Rehabilitating Fighting Pitbulls

locallyunscene

<div class="IPBDescription">Compassionate or a Bad Idea</div>I saw this article on the fighting dogs from Micheal Vick's(American football player in jail for dogfighting) property{<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/07/vick.dogs.rehab/index.html?eref=rss_topstories" target="_blank">link</a>}. At first I thought it was nice that they were sending these dogs to good homes. Then I was a bit horrified as I realized these were dogs <i>bred and trained for fighting</i>. Whether or not you think pit bulls are a "dangerous breed" is a complete aside.

I love animals and would like to think most everyone/every pet deserves a second chance, but have a very hard time believing these dogs could be safely integrated into families and dog parks. Tragedy may not happen right away but it seems like a ticking time bomb to me.

Do you think these dogs should be given a chance to live with a family?

Would you welcome one into your home as a pet?

Depot

No and no, unless you want to pay for extensive (and expensive) behavioral modification first. I doubt the average person would be willing to do so.

Scythe

I'm a big supporter of the "no breed of dog is inherently evil" view, but deliberate behavioral engineering to make these animals better fighters just ruins them. A dog is a complex creature, any number of triggers can wake up long-buried reflexes and instincts.

Put them down and shed a tear, anything else will go bad sooner or later.

--Scythe--

Thansal

IF some one is willing to try, then it is worth it. However, tbh, I am with scythe on this one, they have been conditioned far to much at this point for it to really be likely that they will ever be safe.


All I can really say is that I am glad the ######er that did this is in jail.

lolfighter

<!--quoteo(post=1669905:date=Feb 8 2008, 07:36 AM:name=Scythe)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Scythe @ Feb 8 2008, 07:36 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1669905"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'm a big supporter of the "no breed of dog is inherently evil" view, but deliberate behavioral engineering to make these animals better fighters just ruins them. A dog is a complex creature, any number of triggers can wake up long-buried reflexes and instincts.

Put them down and shed a tear, anything else will go bad sooner or later.

--Scythe--<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Even if they never get adopted, the dogs will always have a home at Best Friends, which doesn't euthanize for behavioral reasons.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Doesn't seem necessary to put them down.