Dog can be tamed, supporters say

by Matthew Hoekstra

Nearly 50 people, and a host of canine companions, rallied in front of the Delta SPCA shelter Saturday in a show of support for two suspended workers who clutched a dog from a management-ordered death.

Amanda Muir and Kirsten McConnell, the two employees being investigated by police for theft, joined the group, which waved signs and chanted "give Cheech a chance" for TV news cameras.

SPCA officials ordered Cheech, a Rottweiler-Labrador cross, be destroyed last Wednesday after deeming it a risk to public safety. But with the help of a volunteer, Muir and McConnell whisked the dog into hiding.

Supporters of the puppy believe the guard dog can be tamed, but the SPCA believes Cheech is beyond rehabilitation, saying its fear-based aggression could lead to a dangerous attack.

Rally organizers say Saturday's event was also meant to highlight a flawed system used by the SPCA to test animal behaviour.

"I think their statements are absolutely wrong," said Mia Riback of the SPCA, who has walked Cheech as a volunteer. "He's a puppy. I have pulled that dog's tail. I've grabbed him by the cheeks. He walks with my dog, who's a doberman, and I've never, ever seen any sign of aggression from him."

Riback worries that other SPCA dogs could face the same fate.

Muir sent a letter to managers Wednesday night, asking them to reconsider their decision after she sought a second opinion from a local veterinarian, who told Muir she "didn't feel comfortable" with euthanizing the dog.

"We just wanted some more time to work with the dog," said Muir.

Kathy Gibson, a dog trainer with Custom Canines who specializes in serious behaviour problems, disputes the SPCA's system of testing.

"Twenty different people could do the test and get 20 different answers," she said.

Without having seen Cheech, Gibson believes the dog could be rehabilitated because it's still a puppy.

"Anything under a year cannot be assessed as aggressive to the point of needing to be destroyed. It's a baby and it's doing baby things ... and it's not doing anything that cannot be easily adjusted," she said.

Gibson is calling on the SPCA to combine expert opinions with its assessments.

"It seems to me that there should be more people involved in the decision-making process," she said.

Animal Advocates Society president Judy Stone, who attended the Saturday rally, said the SPCA assessment is "junk science." She accused the society of using it as a way of keeping shelter costs down.

But the SPCA defended its assessment program. Spokesperson Lorie Chortyk said it's among the best in the world.

She said the decision to destroy the dog was made after four people conducted two assessments, which Cheech failed with "off-the-charts" aggression.

According to the SPCA, Cheech scored a 10 out of 10 in aggressive behaviour. Chortyk noted two Mastiff-Rottweiler dogs that viscously mauled 14-year-old Shenica White in Vancouver two years ago scored between a four and five on the same scale.

Chortyk said she empathizes with Cheech's supporters, but said the SPCA would be derelict in its duty to let a dog with "the highest likelihood of mauling someone" go free.

"We're not happy to euthanize any animal. But when we know the likelihood that that animal is going to be a serious threat to the public, I truly don't understand why people would think that's a good thing for us to put that out in the community."

Craig Naherniak, the SPCA's general manager of humane education, said the series of tests, called Dog Temperament Assessment 4, are highly advanced and the result of years of work.

In the first test, the assessor approaches the caged dog aggressively, staring it in the eyes. Cheech retreated and cowered, the sign of a fearful dog, said Naherniak.

In the second test, the dog is approached submissively. Cheech showed signs of fear-based aggression, he said, by backing away and lunging at the assessor when his back was turned.

"Our assessor barely got past the cage far enough before the teeth hit the cage and he was just missed being bitten."

During the third test, the assessor enters the cage, talks gently and approaches the dog with a grooming brush. Naherniak said Cheech lunged and bit the brush once it was shown.

The test was repeated, he said, producing the same result.

"In the 18 years that our assessor has worked with dogs, this is the most fearful dog that he has had to deal with," said Naherniak, declining to name the assessor.

And while some believe Cheech can be rehabilitated because of its age, Naherniak said clinical evidence for dog behaviour indicates the opposite.

He said if a young dog shows extreme aggression, the source is likely genetic, not learned, meaning the dog could become more aggressive in the future.

The SPCA asked Muir and McConnell and other witnesses to the dog theft to meet management yesterday to discuss a possible resolution.

Matthew Hoekstra
Reporter, Delta Optimist
desk: 604-946-4451 x322
fax: 604-946-5680
mhoekstra@delta-optimist.com