Marty
09-06-2006, 05:44 PM
Ontario, Canada -- There’s a happy ending for the six pit bull puppies who were assessed on Wednesday to determine if their temperaments were suitable to ship them out of the province or if they would have to be euthanized.
“It went very well,” stated Barb Mooney, the Town’s animal control bylaw enforcement officer. “We are trying to get homes for all six of the pups.”
The pit bull puppies, three male and three female, were seized in early April by bylaw officers after they received a tip that a man was trying to hand them out for free at the Brendale Square.
The current ban on pit bulls makes it illegal to breed or bring the dogs into the province. Dogs already in Ontario are allowed to stay as long as they are sterilized, leashed and muzzled in public.
Kristy Robbins from Bullies in Need (BIN) in Indianapolis, Indiana, visited the Huntsville Animal Shelter on Wednesday to conduct an assessment that lasted just over 40 minutes.
The assessment required testing the dogs on their startle factor, which included popping open an umbrella when they were least expecting it, as well as dropping bowls on the ground to see their reactions to loud noise.
“The dogs were startled for about three to five seconds and then they went on doing whatever they were doing,” explained Mooney. “One of the males started barking really loud. So he had a failing grade for that. But he did pass overall.”
Robbins attempted to hand-feed the pups to see if they would respond aggressively or more passively. Mooney said they were reluctant to take the food from a stranger’s hand but were more apt to take food and treats from animal shelter staff, whom they are familiar with.
“The pups know the staff and are more comfortable taking food from their hands,”
said Mooney. “Kristy asked the staff to work on that and to maybe use cheese, hotdogs or kibbles. The pups also don’t know how to walk up stairs because they are let out on a flat from their pens. So if they [staff] have time, they’ll work on that with them, too.”
Robbins consistently handled the pups to test their reactions to being handled by a stranger.
“When they were touched on the head, they kind of shied away, so we need to teach them that nothing will hurt them,” Mooney said. “It was very positive. I was surprised that they were so well behaved. Kristy was very impressed with how the shelter was run and that the dogs had such good temperaments.”
BIN and Albany Rescue are working together to find homes for the six puppies, which will likely relocate them to the United States. If all goes well, arrangements should be finalized within the next two weeks.
“They are trying to get them permanent homes or foster homes,” said Mooney. “But Kristy did say that the three males must be neutered or they can’t take them.”
The animal shelter does not have enough funds to cover the costs of neutering the three males. Anyone who wishes to make a financial donation to help with the costs can visit the Huntsville Animal Shelter at 19 Bickley Country Drive. Donations can also be sent by mail to 19 Bickley Country Drive, Huntsville, Ontario, P1H 1Y4.
http://www.huntsvilleforester.com/1157553975/
“It went very well,” stated Barb Mooney, the Town’s animal control bylaw enforcement officer. “We are trying to get homes for all six of the pups.”
The pit bull puppies, three male and three female, were seized in early April by bylaw officers after they received a tip that a man was trying to hand them out for free at the Brendale Square.
The current ban on pit bulls makes it illegal to breed or bring the dogs into the province. Dogs already in Ontario are allowed to stay as long as they are sterilized, leashed and muzzled in public.
Kristy Robbins from Bullies in Need (BIN) in Indianapolis, Indiana, visited the Huntsville Animal Shelter on Wednesday to conduct an assessment that lasted just over 40 minutes.
The assessment required testing the dogs on their startle factor, which included popping open an umbrella when they were least expecting it, as well as dropping bowls on the ground to see their reactions to loud noise.
“The dogs were startled for about three to five seconds and then they went on doing whatever they were doing,” explained Mooney. “One of the males started barking really loud. So he had a failing grade for that. But he did pass overall.”
Robbins attempted to hand-feed the pups to see if they would respond aggressively or more passively. Mooney said they were reluctant to take the food from a stranger’s hand but were more apt to take food and treats from animal shelter staff, whom they are familiar with.
“The pups know the staff and are more comfortable taking food from their hands,”
said Mooney. “Kristy asked the staff to work on that and to maybe use cheese, hotdogs or kibbles. The pups also don’t know how to walk up stairs because they are let out on a flat from their pens. So if they [staff] have time, they’ll work on that with them, too.”
Robbins consistently handled the pups to test their reactions to being handled by a stranger.
“When they were touched on the head, they kind of shied away, so we need to teach them that nothing will hurt them,” Mooney said. “It was very positive. I was surprised that they were so well behaved. Kristy was very impressed with how the shelter was run and that the dogs had such good temperaments.”
BIN and Albany Rescue are working together to find homes for the six puppies, which will likely relocate them to the United States. If all goes well, arrangements should be finalized within the next two weeks.
“They are trying to get them permanent homes or foster homes,” said Mooney. “But Kristy did say that the three males must be neutered or they can’t take them.”
The animal shelter does not have enough funds to cover the costs of neutering the three males. Anyone who wishes to make a financial donation to help with the costs can visit the Huntsville Animal Shelter at 19 Bickley Country Drive. Donations can also be sent by mail to 19 Bickley Country Drive, Huntsville, Ontario, P1H 1Y4.
http://www.huntsvilleforester.com/1157553975/