CO boxer needs help asap

[mtndan]

Hello from Durango, Colorado. About 6 weeks ago we rescued
a beautiful 4 year old boxer from an abuse/neglect
situation. Oscar has the most wonderful heart and spirit.

But, because of his past trauma (was hit by a neighbor with
sticks and a shovel and was chained up 12 hours a day), he
is unpredictable and just yesterday bit our friend badly on
the face. He has snapped at people 4 times since we've had
him, and neither we nor our dog trainer can see any
identifiable trigger that causes him to react that way.

What happened yesterday is our friend was quietly petting
him, and Oscar was licking his face, wagging his tail and
seemed fine. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Oscar jumped
up and bit his face.

We realize that we can't keep Oscar with this behavior, as
we want to have kids and a dog we can trust with a baby and
our friends. Unfortunately we both work full-time and our lifestyle does not permit all the attention Oscar needs. From the people we have talked to here, he
doesn't have many options. We can't stand the thought of
having to euthanize him.

If anyone knows of a sanctuary or home where an animal like Oscar could live out his life, please let us know.

Thank you so much,

Dan and Paige

 

[Sabrina Jay]

The first thing I would do is take him into your vets office for a general checkup. Run a thyroid (complete panel) first, snd a complete blood profile. If that comes back OK, then I would look further into what medically *could* be causing this. If nothing medical is found, you have no choice, but to euthanize him, if you do not keep him yourself, and learn to deal with his aggression, which sounds unpredictable. For the same reasons, you are not comfortable keeping him, is the same reasons he shouldn't be placed. He is a liability issue. He can not be placed into another home. He is a time-bomb, waiting to go off.

Hopefully, there is an undetected medical condition that is going on, that can be corrected. If not, you know what you must do, if you are not willing to keep him yourself.

I know this sounds harsh, and its not meant that way. We (as in rescue), have had to euthanize 3 or 4 this year, because of similar problems you are having. Its not an easy choice, but the correct one.

 

[ninersneal]

I agree with Sabrina, get him to a vet and look for any medical conditions that could cause this. I had a male who was a generally a great dog but unpredictably aggressive. I couldn't bear to give him up and knew it wasn't from past abuse as we had him since he was a pup. One day he became sick and died. They thought he might have been diabetic but we don't really know what happened, he was only 4. Good luck

 

[Deby]

I took in an unpredictable biter...

a few years ago. He had biten his owner quite badly when she tried to break up a bitch fight and ended up in the hosp. Six months after I took him in, I had him put to sleep. He would be fine one minute and would just snap for no reason. The final straw was when he went after a 1 yo baby who was just sitting on the floor. The dog came in the room, saw the baby and went after him. Thankfully I had him leashed and prevented any damage. The next day I sent him to the Bridge.

Your dog has no place in society. Please, take the high road and take him to the vet to be put down. How would you feel if you placed him and he hurt or killed someone? a child maybe?

Deby

 

[Aimee]

Re: I took in an unpredictable biter...

Originally posted by Deby
Your dog has no place in society. Please, take the high road and take him to the vet to be put down. How would you feel if you placed him and he hurt or killed someone? a child maybe?

Deby

I would first check to be sure there isn't a medical reason behind this. I think you could then without guilt euthanize him. Dogs that have been abused to that extent unfortunantly don't have many options in life and put into the hands of the wrong person can only suffer more. I agree with Sabrina that this dog is a liability option and I'm sure there isn't a rescue around willing to touch this one. I'm sorry for your predicament but may I ask where you got him from and did you know about this when you took him in?

 

[Astoreen]

There is a Boxer rescue located in Colorado.......in Denver. The web address for them is www.hobocare.com.

I'm sorry that he bit your friend but could there possibly be a medical reason, as someone mentioned before? It wouldn't hurt to have a vet look into this before you make a final decision to give him up or put him down.

I do wish you the best of luck and am glad that I am not in your position.

Trishia

 

[Sabrina Jay]

No ethical rescue group will take a dog with a bite history.

As far as a no-kill shelter........concept is great, but in reality, he would be with other dogs (how does he do in large packs??) and there are humans that do take care of the animals...so again, he will be a liability issue.

A shelter will euthanize him immediatly.

Take him to your vet, get a complete workup on him........then make your decision. If nothing is found medically wrong, it is up to YOU to do the right thing. Its better for you to do this instead of him going to the bridge with strangers. This is the last loving thing you can do for him.

If you try to find a home for him on your own, dump him somewhere, etc, and he harms someone, you will still be held liable.

 

[smueller]

RE: CO Boxer needs help

I don't know if you have found a home yet, but I know of a place in Durango called Annie's Orphans at 1630 CR 214 that is a multi-breed rescue home. You might see if they are in the phone book or drive by.