WHO T F>>>>>?? ARE YOU FRAN!!

Why keeping Brindi isolated from contact with dogs is bad for her & her chances of recovery Keeping Brindi isolated from other dogs means not only is her need for social interaction with her own species unmet; it also risks harmful effects on her behavior, jeopardizing her chances in the future. Effects of Group and Individual Housing on the Behavior of Kennelled Dogs in Animal Shelters Abstract: To emphasize the effects of group- and single housing of kennelled dogs, the behavior of 211 dogs in two German animal shelters was tested and observed. After being placed, 197 of the dogs' new owners were interviewed. Although 51% of the German animal shelters already keep dogs in groups, there is strong prejudice against group housing because of the fear of fights. This study demonstrates that this apprehension is unfounded. Ninety-one percent of the social confrontations between dogs housed together were settled by the use of behavioral rituals. Keeping dogs in groups, furthermore, leads to a significant reduction in noise emission (p<.001). Group housing fulfills the dog's need for social interaction and the need to move. Dogs that were housed in groups displayed a closer human-animal relationship (80%) than those that had been kept individually (43%). A high percentage of individually housed dogs suffered from behavioral problems (31%) and 10% developed stereotypes. The percentage of behaviorally disturbed dogs observed in group housing was 11%, and stereotyped forms of behavior did not occur. Dogs who had been kept in groups were, on average, placed within 10 days, and were returned to the animal shelter less often (9%) compared to those housed individually (25%). Dogs that were housed separately needed an average of 17 days to be placed. Even after being placed, there is a correlation between the animal shelter's type of housing and the dog's behavior. Within four weeks after picking up their pet, 88% of the owners of dogs that had been housed individually complained of problems compared to the owners of the dogs that had been kept in groups, 53% of whom were completely satisfied with the adoption. Despite the fact that these results might be influenced by the small number of shelters examined, the study leads to the conclusion that keeping dogs in groups is a suitable alternative for dog housing in animal shelters and, for the animals' welfare, is preferable to individual housing. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Our trainer, Susan Jordan, tried to explain to the judge during the trial last March that it is normal for a dog to back-slide in its training under any circumstances. What's really important is whether the aggressive behavior escalates - which it did not. Also, during those precious ten weeks when she was back home, Brindi was in many situations around strange dogs where she did not react aggressively. And now, based on the findings of this study regarding the increased risk of behavioral problems due to the isolation from other dogs, after years of isolation, seems to me that having an incident ten weeks after she was released from two years of isolation from other dogs is understandable. Even for dogs that aren't known to have any aggressive tendencies, "Within four weeks after picking up their pet, 88% of the owners of dogs that had been housed individually complained of problems". Unfortunately, judges don't apply studies in their decisions, or listen very closely to canine behavior consultants. But essentially, this is further evidence to show that Halifax has been harming my dog's health, well-being, and her chances of successfully recovering and readjusting from all these years of confinement and isolation. Ever since 2008 the city has argued against every option other than death. Judging from her previous arguments, the current municipal prosecutor, Katherine Salsman, would likely exploit the fact that all these years have jeopardized her future to argue that she should be locked up forever or put down. Even sicker, if Halifax had never seized Brindi, it's extremely likely her territorial aggression would be way behind her. I was in the process of training her the first time they took her - which was after an incident in which she didn't even make contact with another dog. I was in the process of training her with an even better trainer and even better methods when they took her the second time, after a minor incident that caused a few scratches to a dog, whose owners kicked Brindi repeatedly without her trying to retaliate. But apparently it is more important to Halifax to cling to the bad laws and bad practices that led to their decision to seize and destroy Brindi. And being alone in the courtroom, representing myself, a person convicted of by-law violations (that the city used as an excuse to seize Brindi), the judge is apt to confuse the message with the messenger. Do I think it would be better to have a lawyer? Of course! Can I pay for one? Heck no. More importantly perhaps, is one available who'd be willing and able to do the job? Not that I could find, and I sure looked, and so did many friends, for a long, long time. at 9/21/2012 07:00:00 PM Links to this post No comments: Here is where Brindi has been kept for the last two years Halifax has never allowed our vet or trainer to visit Brindi at this kennel. Why not? It's a place of business, it boards people's pets. Friends ask, "What are they hiding?" Well, now there's a glimpse of it. Halifax submitted these photos of the Wyndenfog Kennel, where Brindi has been kept for two years now, to a judge who I hope will hear my motion to order that she be sent to a foster home - a real home - pending the outcome of my appeal. This is the outdoor space. It's fenced in, it has no trees for shade or windbreak. They use it for walking her a few times a day - it doesn't appear that they allow her to run around in it by herself. This is Brindi's cell. I don't know what that material is - it looks pretty dreary though. I don't know about the door either - it seems to go right to the outside. What happens when it rains or snows or a cold wild blows and she wants to stay in? Also, the area is 3x4 feet - below the veterinary society minimum standard of 3x5 for indoor runs, even for stays of just one day. For two years, the minimum standard is not very comforting. I can't look at these images for very long, I am fighting back the tears and shrieks already. I can't believe that a civilized city would argue that it's okay and even healthy for my dog to be kept in a kennel for years at a time. Any dog. It's no wonder that when they took Brindi to the vet clinic (instead of allowing the vet to go to the kennel in her mobile unit), Brindi seemed to be in a good mood. She was getting out of the kennel for a few hours a month. September 27 will mark the beginning of her FIFTH year at the hands of Halifax Regional Municipality. The first two were spent in a pound that was even worse than this - but this is not much better, frankly. Even if it were the Plaza Hotel of dog kennels, I just cannot and will not ever understand why any decent person armed with only two facts - that Brindi never bit a person and that she never caused a severe injury to a dog - would agree that keeping her for years in any kennel is an acceptable action!! And yet that is what Halifax is arguing and it has the kennel owner arguing this as well, in court, on Tuesday, Sept. 25, at 2 pm, in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. How could any decent person, armed with two key facts - the facts that matter the most, that Brindi never bit a human & never inflicted severe injury to a dog - lock her up for years and years? Even Halifax's attempt to get Brindi killed by smearing me as much as possible, conflating a human's alleged by-law violations with a dog's alleged "dangerousness" - failed. The judge could have ordered her put down, but instead passed the buck to Halifax. Who is going to put a stop to this insanity? Fran do you even have a clue?? you a wack job!