm mad :) ) She is such a sweetheart and her and Kiska, my Border Collie, are getting along well. Yes, I agree about your contacting Dogmad. I've adopted adult dogs, too. I don't use crates, but I can understand fully why people do, to make the toilet training easier. Because it restricts areas where 'mistakes' will be made & the scent linger on, to lead the dog back again. Bit late now.... but a breeder told me to let the dog have a run in the garden....at the very first time it's brought home. After giving it a big drink of water. Then wait, while it smells around the yard.... hopefully picking up the 'toileting' scents of the resident dog.... because dogs tend to go to the toot near or over the top of another dog's place. When it goes to the toot.... praise to high heavens, give it a treat...& note the spot so you can take it back there, next time. And pick a word that will signal going to the toilet... I use 'Toot, girls' for my dogs. I have found that having the resident dog outside with the new dog.... in the the period of toilet training... can help as one follows the other. Then I only introduce the dog to one room, close to the back door only.... & put big green El Cheapo tarps on the floor (so that any mistake, does not get its scent into the actual floor. I can see why others would say.... it'd be easier to use a crate. But I just don't, no particular reason. And I take the dog out.... back to the same garden spot, again & again. Making sure the door is closed so the dog gets to know.... outside means Toot.... & inside means other things, like meals. Then, it's only when the penny has dropped for the dog.... in going outside for toileting .... that I give gradual access to the rest of the house.

Thanks for this. Denise told me a few days back, she'd be on last night. Then.... we got stuck at Central Station in Brisbane, for ages.... because there was a police emergency going on. But they didn't tell us what.... so everyone else was worried about what crime was going on around us. And I was worrying about missing Bondi Vet & seeing Denise!. I have my priorities. :) So, now I can still see it!

Would he be on death row if the owners were responsible enough to contain him in a secure back yard.......he was served up on a plate due to irresponsible ownership is my point, he was wandering at large in someone else's yard when extra precautions needed to be taken to keep an unregistered dog of Pitbull appearance safe in which his owners failed him. The sad bit is that the owners of these types of dogs are just letting the legislation take it's course.........the outs are in the legislation and they need to start using it?? Exactly what outs are in the legislation? Yes, good question. All I can think of is doggie plastic surgery, given that the death sentence is based on appearance not on being out of his yard. A female pitbull that had escaped from the yard where her family (travelling thro') were staying ... turned up along our fenceline. Found her because she was playing with our tibetan spaniel girls, all tails wagging. She was in lovely condition, obviously much loved & had a sociable, biddable nature. She had a rego label from another council area (that the family had shifted from)... but it was out of date. But a wonderful official at the 'old' council did some digging & found the mobile phone no of the owners. Who soon came to pick her up. So 'deed, not breed' saved her bacon. Which is the way it should be. That lovely dog did not deserve to be damned because of her appearance. However, it seems, if she'd been in Victoria, she would've been. We treated her like any other well-behaved dog that was lost.... we went looking for the owners, to return her.

Please! Look forward to seeing lots of pics ... with his new 'sister', too.

What a beautiful, loving dog. No wonder she instantly stole her new owners' hearts. You & your family got her to the point where she could....so easily. It does break your heart. But knowing that the ex-foster (!) will now go on to have a special new life, just tailored to fit perfectly.... helps mend, a bit. I love looking at the After Adoption pics on sites like AWL Qld & PetRescue. Pure gold shines out of them. One currently on Pet Rescue, shows a dear little boy, about 3 1/2 with his arm gently around his well-settled in best friend... a staffy called Odie. They look like a pair of old men who've been friends all their lives. That's exactly the kind of relationship your lovely girl is going to.... started already, with that kiss. :)

What a beautiful name, persephone. Just so perfect for a female Rottie. And the abbreviation is just as sweet. I'm so sorry your family only shared months of her life. But she would've been so much loved. As much as it breaks our hearts when they go too soon.... to the dog it's quality of life that counts. And your family made sure she had that.

Purdie, I came across exactly the same kind of youngish (wasn't yet 3 yrs) Amstaff. Same description... had a tallish, more slender look. That, with his gorgeous colouring, made him one of the handsomest dogs I've seen recently. I had to ask the owner his breed.... because I didn't instantly pick Amstaff at all. He said he was a purebred. Apart from the amazing good looks... this Amstaff also had a beautiful nature & was so well trained and managed. I wonder if they are siblings.The one i met was black with white chest and socks. ** .Runs off to look at the breed pages yet again........** This one was bluish black (if that makes sense)....AND white chest & socks! It was in Brisbane. The owner was a very well presented youngish man... looked like a professional type. The two of them matched each other ... the Amstaff's colouring made him look like he was well dressed.... & the man was, too. They both had a quiet dignity.... I know I'm raving! :) I had no problem believing this man when he said his dog was a purebred Amstaff, with papers. He was the type who'd likely know what he's talking about. And there was a great bond between them.

Don, your baby is beautiful. That has to be the loveliest Get Well Wish I've ever seen. Bless you & your baby. :)

A big 'Yes'!

I'm with the Whippet ... everyone should have a Wottie in the family. :) And take lots of pics....

So well & neatly said ... & would apply generally across the breeds.

Totally O/T, but adding to the Rottie lovefest. Lovely pic of a Rottie being adopted from the AWL Qld . Just look at the big smiles all round ... Rottie is part of the family already. And hasn't even made it home, yet: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151478979527547&set=a.10151441911787547.1073741840.157104907546&type=1&theater

Yep! That's what I could have done to get the giant Rotties into the boot of my car. Thanks, Enya! :) Lovely pics, Allerzeit. You're right that all it takes to be a lapdog, is determination.

Purdie, I came across exactly the same kind of youngish (wasn't yet 3 yrs) Amstaff. Same description... had a tallish, more slender look. That, with his gorgeous colouring, made him one of the handsomest dogs I've seen recently. I had to ask the owner his breed.... because I didn't instantly pick Amstaff at all. He said he was a purebred. Apart from the amazing good looks... this Amstaff also had a beautiful nature & was so well trained and managed.

Dammit, T! This info comes too late. If only I'd known how foldable Rotties can be.... I would've got that Million Paws Walk giant pair into my little car. With the command.. 'Fold!'. :) But, seriously, I remember a DOLer posted a pic of their Rottie sitting on her OH's knee. I was amazed how the great big fellow (the dog, not the OH) folded his body so he sat there as neatly as a little lapdog. How do they do it.