Question regarding euthanasia due to aggression?

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The people that freak out about euthanizing an aggressive dog simply don't understand dogs. Period. A stable dog just doesn't go around threatening people and a stable dog certainly doesn't bite unprovoked. There are very few instances where aggression towards a human is acceptable and it takes someone that understands dog behavior to tell the difference between excusable aggression from inexcusable and 90% of the time it's inexcusable. People like to fantasize and think that all dogs are good and just need more love and training but that's crap. I have a rescued dog that was horribly beaten and abused, neglected, never socialized and she still wouldn't even think about biting a human and on the flip side I have a rescued dog that had a perfectly good upbringing with plenty of socialization and she's fear aggressive with other dogs. Behavior has almost more to do with genetics than anything else. People just don't understand that due to bad breeding there IS such a thing as an unstable dog that you can't fix.
Then there's also the issue that we as a society are euthanizing dogs by the thousands that would NEVER even dream of biting a human. So to me, it makes no sense at all that we waste time and resources on a dog that may kill someone some day while we put a dog to sleep for lack of a home that has no aggressive tendencies whatsoever.
I'm with you....if a dog bites unprovoked, it gets put down....Show more

There are a lot of people out there who struggle with their dogs. They put in the hard work, the training, the meds, the diet changes, etc. Still, for some dogs, it's not enough. Sometimes, you have to let them go. Those are the "lucky" ones, they had a family that loved them enough to try. Those people I have nothing but respect for.

The others who just dump their dogs, and leave no history (bite or otherwise) are pretty much, well, losers. Their (the dogs) stories usually are the cautionary tales.

As far as YA, it is hard to get the whole story. When in doubt, I recommend a behaviorist, game plan, and the best of luck.

Official Question: To what extent does a dog's aggressive behavior have to escalate for euthanasia to be a viable option, if ever?

~~~This is IMHO,when would euthanasia be viable, when I have exhausted all options. I would be there with my dog til the end. If the dog killed a child, then it would not be up to me. Bites would be put in context. I really believe that if you are at that last option, you need to be there with them.

Rescues are a whole other thing. Usually, you are talking about strapped resources, over worked staff, small groups of volunteers. Sometimes, it's triage, you have to help the most that you can. (Some rescues, though, can and do work with the dogs.)...Show more

I agree with you completely. Although whenever I answer with that I usually don't get too many thumbs down!

Before I worked at a shelter I used to think that aggression could be easily trained away...my whole view of dogs has changed in the last three months. It's amazing how many people will just get rid of an aggressive dog and put it onto someone elses shoulders, when really they should have made the responsible decision to euthanize the dog.

It's hard when you're attached to the dog, I definitely understand that. We have a dog at our shelter right now who once he trusts you is an amazingly sweet dog, however, until that point he is very fear aggressive. He doesn't have any bites on history, but some close calls. I DONT want him euthanized because I am so attached to him, and I know that's insanely selfish of me, but I see what good of a dog he can be. But then you get the dogs who are randomly unpredictabely aggressive. We had one come in yesterday that was euthanized on check in.

I feel like people think shelters are magical places where all animals get homes and we're able to fix every dog that comes through. It's so not true. Our trainer thinks every dog is 'workeable' but it all comes down to resources and if someone would actually adopt the dog. As Jen said, it's cruel when no kill shelters hold onto an animal for years and years who would probably be much happier being humanely euthanized.

I know this question wasn't about shelters persay, but I see a lot of what you're talking about in the people who bring animals in. I think our society is so scared of death they think ANY kind of life is better than nothing....Show more

I'm sure there are dogs who have some kind of mental imbalance, and who can never be trustworthy in any situation. A dog like that has no purpose in this world, and should be put down.

And I understand that shelters are already overwhelmed with adoptable dogs, and do not have the resources to invest in a questionable dog, Kill shelters do not have much of a choice.

Having said that, I think the majority of dogs who are aggressive are that way because they have been "trained" to be aggressive.

Maybe not intentionally....but still "trained" by owners who indulge the dog to the point where it thinks it is entitled to correct humans, or neglect the dog so it does not understand how to act around people, or even mistreat the dog, so it thinks it needs to defend itself against people.

My opinion is that a dog who has been "trained" to be aggressive can be trained NOT to be aggressive.

Im not an expert, by any means. I have worked with a lot of dogs, but only three or four who were biters. And I freely admit that I would give more leeway to a small dog than a big one, because I am a lot less likely to lose an arm if a chihuahua bites me, than a rottweiler. :o)

But the aggressive dogs I have had have all responded to training, to the point where they were well behaved and obedient around me, and sociable around strangers.

So I do not see euthanasia as the first choice, as long as other resources exist....Show more

If they are naturally highly aggressive then that is a mental disease that may or may not be able to be cured. I would consult with a vet first and see if the dog could be medicated as dogs can have mental illness too. Also I would have a thyroid panel done on the dog as untreated thyroid conditions can make a dog aggressive - I know because our one Coonhound developed a thyroid issue and she got a little aggro which was totally out of behavior. Also she ate very little and was steady gaining weight so I took her to the vet, told him the symptoms, and asked for a thyroid panel done. He was impressed and kind of taken back and he said you diagnosed that correctly. But once she got on the meds and her thyroid level stabilized she was the same sweet dog as before.

A lot of people are unaware that pitties and Coonhounds are prone to thyroid issues, and there was a story about a pittie that was totally fine for years and the owners said she snapped and attacked them for no reason. Based on what they said I think the dog had thyroid issues, which not diagnosed can cause aggression and mood swings - they put her down, and they were saying they had no idea why she would go aggro like that. If there was not an issue with prior aggression ever I would definitely get the dog checked out medically before I put it down - as it very well could be thyroid or maybe something else - even a bad inner ear infection.

But yes- I agree that if the dog is just naturally mean and goes for people with no provocation then that dog is a liability and should be euthanized. Thats why I don't support attack training for family dogs as for the most part just the presence of a Rottie or German Shepherd is enough deterrent for most people and if the dog knows you are in danger 9 times out of 10 even the gentlest dog will come to your rescue. Plus if the dog is properly socialized you don't have a walking four legged liability - plus dogs know how to size up people and tell if they are bad anyway. It is much better to have a dog you can take anywhere than one that you are worried about a lawsuit if it ever got loose....Show more