Should these dogs be saved, or put to sleep (pics included)?

Question

I ran across this post on Craig's List this morning. Many are debating whether or not they should rescued. Do you think that they are beyond saving, or should they be given a chance to become someone's pet?
http://tulsa.craigslist.org/pet/446449716.html

Answer 1

Hello;
I live in Tulsa, and reported this issue to a local animal welfare group, The Oklahoma Alliance for Animals. they in turn contacted Peta. Now the lady who first reported it said that she had contacted the sheriffs department, and pretty much got the run around. The end result from the sherriffs department was that they could not do anything because Okmulgee County does not have an animal control, so it would be up to civilians to take action. Peta and Oklahoma Alliance have been in constant contact with each other, and carbon coping me on their movements. Currently they are attempting to get someone locally that they called "The Skunk Whisperer" to come out and trap the dogs. I haven't heard anything more on this as to date, but will hopefully hear more soon. Now should the dogs be rehabilitated? With out a doubt they should be given every chances. I can assure you that The Alliance, whose policy strickly prohibates dogs being put to sleep will not take these dogs to any shelter. I have worked with dog rescue for many years and the Tulsa Shelter I know for sure would put everyone of these dogs down in a second should they be brought in. What I recommend is that the dogs ned to be taken to a local dog rescue to see if they could help with the treatment. It is obvious that the dogs are sufering from Mange. The only question is rather it is Demodectic or Sarcoptic. Both can be deadly for dogs however, they are quit different. Demodectic is not contagous between animals, however, is bery difficult to treat. it is usually found in young puppies, and if not treated soon enought can result in immune system failure in which case, I would have to say destroying the dog is best for the animal. However, do to the fact that all the dogs have mange, I would believe it to be the latter, Sarcoptic. This is extremely contagous between animals, which would explain why all animals in the pictures are suffering from Mange, however, it is easier to treat. I prey that a skin scrape will prove this true and that they will be treated. Once they are treated and begin rehab. I beleive that any aggression or anti social behavior can be corrected. I use to rescue German Shepherds and have worked with over 200 dogs, mostly of course German Shepherds, dealing with everything from Aggression to dog who had never been around another person in their life, and they were 2 yrs old at the time. With the exception of one dog, everyone of them was rehabilitated and placed with a nice family. The one, i fought for the life of that dog, but since I was only a volunteer, the President Vetoed my decission and destroyed the dog for aggression. Currently, I do live in apartment, so I would not be able to foster any, but should these dogs recieve the treatment and go to any rescue group or person, I would personally train the dog as a favor.

Answer 2

It's a tough question to answer. When it comes down to making a decision concerning a life I don't think it's as easy as saying kill these 3 save those ones over there.....if an animal is of good temperment, can be given affordable medical treatment without having to turn away another animal and doesn't seem to be suffering then by all means give it a go. If an animal has gone through what these dogs have gone through they deserve a forever home where they will be loved and cared for. Where they will be given food, water, and most importantly the love of a person. Maybe the love of a little girl who needs a best friend. When a dog is suffering- truely suffering -you can tell. Look at a dog when they're ready to die. They let you know. They give up and when they give up it's your job to let them go. A dog that doesn't want to fight and doesn't want to live should be let go. It's hard for people to understand that, but it's what has to be done.

In the case of these dogs, they have been mistreated and are suffering now. They need to be rescued and taken from the situation that they are in. Whether they live or die is all on them. If they can be treated then they should be. If the dog is beyond repair we should do what's best for that dog too. And that may be a bit of food, a drink of water, a kind hand, and if need be, euthanasia. It depends on the fight in the dog. If they're willing to try we should give them a chance.

Temperments change too. We can't forget that. Most of these dogs are most likely scared and they are acting on that by lunging out and barking. These dogs need to be temperment tested once they have settled in and have been given food and water. On the other hand if a dog is truely impossible to handle and are dangerous then they must be euthanized. It would be a danger to the veterinary staff and the community if that particular dog were to be adopted out. Some dogs can't be saved and I think that's the hard part. Some people fail to see that a dog that attacks and kills a little girl needs to be euthanized. They always try to find a way around the inevitable. But that's another topic for another day.

If these dogs can be saved then we as people should do everything in our power to protect and care for them, but if these dogs are beyond repair we need to take that into account as well and take care of them in a different way. Euthanasia. If the dog needs it, it's the best thing we as people can offer.

Great question!

Answer 3

That's a very tough call. Treatment is going to be expensive. Normally, you would hope these could be taken in by a rescue and treated until they could be placed in good homes (assuming no temperament issues). However, rescues always have limited funds and resources. Could two or three times as many dogs be helped for what it would cost to fix these? That's often the decision that has to be made. The hard part of rescue is deciding which ones to help, and which ones to mourn and let go.If there were someone who could step in and pick up the cost, most groups would probably take them in.
A couple of years ago, there was a situation in California where someone running a private shelter had on the order of 60 dogs (Akitas). Due to a number of reasons, the animals had fallen into neglect and were in very poor shape when they were taken from this shelter. Some were so far gone that they had to be euthanized. The rest were fanned out across the country to varous groups, and the last one was just adopted within the past couple of weeks. There are still some $16,000. 00 in vet and boarding bills remaining to be paid. So, it's frequently the economics that dictate what can be done.
It's terrible when people abuse animals like that. Unfortunately, it's all too common, and volunteers for rescue groups hear these stories all the time.

Answer 4

I have to agree with some who have answered that these dogs are in such poor shape, the best thing would be to have them euthanized. They look like they are wild and have been trying to survive in their own. They probably don't have the type of temperaments to make a good family pet and the health issues look like they may be beyond curing.

I think they should at least be picked up and evaluated before making the decision to be euthanized....and when done, done humanely.....but I feel there is not much hope for these guys. I know it's very sad...but this is reality....dogs in this condition will probably not make good house pets and the money that will need to go into them should be spent on dogs who have more of a chance. There are so many healthy sweet dogs out there who need a family....many are being euthanized because they are not being adopted. These dogs appear to have been on their own for a long time...possibly interbred and unsocialized with people. I know we all would love to save every dog....but sometimes it's unrealistic to save them all.

Answer 5

OK I finally found it!

Well isnt this just awful. I dont know what to say. I definetly think they should be picked up and then totally evaluated as to what exactly they have. It could be mange but God only know's. They are so sick, I would have to wonder if it would be kinder to just put them down.
I'm not to say that no dog could not be saved but in this instance I would first get them and then see if their medical xcondition which looks horrible is genetic or itf it is mange. Also would need alot more information before I'd say put them down definetly.
I hope that they have already been rounded up and are now in a better place getting medical help and being evaluated to see what exactly is wrong with them and if they can be helped at all.
I will say I do agree with Freedom about their probably being a wild pack of dogs and have been inbreeding for many generations too. They are just a total mess! Poor things!

Answer 6

I think they should be humanely euthanized because they have been through enough misery. Judging by the way those dogs look, I would guess they have never been around people so it is going to be more than just their health that is going to be a problem. I do not think it would be a good idea at this point to try to home those dogs because it could be dangerous.
There are too many healthy dogs that have to be put to sleep due to lack of homes to try to save dogs that probably can not be saved. I know this is not the popular answer but those dogs are sick (no telling how sick from a picture) they are not socialized and not accustomed to people so IMO it is better to put them down instead of wasting time, money and energy on dogs, that in the end, will probably have to be euthanized. It is a sad situation and it is too bad that those dogs have had to suffer at the hands of humans but now it is time to do what is right for them and putting them out of their misery is the right thing to do.

Answer 7

Though these animals look to be infected with sarcoptic mange, a quite contagious form of the infection, it is treatable. All of the animals pictured could be treated for the infection, and depending on their temperament could be placed with responsible pet owners and enjoy a very long life.

Fortunately, there are several products that have been extremely effective, safe, and convenient in treating sarcoptic mange.

Selamectin (Revolution) is a newer product, which is a topical solution that is applied once a month and provides heartworm prevention, flea control, some tick protection and protection against Sarcoptic mange.

Liquid ivermectin is another alternative that is sometimes used. It is used at much higher concentrations that are found in heartworm preventives (e.g., Heartgard). Ivermectin should not be used in Collies or Shetland sheep dogs and should be used with caution in the herding breeds.

In dogs that are sensitive to ivermectin, some veterinarians have been having success using milbemycin oxime (Interceptor) at an off-label dose.

Both ivermectin and Interceptor should only be used under direct veterinary supervision and care.

Answer 8

That's got to be one of the saddest and sickest things I have ever seen. They almost certainly should be put down. Not what folks like to hear, I know, but the one on top is suffering horribly, and the others don't look healthy. And they're almost certainly a feral pack. In other words, dangerous and impossible to rehabilitate.

It needs to be reported to the police and to Animal Control. If these dogs DO belong to someone, that person is criminally negligent and should be held accountable.

Give me all the thumbs-down you want, people. There are too many great dogs in shelters who are healthy and needing good homes. Sad to say, putting time and money into trying to save this lot would be a waste of already limited resources. Euthanasia would be the kindest thing.

Answer 9

OMG When one thinks they have seen the worst in conditions of animals, we haven't. This is so sad & I can not believe these dogs have not been helped long before they've reached these conditions.
Honestly, I hate to see any dog put down, but some that has to be are really better off.
Hopefully at least a few could be saved. They would all need to be tested on their personalities & how they react with humans. If they passed those tests & the healing process is not too awfully painful, I think each one should be given another chance if at all possible.
I do hope that if these dogs belongs someone that they are proscecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Of course in my eyes the laws for animal abuse & neglect are no where near as punishable as should be.

Answer 10

I have mixed feelings on this because while I would love the happy ending for these dogs, one has to understand that often dogs that are kept in such horrible conditions are often too emotionally and physically scarred to make a full recovery. So while time, money and effort are poured into these poor dogs that may just have to be put down in the end anyway, many dogs that don't have these issues are losing their lives and their chance for a happy ending.
For example, in our rescue, if we have only enough money to save one more dog, we will take the best candidate. If a dog has food aggression or any small issue like that that could easily be treated, why spend the time and energy on that dog, when there is one in the group that could be saved that has no issues?
As much as I want to say to save those poor dogs, you have to consider the fact that they are in great pain and may never recover. Meanwhile there are millions of dogs in shelters that don't have a huge recovery to make. It's a sad reality, but there you have it.
Either way though, those dogs need to be removed and those owners need to be shot. I am afraid the best course of action is probably euthanizing them.