Ex-Fighting Dogs-Rehabilitate or Euthanize?

Question

Interesting topic that I came upon.

Do you think Ex-Fighting dogs can be "reformed" or "rehabilitated" and adopted out to regular homes or do you find it a lost cause and think for the dogs and the community, the dogs should be humanely euthanized?

Answer 1

The 'bait' dogs can often be rehomed- with patience. Bait dogs aren't biters- they're helpless when placed with a killer fighting dog. Often they're scared to death of other dogs and homes must be carefully selected- either with no other dogs, or with experienced dog people who know how to help the bait dog overcome his fear.

I have seen several 'bait dogs' rehabilitated and made excellent pets. I really have no personal experience with fighters, but I don't know that I would want to be around an animal that considered every other animal in the world prey or fair game.

Just an aside, Reika, I wanted to comment on how sad it is that while fighting dogs are being held - either for legal purposes or for evaluation- oftentimes perfectly adoptable dogs die because the runs are taken up by the fighters. I find this unacceptable.

Answer 2

Oh sure!! Personally, I believe almost any dog would be capable and deemed suitable for therapy work after being rehabilitated in the right hands. Even though I believe fighting Pitbulls are capable of being rehabilitated, the amount of time and effort needed to do so is shocking. Normally I would never believe that a person would spend that much time and effort on one dog. So sure they're capable of being rehabilitated, but the time and effort put into that one dog could have been put into eight more adoptable dogs. This is just my viewpoint as a shelter person and I know not everyone will agree with me. Rehabilitating and saving one dog is wonderful, but that time and effort could have been better spent rehabilitating and working with adoptable shelter dogs with minor issues. It's great to see this dog in a better environment. I would never have taken the chance and I'm glad that someone did. He looks like a real doll. You're absolutely right though Howldine, it can be a good thing to be wrong.

Answer 3

Any dog that has been trained to fight should be euthanized. I do think some can be reformed but to est. which ones would take a lot of resources. Then there is the % of dog aggression, so not just anyone should own a reformed fighting dog. For the time , money and other dogs that need help it's just to big a gamble.
Sad humanely euthanizeing them is the only answer.

Answer 4

It's funny how fighting dogs are labeled as killers... and are labeled as a danger to society, and that they're just asking for trouble. But if you'll please analyze the two words "dog fighter". These dogs were raised to FIGHT DOGS. NOT PEOPLE. Please tell me... please... I must know... WHAT POSSIBLE social liability can these poor dogs pose, if handled, leashed, and rehabilitated properly...

If you say they're dangerous, you're out of your minds. They are only dangerous to other dogs, and when walked on a leash... how could they possibly get away from a responsible owner?

I admit, there are some that are just TOO FAR GONE to be quality pets, but there are some that are just itching for a second chance to show themselves as the true lovers that they are. Euthanize vs. Rehabilitate is a completely dog by dog basis, but if rehabilitated, they should be placed in homes that KNOW the background of the dog, and are willing to take the necessary extra steps to ensure their dog is safe.

Answer 5

Alrighty, I am gonna catch some heat on this one as I am a Staffy lover and bully breed lover-- I feel that there are 100's of thousands of dogs with NO current issues and problems out there waiting to be adopted so why do we RUSH to the ones that do have issues-- I understand the plight of that "poor sweet dog that nobody loves" really I understand, but there is a chance however small it may be that the dog can forget its new training and go back to its old ways and harm another dog or even a person. Please the dog has suffered enough.. put him to rest

*add also, dogs are pack animals-- making them live for the rest of their lives with no other dogs is basically torture and cruel to them, we really as a whole need to quit being so selfish and let these dogs die in a dignified way and not because they attacked another animal and had to be put down-- we just need at accept that their previous owners ruined life for them and move on to help another dog that can in fact have a good healthy relationship with other people and animals

Answer 6

I wouldn't chance it. These dogs should be euthanized. All it would take is a dog that is thought to be reformed turn on a child. There are too many dogs in shelters that are very adoptable that should be considered over a dog who has been a fighter all it's life. I really don't think these dogs can be reformed nor do I think they should be adopted....and I can't imagine someone wanting to adopt one of them.

Answer 7

It really is sad, But any dog used for fighting should be put down. Even if after people think these dogs have been rehabilitated Who knows when they might have a relapse? It may be a child the dog goes after. It just is not a good idea to own a dog that was used for fighting. Sorry.

Answer 8

That is a very difficult question to answer. I love all dogs, and think it a total waste of a life to have to put a healthy dog to sleep. However, a dog that has been trained to fight is a very dangerous weapon. They can be very loving with a family, and very loyal, but in the wrong home where someone doesn't understand dog body language, the dog could attack with apparently no reason. All it would take is a threatening posture or gesture that the owner doesn't even realize they are doing.
Until we all learn dog language, it is probably best if they are euthanised. How sad. I would much rather euthanise the fighting dog owners.

Answer 9

I personally think that they are a ticking time bomb and it is very humane to go ahead and euthanize the poor dogs. I just would not take the risk and have one of these dogs on my property. IT IS JUST WAY TOO DANGEROUS!!!!!!!!!!!
While these dogs are taught not to feel pain, I have seen the Animal Planet show that show these dogs and they are in horrible shape and I personally think that putting them out of their misery is far more humane that letting them fight to the death and then being dumped once they have served their purpose!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

Sorry if people don't like this but I really think they should be euthanaized. After all they have been trained from puppyhood to fight and to cause as much damage as possible -who could ever guarantee that the rehabilitation was faultless and that the dog could be trusted ?
I think it is far too much of a risk to take.
There are already enough homeless dogs that never put a paw wrong just begging for good homes, the time, effort and money should be put into helping those dogs.