Chako Blog- When vets refust to euthanize aggresive dogs

[michele5611]

blog.chako.org/when-veterinarians-refuse-to-euthanize-aggressive-dogs/

[maryellen]

a truely great blog, i have been in that situation myself and had to find a vet to do what needed to be done. it was heartbreaking

[megan]

Great blog post. It's a sad situation and I think it happens more frequently than we'd like to believe. But vets have to remember and recognize that "healthy" is a term that refers to both physical AND mental health.

This blog reminds me.... I've been appraised of a recent situation where a vet was supposed to euthanize a very large and powerful dog (110-115lbs) who had landed several bites and had displayed random, unprovoked aggression towards people, and was DA on top of that and would redirect on a handler. The vet called a rescue group who takes biters and they took the dog. A year or so later the dog has landed several more bites and just recently shredded the arms of a volunteer at the rescue. The vet didn't necessarily refuse to euthanize the dog, but asking a rescue to take a dog like that is in no way any different in my eyes. I understand people have mixed emotions about euthanizing a dog who has bitten once, or might occasionally show reactivity or aggression when provoked, etc., but this is a situation, in my eyes, that very clearly crossed the line in the sand. This is a dog that is completely unsafe and would, in effect, kill someone. Had the vet not felt sorry for the dog, the volunteer would still have use of both of his arms. Now, unfortunately, we have no idea how bad the damage is but no doubt there is nerve damage and he will likely not have full use of both of his arms.