Why do rescue workers euthanasia a starving animal?

Question

I've watched a couple of animal rescue tv programs lately where the decision was made to euthanasta dogs just because they growled at a phony hand. These dogs are starved almost to death and because they growled at a hand they were put to death for "Food Aggression". Now these dogs were not mean, did not bite and appeared to be calm until, guess what? "We're putting you down little dogs." Bad dog, bad dog don't bite the phony hand. The dogs were starved for goodness sake and when food was available they wanted it.

The only dog I've ever seen with real "Food Aggression" was a Great White Pyrenee dog. This dog was well cared for, well feed and would still threaten to take your hand off if you even looked at her food. I pushed a loaf of bread back onto the kitchen counter and she got my arm. Now this was one dog I was scared of, thank god she is in ND now.

Answer 1

Temperament testing, including the "phony hand test", is extremely important. While it's heartbreaking to see a dog get euthanized outright because he fails the food aggression test, it's even more heartbreaking to have the dog spend months in a shelter or rescue and then after all that time (and money and effort and emotional attachment and stress on the dog, etc), get euthanized because he bit the real hand of a child in his new home. It's triple heartbreaking to see an amazing, sweet, loving, safe family dog be put to sleep because the dog with food aggression problems got saved instead.

As you know, there are so so so so many animals out there in need of homes. Yes, it is absolutely possible to work through issues like food aggression, no question. But the problem is that a significant number of dog owners do not have the time or desire or sometimes even skill, to take on this kind of training challenge. An awful lot of people want an easy going dog who will be a member of their family without a ton of training and rehabilitation. Shouldn't they be able to go to the shelter for that? If you keep ever single dog with every kind of problem, sometimes dangerous problems, what does that say about the quality of shelter dogs? It actually *encourages* people to go buy that cute puppy mill puppy in the pet store instead of getting a shelter dog, because they don't want "someone else's damaged goods".

You seem to be under the misconception that they regularly do the phony hand test before the dog has even had its first meal -- this is rarely the case. You are also under the misconception that hungry dogs attack people's hands and well-fed dogs do not. Food and object guarding is much more complex than that, and one of the things that this and other temperament tests really show is what the dog's basic reaction will be if he is pushed. Food aggression is exacerbated if a dog is starving, but there are plenty of starving dogs who will still meekly let you take their food away.

I'm active in rescue, and I gotta tell you -- not everyone is willing to deal with these kind of issues. We work very hard to screen dogs and screen adoptive owners, and no matter how good a job you do, you still have dogs returned because people were simply not equipped to deal with a given dog's issues... and this is with dogs who *pass* all the temperament tests like phony hand test! If we could take every dog, I can't imagine how many dogs would be sitting around waiting for those rare experienced owners who feel like taking on problem dogs. (Okay, so I'm one of them, but we can only take so many at a time, you know?)

And before you start turning to no-kill shelters, where dogs can live in their little runs for years in hope that maybe someone will take on them and their re-training issues, stop to think, and I mean really think, about the quality of life of an animal that may spend its entire life in a little kennel waiting, and waiting, and waiting. Even if they were exceptionally lucky enough to land in a well-staffed facility with caring staff, I would never ever wish that kind of limbo on one of my own dogs. There ARE worse things than death.

Answer 2

Totally agree with you. Unfortunately, they can't handle the liability of adopting out a dog like that, then having the people sue when the dog bites their kid that stuck it's face in the dog bowl. There ARE rescues out there who work with such dogs, but they're much more rare than those who are quick to put them down. It's sad. Food aggression can almost always be worked with....granted it's easier and less dangerous with small breeds... but still.

I went to Louisiana after the hurricanes with my local no-kill shelter to bring back some cats. There was a dog there that absolutely broke my heart (actually there were a lot that did... but this one stood out). It was a Great Dane that came in at a whopping 30 pounds!! The thing was as emaciated as any animal I've seen on the shows you mention. FRIENDLIEST dog there too... but had a huge "FOOD AGGRESSIVE!" sign on it's kennel door. Fortunately the dog DID manage to get in with a breed rescue group, so it was probably eventually adopted.

Answer 3

It sepends on the type of shelter/rescue. An no-kill shelter or rescue generally will hold onto an animal forever, but most shelters will euthanize in about 10 days. They give 3 days for the owner to show up and reclaim and then an additional 7 days to find it a home. Some animals with a really awesome temperment are kept longer or if a shelter worker gets really attached they might "hide" the animal for longer as well.

Answer 4

I know what you are talking about. I cant watch those shows anymore because it just infuriates me. I am sorry but even when they do the tests later on when the dogs have eaten it is still a bad test. I think they are dumb to think that hitting a dog with a plastic hand to see if it will bite is a legitamite test. Like they always say dogs can sense fear, so when some one comes in with the fake hand and is nervous because they are afraid the dog will attack then that makes the dog nervous. Most dogs can be trained to not be food aggressive. Before my husband and I got married and had our dogs together his German shepherd was very food aggressive especially if any thing came within a 5 ft circle of her. When she moved into my house (she was about 2 years old at that time) that crap stopped. I would scold her and take away her food if she acted agressively. Now I can take even her rawhides away from her, though she still acts like she thinks about growling but she knows better. My mother in law was shocked the other day when she came over and saw both of our dogs eating food right next to each other. they were close enough that they were touching each other. She was amazed and she asked if Dakota doesnt fight with Sierra over food. And I said no not anymore she doesnt. Dakota was bad, she use to attack my brother in laws dog when food was around (which is why my mother in law was shocked to see her that close to Sierra at dinner) and so the dogs were fed in separate parts of the house. It just takes some paitence and not being afraid to be bitten or show your dog that you are the alpha. She is a thousand times better than she was though if Sierra tries to steal her food then Dakota growls but I usually have already told Sierra to get away. As long as everyone eats their food and doesnt try to take anyone elses my house is pretty peaceful. So I guess after converting Dakota, I just dont understand why they continue to euhanize innocent dogs. I know some will never change but you at least have to try.

Answer 5

Sometimes dogs who are starving develop dementia and will attack anything that looks like food. That's where the phony hand comes in. Better to have a phone hand bitten than a person's face ripped off. If a dog has gone that far, there's no bringing it back due to brain damage from lack of nutrition.

Answer 6

I could be wrong but I believe that they don't perform this test right away with the animal. It is fed and housed at the shelter before these behavioural tests are performed. Food aggression is a bad sign and the shelter can't adopt them out to homes if they are putting other people in danger. I would hope that most shelters will at least try rehabilitating the dog before euthanising it. It's sad no matter how you look at it.

Answer 7

There are so many healthy, well-adjusted dogs that need homes & shelters are too overwhelmed to put much time into trying to rehabilitate one that seems to be a problem. Sad, but necessary that they do this.

If more people spayed & neutered so shelters weren't always over-filled, maybe they would be more inclined to try harder. But the surplus makes it this way for now. Sigh.

Hey, you could always volunteer to help train and foster at your local shelter & help make a difference!

Answer 8

For some it is easier to just put the dog down rather than take the time to give it the time, love and affection it so desperately needs. People need to spay and neuter their pets.

Answer 9

It is sad.
Since there is an abundant population of dogs it is all right to justify putting them down because a dog becomes territorial over food. Which a natural instinct when food is scarce.
In my opinion, a poor decision maker in order to elect a dogs ending.

Answer 10

I agree. ANd i think the reason is that there is not enough facilities to house the animals, because there is too many unwanted dogs. People need to spay and neuter!