Death row for real

beverleyDogsToday · Post by **beverleyDogsToday** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:06 pm

Please read about Otis

http://coldwetnose.blogspot.com/2008/03 ... urrey.html

He's on borrowed time, we need to find him somewhere quick to get him off death row, even a temporary place in a rescue kennel - anything!

Mattie · Post by **Mattie** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:20 am

Beverly I understand were you are coming from with this dog, I help as much as I can with Rochdale Dog Rescue and we are full of Staffies that we are having problems finding rescue spaces for.

http://www.rochdale-dog-rescue.com/urgentdogs.html

I really hope you find a place for him.

Owdb1tch · Post by **Owdb1tch** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:25 am

Frankly, I think PTS is the best option for this dog. He can never live a life as a dog, never interact with other dogs or run offlead. He is a grenade with the pin out.

Homes for dogs like this are incredibly difficult to find, and such people mostly already have several dogs and maybe other animals, none of which this sad guy can cope with. Cuddles on sofas and lots of human love are what people like to think is an adequate substitute for a dog not being able to be fulfilled as a dog, but they are only fulfilling for the human side of the arrangement.

It gives me great sadness to say this, but I am a pragmatist, and sentiment should not be allowed to overwhelm a realistic assessment of the kind of life this dog could be offered even if one of those rare owners could be found. He is more likely to slip off the radar and end up going from home to home until he is PTS anyway, maybe after a tragedy.

This is my opinion and nothing to do with this Board, its hosts or any other posters. If I were assessing this dog for rehoming, very sadly and reluctantly I would recommend PTS.

emmabeth · Post by **emmabeth** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:37 am

I am afraid, I agree.

Part of me says 'but there might be the perfect home just ....'

But if there isnt... how long will he wait and at what cost to his mental and physical well being.

The likelyhood is, sadly, that those of us who would take on such a dog - we already have dogs, so we can't take him.

Most people who could take him because they don't have another dog, don't want to take on a serious problem dog, don't have the skills to take on a serious problem dog... or should never be allowed one!

Maggie · Post by **Maggie** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:06 am

Oh how sad.... I hate to hear about dogs being on "death row"
I do hope a home is found for him soon.
There is allwasy hope though. We have had many a dog that has been no good withother dogs etc etc etc and weve managed to find them decent homes with decent people, and many of them have been integrates back into society.
A friend of mine has a staffy cross ***** that was used as a bate dog by some sick twisted f***s she is now living with my friend her patner and another dog. She has gone from being a complete nigtmare, sick on car journeys and the likes.... to getting into the back of a car tail wagging, and she sleeps in the same bed as my friends other dog a bullterrier.
Dont lose hope that maybe someone will come to the rescue of this poor pooch, and if I had the time, and space to take him in, then I would in a flash, as I think he is just stunning

Fingers crossed for the lad.

Maggie · Post by **Maggie** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:07 am

sorry forgot to say the bate dog was dog fighting bate, just in case i didnt make my self clear.

beverleyDogsToday · Post by **beverleyDogsToday** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:16 am

The ticking clock is getting louder - can you please, please cross post this as wide as possible.

I know he's just one dog, but if we can't save one what hope is there.

Otis is just a typical Staffie albeit a cross. He's only two, he's healthy and like the majority of the breed he just doesn't much like other dogs. In a normal climate he'd find a space somewhere, if he was a Cocker, or a Beardie, if he was anything other than a bullbreed...

http://coldwetnose.blogspot.com/2008/03 ... clock.html

Fingers crossed.

Mattie · Post by **Mattie** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:41 am

I am sorry Beverly but there are lots of Staffies on death row that get on well with people and other dogs, they don't need a special home just a home were they will be loved. There are people working their guts off trying to keep these dogs alive long enough to find safe places for them. Having taken a dog on that was dog aggressive a dog like this isn't for many people, they need a lot of work to get their through and good management until they are. Everyone I know who is capable of doing this already have dogs like him.

Unfortunately this is the real world for Staffies, Casualty last Saturday won't have helped either. To a certain extent the media must take some of the blame for the way this breed is at the moment.

beverleyDogsToday · Post by **beverleyDogsToday** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:03 am

Here's why the lady at the kennels thinks we should save him...

http://coldwetnose.blogspot.com/2008/03 ... cross.html

Think of this like a war. You're in a field full of dead and dying soldiers. You can't save them all. Do you try to save one or none? It's not your war, you didn't cause it. But do you walk away or do you help?

Otis is a symbol. If we can't even save one then perhaps it is hope itself that dies.

Mattie · Post by **Mattie** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:25 am

I think that is uncalled for Beverly, I am working hard to save Staffies, these dogs don't have problems and also deserve to be saved. On Sunday I am doing a round trip of 30 miles to try and save a Staffy.

You have your magazine behind you, the Staffies I try to save just have a handful of people.

These dogs a symbol as well, a symbol of what crap our society is at the moment. Yes we can't save them all, but I am trying to save more than one.

beverleyDogsToday · Post by **beverleyDogsToday** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:04 am

I think you are misinterpreting me! I am saying exactly the same as you. That these dogs don't deserve this. That the public needs to be aware of the scale of the problem.

IF you check out the latest comment on the blog from the pound ...

"Since doing the strays we have taken in 112 dogs. 6 of these have been claimed. About 11 of these have been various breeds that have been easy to place - terriers, spitz, collie crosses, GSD's. 95 have been Staffie and Staffie crosses."

Only 5% of strays claimed and Staffies and Staffie crosses amounting to 90% of the unclaimed.

Everyone in Staffie rescue is stretched beyond all limits. It is not the breed rescue I am complaining about - far from it!

The aim is merely making the invisible slaughter of these dogs visible.

It is unacceptable to have to make choices - if Otis was another type of dog he's have found a home - he's a lovely dog - watch the video.

Please don't take offence - we're on the same side!

emmabeth · Post by **emmabeth** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:49 am

I think part of the problem is Beverley, that people like me and Mattie, we are already full up with our own dogs plus fosters. (Ive got six dogs here, and now trouble with the council over the number of dogs i have... though fortunately it is minor trouble and not an eviction notice).

We know whats going on, we know dogs are dying and will carry on dying...

The people who NEED to know that when you take on a dog, then you dump it, or give up on it, or make silly decisions for that dog that end in it being unrehomable.... that there is NOT a nice rescue, a little old lady, a big farm in the middle of nowhere for that dog. There is a vet and a needle - these people are not us.

I honestly think that the number of rescues we now have is unfortunately one of the problems - rescue is now SO common compared to even 20 years ago, people have this idea that all dogs will be saved.

For the most part, on here, on Saddle Up, even on your blog and in your magazine..... you are already preaching to the converted. This message needs to get to those who are causing the problem... and I have no idea how we can do that!

Honestly - If i had the time and the resources to host a website, I would be getting pictures of EVERY dog that dies in a pound in the uk that i could and posting them on a 'wall of death' and showing people that.

Maybe that is how hard hitting it needs to be for people to realise what they do when they choose to own a dog without thinking it through or caring about the consequences.

Mattie · Post by **Mattie** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:45 am

beverleyDogsToday wrote: I know he's just one dog, but if we can't save one what hope is there.

Who do you mean by "We" Beverly, I have helped to save hundreds this past few years so don't count me in that "We". How many have you helped to save.

Otis is just a typical Staffie albeit a cross. He's only two, he's healthy and like the majority of the breed he just doesn't much like other dogs. In a normal climate he'd find a space somewhere, if he was a Cocker, or a Beardie, if he was anything other than a bullbreed...

You are generalising in this paragraph, many Staffies don't have a problem with other dogs, I have a Staffy and Staffy cross here that get on with all dogs. Rochdale Dog Rescue have quite a few in that get on with other dogs. Putting posts up that states that Staffies don't get on with other dogs is giving them a bad name.

I think you are misinterpreting me! I am saying exactly the same as you. That these dogs don't deserve this. That the public needs to be aware of the scale of the problem.

Maybe you could have written this better so people like me and others on here don't feel that you are attacking us because we can't save 1 dog. No dog deserves this, but the reality is that thousands are being treated like this. The only way to stop it is to get the Government to take action agains the puppy farmers and back yard breeders. If you can work towards this, them maybe these thousands of dogs will not have died in vain.

It is unacceptable to have to make choices - if Otis was another type of dog he's have found a home - he's a lovely dog - watch the video.

Yes it is unacceptable to have to make these choices, but until the over breeding stops and people realise that everything can't be thrown away when they are fed up with it, nothing will change.

Unfortunately I can't watch the video, I have already seen too much which is why I work to help these dogs.

Also many of the pounds are not satifactory, in fact some are cruel the way they treat the dogs. I know of one pound that if a fear aggressive dog comes in they keep poking him with sticks hard, so that he will shut down. The kennels are cold and dirty and the only interact with humans is when they are fed or cleaned out. Many don't have proper bedding etc. Thankfully the Rochdale pound is different, they do take care of the dogs while they are in.

I go into these pounds sometimes to get a dog out for several rescues, I hate it, I wish I didn't have to do it, but if I don't those dogs will be pts. I can't say anything because if I do they will stop letting these rescues have the dogs, I have to be sweet and nice to them so instead I come home and cry for all those in their that I couldn't get out.

beverleyDogsToday · Post by **beverleyDogsToday** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:03 am

I'm sorry you don't think I've done anything to help dogs! I do all I can, always have always will.

I guess sometimes we all get bitten trying to do our best, but I promise you I care passionately and do all I can to change things and will continue to do so.

I'm sorry you feel I've attacked you, certainly never intended to. You are not the enemy and neither am I!

Mattie · Post by **Mattie** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:33 am

I know you care Beverly, but you came across as if we do very little to save dogs when many of us are working our guts off to save them already.

Rochdale put all their dogs up on another message board, Refuge. Quite a lot of rescues go on there and many will offer a space for a dog as and when they can.

Dogs Today can do a lot to highlight the problem of dogs, for this Staffy and many more. Puppy farms and back yard breeders are doing a lot of harm to breeds, they are breeding health problems into them because they don't care as long as they get the money. Many pups don't live for long, apart from the original cost of the pup, vet bills run up into thousands and they loose the pup in the end.

Unfortunately I have never seen Dogs Today for sale or I would have bought it, but you can highlight the problem of Staffies and all the other dogs that are in the pounds.

Last week we had a St Bernard in, only a younster but wasn't claimed. These arn't cheap. I moved an Akita a few weeks ago, just over a year old and had at least 2 previous owners before being abandonded and today an Akita cross has been moved to the same rescue, she is about 20 weeks old. We have also had a Yorkie recently and Rotties are always coming in along with Lurchers, GSDs and Labs. This is just one very small rescue and there are many more like them.

Personally I would like to see all breeders be responsible for the pups they breed for the life of the pup so if the owner gets fed up or their circumstances change, the dog goes back for the breeder to rehome. If this happens, breeders will be a lot more careful in the amount of pups they breed.