Do you think this is animal abuse?

Question

I work at a vet clinic, and a family came in with their three dogs and three kids. Each kids had their own dog. One was aggressive, he was Jennifer's dog. They said that he will bite anyone who came too close to Jennifer. They were so proud of this, laughing about it. The dad said, "I'm glad because I know I don't have to worry about any boys getting too close to her." So they encouraged the behavior, even though he has already bitten a few adult men (friend's of the father). We advised them to see an animal behaviorist, but they didn't feel it was necessary. Well a few weeks ago he bit one of Jennifer's young friends. She had to go to the hospital and get a bunch of stitches. After this the family euthanized the dog because they felt he was too dangerous. I was mortified when I found out, and I felt it was the owners fault for not getting behavioral help earlier on.

This REALLY angered me. I wish they would have taken proper steps earlier to help the dog. How do you feel about it?

I know any dog who is aggressive should not be around children, but I feel like if the family would have taken action earlier with behavioral counseling, or even finding him a new home, none of this would have happened, and the dog would still be alive.

Answer 1

Unfortunately people are required to get gun permits, driver licenses and pilot’s licenses but they are not required to demonstrate that they can be a responsible pet owner.

As far as this family is concerned, it's like Ron White says “You can't fix stupid!" Most likely the family is clueless that they are directly responsible for the damage the dog inflected and the ultimate demise of the dog. I think the dog should have been removed and gave to someone who could help it and the parents should have been fined and/or done community service at the local animal shelter. At the shelter I would have them cleaning dog cages and helping with the "last walks" of the poor dogs no one wants. Then maybe they would learn something!

Throughout my life I have rescued several dogs that are on the "most likely to bite" list. The only Dog I ever had that bite some one was a Chow I had! She had been a "visiting pal" for a nursing home a friend of mine worked in. As she got older she started getting overly protective of the seniors and could no longer go to work with my friend. So she gave her to me. I had her for 5 more years. She was a great dog. She lost both her hearing and her vision at the end and bite one of my friends because he thought it would be funny to scare her when she was asleep. To tell the truth I wish I could have bitten him myself! I didn't get rid of the dog; I got rid of the Friend!

Bottom line I believe that there is no such thing as a bad dog only bad pet owners!

Answer 2

I doubt that it amounts to animal abuse, in legal terms. It's certainly stupid behavior, and unfortunately the dog paid the price.

However, if the dog bit someone badly enough to require stitches, the family will probably be getting a visit from a lawyer and also the county animal control agency, possibly even insurance investigators. With luck, one of those people will call on the vet clinic where you work and ask for a deposition regarding how the family treated the dog.

Answer 3

I agree with you. Those parents were incredibly irresponsible with that dog. And with their kids. That's rediculous. I bet this happens a lot with people. There are so many that don't have a clue how to treat animals and how wonderful they can be when they're trained right. Even a doberman or a german shepard, or any other "aggressive" dog can be a loving, loyal dog. Those people were just lucky that one of their other children didn't get bitten.
I don't know if there would be a case against them from the abuse standpoint...that's a tricky one I think. It wouldn't hurt to call the ASPCA and ask them what they think, just out of curiousity.
Good luck with that one!

Answer 4

I would be angry, too. I think the parents in this family haven't a clue! I feel sorry for the two dogs they still have, because they have no idea what a responsibility it is to own animals. I bet they have a son who beats people up and they think that's funny, too.
Unfortunately, it is no more illegal than raising your kids that way. You could try to appeal to the mom, but that is about the best you will be able to do. What does the vet have to say about all this? My vet yells at me when I allow something that is not good behavior in my dogs. (I spoil them)

Answer 5

It may not be abuse legally, but it is irresponsible and ignorant on their part. As you are probably aware, most "behavior" problems in dogs are really lack of training. These people should not own pets. It is probably only a matter of time before the other two dogs misbehave and are put down or end up as shelter dogs.

Unfortunately, when the dog bit a child badly enough to require stitches, his fate was probably sealed.

Answer 6

I think that training a dog to be overly aggressive is opening the door for danger. This is a real hot topic in the news lately, in light of Vic's indictment on dogfighting charges. Fighting dogs are aggressive, like the dog you described. They cannot be adopted out to families because of their dangerous behavior put into place by their training. These dogs must be destroyed instead.

This family was setting this dog up for failure in its interactions with others, and the dog paid with its life. I would be very angry, too.

Answer 7

Those kinds of people just keep showing us that there are so many people out there that just shouldn't own dogs. To be so ingnorant to think that having a dog like that is funny. I'm sure it wasn't funny to the child that got bit. Shame on that family for not properly training that dog and for finding it amusing. It is in a dog nature to be protective of their families and owners. But being protective does not mean being aggressive. And peoples ignorance just makes me sick.

Answer 8

I agree! After all, they certainly weren't doing the dog any favors by letting him be aggressive. Because he wasn't trained properly, he bit a child and he had to be put down. Unfortunately, a lot of pet owners don't really consider the physical and psychological needs of their companion animals. Instead, they see them more as playthings rather than living, sentient beings.

Answer 9

Yes I agree it is abuse. People like that anger me because it is not the dogs fault it was trained to be aggressive like that. What a horrible waste of what could have been a good dogs life because of irresponsible people.

Answer 10

I'd certainly let anyone who was considering them as a new home for their dog know they aren't suitable owners. Unfortunatley, I doubt you could get abuse charges filed, but they certainly don't deserve another dog. MIght want to notify the local shelters to put them on a DNA (Do Not Adopt) list.