Comments on How many poor dogs were euthanized because of this extremely unfair test?

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Re: JimmyA

They are indeed, Sir Wiley. And I have a feeling that we weren't the only ones put off of these shows after seeing how and why these animals were put down. If everyone else who was upset over this also wanted to take a stick and prod those evaluators, the line I'm sure would be around the block . . .  

posted by JimmyA on December 18, 2014 at 6:52 AM | link to this | reply

Re:

That's true too, Kabu. Perhaps it's the adoptive family that needs to be tested, and not the dogs! Like almost anything else, the overall environment needs to be satisfactory, and some dogs and cats could thrive with nary a problem! It still seems like such a waste to destroy all those poor dogs because of this simply unfair test! By the way, welcome back . . . 

posted by JimmyA on December 18, 2014 at 6:49 AM | link to this | reply

Re:

You're absolutely right, lovelylady, and that's why we can't watch these programs anymore! If those evaluators took the time to research the animal's past, they may have a better understanding of why it would be so aggressive when someone attempts to take their food away! But I still say, the easiest solution is to just tell the prospective adoptees not to bother the dog while it's eating! I'll bet those dogs could still have had a wonderful life . . . 

posted by JimmyA on December 18, 2014 at 6:46 AM | link to this | reply

Re: I guess they don't want to get sued if some adoptive family lets their

I agree, Pat. There are roaming ASPCA trucks in certain areas that spay or neuter dogs ( and cats ) free of charge so we don't have this type of surplus, but they are costly and usually privately funded. But you also hit the nail on the head when you bring up 'lawsuits.' God forbid one family's stupid child gets bitten while bothering Fido while he's eating . . . 

posted by JimmyA on December 18, 2014 at 6:43 AM | link to this | reply

Re:

It will put you off FSI, especially after seeing how lovable and playful the dog was up to that point! To put a dog down simply because it was defending its food is such a terrible waste! We couldn't watch it anymore . . . 

posted by JimmyA on December 18, 2014 at 6:39 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Jimmy

I had a feeling, Naut, that a subject like this would hit pretty close to home for you, already knowing that Bennie was a rescue. However, something tells me that this particular test is probably standard practice for these facilities. Right or wrong, they must be absolutely sure no one will be injured after adopting one of these dogs, even if it's their own fault! And it would be if they bothered the dog while he was chowing down! Outrageous and stupid indeed . . . 

posted by JimmyA on December 18, 2014 at 6:37 AM | link to this | reply

Re:

They are indeed, Bill. I will almost guarantee that all of those dogs could have been adopted out, with a special notation reading "Don't bother him while he's eating!" Pretty simple to me . . . 

posted by JimmyA on December 18, 2014 at 6:33 AM | link to this | reply

Re:

You may be right, C C T, that they probably should find out about this 'food aggression' before they bring the animal back to full health. However, I still find it extremely unfair, especially if the dog shows no other signs of aggression . . . 

posted by JimmyA on December 18, 2014 at 6:32 AM | link to this | reply

JimmyA

If I was the head honcho of that place and others like it I'd just have a pole with a point on one end and I'd be playing darts with the butt's of the human dog teasers and let the doggies join in, horrid show.

posted by WileyJohn on December 17, 2014 at 3:52 PM | link to this | reply

Of course it is unfair...really a stupid test. That dog may have only survived by ensuring it got enough from a bowl. More to the point, adopting families should be tested. My friend in Sydney is working hard to retrain a little doggie who has had six families in six years.

posted by Kabu on December 17, 2014 at 3:15 PM | link to this | reply

I completely agree with you and your wife, Jimmy.  Some dogs (and cats, to be fair) have food agression because they have been starved by their previous owners.  Therefore, they often fear that food will be taken away, or that they will be denied food altogether.  There are different and much better ways to address and help the dogs work on these issues.

Just because an animal may have food agression doesn't mean they won't make loving, loyal pets to someone who may want to adopt them.

posted by lovelyladymonk on December 17, 2014 at 9:24 AM | link to this | reply

I guess they don't want to get sued if some adoptive family lets their

spoiled brat mess with the doggie at mealtime. Seems unfair to me, too, but when we've got a surplus of anything we tend to be wasteful, and there is a surplus of dogs in need of rescue. Common wisdom among bureacracies - even the helping organizations - seems more and more UNcommon.

posted by Pat_B on December 17, 2014 at 8:56 AM | link to this | reply

I see that being a terrible test as well. I was unaware of the food aggression test. I was not watching those types of shows to begin, and I will make sure to not start watching them because of that.

posted by FormerStudentIntern on December 17, 2014 at 7:53 AM | link to this | reply

Jimmy

I know a little bit about dogs, my Bennie is a rescue dog - and that test is absolutely outrageous and stupid! If I lived in any of those cities, or if they did that around here, I'd raise bloody hell!

posted by Nautikos on December 17, 2014 at 7:28 AM | link to this | reply

They're too lovable for that Jimmy.

posted by BC-A on December 17, 2014 at 6:45 AM | link to this | reply

Well Jimmy, such a dog would probably be perfectly alright, I would hesitate to try to steal from any dog's dish. It would not be fair to the animal and what a waste of resources bringing it back to health and then destroying it. Apart from seeming cruel surely it would be better to test the dogs before they were restored to hope. 

posted by C_C_T on December 17, 2014 at 6:43 AM | link to this | reply