From: toolan@scivax.stsci.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Neutering to reduce aggression?
Date: 16 Oct 92 16:57:04 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute

In article <DEAN.92Oct15141201@wind.sweetpea.jsc.nasa.gov>, 
dean@sweetpea.jsc.nasa.gov (Jack Dean) writes:

> In article <1bk87tINN3nh@terminator.rs.itd.umich.edu>, vln@icpsr.umich.edu 
(Victoria Neff) writes:
 
V> Forgive me for asking this, I'm really not trying to be obnoxious, but
V> is there some redeeming characteristic of this dog that makes him worth
V> the effort?
   [some stuff deleted]
 
V> Again, I'm curious, not trying to be snotty.  And obviously it's easier
V> for me to ask than for someone else to have to make a really hard decision
V> in re this dog.....

 
J> Well, first of all, he's not really an unpleasant dog.  He is very
J> friendly towards people, and his aggressive behavior towards other
J> dogs is not a constant thing.  He does in fact play with my two
J> greyhounds.  I also find it hard to justify destroying this dog just
J> because some #&%@##! has trained him to kill small animals (which is
J> what training with live lures effectively does).

J> You raise some difficult questions however.  If we have our hands full
J> with difficult to place dogs, some other more readily adoptable
J> greyhounds may get destroyed.  So what's the right answer?  I don't
J> know.  But in the meantime, we will continue to keep the greyhounds
J> that we get until we can find them a good home.

> Jack Dean                         dean@sweetpea.jsc.nasa.gov


Yes, tough questions indeed, but the answer is in the stated purpose of the
rescue group.  Once the fortunate few greyhounds come into the hands of the
rescue group (in this case, GPA), THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE SAFE.  GPA asks that
if anyone cannot for any reason keep the dog they adopted, the dog be returned
so they can find it a new home and not need to save it again from the pound
or wherever.  At least Pacer's former owners did that.  And, unless there is
some EXTREMELY extenuating circumstances (i.e., the dog attacks everyone and
everything in sight [and for this to occur in a Greyhound, I think it would 
have to be rabid!]), he should not be put down.  It would void the entire
purpose of, and destroy the credibility of, the rescue group. 

Perhaps the prevention of the problem with Pacer would have been better
selection criteria.  I know that the dogs that come to the Maryland GPA (most
from New England, and some recently from Georgia) are carefully screened to
make sure that they are of excellent pet quality.  I have no idea what questions
are asked or what "testing" is done, but perhaps asking "has this dog been
trained with live lures?" would be in order.  I could not, under any 
circumstances, be one of the people who chooses the dogs that will go to the
rescue group.  Just the thought of knowing that my decision will result in
life or death for the dog almost boggles my mind.  I just try to reach everyone 
I can, in any way I can, in order to find good homes for more dogs.

The solution for Pacer?  I don't know if altering him would really help unless
he is standardly agressive, which doesn't sound like it's the case (but doesn't
the Texas GPA require altering, or just that the dog isn't able to reproduce?
I've never heard of a vasectomy being done on a dog before!)  I can only 
suggest that you be cautious of his aggression with your dogs as he tries to
establish his place in the "pack," and that a home be found for him that, at
least, has no small pets.  And of course the new owner must be told of his
history, so the problems don't repeat themselves.

		*	*	*	*	*
				*
	Sharon Toolan		*	My opinions are my own;
	toolan@stsci.edu	*	no one else would want them!
				*
		*	*	*	*	*

	      Make a fast friend--adopt a Greyhound!