Bay Area SPCA is Taking Proactive Measures
Behavior Test Used To Cull Shelter DogsSan Leon, TX - In a move that is causing upheaval in the animal shelter community, the
Bay Area SPCA Shelter in Galveston County, Texas is euthanizing dogs and cats that fail to pass a behavior test. In other words, the animals that fail are not being put on the adoption floor.
Jennifer Rowan, manager of the Bay Area Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, wouldn't say how many animals the shelter has euthanized since it began temperament testing. Rowan said some animals are tested more than once because they can become hostile after spending time in the shelter.
The ASPCA, SPCA and Human Society organizations should use temperament testing, in addition to other methods of evaluation to assess animals before making them adoptable to the public. The cost of a massive lawsuit awaits them if they do not practice such measures and release dangerous animals back into the community.
In the fatality case of Tori Whitehurst, the Arizona Human Society adopted out an American bulldog, Kane, after it had been evaluated by three different dog behaviorists. The family who took Kane, then apparently gave the dog to the Whitehurst family. Within several months, Kane violently attacked and killed Tori.
Related article:11/05/07:
2007 Fatality: Tori Whitehurst, Killed by Family's American BulldogLabels: spca
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