So on the weekend they had a friend over with a huge German Shepherd. It stepped on the puppy and the puppy broke it's leg. The couple took the puppy to the "cheapest vet" they could find and learned that the bill would be over $1000 so they left without seeking treatment for the leg.
I got involved when my neighbour asked for advice on how to get this puppy away from the couple and get some medical help. I am so disturbed by this and ready to call in the Humane Society because withholding this treatment is classified is animal cruelty. I spent most of the evening counselling my neighbour on how to get these kids to surrender the dog to a rescue organization that could treat the leg and then foster it until it is adopted. I got all the contact info - sent it all out, All this work just to have a plan of action pulled together in order to present these kids with their options. she contacted the rescues and only now I find out they will not take the puppy because it is a pitty mix. An important piece of the puzzle that nobody told me. Pit Bull type dogs are illegal in Ontario. All this work and back to square one. No rescue organization based in our province will even touch the dog. So now we are trying a pit bull rescue group based in Quebec - they transport dogs out of Ontario. Also I'm told our local Humane society may take the puppy as long as it might pass for some other mix - perhaps husky/lab - and with no reference of pit bull upon surrender. .
This is getting sadder and sadder - the couple won't treat the dog, the dog could potentially be permanently damaged or have a limp or eventually require amputation if untreated. Or he could be euthanized if I lodge a complaint of animal cruelty because it is a banned bred. What to do, what to do, what to do.
What to do indeed! That's a crazy situation. Poor dog.
ReplyDeleteThat's so horrible.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing I hate worse than the mistreatment of animals.
I don't suppose there's any chance you could adopt the poor little guy?
If not...you're doing the right thing. Keep after the protection societies. They're overworked and underfunded but make all the difference in the world.
Ugh. The worst part about the whole thing is that pit bulls have been given a bad name because of the people who have owned/bred them. I hope something can be done. I suppose just asking the couple to give the puppy back is out of the question? If they don't want to spend the money to take care of it, do they actually want it?
ReplyDeletePeople like that always think they want pets...until they have to take responsibility for them.
ReplyDeleteI know. Having a pet sounds great...until you realize you have to take care of it. Like, every day and everything! Puppies, especially.
ReplyDeletePuppies need constant supervision and training. Most of the time all they get is a beating for peeing on the rug.
ReplyDeleteI think the couple probably will give up the dog if we can get a plan in place to get the puppy into a rescue. The entire situation is complicated by the fact that it is a pit mix - the rescues are not allowed to take it - if they do and they know it is a pit mix they are required to surrender and euthanize the dog. If the couple knows the dog will be put to sleep they may not give it up.
ReplyDeleteGood grief.....what an awful policy.
ReplyDeleteThe pit bull rescue sounds like the best option if they can do it, then. I hope it works out.
ReplyDeleteyou betcha! It is a provinicial law put in place about 7 years ago after a series of pit bull type dog maulings. The law is terribly flawed and is in the process of being fought and will probably be thrown out. There is so such actual breed of "pit bull" (it should say stafforshire bull terrier or american bull terrier) but that is what the law names. Any dog that even looks pitty can be seized and euthanized. No pitty type dogs are allowed to be bred in the province or they can be seized and euthanized. The entire thing is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteAny dog can bite. It is usually the owner's fault not the dog's fault.
There are many countries that have outlawed breeds of dogs known for biting - Italy for example has more than 90 breeds of dogs banned - including golden retriever and standard poodle.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed the RSPCA hasn't jumped all over this.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that.!
ReplyDeleteWhaaaaaaaat?
ReplyDeleteThe ontario law allowed existing pitties to be kept but they have to be muzzled and on a leash any time they leave their property or they risk being seized and euthanized. Of course people ignore the law and continue to breed the dogs.
ReplyDeleteThe entire thing is draconian. There have been some positive results in court lately and I believe the law is on the verge of being declared unconstitutional. It will likely be replaced by some sort of dog owner liability act that will involve fines and levels of punishment for dog bites.
This is why it always irritates me when dog owners say, "oh, he doesn't bite." Any dog can bite because that's what they do if they feel threatened or annoyed or even playful. Here's the real problem: people are stupid.
ReplyDeleteYES!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThings would work out so much better if everyone used common sense. There is not enough common sense in this world.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what will happen to this pup. This experience has been a hard lesson for my next door neighbour's 18 year old daughter (the one that brought the puppy home in the first place). She now knows that when she wants to get a pet next time she must carefully consider the commitment and financial burden of owning a pet.
ReplyDeleteAnd no I can't take the puppy - Firstly, I don't want to own a dog could be identified as a pit - my heart would break if it was ever taken away. Secondly, I can't imagine anybody wanting to adopt a puppy knowing there will be extra medical expenses above and beyond the ordinary. Thirdly, the longer they wait the more complicated and expensive treatment of the leg is going to be.
This poor puppy, I'm so frustrated by this situation. Hopefully today my neighbour will make some progress and find a suitable rescue for the dog.
Fingers crossed it happens soon.
ReplyDeleteAnd so can any cat, horse, rabbit or human for that matter.
ReplyDeleteCase in point...years ago our neighbor had a wonderfully friendly lab...she was a perfect dog, loved people, loved children. This dog was regularly at our house and I babysat her when the neighbors went out of town. When our neighbor gave birth to her first child, we went to see them after they got home from the hospital. I opened the door, made a bee line for the newborn and that mild mannered, well tempered dog snarled and bit right through my finger. She was protecting the baby. It's instinct. I understood that and certainly didn't want to shoot the poor creature. We lived next to them for years and it never happened again.
And yes....sadly, many of them are.
ReplyDeletePlease keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbour was able to get the puppy away from the other couple that were withholding medical treatment. She threatened having them charged with animal cruelty. There were a few of us ready to call in the OSPCA for animal cruelty. The puppy was surrendered to ,my vet's office. My vet works with a rescue group The poor pup was extremely dehydrated and in considerable pain. It is being medicated now and will travel to Toronto on Monday to see on orthopedic surgeon - it will likely require a plate in its leg and multiple surgeries as it continues to grow. My vet estimated at least $10,000 to $14,000 in medical costs. The vet said the injury was consistent with being kicked or thrown - the type of break is not consistent with being stepped on by a big dog or even a person. I'm just relieved to know this pup is receiving care and hopefully it will have a chance at a good life.
ReplyDeleteoh and by the way, I just read that Italy recently turned over their extremely harsh breed specific legislation - they now only ban 17 breeds of dogs and a new law that requires any dog to be on leash in public and owners of any breed must have a muzzle with them at all times, though it seems they don't have to use it unless requested.
ReplyDeleteIncredible.
ReplyDeleteJust came home from the vet's. I took Tilly in for her rabies and I got to see and hold the little pup. He is very very sweet. I am so relieved that they are taking care of him. The vet said his leg is broke straight across and also that it broke the growth plates too. This means it will probably require lots of surgeries as it grows. Poor little guy he has a very sweet. I held him for about 10 minutes and he was so loving and happy to be in my arms. They said that he is now owned by the vet hospital and they will choose an appropriate home for him when he is ready.
ReplyDeleteyes Julie - 3 vaccinations, a general exam, heartworm and lyme disease test, heartworm, flea and tick meds and ear drops just cost me $435. Vet bills do add up.
ReplyDeleteYou took the words right out of my mouth. I couldn't have described the culprits responsible for this mess any better!
ReplyDeleteHoly crap.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear the poor little guy was rescued....but wow.
Who will be paying for all this?
I swear this makes me want to throw those people down a long flight of stairs.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed he finds a good loving home.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that my vet is donating her time and any work she does. A dog rescue group will cover any other costs to care for the dog until it is rehomed.
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful....God bless them.
ReplyDelete