Why don't we donate to Max's cause - Page 5

Allaboutthedawgs

Of course I don't like thinking about their dog (or any dog) being tied by a choke, or tied period. I also said "I would like to donate. I would like to know they get a fenced yard or kennel setup, some kind of containment besides a tie out." But I think that hopefully they have learned something from this. And this thread isn't about that really, its about helping a family out that just went thru hell loosing their dog in a horrific way that they obviously cared about. Its kind of ridiculous to think they will not get another dog or pup someday anyway. And how do we or you know they haven't thought about "if only we had him in the house" and not tied up....we don't. I also feel for these people, its not the same as knowing if someone tied their last dog up with a choke. Your point is made but I still will donate toward a kennel, lawyer or pup/dog/rescue. I think Echo will help educate them on how their new dog should be contained.

Ohh and Sorry about my absence,  I actually took off yesterday traveled 1/2 way across the state to go visit my MOM,  I needed some time away desperately so Hubby and I loaded up and went,  Not that I should have I kinda feel guilty but I definately needed the break,  I feel pretty good and ready to go now.    Anyway wanted to appologize for being gone and not replying sooner. 

Am going to set $100.00 aside for Mattia Family and am also going to donate $50.00 to a Rescue/Shelter in MD can anyone reccomend one that is credible that I could donate toward ??  I guess I could ask Sharon am going to call her tommorow...

Want to say Thanks to everyone who have shown such a deep compashion toward this family,  You guys are way awesome, and I am so glad to be associated with you it truly is an honor !!!

Greatestgsd,

First, I don't have much breed specific knowledge at all. I have, unfortunately, seen a LOT of cases where animals have been treated worse than any mere inanimate object.  As far as calling them to find out what kind of people they are; I already know one thing.  They are the kind of people who would tie a dog out with a damn choke collar. That is all I need to know to realize I wouldn't give one slim dime toward another dog.

Do I really believe they didn't learn anything by this? Frankly, I can't really believe anyone would be that irresponsible to begin with.  I also believe the whole point of the thread on a different perspective is that we should operate from the basis of fact not conjecture like "do you really believe they didn't learn anything from this?". I, personally, could not sleep at night knowing I facilitated the replacement of this dog based on either an assumption or the word of some one who would do it to begin with.

And it sounds a bit frantic slightly absurd when you say, "before you say these people should never ever own another dog, you might want to talk to them yourself!".  Mostly in light of the fact that I never said or implied they should "never ever own another dog". I said they shouldn't be responsible for another little life until they are more educated.  If you think they can never BE more educated, that's a whole different matter. I personally think everyone is responsible for the welfare of any other being they decide to bring into their life.

Echo-don't you wonder if the choke/tie out isn't indicative of a much broader lack of common sense? Would you trust one of your rescues to this possiblity? Sometimes animal welfare needs more than a kennel-it needs an education and followups.

Education is Key in many situations,  I've had people here in the shelter in TEARS when I told them that by feeding the dog Copenhagen (as a dewormer) could likely cause kidney, liver failure,  not to mention bleeding in the gut itself,  and does nothing to damn parasites at all... They truly CARE about they're dogs but honestly did not know any better,  Those people are the type of people I try to get to come and volunteer here for a week,  I can teach them hands on Common sense things to do and NOT to do's.    It's been very successful and very rewarding !!

Education is always a good thing and I live by my fathers Quote " There is not anyone out there who can not teach me something"  It is so very true !!!

"Lack of common sense"  No I don't think that using a choke chain to tie a dog is uncommon at all,  Does it make sense to you or me ??  Hell NO,  But for a dog that slips a collar and common sense tells us to secure our pet for its own "safety" (not knowing the psycho deputy would be visiting that day)  Well NO,  I don't judge this particular error as being a lack of common sense.  I see it as someone doing what they thought they needed to do to keep the dog contained.  Yes you and I would rather see a kennel,  But for a house dog that would likely be viewed as unnecessary as they would rarely be using it,  and I'm just throwing out scenerio's here.  But I don't view it as a lack of common sense,  You and I would NEVER do it,  But we have alot of experience seeing what happens when you "tie" a dog out, and when some idiot deworms a dog with copenhagen.... If you know what I mean.

I don't really know that "Education" is warranted here...  I have spoken with Sharon she is as I stated before a well educated, level headed, individual whom I have grown to have a great deal of respect for,  I will offer any advice/assistance that I could lend,  But don't know/beleive it's "necessary" Not from my conversations with Sharon,  from what I know so far she seems to have a "good" knowledge base about dogs, and dog behavior/needs and so on. 

Trailrider,

It may be that they will get another dog someday. Doesn't make it right if they aren't going to change something. No, we don't know if they have changed their thinking. Which is exactly why I advocate giving a donation to a rescue instead of a dog to them. Because we definately DON'T know. I believe in erring on the side of safety for the innocent.

And of COURSE that's what the thread is, ultimately, about.  Giving a dog to some one who is responsible is not the same as giving one to a person with the mentality that could even DREAM of leaving a dog on a choke.

Is this the Twighlight Zone or what? Do we trust another animal to people based on the assumption they know better now? Even supply one??

And I really thought it was more about the hell the dog went through that mattered. And do we wish to put another in a unsafe predicement?

Look, I'm not trying to be an asshole. And I'm not argueing for the sake of debate. I'm just REALLY worried that the emotion/outrage of the situation is having a inordinate effect on the logic of this move.  I'm not uncaring about this. Even if it is a monumentally irresponsible act to tie out like this, I don't think it was callous or malicious. Just really uneducated. I'm SURE they loved their dog but can't imagine the reasoning that could see this as okay. It seems like the very kind desire to alleviate some of the pain this family has gone through may be leading to a rash decision. 

And that's it for me. I've said my piece. I just want to go on the record that it totally freaks me out to think of some one shooting my dogs and it totally freaks me out to think of my dogs tied out on a choke. Either way it seems like the dog got the shit end of things. And I just really, really hate that.

Dawg

Ponder this...  I have a dog here one of ours  that likes to climb kennels,  She will NOT stay in a kennel but,  She also will NOT leave our exterior fence,  She could if she wanted,  she climbs but she only climbs to get into the back yard,  she never climbs over the exterior fence,  NOT ONCE...  We have her in a new kennel with a top on it now,  But it took me a week to get that done,  In the meantime if she had been climbing out of our exterior fence,  She would have been tied I guarantee you,  Not to be mean to her,  But to "Protect" her.  What if the Mattia family had a similar situation,  Max would not leave the property but for his "Safety" while they were gone he was tethered for that day,  Maybe his kennel was under repair,  maybe they did not have one,  BUT maybe they do... I don't know yet.  But did not see in the photos the "typical" run path of a constantly tethered dog.  And a rope... well we all know ropes typically don't last long as tethers for any dog if they don't want to be there. 

I do NOT view tethering as an appropriate containment,  But I do view it as necessity under some circumstances.  Do I think a person is a bad owner for tethering a dog that digs or climbs or has no respect for boundries... Absolutely NOT.   I discourage the use of tethers absolutely but... in certain circumstances sometimes it is the ONLY way to contain certain dogs and if the dog is loved and a member of the family and well cared for then SO BE IT.  NOT something I view as the "owners fault" if the dog is impossible to contain within a kennel or yard,  Heck I've had them attempt escapes here at the shelter even, So how could I fault someone for trying to keep the dog safe by tether if they are impossible to keep in otherwise???  I just can not.

Something else too,  Kennel's are not right for everyone let me tell you I've seen some pretty horrific scenes regarding kenneled dogs,  Pitiful absolutely pitful and disgusting,  So Kennel's may not be for everyone, because not Everyone uses them properly in my OP.  They use them as a permanent place for the dog, rather than a safety device for when the dog is outside unattended that is almost worse than being tethered where at least the dog would get a pat on the head now and then maybe some food and water, and maybe some cleaning up of the area he/she is kept in. 

I do not beleive that Max was kept on that tether for long periods of time,  Sharon said when they were home,  Max Shadowed Joe everywhere !!!  She mentioned things about the house, I can not recall at this moment (it's getting late)   leads me to beleive the dog was outside periodically on the tether and NOT permanently !!!  But more spent his time with his family in the house and/or outside wherever they were Max was with them is how I took it,  I think that's a pretty good life for any dog !!! 

I would at this time have absolutely NO reservations about sending them a rescue so long as Deputy Psycho Christopher Long was OUT of a Job and slinked out of town for good !!!   If that guy remains in that town however,  I would hold some serious reservations now knowing this is his second German Shepherd Dog that he has gunned down of his own wrecklessness !!!!! (if it's the same Deputy Christopher Long which I'm thinking it is could you tell ?)

I think I would like to inquire of his "Trophy" room,  if there are 2 German Shepherd dog heads on his wall I would not fall over in shock !!!   NOT at all.