Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 17:14:55 -0400
From: Dan Cahoon
Subject: Re: Unmanageable and dangerous dogs
Kit, thank you for your response. I have considered the danger of these dogs and will seriously consider your suggestions. They are sound and the best advice I have received from anyone regarding this problem. I have children of my own and would be very disturbed if a biting dog was anywhere near them. In fact, I did have a dangerous stray threaten my children on my property. I took care of that myself.
I have my practical side and it can be cut and dry at times. I guess it comes of teaching science and having animals in the classroom. Dangerous animals must be dealt with in the most humane way possible. Most of the time that means euthanasia or confinement. I have spoken of my reluctance to confine these dogs of mine so I suppose the alternative is to seek help from trained professionals.
Just a little more history of these dogs. I have thought that one of my dogs (the biter) was once abused. The other just showed up at my house but has always been a hunter, maybe he learned that behavior while surviving on his own. I have been agonizing about this decision for months. Frankly, I have put off the final decision for months now while dealing with problems unrelated but serious.
The hardest part of this is that I did not choose to have these dogs. I begged my family to wait until we had a better situation before adopting any dogs. My family had previously adopted two racing greyhounds and they live long happy lives. They were such great pets that I wanted to wait and find the right dog for us. I allowed my sons and my ex-wife to override my objections. In fact, we had adopted another problem dog from the shelter and I had to be the bad guy who took it back. The animal shelter actually gave me a hard time about it, despite my description of the dogs face biting behavior.
Just recently I had rescued a puppy that was hanging around a church. The people at the church would not do anything about the puppy and so I took it home. My boys once again talked me into something and I did live to regret that choice as well. This puppy turned into an engine of destruction, eating quilts, pillows, treasured stuffed animals by the bushel, clothes, and once an entire rug. Her name was Kali. Curiously, this dog was MINE at my house because I had brought it home. I took responsibility for that mistake and delivered the dog to the shelter. She was adopted and now is no doubt happily shredding anything soft in her new home. She was sweet but not a good fit for my family.
The problem now is that the woman who chose the dogs I currently own left and won’t take responsibility for them. She is too busy with her new life. I am left holding the bag. I have the moral fiber necessary to do the right thing. I appreciate the help and comments of those on this list, especially the advice to turn them over to the shelter. It is a hard thing because I know what will happen to dogs with this history, but it is the right thing to do.
I urge others to think long and hard before adopting animals with an unknown history. It can be a painful lesson. Still, I am committed to helping all creatures great and small and will undoubtedly do what I can to help strays that come to my house have a better life. It breaks my heart to see the dogs that are so scared that they won’t come up to my house (the killer dogs don’t help) but I also know that those animals created problems for wildlife, my neighbors with dogs, the public at large. They are wolves and we don’t know what they will do. My dogs certainly play off of each other and exhibit pack behavior.
Thanks to all for you help and guidance in this matter. Kit, you wrote eloquently and sensitively about an issue that I could tell is important to you. Thank you for your bravery and your advice. No hard feelings here (well, maybe a little shame, I DID let this happen).
I am out of the dog owning business after this one. My heart can’t take it.
Dan Cahoon
Moncure, NC 27559
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