Tavi's re-homing failure.

[JFALCONER]

Well we are back to square one with trying to find Tavi a new home. We thought we had thie perfect fit for Tavi when we returned him to his previous owner but strange events have conspired against him. I'll explain...

Prior to finding a new home for Tavi my daughter privately messaged a few of her friends, who she knew were dog advocates, to help us find Tavi a new home. She disclosed that Tavi had an unprovoked biting incident involving our neighbour, and that neighbour told us that we have to find Tavi a new home. We agreed. No formal complaint was filed.

Enter Verna. Tavi's original owner who agreed to take him back. We were elated.

Enter Sally, who happens to be the neighbour of Tavi's original owner and coincedently, one of the friends whom my daughter had messaged asking for her help. Sally freaks. She and her children now are living next door to a dog that bites without provocation. She contacts Animal Control and files a complaint and is told that because the complaint is third party, there is nothing that can be done unless the victim reports the incident or we report it.

We know Sally. She is a concerned mother. She asks us to file a complaint against Tavi. While we understand why she asked, we told her that we don't feel comfortable doing that. She understands.

4 days pass...Enter Animal Control. They call us and say that there has been a formal complaint filed against Tavi. Animal Control want to hear my side of the story. I'm reluctant to give details not knowing who filed the complaint so I decline. Animal Control provides me with enough info to convince me that it was our neighbours who filed the complaint.

Animal Control then informs me that Verna has not re-registered herself as Tavi's new owner which means that if there is another incident involving Tavi we are still the owner of note and are liable.

I call Verna and ask why she hasn't changed ownership of Tavi. Her mother just passed away so she has had other things on her mind. I fill her in on the situation with the complaint and ask for Tavi back until there is a resolution to the complaint...she agrees. Tavi is back with us. Buying a muzzle tomorrow. Getting a veterinarian to do a behavioral assessment and will find out what designation Animal Control will place on Tavi.

 

[Bailey's Mom]

I am so sorry. I understand everyone's point of view, but, it's hard when you are trying to save a dog's life. And, unfortunately, the officials don't care if there is a reasonable explanation or if the dog was protecting itself or its family from attack, it's all black and white paperwork to them. We've had lots of experience with my daughter's dogs, and, unfortunately, early this year, we had to put the Rottie down due to repeated close calls and a few nips. People were terrified of her, and we tried everything in the book, expended huge amounts of money, but nothing helped. In the end, she was a dangerous dog and I couldn't in good conscience advocate for her anymore. I really was afraid that she'd maim a child eventually, and it was something I could stop from happening by facing the inevitable. I know I couldn't have faced my neighbours if one of their children had been hurt. I just couldn't.

You are in the same boat, I think, but you have never indicated that Tavi had ever had any other outburst. Was there any history? Any history at all? Any history with his previous owner? And, a question (a series of questions) I didn't ask before, you said you were letting your EM out to relieve itself and that Tavi squeezed past you at the door and started into play-like behaviour with the EM, how did Tavi reach your neighbour? Is there no fence separating your yards? Was your neighbour trespassing in your yard? Did Tavi jump a fence? Had Tavi ever had any contact with this neighbour in the past? The wound you described earlier was two puncture holes...more like a nip, but a bite is a bite is a bite. I'd just like to know because everywhere we've looked, as other members noted, they don't want to take aggressive dogs with a bite history.

One more thought, brought up by members in another thread, where did Tavi come from originally? Where did the original owner acquire the dog? Was it a breeder? Is the dog a registered purebred? If Tavi came from a breeder, there is a chance that the contract stated they have an obligation to the dog or at least a first right of refusal for the dog should the owner wish to surrender it.

I'm hoping we can help...I have a few days off this week...maybe I can dig up some place out west, but my earlier research showed very limited possibilities. Still...we'll all keep trying. Keep your chin up.

 

[Boxergirl]

I'm really sorry you're again in this difficult position. What kind of muzzle did you buy and have your ever muzzle trained before? I think management is of the utmost importance now, and a muzzle is a good place to start. Ultimately I don't think it makes a difference what the circumstances are surrounding the bite. It's a liability issue for rescues and any bite, even if we want to call it a nip, is unacceptable if there was no provocation. I don't suppose the neighbor will allow you to keep Tavi if you visit a behaviorist and take appropriate measures to muzzle and manage him? Do you feel comfortable that this won't happen again to someone in your own home?

 

[Bailey's Mom]

I do understand Boxergirl's point, but, if I'm to try and find another home or another foster situation for Tavi, I need to know the backstory, the provocation, if any. I need to be able to tell the group or rescue what they are dealing with or what the liabilities are, be they minor or major. It's all well and good the muzzle...I've been down that road with the daughter's dogs, and I can tell you there is a perception to anyone looking at you and the dog that you have some intrinsic moral failing. I've met that hatred and fear on the street and I've paid, Paid, PAID, through the nose to try and protect them from...everyone else's vicious attacks. And, I'm not immune to the effect myself, long before my daughter's dogs caused problems, I had to face down my fear of the Pitbull that lives behind me...also, he had to wear a muzzle, even though he never, not once, in his life, hurt anyone. But, it's the breed...the fanatical, hysterical reaction to the name. Oh, I overcame my fears and got to know the dog, and he's a terrific sweety...wouldn't harm a hair on any living creature. But you'll feel it...you'll face the public repudiation, and, you already know, based on what you've said, that the complaint came from your next door neighbour, not from a "third party."

Yes, try the behaviourist...yes, negotiate, if possible, a friendly outcome with your neighbour, but realize you will face people who will claim, without cause, that your dog is a vicious attack dog. If he's had no history, has always been sweet, is friendly and outgoing, you need to help people understand that. It's a bit of an uphill climb, but education, as with all types of prejudice, is your only shield.

As noted above, I have four days off this week, and I'm going to bend a few ears and make connections out in BC. What doesn't help you, will create a data base for others in your province.

 

[DennasMom]

Boo. So sorry.
Too bad the concerned mother wasn't interested in learning all the details before she went "NIMBY".
Maybe they should have come to meet Tavi and THEN determine if he was something 'dangerous' to have nearby... there are SO many variables to dog bites.
But, fear is a big driver in many of them... so if the mom is afraid, that would be a very bad situation for Tavi if he ever got out over there and was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Interesting that the neighbor didn't let you know about the complaint potential before he filed it. Not very neighborly.

Hopefully the temperament test goes well. Not sure what all the categories are, but I hope it's something everyone can live with and Tavi can stay with you.
Bailey's Mom asked some good questions - if you are able to keep Tavi, I'd put fencing and border training, along with threshold training (i.e. no squirting out doorways) at the top of the list for things to do to 'manage' his future adventures.
Let us know how it goes!

 

[Bailey's Mom]

Boo. So sorry.
Too bad the concerned mother wasn't interested in learning all the details before she went "NIMBY".
Maybe they should have come to meet Tavi and THEN determine if he was something 'dangerous' to have nearby... there are SO many variables to dog bites.
But, fear is a big driver in many of them... so if the mom is afraid, that would be a very bad situation for Tavi if he ever got out over there and was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Interesting that the neighbor didn't let you know about the complaint potential before he filed it. Not very neighborly.

Hopefully the temperament test goes well. Not sure what all the categories are, but I hope it's something everyone can live with and Tavi can stay with you.
Bailey's Mom asked some good questions - if you are able to keep Tavi, I'd put fencing and border training, along with threshold training (i.e. no squirting out doorways) at the top of the list for things to do to 'manage' his future adventures.
Let us know how it goes!

Yes, here's hoping that all testing and negotiations go well. Keeping Tavi is the best outcome for everyone, especially the dog because he loves his family and his family loves him.

And, yes, I am still waiting for the answers to my questions. I have sent a pm to Falconcer, with request for personal details, so that I can interface with HS and other rescue groups. And I've initiated contact with the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies and their two agencies in BC. Hopefully, they will be able to point out rescue and fostering resources that fly below the radar, but are willing and able to help out for this family's and Tavi's sake.

 

[JFALCONER]

Apologies for not answering your questions but I have been advised not to provide any more details regarding Tavi. Litigation is in the air.

 

[Bailey's Mom]

I understand. I spent 15 years as a Court Reporter and know the smell all too well. I will PM you with any resources that I uncover.