My assistant had an interesting idea...
By cripfemme
@cripfemme (7698)
United States
May 7, 2009 9:45pm CST
We were watching animal police today as I tend to do when I have nothing going on (which I didn't today as I could barely drag myself out of bed. We saw part of the show where a dog had to be "humanely euthanized" because it was not fit for adoption, meaning it was too aggressive. My assistant, who is an animal lover, suggested that we have a special adoption area for people who want to adopt aggressive dogs and retrain them. She said we don't go around euthanizing troubled children because they are troubled The kid's troubles are no more the kid's fault than they are the dogs. Humans behaving improperly towards them affected both the kid and the dog. I said we don't just allow anyone to adopt a troubled child. There are special screening processes. Also, if kids get really out of hand, there are group homes and even juvie jail. There are no equivalent programs for wayward animals. But then I thought of Michael Vick's dogs. A lot of them were sent to a place called Dog Town, which is a rehabilitation group home of sorts for dogs. It would be great if every wayward damaged animal got to go to a place like that but the question is how to we ask society to pay for it? Those program cost $10,000 per dog on average per year. I don't know where we would get the money as a nation to fund a $10,000 placement per wayward animal as much as I would like to see this. What do you think of my assistant's proposal? And how do we find the money for it if you endorse it?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@tabsnlos (587)
• United States
13 May 09
That sounds like a great idea! I agree with you a 100% on the topic of putting down aggressive dogs. Do you watch the Dog Whisperer? He deals with aggressive dogs too and rehabilitates them =) Its his specialty.
I have no idea how you would go about getting the money to fund this wonderful idea. The only thing I can think of is to maybe call or write to these big time shows that help the animals and see if they have any suggestions. =)
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
8 May 09
I think it's a great idea but, as you said, funding is a problem. I do agree that it's unfair to automatically euthanize a dog just because he/she is aggressive but I also believe that there are some who are, unfortunately, too far gone to be worked with. Since the Humane Society has people who willing take special needs dogs I wonder if they currently do or could have people available to retrain aggressive dogs?
@madasp (563)
• United States
8 May 09
In a perferct world that would be a perfect idea. I only wish we lived in a perfect world.
I have a friend who takes in abused animals and works with them until they can be put into regular homes, but she's only one person and can only take so many animals at a time. She actually has 3 dogs, 2 cats, a pig that she fell in love with herself and couldn't give up, but its a lot of work for her because they all have physical disabilities and health problems.
It does take a lot of money to support an animal, especially one with physical or mental health problems. I don't know where the money could come from, but I wish someone would figure it out.
BTW my hubby has forbidden me from watching animal police because I get to upset, but I still sneak it in when he's not around LOL
