ADVICE FROM DIANE JESSUP

Author of
THE WORKING PIT BULL, COLBY'S BOOK OF THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER,
THE DOG WHO SPOKE WITH GODS.

Animal Control Officer for sixteen years. International speaker on Canine Aggression. Advisor: Animal Farm Foundation, Inc. Breed expert and trainer with over sixty titles achieved. Expert witness.

SPECIAL NEEDS DOG EVALUATION & PLACEMENT

When evaluating the character of special needs dogs, like those of certain high drive-working breeds, the following ideas may be helpful:

STEP ONE: Ascertain unacceptable behaviors toward humans. These behaviors include:

· severe shyness
· high defense drive
· extreme dominance
· extreme prey drive

STEP TWO: Ascertain unacceptable behaviors toward other animals. These behaviors include:

· extreme predatory drive toward livestock or wildlife which cannot be controlled by training or   appropriate containment.
· extreme aggression toward other canines which cannot be controlled by training or appropriate   containment.

This will identify the dogs that SHOULD NOT be offered for placement.

STEP THREE: Ascertain acceptable levels of "problem behaviors" and your organizations ability to address them and then determine appropriate placement criteria based upon this. These behaviors would include:

· aggression or predatory behavior toward cats/livestock
· aggression toward other dogs
· protective aggression toward strangers.

IDENTIFYING HIGH RISK OWNERS

It is important to screen dogs being placed for adoption, but it is more important to screen the owners. While a "generic Golden Retriever may walk out the shelter door with the worst of owners and never cause major problems in the neighborhood, it is equally true that a member of a "fad breed", a special needs dog, or even an aggressive dog can walk out the door with a responsible, experienced or educated owner and end up being a credit to his/her breed and a benefit to the neighborhood. It is important to remember one fact - when a dog menaces bites or kills a human being; it is directly caused by the owner allowing the dog to get into a position to do so. A dog's level of "dangerousness" is directly related to how it is allowed to interact with environment. A highly territorial dog who is kept confined behind a secure fence and walked on a leash is not dangerous. The same dog allowed running the neighborhood unattended is. The dog owner determines the dog's dangerousness. That is why owner screening is more important than dog screening.

What is a high-risk owner, and how do you identify them? A high-risk owner can best be described as someone who appears likely to allow a dog to be a problem to the community. An appropriate owner for a "generic" dog may well be a high risk owner if given a special needs dog about which they are uneducated or uninitiated. When considering whether or not a person is an appropriate candidate for a "fad" or special needs dog, the following conditions should alert the staff that their adoption candidate may well meet the criteria of a high risk owner:

a) does not have a six foot high, secure fence (possibly under-wired for diggers).
b) has a "busy" household with small children coming and going with their friends.
c) appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or otherwise have impaired reasoning or has     a criminal record.
d) believes dogs can be "trained to stay home".
e) believes "their kids can do anything to the dog and it better not bite them".
f) is on record as having had a dog picked up, or been cited for allowing it to run at large.
g) has a history of exploiting animals, such as breeding members of "fad breeds" or is a known animal    collector.
h) wants to adopt an adult do g with no known history (stray) to take home with children without first    bringing the children (other family dog(s) to the shelter to see how the dog reacts).
i) is adopting the dog on impulse because it is cute, instead of research which breed is best for his or    her situation.
j) first time owner who has not researched the breed and its attributes and challenges.
k) multiple dog owner who is not cognizant or willing to responsibly manage intra-species and other    animal aggression should it manifest over time.
l) "moves" a lot and the dog may fall victim to rental discrimination or local breed laws.

SOME SAMPLE POLICIES APPROVED BY ANIMAL FARM FOUNDATION, INC.

There are steps which a rescue or shelter can take which should result in a low level of risk to the dog, the new adopter and the community. These steps are:

1) Screen the dog for signs of abnormal character. Eliminate the dogs in Step 1 and 2 category.     Never place dogs who manifest human-aggression.
2) Determine available appropriate homes in your community. Place only true ambassadors in     appropriate homes and they will create an expanded group of new adopters.
3) Honestly evaluate and measure your intentions with respect to your mission and your financial and     staff ability to implement.
4) Shelter these dogs with attention to their need for human contact, mental stimulation, daily     exercise, and intra-species socialization when appropriate with properly matched dogs.
5) Work with rescue, local experts and Pit Bull Rescue Central to open appropriate markets for true     ambassadors.
6) Screen the prospective adopter for "high risk" characteristics (see above). Select appropriate     adopters for true ambassadors.

a) provide accurate breed information detailing the virtues as well as the challenges of the breed.     Refer adopter to appropriate books and sites detailed in Animal Farm Foundation, Inc. brochure.
b) Do a vet check with particular attention to the spaying/neutering and final disposition of previous     pets.
c) Do not place dogs in a home where small children may be left unattended with any dog.
d) Do not place same-sex dogs. Recommend that dogs not be left alone together unsupervised.
e) Do require adopter enroll in basic obedience training. Encourage continued training and/or    participation in dog sport activities for the higher energy dogs.
f) Do a home check on adopters of "fad breed" or special needs dogs. Require fencing adequate to    contain the particular dog. Determine that the adopter will leash walk or otherwise provide ample    controlled exercise.
g) Make sure the potential adopter's community has fair, enforceable and enforced dangerous dog    laws, which encourage responsible dog ownership. And not bred specific legislation.
h) Introduce family members and other pets before taking a new pet home. Give advice about     dog-proofing your home and suggest taking everything slowly for the honeymoon period.
i) Provide follow up assistance and monitor the success of your adoption.

7) Appropriately educate your community, its leaders and the local media to the experts agreement    that Breed Specific Legislation doesn't work and will not solve the problem of dangerous dogs.
8) Spay, neuter immunize and microchip.
9) Incentivize spay/neuter programs in the community.
10) Implement a "Give a Dog His Day" program if you can't give him a new home.

If you follow this order of assessment, you will immediately eliminate dogs who manifest any sign of human aggression and dogs which are uncontrollably aggressive toward other animals. Behaviors that fall into Step 3 category are manageable, but successful placement of these dogs is entirely dependent on the kind, quality and number of available homes and we recommend first placement go to the best of the true ambassadors.