Rescue dog! Big let down!

jimmyjimsgin

I thank you soooooooooo much :T
I am absolutely stunned by some of the messages, I didnt realise people would judge me so severely and assume I am a bad animal owner, irresponisible etc. i ahve been utterly shocked by some of the responses. I rang the RSPCA and the lady there was horrified at the attack but more shocked at the charitys lack of goodwill/professionalism.

The one good thing is that we considered a second dog for my family very carefully, we are a dog owning family for years and years, totally aware of responsibilities. I visited the vets today and explained some of the messages on the forum and he assured me that being a responsible dog owner sometimes means doing the difficult things ie returning the dog due to safety issues etc. I f we had kept the dog and it killed my dog or injured somebody I would have blamed myself as I knew previously of the dogs behavior tendancies. I think that the assessments have clearly let me down if not why didnt the charity forward the assessment to my vet when requested? They have not contacted me apart from the original bully phone call from the trustee. I believe that the £175 should be returned or at least part (expenses removed) bearing in mind that they resold the dog quickly afterwards. Thank youf or your comments, I feel like some people believe that i am a ridiculous dog owner, without a clue or a care for animals and are quite happy to make quite savage comments. I only wanted to see what I should do that is all.

Dancing_Shoes wrote: »

I have worked with 3 rescue centres (one being very well known) and if this situation had occured although it is normal policy not to refund they would have refunded in this situation. You are correct, taking on a rescue animal is a very serious committment and I am sure the op was aware of this (they already have a dog so the usual excuses don't apply). The rescue centre have managed to rehome this animal therefore the usual "we are a charity" doesn't apply as they have had their money back for the dog already
The op isn't talking about a dog urinating in the house they are talking about a very serious incident which could have been soooo much worse. We had lots of people who changed their minds and wanted a refund but the ops vet has spoken to them so they are aware that this isn't an excuse. The op doesn't need to be preached about the rights and wrongs of pet ownership, he was already an owner and still is an owner:rolleyes:, what happened would be what we would have advised (returning the dog) we would not have advised that they "see how it goes", the op's original dog could have been killed...how many people would have said that he was then an irresponsible owner for keeping the rescue dog:rolleyes:

ihatecaptcha

Dancing_Shoes wrote: »

I have worked with 3 rescue centres (one being very well known) and if this situation had occured although it is normal policy not to refund they would have refunded in this situation.

The rescue centre would perhaps be wise to stop calling it a non-refundable donation and treat it as a rehoming fee, and state the exact circumstances in which a refund of the fee might apply. Then it would be clear to both sides that it was not a sale and the Sale of Goods Act didn't apply.

I don't think a rescue centre should be held liable for the behaviour of rehomed dogs. It should be clearly understood on both sides that the dogs' behaviour can be unpredictable. Personally if I was running a rescue centre I'd never in a million years place a dog in a family with a young child. The rescue centre was in the wrong to do that, in my opinion, but it's equally wrong to link that with a refund. That's treating it as a sale, and I just don't think that's right.

we would not have advised that they "see how it goes", the op's original dog could have been killed...how many people would have said that he was then an irresponsible owner for keeping the rescue dog:rolleyes:

Far worse than that could have happened, but the risk was there from the start, and should have been clear to both sides. The rescue centre needs to be helped and straightened out about their practices, not taken to court and sued.

MrsTinks

I nearly posted on this originally - but I went away and thought about it. There are a couple of points I'd like to make - some relevant to the OPs actual question and some I'm afraid are personal views and oppinons of the incident - not infact something the OP asked for

Should the rescue repay the adoption fee... does the paperwork state that they will if you return the dog due to being unsuitable? If not then I doubt you have much legal recourse here... sorry... should they morally? Maybe... I say maybe because I've been in rescue too and you wouldn't believe the number of dogs returned for various reasons. One way to prevent this is to have a strict "no refund" policy. I'm not saying I agree with it! Just how it works... and bear in mind most rescues operate on a VERY narrow margin. Taking your dog back in unexpectedly may have meant they had to put another dog in kennels where they had to pay to accomodate your dog - it isn't always as simple as it looks...

The "other" bit... the dog could have never laid teeth on a dog before, never shown signs of going to and it may never do so again! Like people they sometimes do things for no apparent reason, or something not obvious to other could trigger a reaction out of proportion. This poor hound has been taken from his safe pack, stuck in loud, noisy, smelly kennels - if anything like my dog he'd have been extreemly stressed by the experience! - and suddenly he finds himself living in another dogs territory... His stress levels must have been through the roof! He could have passed any temperament test with flying colours and still had this happen - call it the "unknown" factor or whatever you like...
Now I adopted my dog knowing she had a host of problems... the RSPCA let me after lengthy discussions, home checks, several visits to the rescue to ensure I knew just what I was taking on. 3 years down the line she's far from perfect but when I take her back to visit they often ask if it's really her? Because she's 99% improved on what she was... Yes she still has issues but we're continuing to work on them and whilst one of them is other dogs it means no 2nd dog for us... ironically she gets on with 75% of dogs (compared to 0% when we got her!) but my fear for her is that she might start off the other dog and create the "pack attack" on an unsuspecting dog whilst out walking... something I'm not willing to risk.
I'm not saying you did wrong, or that the rescue did. I wasn't there, I didn't see it and I haven't dealt with the rescue... Making judgements is easy from behind a laptop - and often you have to remember that you can't accurately portray the visciousness of the attack or the fear that rushed through your veins... and that should be remembered from both sides... both yours in that the replies you got may seem harsh because they will be based on the snippets you have posted here and the posters own experiences, and likewise others should remember that they are only seeing a small tiny written picture of a very dramatic event and aftermath...

Personally I would write one more strongly worded letter to the chair person of the charity - and then put the experience in the "history file". If you get a refund then WOOHOO, if not you shouldn't waste any more energy on being angry and bitter - these things happen in life unfortunately...

RacyRed

The bit that worries me about all this is the attitude of the rescue people.

jimmyjimsgin considered carefully before offering a rescue dog a home, asked the right questions and advised the rescue people of her circumstances and requirements. No doubt there was a home visit and jimmyjimsgin ensured that her existing dog and the possible dog met before bringing the new one home.

jimmyjimsgin understandably relied on the rescue people to home a suitable dog with her family, most people, experienced with dogs or not, would do that, purely because the rescue organisation would have assessed and have a better knowledge of the dogs in their care. It went badly wrong and in the circumstances jimmyjimsgin felt that she could no longer rehome that particular dog. I would have had the same reservations in those circumstances.

It was at that point that, in my view, the rescue people made the most serious errors. jimmyjimsgin should not have been subjected to rude and inconsiderate treatment after having undergone such a traumatic experience and doing the responsible thing, which was to contact the rescue and explain to them that this particular re-home attempt hadn't worked.

I do not for the life of me understand why the rescue people offended a responsible re-homer because of their refusal to accept that, on this occasion, it hadn't worked. jimmyjimsgin MUST have been viewed as responsible or she wouldn't have been offered a dog in the first place!

It very much sounds as if she was given the dog considered to be most in need of a home rather than the dog most suited to her family. Bad practice, and one that costs many stray animals good homes. Each time rescues send unsuitable animals out then "keep their fingers crossed" that the new owners will become fond of the animal before there is any trouble, they increase the mistrust and caution felt towards rescue animals, resulting in fewer potential new owners coming forward.

I can also understand how jimmyjimsgin has become caught up with the refund situation. She sent the dog back with more than it arrived with and she was obviously willing to consider an alternative dog but it sounds as if she wasn't offered this option but was subjected to rudeness and arrogance instead . Of course she now feels as if she has been taken for a mug.

This isn't a matter of money, it is a point of principle, insisting on the refund is the only option jimmyjimsgin has left open to her to make the rescue own up to its responsibility of care, not only for dogs but also for potential re-homers.

As we all know too well, there are more animals in need of a home than there are homes to be had. Shame on that rescue for potentially ending what could have been a lifetime's worth of offering happy homes for rescues with jimmyjimsgin and her family. That is a far greater loss than £175 to one rescue organisation would be.

There is NEVER an excuse for rudeness. That rescue ought to be thoroughly ashamed of itself.

Frugalista

Well said RacyRed :T:T:T:T:T - jimmyjimsgin has been treated absolutely appallingly!

usernameisvalid

I agree - well put Racyred

dawnie1972

Jimmyjimsgin - are u able to pm me the name of the rescue u have dealt with.
I have done a lot of work with rescues myself, but on the other hand I am also the owner of 3 rescue dogs. What rescues do with regards to rehoming dogs is a very difficult job - how do you assess a dog and ensure that assessment is 100% reliable, we do not know how dogs are feeling/thinking etc. I once worked for a rescue and after seeing their assessment vowed i would never get a dog from them. On the other hand (as a dog owner) i have a 6yr old staff x lab, i rehomed him as a 12 week old puppy. He has issues with men (i don't know why), he has also been attacked by TWO black labs and a great dane. Despite this he is the softest gentlest dog u could wish for in a home. HOWEVER, even after 6yrs i cannot read him, i do not know what he is thinking/feeling when out in public and only last week he "made contact" with my friends dog - in the past he's always had "issues" with male dogs - this dog was female. ANY dog has the ability to attack at ANY time. One thing i was wondering - u mentioned u'd got ear drops for the dog u rehomed - this may have had some bearing on the attack - he may not have been feeling well etc. Having said all this it does not excuse how you have been treated by the rescue. Are you able to find out how they assess dogs and how long they keep dogs for once they are received into the rescue before they are put up for rehoming?

Joyful

jimmyjimsgin

I hope you're dog is recovering well. I had a similar situation years ago. I rescued a puppy ( about 4 months) that someone was about to put into kennels. It was lovable but kept blocking my then 7 year old dog when she needed to enter the house. We thought this would pass but one day when my dog entered the house the puppy went for her and pulled a lump of skin from her throat. The vet advised after that had happened that there was a dominance issue and especially as my dog then started to become afraid of the pup we were to get it rehomed with a family with no dogs. In your situation I would certainly not have kept the dog as such a horrific attack is not the same as a nip.

jimmyjimsgin

I thank you soooo much, it was definitely not a nip, i wish it had been.my lab was extremely scared of the rescue dog the very next morning. It was a recipe for disaster. If a professional vet advises you to remove the animal then it is wise to take their advice in my opinion. I am so relieved that I was with the dogs at the time of the attack as I saw for myself that my dog didnt provoke him at all and I was able to get the dog off my dog as he was pinned down on the ground yelping out . thank you for your post.

Joyful wrote: »

jimmyjimsgin

I hope you're dog is recovering well. I had a similar situation years ago. I rescued a puppy ( about 4 months) that someone was about to put into kennels. It was lovable but kept blocking my then 7 year old dog when she needed to enter the house. We thought this would pass but one day when my dog entered the house the puppy went for her and pulled a lump of skin from her throat. The vet advised after that had happened that there was a dominance issue and especially as my dog then started to become afraid of the pup we were to get it rehomed with a family with no dogs. In your situation I would certainly not have kept the dog as such a horrific attack is not the same as a nip.

jimmyjimsgin

Hi , the rescue dog had ear mites, didnt show any signs of pain, I noticed his ears were pink/red inside and took him to the vets for check up. Also when i picked rescue dog up they told me that he also had had kennel cough! he was coughing a little bit , hence could have risked infecting my dog, but thank fully my dog didnt show any signs. The rescue dog was in kennels in Ireland for 2 weeks and I was told that he had been assessed. My vet asked for the assessment report as he was intrigued about the way it was done and who exactly carried out the assessment as he said that it needed to be a qualified behavioral specialist or nurse etc. He wanted to examine the report and this is one of the areas that i would like to check with the rescue home to see if indeed it is being carried out adequately.The rescue home have not responded to this request. I understand that an assessment is only relevant at the time the assessment has been carried out, it is not a guarantee etc for future behavior but the severity of the attack and how seemingly unprovoked it was leads me to believe that this could have been an on going issue or simply the dog was not suitable for our home, it would not have been safe to have kept the dog. thank you for your comments



aQUOTE=dawnie1972;26068063]Jimmyjimsgin - are u able to pm me the name of the rescue u have dealt with.
I have done a lot of work with rescues myself, but on the other hand I am also the owner of 3 rescue dogs. What rescues do with regards to rehoming dogs is a very difficult job - how do you assess a dog and ensure that assessment is 100% reliable, we do not know how dogs are feeling/thinking etc. I once worked for a rescue and after seeing their assessment vowed i would never get a dog from them. On the other hand (as a dog owner) i have a 6yr old staff x lab, i rehomed him as a 12 week old puppy. He has issues with men (i don't know why), he has also been attacked by TWO black labs and a great dane. Despite this he is the softest gentlest dog u could wish for in a home. HOWEVER, even after 6yrs i cannot read him, i do not know what he is thinking/feeling when out in public and only last week he "made contact" with my friends dog - in the past he's always had "issues" with male dogs - this dog was female. ANY dog has the ability to attack at ANY time. One thing i was wondering - u mentioned u'd got ear drops for the dog u rehomed - this may have had some bearing on the attack - he may not have been feeling well etc. Having said all this it does not excuse how you have been treated by the rescue. Are you able to find out how they assess dogs and how long they keep dogs for once they are received into the rescue before they are put up for rehoming?[/QUOTE]