nawnim

This story is also being discussed on the cruelty and abuse forum and I read there that the animals were shot in front of each other. I quote from a post by Sheepia: "Surely it's illegal for local councils in Australia to shoot surrendered dogs (in front of each other). Don't they have to use a vet?" Other posters here have tried to minimize the cruelty angle but I am appalled, and it is not that it was done in normal operating hours either. What sort of a society are we? I am glad the RSPCA is investigating and I hope something useful comes out of it. Those poor dogs and all the others we don't get to hear about.

Hi GeckoTree, Hope it's not too OT but I'm interested to know what the 4 main reasons for dog theft are.

The damage to the people in the car might not just be emotional. They, or their passengers, could be killed or seriously injured, especially if they swerve to avoid a dog which would be many people's reflex action.

If danger to the public is the main concern I don't understand why the RSPCA has become involved.

How is it done? Presumably there is no vet nurse to hold the dog still to make sure the bullet goes in the right place. In these outback places if a prize stud animal became ill a vet would be called out. Why can't a vet be called for these poor unwanted animals too. Or does it all come down to cost?

Does it only matter if it can be seen by the general public? Does it not matter if it happens where no-one can see it? Cruelty is cruelty wherever it occurs. Giving a dog a hiding is cruelty. IMHO

So awful. Perhaps I am naive but would the waiting dogs have seen what was happening to their fellows?

I don't understand why Tank's unmarked body was dumped at the side of the road. Does anybody have any information on his autopsy yet? It's all very sad and I can understand and sympathize with people's reactions even if it does seem at times to perhaps be over the top. I would want to keep my dogs safe too and would go to any lengths to do so.

No one is saying belting a dog out of frustration is ok. But the idea that a dog will never understand a smack or it will never work is incorrect. There is a difference between taking your dog out the back after a show and laying into it, and a short, sharp smack on the rump when you catch the dog with their head in the kitty litter. The latter, if timed correctly WILL punish the behaviour and the dog will associate it with the behaviour you want to deter. The smack doesn't hurt more than discomfort, and serves much more to startle the dog than anything else. Like I said, I'm not promoting smacking as a be all and end all, it's only really useful in a very small amount of situations, but I disagreed with the notion that a dog will never understand a smack or learn from it, no matter what the scenario. All dogs are different. Some have very soft temperaments while others are tougher. Catching a dog in the act and delivering a smart reprimand (whatever that may be) can be very effective. A swift tap on the rump with a verbal reprimand when a dog has its head in the rubbish bin can stop the undesirable behaviour with some dogs. Others just need the verbal reprimand. A wise owner knows the difference.

Wonder what will happen to the dog. Will it end up at the pound?

Thankyou SSM. Your reply is helpful. I agree it does create a bad impression on members of the general public just passing by, but I think it probably wasn't worth reporting. At that show I felt that some show people did not really treasure their beautiful dogs which made me sad, but that's me I guess. If the owners had been there I might have said something and then probably been abused, but I always speak up if I think an animal is being abused and is with its owner. I would definitely say something if I saw aomeone physically abusing a dog as in the opening post or as described in cowanbree's post.

In theory all dogs should be trained and kept behind fences but in actuality there is a difference between being charged by a 4 kilo SWF and a 40 kilo BBB (Big Black Bruiser). ETA I have changed Brawny to Bruiser which I think sounds better and still conveys the meaning I want.

I had a foster dog, a Maltese cross, that did this after he had been desexed. I think it was a learned behaviour. It was embarrassing to me(not him LOL).

Once you know there is likely to be a loose dog somewhere just don't go there. You are not going to change the owner's behaviour. Why let yourself (and your dog) become stressed. It's not worth it. IMHO

Once at a purebred dog show I saw what I considered to be cruelty but I am not sure whether others would agree, and I'm also not sure whether it is off topic. I saw three beagles in a wire crate big enough for one. One dog was actually sitting on top of the other two. Presumably they had been in this situation for some time and the people around were aware. I said nothing mainly because there was no-one with the dogs. Also because I was too chicken. I have often thought about it since and wished I had said something. Is this sort of thing normal at dog shows? And is it okay?

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Hullo - I'm very terrible at breed identification. She definitely looks like she has terrier in her but her ball ways reminded me a lot of a border collie :) We have way way way too many photos of our two dogs - it's almost embarrassing. We show up at Casey Dog Park every week at around 10 am in case she ever wants to play with my two again - Elbie is the ball mad of our two. Hoover, the other dog just likes chasing. We frequently take photos and videos of the doggies :) Thanks for the invite :) but Casey is a bit too far for us.

Hi That's my little girl at the front of the line, the super focussed one who is ball crazy. What breed (other than Hairy MacLary) do you think she most resembles? She was from the RSPCA. She really enjoyed herself that day and thankyou KoalaTheBear for the photo. I don't have many. PD

Sorry wrong place

It is of course good to have something different but according to my rule book (which is old I admit) "all verbal commands must be in the English language unless appproved otherwise by the judge." :)

Go

What about the 11 year old cattle dog (Kelly) that went to the RSPCA frpm DAS last week?

+1

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deleted. Sorry posting is too stressful