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**lkastonidwedsrer** · 02-02-2009, 03:36 AM

I'm a firm believer that EVERY animal deserves a chance. Regardless of its history. Unfortunantly there are not enough homes for all the shelter dogs, especially pitbulls being the most common in a shelter....and there are far less homes for pitbulls that need rehabilitation and work because the dog has previously been fought.

My friends pitbull was attacked by another dog when she was a puppy. She has scars all over her face. She was never fought and is a family pet. Its just a sin to think that is she were ever surrendered to a shelter or picked up as as stray a wonderful dog could be euthanized because of scars that arnt even from being involved in dog fighting.

Its to bad there isnt a "test" to know if they are really fighting dogs instead of looking at physical marks ect.

The policy in many areas in Metro-Detroit, even those with BSL, is that if the dog is found on the streets they will be held for 7-14 days in order for the owners to pick them up. After that time period, they are then euthanized.

With the economy the way it is, many people are dumping their animals - either at established rescues or on the streets. Some people post them on Craig's List, and who knows what kind of homes they are going to. I really wish there were more knowledgeable people and that the stigma of the bully breeds wasn't as bad as it is. But, that isn't the reality. I agree, every animal deserves a second chance, but that isn't always possible and that isn't always the best option for the dog. Personally, I'd rather the animal be humanely euthanized rather than placed into a home where they will be mistreated.

And even though it is true that just because the dog was once a fighting dog that it will not be aggressive toward humans - the risk is still there. And there is definitely still a risk that the dog will attack another dog - and risk being euthanized because it attacked another dog. This doesn't apply to just pits...could be a rottie, or Doberman.

The key is knowledge - whether to rehab or own. I know many of us are first-time pit owners (Howie is my first purebred pit, before him I had a 1/2 pit who was much more aggressve than him), and we're learning along the way. Even though I've done a great job training Howie so far, I wouldn't trust myself to rehab a former fighting dog - doesn't mean that I wouldn't foster/adopt a pit in general, though.

It's a tough subject.
I guess what it comes down to is: with so many dogs already in shelters, what is best for the dog with the resources that are available to the rescue/humane orginization?

02-02-2009, 03:36 AM	#21
lkastonidwedsrer Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 317 Senior Member	I'm a firm believer that EVERY animal deserves a chance. Regardless of its history. Unfortunantly there are not enough homes for all the shelter dogs, especially pitbulls being the most common in a shelter....and there are far less homes for pitbulls that need rehabilitation and work because the dog has previously been fought. My friends pitbull was attacked by another dog when she was a puppy. She has scars all over her face. She was never fought and is a family pet. Its just a sin to think that is she were ever surrendered to a shelter or picked up as as stray a wonderful dog could be euthanized because of scars that arnt even from being involved in dog fighting. Its to bad there isnt a "test" to know if they are really fighting dogs instead of looking at physical marks ect. The policy in many areas in Metro-Detroit, even those with BSL, is that if the dog is found on the streets they will be held for 7-14 days in order for the owners to pick them up. After that time period, they are then euthanized. With the economy the way it is, many people are dumping their animals - either at established rescues or on the streets. Some people post them on Craig's List, and who knows what kind of homes they are going to. I really wish there were more knowledgeable people and that the stigma of the bully breeds wasn't as bad as it is. But, that isn't the reality. I agree, every animal deserves a second chance, but that isn't always possible and that isn't always the best option for the dog. Personally, I'd rather the animal be humanely euthanized rather than placed into a home where they will be mistreated. And even though it is true that just because the dog was once a fighting dog that it will not be aggressive toward humans - the risk is still there. And there is definitely still a risk that the dog will attack another dog - and risk being euthanized because it attacked another dog. This doesn't apply to just pits...could be a rottie, or Doberman. The key is knowledge - whether to rehab or own. I know many of us are first-time pit owners (Howie is my first purebred pit, before him I had a 1/2 pit who was much more aggressve than him), and we're learning along the way. Even though I've done a great job training Howie so far, I wouldn't trust myself to rehab a former fighting dog - doesn't mean that I wouldn't foster/adopt a pit in general, though. It's a tough subject. I guess what it comes down to is: with so many dogs already in shelters, what is best for the dog with the resources that are available to the rescue/humane orginization?
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