How to stop the tragedy?

[Bobsk8]

Since I was at the Rescue Shelter this week, it has made me focus even more on the plight of dogs in general. Just in the small condo development that I live in I have seen numerous dogs come and go in just a short time. Three Pit Bull puppies and 2 mix breeds were purchased fo children and young teenagers, only to be given to the pound a few months later. The same old stories, we didn't have time to take care of the dog, we couldn't housebreak it ( no surprise cause they hardly walked it either), it chewed stuff up ( no surprise again, the dog was left alone in the house for 9 hours or more with nothing to do).... etc..... etc....

One young family with a 11 year old kid, moved out of one of the condo that they were renting about 4 years ago and they left the dog locked up in an upstairs bedroom. Some neighbors complained a couple of days later when the dog wouldn't stop barking, and the fire department broke the front door down and rescued the dog... A 16 year old teenager bought a Pit Bull pup about 6 months ago, and I repeatedly told him that he better train the dog or he is going to have big problems later on. Well now his dog won't behave at all, and he literally has to drag it in the house after he walks it, as it growls at him. He told his mom now that he is " tired of the dog" and he gave it to her.... Nobody in the family wants the dog anymore, and the poor dog is stuck in the house for 8 hours a day, locked in a bedroom.

Now these are just some stories that I know about in just a small section of a condo development. I am surrounded by subdivisions, Condo neighborhoods, apartments, and I am sure that these stories are played out over and over again. I was trying to figure out how to solve this problem while walking Smokey this afternoon. One solution would be to charge people a licensing fee, let's say $500 when they get a dog. They would have to agree to keep the dog that they license for a some minimum time, let's say 5 years. Then they could get their $500 back. If they brought the dog to a shelter before that time, the $500 would be used to support the local shelters and if the dog owner wanted to get another dog, they would have have to cough up another $500.

I bet this would stop hundreds of thousands of people, getting a dog, and within a few months bringing it to the shelter to be put down.....

Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[darkchild16]

sorry but the 500 dollar thing is stupid i never would have gotten walker that way i was 16 and didnt have 500 dollars to spend plus vet prices. What they need to do is get a trainer to volunteer to help train and make them take a class before they get it IMO.

 

[Bobsk8]

sorry but the 500 dollar thing is stupid i never would have gotten walker that way i was 16 and didnt have 500 dollars to spend plus vet prices. What they need to do is get a trainer to volunteer to help train and make them take a class before they get it IMO.

Sorry my idea was so stupid......

 

[Buddy'sParents]

I have to agree, the $500 is not the best idea I have ever heard. Buddy's adoption was $105 and we have spent THOUSANDS on his health care this first year that we've had him and I think that is proof enough that I am responsible enough to be owned by him.

I do, think, however, that shelters and rescues should screen better. That, in itself, would better the lives of many, many dogs.

 

[darkchild16]

Bob not everyone has the money for stuff liek that we barely struggle to survive but feel the need to have a dog and can support one but not anything like 500 extra. Yet Im with buddy we have spent thousands on Booger alone with her disability so how does money prove responsibilty. What you wanna bet Britiney Spears spent thousands on ehr dog and does she still have them NO.

 

[Aussie Red]

As a rescuer a fee of $ 500.00 non refundable because of giving the dog up would be a bad idea and lead to more unwanted dogs.
For the sake of argument Bob lets say you go and find a dog at the shelter and decide to take it home. You get the dog only with the knowledge the people at the shelter have on it and lets say the person that surrendered the animal did not tell you every thing about him. ( like that never happens huh ) You get said dog home and later on find out that you are having no luck correcting his problems or he does not get along with family and I could list hundreds of what if's would it be fair to forfit $500.00 and how many would take the risk ? Hence I fear would only increase byb and demand to have puppy.

 

[krisykris]

My shelter screens pretty well. It's a no kill shelter and won't adopt pits/pit mixs rotty/mixes to renters because of the high return to shelter rate.

 

[Julie]

My neighbor brought home 3 lab mixed pups last summer....
They were neglected and mistreated from the start...
I finally got the humane society to come and get them...yes the owner relinquished ownership to them...and happily.

Why would someone that lives in an upstairs apartment bring home 3 large lab mix pups? I don't know.....the $500. would have prevented them from bringing home any pups....but it would also will prevent me from getting and keeping my dogs....that would be 1500...to keep my dogs? I just can't afford that with all the other costs.... And they do have an excellent life.

I honestly don't think there will ever be an answer to the question you are asking....
Until:
BYB's quit breeding
And EVERYONE is educated on what it really takes to train, feed, and be responsible for their commitment to their animals.
Maybe we all could go to our local governments and volunteer to give demonstrations/talks about what it takes to be a responsible dog owner.
I know I have many things I could talk about...
Hmmm... I might go talk to our next city meeting.

 

[BostonBanker]

I think the trick is finding a way to educate people before they get the dog. I think breed selection has an enormous impact on the success of a dog in a certain home. Our neighbors have a young beagle that they got as a puppy. Not a bad breed choice, as they have kids and leash-walk - but they are shocked by the troubles they are having house-breaking. Another story I recently heard was of a person complaining that their 3 year old female pit mix was dog aggressive. Really? Did you read anything about the breed?

When I was teaching dog classes, I suggested to the business owner a "potential dog owner's" class. Breed selection, breeder/shelter selection, potential costs, etc. would be discussed. She agreed it was a good idea and that she had considered it before, but that it was really hard to get people to come in prior to owning the dog. I wish something like that would be feasible. Once they go out and buy the wrong dog, they are already set up for a difficult time.

 

[makka619]

My neighbor brought home 3 lab mixed pups last summer....
They were neglected and mistreated from the start...
I finally got the humane society to come and get them...yes the owner relinquished ownership to them...and happily.

Why would someone that lives in an upstairs apartment bring home 3 large lab mix pups? I don't know.....the $500. would have prevented them from bringing home any pups....but it would also will prevent me from getting and keeping my dogs....that would be 1500...to keep my dogs? I just can't afford that with all the other costs.... And they do have an excellent life.

I honestly don't think there will ever be an answer to the question you are asking....
Until:
BYB's quit breeding
And EVERYONE is educated on what it really takes to train, feed, and be responsible for their commitment to their animals.
Maybe we all could go to our local governments and volunteer to give demonstrations/talks about what it takes to be a responsible dog owner.
I know I have many things I could talk about...
Hmmm... I might go talk to our next city meeting.

I don't know much about BYB. But is it illegal or are there laws against it? Why can't more be done to stop them?

 

[Kenzie]

Here's something just thinking out loud, or rather, with my fingers Our town charges $50 for the first dog licence and $90 for the second, etc. They go a step further because people were not going to buy their dog licences, so now they come to the door. Once a year they go door to door in our township, asking if you have a dog and you must purchase your licence then and there. There's a large announcement in the local paper when they're coming around so you can expect the expence. If you don't have the cash or a cheque, or can't pay for the licence, it is added onto your property taxes. Well, what if you had to show you have taken a Responsible Dog Ownership Class, which could be sponsered by the town, humane society's, etc. before you could obtain your dog tags? There could be a fine for every month that passes and you're in default. Now take it 1 step further, and you must licence and register every dog, just like your car, no course, no licence, can't buy a dog anywhere as you have to own a licence to own a dog, just like a car. BYB would have to see the licence/proof of the course to sell them a dog, or else, if an unlicenced dog is found on a property, the owners and sellers are heavily fined.

Owning a dog should be as difficult as owning a car, and just as heavily regulated, jmho.

 

[makka619]

^^But with BYB who just sell dogs willy nilly without papers, then there really wouldn't be proof that the dog came from them.

 

[Bobsk8]

As a rescuer a fee of $ 500.00 non refundable because of giving the dog up would be a bad idea and lead to more unwanted dogs.
For the sake of argument Bob lets say you go and find a dog at the shelter and decide to take it home. You get the dog only with the knowledge the people at the shelter have on it and lets say the person that surrendered the animal did not tell you every thing about him. ( like that never happens huh ) You get said dog home and later on find out that you are having no luck correcting his problems or he does not get along with family and I could list hundreds of what if's would it be fair to forfit $500.00 and how many would take the risk ? Hence I fear would only increase byb and demand to have puppy.

I agree with not doing anything to impede people adopting a dog if the person interviewing the potential adopter, qualifies them as being responsible. I was thinking more in terms of the people that go out and spend many $100s of dollars for a dog and have no idea of what is involved in caring for a dog. For instance , how many people realize that when they get a dog for a 12 year old, that the dog will have to be cared for by that 12 year old until they are maybe 27 years old or more ( probably married and with their own family) ... The $500 is something that I figured would block the type of person that gets a dog on impulse with little or no planning as to how a dog would impact their life. I bet a very large percentage of dogs that are brought to the pound and wind up being euthanized, were purchased for children. If I am parent, I am going to make darn sure that getting a dog for my kid is really the right thing to do before I make that much of a financial commitment.

 

[Bobsk8]

Here's something just thinking out loud, or rather, with my fingers Our town charges $50 for the first dog licence and $90 for the second, etc. They go a step further because people were not going to buy their dog licences, so now they come to the door. Once a year they go door to door in our township, asking if you have a dog and you must purchase your licence then and there. There's a large announcement in the local paper when they're coming around so you can expect the expence. If you don't have the cash or a cheque, or can't pay for the licence, it is added onto your property taxes. Well, what if you had to show you have taken a Responsible Dog Ownership Class, which could be sponsered by the town, humane society's, etc. before you could obtain your dog tags? There could be a fine for every month that passes and you're in default. Now take it 1 step further, and you must licence and register every dog, just like your car, no course, no licence, can't buy a dog anywhere as you have to own a licence to own a dog, just like a car. BYB would have to see the licence/proof of the course to sell them a dog, or else, if an unlicenced dog is found on a property, the owners and sellers are heavily fined.

Owning a dog should be as difficult as owning a car, and just as heavily regulated, jmho.

Some excellent ideas....

 

[jess2416]

I do, think, however, that shelters and rescues should screen better. That, in itself, would better the lives of many, many dogs.

That has its positives and negatives also.....Look how long Charlie has been in foster care and he is listed on petfinder again.....

 

[Julie]

I don't know much about BYB. But is it illegal or are there laws against it? Why can't more be done to stop them?

I am certainly not an expert on this kind of thing......but I do know, there are far too many wanna be breeders out there....
And something should be done to curb their desire to breed.

I was just looking on this classified section and It made me sick to see all the byb's and everything else.
http://pubat0.pennswoods.net/cgi-bin/classifieds/index.cgi?mode=view&viewcategory=Pets_Supplies_Livestock

Not to even mention the fraud ads that get submitted to just steal your money.

 

[Aussie Red]

Bob not to argue because I see your point but even the best educated people can't be 100% sure a dog will work out. Dogs like people have different personalities etc and it sometimes can not be helped that you have to rehome or give a dog up. Now if this is a habitiul offender lets say a new dog every 6 months maybe then I can see this as a fix. Also as to expensive license I fail to see how that can work as well because first dogs in most places fall under personal property and have no rights. There are laws governing cruelty towards them true but if someone kills your dog you can not sue for pain and suffering or emotional distress as it is by law considered property and even a unlicensed driver has the right to own a car just not drive it. Kenzies Idea good as well but would you convince tax payers that they are going to have to shell it out to fund the enforcement officers, pay their training, etc. I doubt it. Now one thing shelters could and should do is hold classes to new adopters on site and make it mandatory to attend before adoption as these could be held by some of the volunteer staff. After attending the class the teacher has to submit a letter of rec. to staff before adoption. No letter no dog. There really is no 100 % solution to this problem but there are some small ways to help it. Baby steps first.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

That has its positives and negatives also.....Look how long Charlie has been in foster care and he is listed on petfinder again.....

Not all shelters and rescues are legit, unfortunately.
---------------------------------------------------------------------



Should any Joe Schmoe right off the street be able to get a dog? I don't think so... Joe should have to prove himself before hand. Knowledge of dog ownership, breed knowledge, adequate facilities for a dog, etc., etc., etc..

But if a person can afford the adoption fee, vet fees and can show that he/she is capable of providing a forever home for a dog... then they should be allowed.

 

[jess2416]

Not all shelters and rescues are legit, unfortunately.
---------------------------------------------------------------------



Should any Joe Schmoe right off the street be able to get a dog? I don't think so... Joe should have to prove himself before hand. Knowledge of dog ownership, breed knowledge, adequate facilities for a dog, etc., etc., etc..

But if a person can afford the adoption fee, vet fees and can show that he/she is capable of providing a forever home for a dog... then they should be allowed.

Oh I agree, I just think that "some" shelters/rescues take it to the extreme and turn down a LOT of good potential homes for "silly" reasons

*silly was the only word I could come up with...

 

[Buddy'sParents]

I just didn't want you to take it offensively, Jess, as you would have been the perfect home for Charlie.