Update from Debbi from BRAT….........
This situation did not occur overnight. The SPCA has been working on this
for years. The dogs' owner generally has not been breeding to sell the dogs.
If the dogs were being sold, authorities might have been able to do
something about the situation earlier, since selling legally requires health
certificates and vetting.
Some of the dogs may not appear to be pure basenjis, but their appearance
may be a result of the introduction to his pack of some of the African
bloodlines inported in the late 80's and subsequent.
If you would like to know more about the African Stock Project and see
pictures of basenjis within the project that show variations similar to the
confiscated group, please browse through this site:
http://www.basenji.org/african/project.htm
In the past, we have rescued a number of basenjis from this individual,
either directly or through the SPCA. BRAT fosters that have come from this
individual very often have had characteristics of the more recent African
bloodlines that are discussed and pictured on that site. The confiscated
dogs may have similar color variations, looser tails, bigger ears, thicker
coats, larger sizes and thicker bones to go proportionally with their larger
size.
The mature dogs will obviously need very careful handling to become
socialized with humans. Even some of the fairly young puppies from this
individual have demonstrated behavioral issues and fear when not carefully
introduced to their new environments. Though most of the fosters from this
individual were placed into the SPCA or rescue at a fairly early age, at
least one mature foster from this individual was rehabilitated into a
normal, doggy-park frequenting basenji that enjoys hiking, camping,
beaching, and visiting extended family and friends.
Even though their future may be much different from what they have always
known, with the right help, it can still be a bright and pleasant future.
Debbi Johnson
BRAT Treasurer & Director
Germantown, TN
debbijbasenjirescue@comcast.net
