I was at Petcetera when Channing, the 5 month-old puppy, was sold to his new owners. This happened on September 25, around 5.15 p.m.

I was so shocked that I sent an e-mail to Shelter Manager Chiorando the same evening asking her to look into this adoption carefully to make sure that the placement was appropriate. I didn't know at the time that the couple had already taken Channing home with them. I found this out the next day when the Petcetera groomer at the time told me. She was surprised about the adoption too, as she is not in favour of running lines either.

The couple mentioned that the dog would be on this line for some periods of time pending the construction of a fence. I never heard any comment that the line would only occasionally be used. The couple said that it would take a month or more to get the fence completed. When asked, the couple said that the dog would be an outdoor dog, but it appears that may have really meant an indoor/outdoor dog, which would be acceptable.

Shelter Manager Chiorando responded

“The situation with the people is that they don't have fence, but the mother-in-law lives with them and she is paying for the fence to be put up a.s.a.p. In the meantime, they will be taking the dog out a lot - to housetrain, etc. - and they will only be putting the dog on the running line occasionally and only until the fence is finished.

As you mentioned, you were only hearing the one side of the conversation, of course, and Bonnie brought up the "backyard dog" concerns when it was said about the running line. Bonnie said we are always concerned that it gets to be a habit. The people said they would rarely be using it, and as soon as the fence was up, it would be gone.”

My preference would be to ask the couple to come back and reapply when the fence was completed. I would not want an under-socialized puppy to be on a running line for even a minute. There are so many dangers attached to running lines, especially with puppies. However there are clearly differences of opinion on that.

Apparently things are going well with the dog, which is good. I am pleasantly surprised about that. Hopefully the running line was never used after all. The couple volunteered the information that they intended to use one.