Killing Your Dog
By scrivener
@scrivener (65)
Philippines
May 9, 2007 4:52pm CST
This post stems from an argument in another post of whether a dog should be put down for killing a cat.
In the first place, if a cat kills mice, will you kill the cat? In the same manner, if a dog kills a cat (which it is naturally inclined to do), will you kill the dog?
Now, some people claim that they have dogs that don't harass or harm cats. They use this line of reasoning to justify putting down a dog that killed a cat. Well, I have dogs that grew up with cats. These dogs would not harm our house cats, BUT, they will chase any other cat. It's a good thing we have a big yard. If ever a stray cat gets in, well, it wouldn't be our dogs' fault.
So, will you have your dog put down? Let me rephrase that. Will you kill your dog because they exhibited their natural instinct?
The strange thing about a dog is that it's happy when you're there and when you give it attention. It's sad and lethargic when you're gone. It eagerly welcomes you home. If you spell dog backwards, you get God.
3 people like this
11 responses
@maevic (819)
• Bahrain
10 May 07
no..why would i...that's their instinct.
But nowadays, dogs and cats being SOOO domesticated, they are not thinking of killing each other. Killing each other comes with hunger and pets who are fed on time will not think to kill one animal for him to eat. Maybe they chase..yes..because they want fun and they are curious with the other animal.
@DavidReedy (2378)
• United States
10 May 07
It's in a dog's nature to chase cats and other animals, and in many cases kill, and quite likely eat what it chases. A dog, is in actuality, simply a domesticated wolf--it's genetics regardless of breed are 100% the same as a wolf. A wolf is a hunter. To answer the question. No, I would not put a dog down for killing a cat. If it becomes to viscious, then yes. If it ever goes for human blood, then yes.
@scrivener (65)
• Philippines
10 May 07
Nature doesn't recognize alphas and omegas. Nature is all about random events working towards the evolution or strengthening of a species. If the species can't cope, then it is deleted from nature's laboratory. Nature will not recognize civilized behavior.
Your description of yourself as an alpha and the way you handle it is highly disturbing. The fact that you have power over your pets and don't care what happens to them is even more disturbing. You did say that you had to put one of your dogs down and, I quote, "I didn't care."
@cipher2004 (1183)
• United States
10 May 07
The answer is positively no.Those people who have their cats running around outside should be responsible for them.I for one have always had cats and dogs living together and nothing has happened to any of them.Although he does have a couple of scratches on his nose from my 2 little kittens. If a stray comes in a yard and my dog kills it I would feel sorry for the cat but my dog is protecting his territory.My dog is the love of my life.I would not even be the least little mad at him.My sweet big Pitmation (pitbull/dalmatioon mix)
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
10 May 07
I would never put a dog down for killing a cat. The only time I would consider putting a dog down is if it attacked a child or adult for that matter..or if it was terminally ill. I think you are right, some dogs just naturally chase cats.
@munhozmib (3836)
• Sao Paulo, Brazil
10 May 07
Well, I wouldn't scold my dog just because he killed a cat. I always keep my dog inside my gate. He doesn't go to the streets. If he appears with a cat in his mouth, and the old owner came to complain, I'd say: "My dog is inside my territory. You were uncareful with your cat. It's your fault, and only your. Don't blame me nor my dog for acting the way Nature taugh him."
That's what I was going to say.
Strange fact, about spelling Dog backwards. Here in Brazil, this situation doesn't happen. Cachorro = orrohcac (there isn't such a word in portuguese).
2 people like this
@scrivener (65)
• Philippines
10 May 07
I don't know. Orrohcac sounds like the name of an ancient Mayan god. Then again, I'm not an ancient Mayan so I wouldn't know. But the reverse spelling is a coincidence in the English language. Even more of a coincidence is the way the dog behaves in comparison to the compassionate God of the Christian religion.
@munhozmib (3836)
• Sao Paulo, Brazil
29 May 07
You're thinking wrong that, little dude.
You have a dog, you have a cat. Why don't you take care of both?
Dog's are owner of their territory. Nothing will pass through their territory, but their owners. Nothing. They will protect it with their life. And there came, a cat trying to invade my owner's home! Oh, God, he is trying to kill my owner! Then, I warned him roasning: "Grrrr.... Get outta here". He didn't care, and crossed the gate. Well, to keep my owner safe, I killed him.
That's what happened, man. Take a look at that way.
@Italiana2683 (87)
• United States
10 May 07
People tend to forget that dogs are wild animals. Just because they can live in our homes does not mean they don't have the natural inclination to kill prey. All of my dogs have killed small animals (and 1 cat) that have entered our yard but have been friendly with people who we welcome into our home. Have people forgotten that dogs derive from wolves who kill to eat???? If you dont want your dog to kill small animals (which is natural) don't get a dog.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92423)
• United States
10 May 07
The only reason to kill a dog is if it attacks a human, unprovoked. As pet owners, we are in charge of keeping a cat safe from a dog, and vice versa. I've seen cats attack a dog, and the dog try to get away. You cannot stamp out natural instincts. To put a dog down for that is sad. Why not at least give it to a shelter?
1 person likes this
@scrivener (65)
• Philippines
10 May 07
I understand where you're coming from. Your pet dog was a little bit insane and at any time, could have attacked you. If you were afraid, then you, as the owner herself, certainly have the right to remove that danger. I don't object to your situation. You just wanted to be safe. I can understand you wanting to have put down that dog. In your place, I would have done the same.
What I object to is the way you seem to think that euthanasia is the answer to everything.
@ucl800 (860)
• Greece
10 May 07
First of all I have to say that I have dogs and cats...
I will never think of killing my dog for killing a cat. this is insane... The dog is a friend of mine and he has his natural insticts and if it happenes and kills a cat i can live with this.
i have cats and I want from them to keep away mice and with the same reasoning I think that dogs have a "reason" to kill a cat. ok, I don't say that this is something that i like or i want to happened, but i cannot do something to stop it.
I will never think to kill my dog. It is a part of my familly...
@scrivener (65)
• Philippines
10 May 07
We are talking about a dog attacking cats, not human beings. If a dog attacked a human being, then that human being should fight back with whatever resource he/she has. In sacrificial's case, the dog was clearly insane so it had to be put down. In addition, the dog was adopted, and not really part of her stable of pets as the cat was. So the pain of losing a beloved pet and the anger you feel towards the one that took it away from you is huge. It's even more painful when you gave shelter to that dog. Clearly understandable.
Now, you have to understand the difference. Animals attacking animals is a natural thing. Animals attacking humans, sad to say, is a natural thing. BUT, if a dog is not attacking us, why put it down for attacking another animal? It's their fight. Not ours.
@Galena (9110)
•
11 May 07
now that's putting human morals onto an animal.
a dog won't think, hey I can kill that wild rabbit that runs out in front of me on a walk, but I'd better not kill the cat that does the same thing because it's owner will be sad.
if a dog kills a cat it doesn't mean the dog is agressive or dangerous, it means it can kill cats.
it's unfortunate.
but it doesn't mean the dog poses a risk to human beings.
my ex racer probably killed a cat. but he was the soppiest and least dangerous dog you could hope to meet.
he was an ex racing dog, all his life trained to chase small furry things. and from ireland, where it's fairly common for trainers to be found out for throwing live rabbits or cats to the dogs for them to chase to keep them keen.
yes, he could kill a cat.
he wouldn't even have knocked over a child when he was playing.
@Galena (9110)
•
12 May 07
my dog didn't have underlying problems that caused him to do that.
he did it because he was a dog, all his life trained to chase small furries, and that one fell right into his mouth.
if it had been even a metre a way, he could have been stopped, just by tightening his lead.
@Nickers27 (51)
• Australia
15 May 07
I dont think a dog should be put to sleep for killing a cat, after all a dog is now a domestocated animal that people seem to forget that they still have natural instinct in them. My dog was bought up with 2 cats from 6 weeks of age. They were best friends and loved each other. As they got older the "play" times got rough and one time the instinct behaviour set in. I had to put one of my much loved cats to sleep because of her injuries. This was hard but there was no talk of ever putting the dog to sleep, after all he was doing normal dog behaviour. This is just my view and I know there are alot of different views to this issue.
