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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDog loving man adopts Rottweiler. Gets killed by the dog a few hours later.
What is infuriating about this story is that the dog was a stray and under Tennessee law the shelter had no obligation, after they fed and housed the dog for three days, to test it or even to give it a rabies vaccination. So they have no idea whether this "adoptable" dog was healthy, vaccinated, or had the personality to be a good adoption candidate.
The shelter people say their prayers go out to the family. They owe the family a lot more than that.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/11/17/animal-loving-man-killed-newly-adopted-dog/75910376/
During the three days, the animals are fed and watered, but not examined or tested, Tedford said. If unclaimed, they are then put online for adoption. Vaccinations and spaying or neutering are arranged by the owner after adoption.
Adrienne Riggs said policies should be changed for Rabies Control, including evaluating the animals over a period of time.
They dont assess the dogs, they dont vet them, they dont evaluate them, they just adopt them out, she said. You just cant put a dog that may be dangerous out with an unsuspecting family. Thats just wrong.
SNIP
Weve never had this happen before through our Rabies Control office, she said. We certainly hope its something that never happens again. Our prayers and thoughts certainly go out to the family.
According to his ex-wife, Anthony Riggs was a good man who loved animals and was loved by them.
He never hesitated to be with dogs, Adrienne Riggs said. Sometimes I thought he related to dogs better than to people.
virgogal
(10,178 posts)daleanime
(17,796 posts)and really should have been checked out.
Rex
(65,616 posts)I wonder if he tried to play with it and the dog thought it was being attacked? Feral anythings are a risk.
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)after only having it for three days and not checking either its health or testing for its emotional stability. Or even giving it standard vaccinations!
Every dog that leaves Seattle shelters is neutered, vaccinated, and thoroughly screened. I had assumed this was done everywhere.
Rex
(65,616 posts)5 year old feral large breed. Not a good idea to adopt it out imo.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)or he could have fed it and got to close to the food bowl.
Anyway, an older full adult unneutered male of the 'guard type breeds' should only go to an experienced breed rescue group. Not general adoption.
valerief
(53,235 posts)Sunlei
(22,651 posts)pnwmom
(108,980 posts)LisaL
(44,973 posts)The irony here is rich. They are supposed to control rabies, yet they adopt out un-vaccinated animals. How is that going to control rabies?
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)LisaL
(44,973 posts)Maybe the dog did have rabies? He killed the guy then bit the two women.