The Cost of Irresponsible Dog Ownership To Dogue de Bordeaux aficionados. You may have heard the horrific news about the man mauled to death by two large dogs. They were originally reported to be bullmastiffs but it has been confirmed they were not bullmastiffs. Most news channels have corrected their error though some dont care to correct their mistake. By many news accounts and interviews of neighbors after this happened, it is apparent that the owner of these dogs has done everything wrong a person could do regarding the proper care, training and socialization of any molosser breed dog. Mistake number one: Interviews with the neighbors near the home of these dogs has revealed that they were left to live outside in pens (one early news report indicated According to the dogs owner, the animals were in a pen, but appeared to have escaped.) While some owners will kennel their dogs in dog runs during the day while away from home working, responsible, caring owners still incorporate their dog into the household when home. Forcing the dog to live outside in a pen or chained up its entire life is the mistake. Living outside instead of living as part of the family unit drastically impacts the ability for a dog to receive adequate leadership and training and will usually cause a molosser breed dog to become very territorial. Mistake number two: Another neighbor interviewed indicated the dogs were often seen running loose in the area. And another news article indicates the owner did not have fenced property so once they escaped their pen they had ability to go anywhere. So, while intentional or not, they were allowed to run at large as a pack throughout the countryside. Any dog, no matter the breed, when left to make its own decision, can and often will make poor decisions and when allowed to do so as a pack, the problem grows exponentially - they become pack hunters particularly when undernourished. A well adjusted, well trained dog that accidentally gets loose and runs the road isnt necessarily a menace but a dog with no training, no structure, and no socialization is going to eventually become a problem. Mistake number three: An additional news article covers an interview with a neighbor who said she was attacked in 2012 by one of the dogs and is horrified that the owner is still in possession of the dogs. The interview indicates a subsequent civil lawsuit occurred between this victim and the owner. If they had bitten before, as reported, then he knew they had propensity to this behavior. Behaviors, that left uncorrected, will only magnify. Yet he still did not provide proper fencing to secure the dogs. The dogs should have been euthanized after the first attack. If they had been, this poor man would still be alive and his family would still have a father. By all news accounts, the dogs were obviously not properly socialized and not properly restricted to their property. These two dogs, with the right type of owner who provided them structure, training, companionship and socialization could have been wonderful dogs. But they werent in the right hands and ended up in the hands of this owner who made them into what they ended up being - whether it was done intentionally or neglect may never be known. But this lack of ownership skills and responsibility cost a man his life. We are horrified that this happened to this man and his family. The owner of these dogs should receive the strongest fine and incarceration the law allows and face civil ramifications from this mans family for his irresponsible dog ownership. Our deepest sympathies to the family who lost their father because of this most horrendous example of irresponsible dog ownership. While the dogs were not bullmastiffs, this horrific event is a reminder of the importance of responsible dog ownership. We love our breed, we need to do everything we can to make sure this doesnt ever happen to a human being because of a Dogue de Bordeaux. As Dogue de Bordeaux aficionados our responsibilities include: - Careful scrutiny of adopters or, if you breed, puppy placements, to be sure dogs we are responsible for end up in the right hands. - Careful evaluation of dogs brought into rescue or returned to a breeder and doing the right thing when a dog presents a danger to humans. - Providing guidance to owners who have failed their dog and are now problematic dogs and helping them understand what needs to be done. - Last, but certainly not least, the careful consideration required in deciding to breed a dog with questionable temperament. Whether you are rescue volunteer, owner of a Dogue or a breeder, we have to be diligent. We are the stewards of this breed and its future depends on us.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 19:57:44 +0000
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