Thanks for the update Jennifer. Glad to know she is in great hands!
Basenji on Craigs List - Portland OR
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Sadly, it is as Tanza said in most rescue organizations and shelters. There is too much liability in adopting out a 'known biter.'
This is how I got my American Eskimo. He was brought to the vet clinic (where I worked) for rabies observation, as a stray. He had bitten at least one neighborhood child while stray. (edited to add: This was a dog that had been starved half to death, teased with food and hit with sticks, left on the street to fend for himself.) After his 10 day observation period was up, I asked what would become of him. I was told, "since he has a history of biting, and no one is claiming him, the shelter will put him down." This was a 2 year old dog, purebred, beautiful, who had obedience training done on him at some time in the past. Someone paid for him, and took time to teach him….
I broke into tears (at my JOB:eek:) and begged my boss not to let it happen. I got a lecture about not saving every dog. I sobbed that I didn't want to save every dog, but I had to save THIS ONE. My boss and his wife worked some serious magic with the local humane society, I signed a wavier, and brought Snowy home. He was my best friend, protector and companion for over 13 years after that.
But someone had to be willing to take a chance on him....It was one of the best chances I ever took.
Miranda
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I am so sorry to read about this poor fella..he really got the raw end of the deal..living in a backyard. I understand why the shelters don't take the dogs that has a bite history, but do they ever investigate as to why the dogs bite?
There are basically too many dogs, too few fosters/adopters for all the help to go around..
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Karen at Medfly Rescue takes biters. She often times keeps them for life if they're too tough. My third Basenji could bit and the Basenji rescue person at that time, Margaret Hoff (1994) up here in Northern CA took him and I rescued him. He bit me once when he was sick. He growled a lot and liked to go after large dogs.
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The foster doesn't say how many time he has bitten, circumstances or severity. I think those factors should be weighed before just saying he's a biter. Any dog will bite if teased enough or cornered and I don't think a fear bite is reason to issue a death sentence. My gramma's B is a great example of this. Mellie bit three times, all when she was cornered, but hasn't even "smiled" at anyone since Gramma's had her.
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@AJs:
The foster doesn't say how many time he has bitten, circumstances or severity. I think those factors should be weighed before just saying he's a biter. Any dog will bite if teased enough or cornered and I don't think a fear bite is reason to issue a death sentence. My gramma's B is a great example of this. Mellie bit three times, all when she was cornered, but hasn't even "smiled" at anyone since Gramma's had her.
That's correct. What were the circumstances or reason for biting.
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You guys are correct that in a perfect world, a rescue or shelter SHOULD try to find out how and why the biting occurred. But we live in a lawsuit happy, cover your own a** type of world, not a perfect one. It's not advisable to try to place a "known biter" from a legal standpoint. I agree it sucks, probably more than anybody, given my story, but it is the way things are for the most part.
Thank goodness for the ones out there who will take a chance.
Miranda
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@AJs:
:eek:I've never heard of that!:eek: My understanding of BRAT is they try to rehab a dog and get it ready for a home…
I can't imagine they'd want to put such a young dog down without giving him a chance.
Just to clarify here, it is not Brat that has this dog or is considering putting it down. I thought I would post this because the way your post reads, at least to me, is that it would suggest although probably not intentionally that somehow Brat is involved.
Brat does attempt to rehab a dog and get it ready for a home so there should be no confusion there. Brat also screens the dogs they agree to take in, just like they do the people they place them with. Its not always an easy thing to do. Unfortunately they cannot save every dog. Hopefully that will clear up any confusion.
Unfortunately I do not know the whole story on this dog mentioned on Craig's list in Portland Or, but I would place a strong bet that someone from Brat in that area is already looking into the situation. If not they most likely will shortly. Again Brat tries but cannot save every dog.
I am sure that no one wants to jump to any conclusions here in regard to this animal. With a little investigation I am sure the facts will come out.
Jason
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Maybe Sharron know something about the situation and will post when she has a chance since she is in that area
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Good grief - 3 foster homes, another careless owner who left a Basenji in a backyard (just like my Bailey), and the dog is considered a liability! The Basenji is a puppy!
I've been through the wringer with my two Basenjis that come here with more behavior issues than I've ever had to deal with. A year later in a very loving and dog-friendly environment, my girls are different dogs. The puppy on Craigslist is workable. The fostermom is right not allowing the dog to be put down. Hopefully, someone will take a chance and take this puppy in. I've said it before, people can't always expect perfect with rescues. It takes work and dedication to help rescues overcome their bad behavior.
I hope someone steps up to the plate and gives the Basenji a home.
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This particular basenji was rescued by BRAT in ID and sent to a very experienced foster person in OR. She was bitten more than once, the last time requiring a visit to ER and stitches. Subsequent to that BRAT explained to the foster volunteer that we would not be able to place him. We offered her a "hold harmless" contract because she said her son might be willing to take him. Neither she nor anyone in BRAT wanted to see such a young basenji PTS but neither did we want the potential liability of his biting.
Less than one month ago his trainer took him home and signed the hold harmless. Now he is posted on CL. BRAT knows his history and no we cannot accept him a second time.
Liz Newton
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how very, very sad. There are cases where an animal just isn't "wired" right. Yes 10 months is awfully young, but sometimes things are apparant at even such a young age. Or perhaps he's just very misunderstood. Either way, I'd rather him be put to sleep than continue to be bounced from home to home or possibly do great damage to another owner or child. It does seem strange that his trainer is now offering him up for adoption one short month later. Surely he's not been rehabilitated in that time. Sad all the way around.
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Seems that BRAT has been involved with this particular pup…
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how very, very sad. There are cases where an animal just isn't "wired" right. Yes 10 months is awfully young, but sometimes things are apparant at even such a young age. Or perhaps he's just very misunderstood. Either way, I'd rather him be put to sleep than continue to be bounced from home to home or possibly do great damage to another owner or child. It does seem strange that his trainer is now offering him up for adoption one short month later. Surely he's not been rehabilitated in that time. Sad all the way around.
And I agree with you.. there are some that can not be "fixed"…. and we all have to accept that... and especially when they come from less the responsible breeders.
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He may have had some bad experiences defending himself when he was in that backyard situation. My first Basenji was first given to a family with very young kids and they tried putting her in the toilet. Let me tell you that dog was perfect except if a kid came in the house that was 2-3 feet tall. She would snarl warning the kid and if the kid got to close she would bite. I had a few kids experience that bite and got red spots on their cheeks. She wouldn't cause the skin to break but it would smart. There was no fixing it.
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It is really sad to see what lack of socialization can do to a dog. 8 months alone out in a backyard. Can you imagine how scary the world must be to him?
It takes a very special person to work with these dogs, and some of them can't even be brought around by that.
If he doesn't find the right home, that will help him navigate a world full of demons, the kindest thing would be for one of the fosters, who probably really do love him, to put him down and be there to set him free from those demons.
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For some of these dogs it isn't one thing, it is the whole deck was stacked against them. This boy most likely came from a puppy mill or BYB where he may not have had the best genetic start and then couple that with with a poor upbringing lacking in proper socialization, sold to whomever had the money and further deprived of socialization, he may have zero coping skills.
Rescue organizations have to think in terms of helping as many as they can. There will always dogs needing homes as long as there are irresponsible owners. An individual may be able to work with a dog like this one and rehab it but for a rescue group to do so they divert resources that could help many dogs and jeopardize their ability to help any dog if they take on a dog like this.
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Be nice if they could get him into a place like Best Friends in Utah.
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The CL post didn't say anything about BRAT having already been involved or enough of the history. It's a little more clear now. I agree, one month doesn't seem long enough to rehab him. I hope he has a future…but it's not looking good.
For the record, I wasn't passing judgment on BRAT. I was just confused by the apparent lack of interest because of how the CL post was worded.
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Okay, I have one of those Basenjis that was living in a backyard for almost a year with no socialization - she is also from the horrible breeder in AR. Ivoss made reference to the fact my B's parents were F carriers. In one year, a visit to ER and 15 stitches in my leg, and days when I thought she was a demon, Bailey has become a lovely dog. I couldn't ask for a sweeter Basenji. It takes time.
Anyone heading this way from California? I would take the Basenji in a moment.
A dog like the one on Craigslist can be helped, but the B can't be shuffled around from home to home.
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Vicki,
If you want this dog email me right away at bennyburnerbono at aol dot com.
