It has now been more than two weeks since the two dogs owned by Vidya Emrith viciously attacked four-year old Ezekiel Renne-Cambridge and although the child is recovering nicely through the grace of God, details regarding the fate of the dogs are still rather sketchy.Reports indicate that the dogs were initially sent to live on a farm in Penal, but later Emrith admits giving them to a security firm for "behavioural training."
Residents of Palmiste have signed a petition calling for the dogs to be euthanised, while Emrith remains adamant that she will not put her dogs to sleep. In fact, she said she "would rather go to jail than do that." I wonder, does she know that she has sent her dogs to jail instead?Security dogs are normally kept confined to small kennels and only taken out for training or to go on jobs. Some of the better firms will also include time for exercise. Food consists of basic rations and water, none or very little of those treats we love to give to our family pets.
It is likely that the dogs will have individual kennels, and if so, they will be sure to miss the company of each other. Veterinary care is at a minimum; if at all a registered veterinarian is used. Accommodation for transport to and from jobs consists of cells so small that the dogs cannot turn around inside of them.These dogs are often muzzled and tethered with short leashes and given no food or water when on jobs, which can last for many hours. Dog handlers in many security firms receive no or little training regarding proper animal care, dog socialisation, animal welfare and safe, humane handling.
Being a qualified animal behaviourist, I am very interested in the type of "behavioural training" these dogs are receiving, and again offer my services to Emrith.I hope that Josie and Hanzo are neutered since some dogs can be purposefully used as breeding machines, and then abandoned or cruelly disposed of once they are no longer usable and therefore no longer of any worth to some of these firms.
I appeal to Emrith to treat the fate of her dogs with sense, not sentimentality. Her dogs need to be assessed by an animal behaviourist and if they can be rehabilitated, they should be given to a family home when they are deemed safe to interact with society.If they need to be euthanised and she refuses to comply, I urge her to please think of the quality of life she is subjecting her pets to. She does them no favours by keeping them imprisoned for the rest of their lives.What is the point of they being kept alive if they do not have the freedom to enjoy their lives?