Chihuahua or Squirrel?

[adoptapitbull]

This is not a story about one of my dogs! I would not be dumb enough to let this happen!

Anyway, this couple adopted a female Pittie through a very strict rescue. They had her for maybe 4 months or so before this incident happened. Apparently she was at a public place off leash playing fetch with her dad. Not sure of the scenario, but apparently she saw a Chi and went after it, grabbed it, and starting shaking it. Bad news for the Chi. Don't think she killed it though. So anyway, what are your opinions on this scenario and dog aggression? Do you think this is blatant DA or mistaken identity? Could it be this dog thought she was chasing a small animal like a squirrel or rabbit? I guess I'm just pissed because the family is apparently giving her back to the rescue now. I blame the owner for having her off leash in public. So, would you declare this dog DA, or maybe guilty or redirection, or mistaken identity? The rescue had her for awhile before she got adopted, so I worry about her now. I wouldn't necessarily label her DA based on this one incident alone. Would you?

[pistis]

That's aweful. It amazes me that idiots can still adopt even through "strict" rescues. I know people lie an apps all the time, but it still infuriates me. If you're not responsible why do you want to take on a living animal to care for??

Those are excellent questions. I'm waiting to see what the professionals on here have to say.

In the meantime, do you know what shelter this girl went back to? I wouldn't want her to be put down for this or mislabeled. Maybe we could gather info and start crossposting for her? I really hate thinking of this girl being sent back and "punished" for something that was NOT her fault! She deserves a good home.

[maryellen]

mine view anything small including small dogs as prey items (squirrels, chipmunks etc ) if it moves and is small they think its a wild critter and will go after it..

its the owners fault for having the dog offleash, and its the chi's owners fault for having that dog off leash too..

[adoptapitbull]

She's going back to the rescue she came from. I don't think she is unsafe there.

I guess I'm especially bummed because I tried to adopt her almost a year ago. Problem was, she was way far away. The rescue does transports, so I figured we could make it work. Nope, got shut down due to distance. It kinda bugs me because yes, I do have other dogs, BUT I know how to manage C&R if anything did happen. It just irked me that the new home she got made a mistake like that. I mean, I would tell any new Pit owner to consider the risks of having a Pit. No, it is NOT always the Pit's fault but the Pit will always be blamed. So, you must be extra careful in anything that you do as to never put your Pit into a situation that you can't 100% control. Maybe there are more reasons than the Chi incident as to why she's being returned. I surely hope so anyway....

[SunraysPitBulls]

One of our rescue dogs Orie had the same thing happen. He was actually in another rescue, they had him in a foster. The foster home left him unattended (well just a baby gate) since they had him 6 months with no issues, and he is fine with dogs. They came home one day and the pomeranian was dead. (shaken to death). But this dog now lives with two other pit bulls and is doing amazing. I just don't know. I know Kanga is dog aggressive, and labled that way just because she will go after anything that looks like a dog, or prey item...

[adoptapitbull]

This incident sounded to me like she was playing fetch and suddenly saw a Chi in the distance and went for it. Former foster said she was fine with other large dogs in her home, so I really hope this was just a case of a dog thinking it's chasing a squirrel. Could she be maturing into DA? Possibly. However I think they would have seen some other signs before this one. Either way, it's never going to be the same for this poor girl...

[RealPitBull]

It's a totally typical, predictable situation with this breed. Small dogs often trigger predatory instincts, and sometimes Pit Bulls will fight with other dogs for whatever reason, even when *in general* they get along well with other dogs.

Shame on this rescue for placing with a home that didn't understand the extreme importance of keeping a dog on a leash.

[adoptapitbull]

My thoughts exactly. And the rescue's app for dogs is extensive to say the least. Felt like I was applying for a job with the secret service when I filled it out. If the parents were smarter, the dog would still be in the home today. Instead, she's back in rescue with a shiny new label. So f'ing frustrating!

[RealPitBull]

The problem is, the dog-aggression issue is too often glossed over or completely ignored - even by typically good, responsible rescues and shelters. Most - MOST - people who adopt these dogs have NO idea what they are getting into in terms of dog-directed aggression issues that are pretty much guarenteed to pop up at some point in time, in some way, shape or form.

[adoptapitbull]

True, very true. I suppose it's better for her to stay in foster care for awhile than to be bounced from ignorant home to ignorant home. Seems like all the responsible Pit owners are all used up! I wish people understood that DA is manageable, especially in a one dog household. Sure, a multi dog household is more difficult, but it is done everyday.

[Courtney]

This is an unfortunate situation. I think both owners were partly at fault. Virtually the same thing happened with Koda when she was a pup...I'm not sure if I posted the story. I wasn't there when this happened, but this is what I've been told.

Someone was walking Koda outside the townhouse we used to live in. Around the corner comes a young girl (maybe 8-10 years old?) walking a tiny white fluffy dog. Koda bolted and ripped the leash out of his hand, ran down the block and grabbed the little dog. She shook it around by the neck for a bit before the person who was walking Koda caught up and stopped her. The little dog had a pretty serious wound on her neck, but she was OK after a bunch of stitches.

The owner of the little dog was upset with us at first, but I think soon realized he shouldn't have let his young daughter walk their dog alone (for many reasons, I think). I felt (and still feel) extremely guilty about it and wish I had been there to prevent it from happening.

Since then only me, my bf, and my brother have been allowed to handle Koda (or Sierra) in public. They only go to off-leash parks under certain circumstances...early morning or late night, only to small parks that have one entrance/exit so I can see if anyone else is coming.


I hope this girl gets a good forever home soon But you're right...better to be in a stable foster home than bounced around to different unprepared homes.