Dangerous Dogs - Who's to Blame

A situation I am constantly asked to help with is that of "dangerous dogs." These are dogs that have bitten someone and presumably pose a threat to the public. Animal control officers are quick to point the finger at the animal and try to move to killing it as quickly as possible. What seems to be overlooked here is the question of "Who is to blame?"

Are we to assume a dog was born dangerous and seeks out the person it wishes to bite?
Do dogs become aggressive in certain situations?
Does something or someone drive the dog to become aggressive?

If we can assume that a dangerous dog is one that bites, then all dogs must be considered dangerous. As a trainer, I approach all dogs with the presumption that all dogs can and may bite. What motivates a dog to bite is what I'd like to examine. Dogs bite for several reasons, including, fear, anger, territory, and some are trained to bite, as in police and protection work. The primary focus of dogs that we need to look at are those dogs that bite out of anger. Anger or aggression in dogs is something that is instilled in them often times by lack of, or improper training. That is to say a dog that has been improperly handled is likely to bite out of anger or fear. Fearful dogs generally bite only when approached, where angry dogs have a propensity to strike out to bite.

If a dog owner has a situation with a dog that has anger or aggression issues, it should be looked at seriously. There is a high risk that this dog will bite someone at some point, or even that the dog may get away from the owner and bite. If this happens, who is to blame? If a dog is well behaved its entire life and gets away from the owner and causes damage, who is to blame? IF an owner owns a dog that has the likelihood to become dangerous and does not train it, who is to blame?

I think the answer to these questions is quite simple, the owner of the dog is responsible for the damages the dog inflicts. If its an eye for an eye, then the owner must pay restitution for the damages inflicted. Many who argue this from a biblical standpoint misinterpret the scripture and demand that if a person takes anothers eye, he too should have his eye cut out. This makes no sense according to the law, but I'm not here to argue this. What I would like to address is the logical standpoint of punishing a dog for being a dog. If a dog bites someone, does it solve the problem by killing the dog? Are all the problems solved?

I've been involved with several dangerous dogs and have rescued and trained them and they enjoy happy lives. I will go on record to say that not just anyone should own a dog that has aggression issues, nor do I think just anyone should own any dog. A dogs temperament is something to strongly consider when getting a dog. I've seen that many people do not have the capacity to deal with a dog that has some behavioral issues. Again, does that mean they should be killed?

I would agree on many standpoints that is an animal poses a threat to the public we should examine options to protect the public. However, if there is an option to protect the life of an animal without killing it, should that be considered? Are there sanctuaries, rescues or places that will take dogs that can not be in the public? What do we do with wild animals that we have wrongly captured that would pose a treat to the public such as lions, elephants, wolves, etc? And when these options exist, are we able to put our egos aside and step up to the plate?

What I've seen in dealing with some animal control agencies, is that ego tends to get in the way of compassion. I'm not only talking about government agencies here, but private rescues as well. People love to play God and make their decisions based on what feels right to them. Have we come so far only to slip down this fast? Are we the barbaric shadows of our ancestors? Do we kill people that we are afraid of and cage trophy animals for our ego? There are many things to consider. We have domesticated animal, much against their will. Animals are still wild in their instincts. No matter how sweet your little dog is, when his drive clicks, your dog becomes a wolf and few people are going to stop him. If you'd like to read more about how dogs are like wolves and about their drives, I'd invite you to visit my Black Belt Dog Training website. My point in all of this is simple, if we've taken it upon ourselves to live with these animals, we must accept responsibility to train, understand and live with them. The key word being LIVE with them. There are murderers, child molesters and sexual offenders walking the streets of our country who pose far greater threats to our society than dogs. We should kill all the dangerous dogs when they are causing the greater risks. When the streets are 100% safe from dangerous people it will be the right time to start killing the dangerous dogs. In the meantime, lets try to figure out a viable solution to dogs that have some behavior problems without killing them.

This post relates directly to a situation that I am currently involved in. I will discuss it in further detail in the near future.

ALASKA get a Forever Home

This one will make you cry... A few months ago I got a call to help rescue a little Eskimo that was stuck at the shelter. Mitzi would champion the boy and get him to foster at SBACC. She did way more, she also stayed in touch and relayed one of my favorite adoption stories ever. Here goes:

The nice lady in the photo really loves Alaska, her husband passed away and she was looking for a companion animal. She actually put her husband's obituary in with Alaska's paperwork while filling it out so that they could "Bond".

I also heard that when she put Alaska in her car, he stood up on the seat, he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a big hug.

All that for an an animal that would have been dead if not for a few caring people... thanks to Mitzi, everyone at SBACC and most importantly to ALASKA!!!

Join the REVOLUTION!

Kelly S. Saves one .... because she could save ONE...

It has been my goal with Bound Angels to inspire people to step up to the plate and "Join the Revolution." Well, I'd like to share a great story with you here from an Angel name Kelly.

**********
here's the email Kelly received:
I volunteer with my local impound, we have a "senior" female, who is hard of hearing and has some ear infection issues. She is in need of rescue, she is TERRIFIED in the shelter. She does warm up after you get her out. Very quiet girl. She is located in Sioux City, IA Animal Control center
************
Here's what I received from Kelly:
Hi Robert,
I am so Inspired by what you do. I saw what Kathy & Dawn from Merlin's Hope and you did for Jasmine. I got to meet her in Maine. I wanted to take her, we have 3 PEI and Newman is in the wheelchair. Jasmine is going to her forever home soon in Vermont, its just incredible! Anyway I saw this girl and she looked like my First dog I got from Animal Rescue. I lost 3 years ago and I could let this one go, same eyes staring back at me pleading get me out... I had no idea what to do I am in Massachusetts and she was is in Iowa. I called and emailed every rescue I knew. I have been on the phone for a week. A nice lady got her out got her to a vet where I offered to pay her board until we could get her into a rescue. My prayers were answered Tues and WE LOVE PAWS shar -pei rescue called me! They are going to help her get a forever home and I am covering her expenses. They have arranged and 8 person Transport. So She will be at the vets in Iowa a week more I just send them a box of things for her. She is not as old as they thought and is a sweet girl like Jasmine. I couldn't be happier. I wish everyone would help just one dog. My Husband has always said Kell you can't save them all. This time I said I can save this one :-)

Sheila MD part-time Lab rescue Volunteer Pulled her from Sioux city "she saved her life" She then Contacted Deanna who has arranged all the transport with Deb At "we love paws shar-pei rescue" Chicago. Doc and Barb at the Rock Rapids veterinary clinic in Iowa have been taking spacial care of her and they do right by rescue. All these people Deserve so much credit.


I am so inspired by everything you do you are just an incredible person.

Bless you,
Kelly

*******
I play the lottery every week, and although I've never one anyting on it, I have won the lottery in receiving this email from Kelly... I AM INSPIRED BY WHAT YOU DID!!!

Thanks for sharing....

Best to you!

Robert

A Dangerous News Story for All

There are few things that get under my skin as much as when someone we expect to tell us the truth, lies to us. The media is guilty of this over and over.... and here is a great example. I was forwarded this mail by a very good friend of mine, so the story is valid. Spread the word, as this dog will die and the way the story is told, countless children are being placed in eminent danger.

I'll start out by clarifying a few things, one, for those who do not know, I have a strong background in the martial arts, two, I have a very strong background in dealing with aggressive dogs. This makes me uniquely qualified to speak on this topic.

The fairy tale the news is telling goes something like this:
A 12 year old girl takes her dachshund for a walk and the dog is attacked by a "killer pitbull." (the most hated dog in the world). In walks the hero, a 9 year old jujitsu expert (who has been training for 2 months). He grabs the "killer pitbull" and puts him in a rear choke hold for 20 minutes until animal control arrives. The girl gets away with few injuries, the dachshund is saved and the PitBull must die. The end.

You can search the story on youtube and see a short interview with the kid. I taught children karate for 10 years. I'm not saying anything against this boy, he seems like a good kid, but the media is sensationalizing a story that puts many children at risk who will try to duplicate this "feat." There is no doubt in my mind that this story could cost an innocent child their life. THIS IS IMPORTANT...

Here are the problems with the story:
1. The idiot news reporters are placing countless youths in fatal danger by telling this story and flashing the picture of the great blue pitbull, when in fact it was the small puppy on the right that was the actual dog. If a boy the size of this boy were to even attempt to put the dog on the left into a choke hold, the boy would have been seriously injured or killed. However, this is what will happen, as other kids will want to be heroes.
2. Lying on your back and putting a dog in a rear choke hold is a great way for anyone, of any size to get seriously injured. Handling a dog is something that should only be attempted by professionals, never children
3. The news loves stories about pitbull attacks, just like they like the story better when the criminal is black. It is prejudice. Most pit bull attacks are pit bull mixes and no one every speaks of the other part of the mix. If it was a pit bull / poodle mix, we don't hear that a "Poodle Mix" attacked someone.... do we? Just like if the criminal was 1/2 black, he is "Black." This is wrong.

The incompetent, or perhaps over-indulging reporters at Channel 29 in Bakersfield MUST retract their story and publish the truth. Show a picture of the dog in question, that is the puppy. And someone should step up and save this dog.

Contact Davin McHenry
Phone: 661-395-7374
dmchenry@bakersfield.com

And ask him for truth in news casting. This is absurd.

Furthermore, contact rescue@co.kern.ca.us , HardinN@co.kern.ca.us , ShawG@co.kern.ca.us
and step up for this dog, the id# is A749441. This dog will DIE ON TUESDAY. The animal control department has their hands tied. Step up for this dog. Dogs have prey drive, yes, the bite other dogs. If a human puts their hands in the middle, they will get bit. I feel sad for the girl who got bit, but not bad enough to murder a dog. Kern County CA has major problems with loose dogs, people dumping dogs. Parent should NEVER, no matter where, allow children to take their dogs for walks if they know there could be other dogs loose.

Look at the picture of the dog above.. the dog on the right. The one on the left is a fairy tale.
Tell your children NEVER to break up a dog fight, even with a small Chihuahua, let along a large breed dog.
Protect your children.
Demand truth in media...

Save the puppy in Bakersfield... It will only take one person to do the right thing.

1000 Days in a Cage

I'm not talking here about a criminal who deserves it, this is the story of a group of dogs that got the bum rap of hooking up with an idiot human... a person we call a hoarder. This "person" had over 200 dogs living in bad conditions... obviously gone mad and "collecting" dogs. Through no fault of their own, our judicial system has confined them to various animal shelters. One step above the needle, these beautiful animals were, and are still, confined to living in a cement and steel kennel. They are deprived of human or other canine companionship. They've been there for three years as our judicial system moves all so swiftly.

YOU CAN HELP.

Helen of the Wuffington Wag is spearheading this campaign to get foster homes, temporary or permanent for these very special dogs. These dogs are a part of a dark history in animal cruelty, however they will shine a light onto your life. Imagine taking an animal to you that has not known love for almost 3 years.

Here's a great NEW YEARS RESOLUTION.. SAVE A LIFE

A Surprise at Camarillo

We were scheduled to save Gordita, the sharpei at the Camarillo shelter. So after a long morning I drove out there to find the shelter closed. I rang the bell and Edward came out and offered to help. I told him that I was coming to pick up the dog in kennel 88, Gordita. He went inside to check and came back to tell me that she was adopted last night. What great news. Sounds strange, but whenever I hear of a dog getting a home, I am so happy. Someone to love her and care for her, but more importantly, someone to experience this amazing level of love that you gain when you save a life. Whoever you are and where ever you are Gordita... I wish you well.

On another happy note, a man, Norm, pulled up in a truck as I was there. I asked him what he was doing. He said he was there to drop off a rat. He had caught it in a humane trap and wanted it drop it off. I'm thoroughly convinced he had no clue that the rat would be killed at the shelter. He did the right thing using a humane trap, but the shelter would be a mistake. I asked him if I could take the rat. Together we drove a few miles up the road to a beautiful open field. I took the rat, in the trap out of his truck. She was a beautiful brown field rat that looked quite relieved. I opened the door, she scurried past my hand and ran free through the field. I thanked Norm and he thanked me. What a nice man to give a stranger and a rat the chance to do something good.

When Rescue Plays God...

I feel compelled to write this post for two reasons:
1. is to make those of you who are looking to adopt a dog through a rescue organization know that you are not alone in your frustrations and to offer you help
2. to point out to some of those who are in rescue the problems that people from the outside see and how to better fix them in order to make rescue more productive.

I entered into the "rescue" circles relatively recently. There are people who have been doing this for many more years than me, but that is not to say they know more, they may be stuck in their ways. For example, I always say that Bound Angels is not a hands on rescue organization, even though we've saved many dogs... instead Bound Angels is about media awareness and educating the public about the plight of animals. This is why it is important to point out some things that are broken and suggest we fix them.

Rescue workers are overworked and underpaid, they are compassionate to the animals they rescue and are often very emotional. All of these are not conducive to running a business, and that is what we need to consider this. If we want to take a noble approach, we'll be homeless and the animals will all die. Emotions need to take a back seat to strategy, because emotions won't fix any problems, instead it will only lead us to continue to focus on the problem instead of finding a solution. When I see a rescue worker holding a dog and kissing it and talking baby talk to it and coddling it, I cringe. Not because I don't love animals, because I do. In fact I feel I love animals more than any of the rescue workers who are eating a Big Mac during their adoptions, I don't eat animals, I love and fight for them all. What we need to do is relate to these animals in a way that is fair to them. Dogs don't like to be constantly held, carried in purses or kissed over and over. That being said, lets focus on the problem with rescue that I want to address today.

I've had a few dogs that I needed to place, one of which I became very attached to, see the Zeus video on our youtube channel. When it came time to place him, emotionally I thought no home could ever be as good for him as mine, but logically I knew these were irrational thoughts. I placed him in a perfect home. I had concerns, but I discussed them with the adopters and placed him. Then I moved on. It seems that many rescue organizations can not do this. They search out excuse after excuse why NOT to place a dog with very good adopters. I've heard this too many times. Friends of mine turned down, people I've met shot down for excuses including:

1. away too many hours at work
2. have a swimming pool
3. afraid dog might get out
4. afraid dog might get attached to a room mate that might move out
5. finding confining a dog cruel

This list goes on. Recently I met a very nice, professional young lady who was turned down by a LA based rescue for the reason she kept her dog in a play pen when she is not home. The rescue org said they could not imagine this dog ( a mini yorkie) confined. As a professional with dogs, I can tell you that confining a dog when you are not around is about the best thing for the dogs emotional well being as well as the safety of the dog, especially small dogs like this that can get caught behind appliances, can get into things that can hurt them or kill them. A slew of other comments flew out of the rescue orgs rant such as, "I'm afraid no one will ever be good enough for "little one"..." This is absolute insanity. If the dog is available for adoption, give the dog and potential adopter a chance.

I met this young lady with her other mini yorkie and she was visibly upset. However after talking with her for a while I found a compassionate dog parent that I would have no problem placing a dog with. Her other dog is well socialized, vetted, loved, basically trained and I was surprised that she (even though only in her late 20's) has a plan for her dog in the even something should happen to her. Her current dog came from a pet store, but instead of going to a pet store again, this young lady decided to take the compassionate approach and adopt. Instead of being met with open arms, she was slapped across the face. This is a person who can afford to go to the pet store up the street and simply buy any dog she wants. And being anyone else I believe she would have. Instead she came to Bound Angels. I told her I would tell this story.

After a few days she went back to walk by the adoptions and asked several other people about their experiences and they were equally bad. Some were turned down because of children in the house, because they planned on feeding the dog - dog food instead of "home cooked meals" -- the list goes on.

What did these people who were turned down plan to do? Several decided to go to a pet store (GREAT WORK rescue community), others decided not to get a dog at all, and only one decided to go to the shelter.

This is pathetic. The idea is to save animals. If you have a concern about placing a dog, make it known and the solution known, but be realistic here. If you have un-founded concerns in placing your dog in the perfect home, forget it... It doesn't exist. Find the best home for the dog, teach them how to make it better, and move on and save one more. There are several million animals who would prefer any home over the end of the needle they are gonna get tomorrow.

Home checks and applications are important, we should know who is getting the dog. The shelter makes it to easy and the rescuers make it nearly impossible. So when I say that rescue often works against itself, this conversation with a young lady at Starbucks proved it.

Rescue people should learn better to understand dog behavior and logic in strategy. Save as many dogs as possible. Dogs are dogs and need to be treated like dogs. They function much differently than humans. Making their emotions human is as cruel as forcing them to eat with a knife and fork. Just as they lack the opposable thumb, they lack the human emotions we try to force onto them. Rescue needs to learn to work together and support each other. Right now, there are some, but few whose ultimate goal is saving animals and not self service credit.

If you have the time to criticize too much you are probably not doing enough rescue. If you find my post offensive - good. Look deeply at what part affects you and think how to change it and how that change will make you a better animal rights and rescuer.

For those who are frustrated with rescue organizations and are thinking about going to a pet store, I urge you to reconsider... PLEASE. Puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills and this is the cruelest thing you can imagine. I urge to consider another rescue org or visit a local shelter. There are millions of great dogs in the shelters who will die tomorrow if you can't open your heart and your home. I visit the shelter every week and have never been at a shelter where I didn't see at least 3 or 4 dogs that would be perfect for any home / apartment situation. They are there, and they need you. If you are frustrated, join the club and then do something about it. If you are a rescue worker, reach your hand across the table to another rescue organization or shelter and ask "WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP." Lets pull together and make a difference. It doesn't matter whose name gets the attention, what matters is that the animals get saved. If you're in this for the credit, do us all a favor and get out now. The credit that makes this all worthwhile to me is that wagging tail I see.

Robert Cabral
founder Bound Angels