Owning a pet is a lot of responsibility. Yes, they can provide a lot of benefits like unconditional love, but on top of all the cuddles, they require care just like they were a human child.
After a recent incident that occurred in Mount Gambier, Australia, officials are warning others to make sure they are 100 percent ready to take care of an animal before they bring one into their home.
“You cannot just stick a dog in the backyard, throw it some food every day and think that dog is going to have a happy life or behave in ways you want it to behave.”
In March, RSPCA South Australia and police were alerted to an 11-month-old German Shepherd that had been tied up and appeared to be struggling to breathe because of a cable wrapped around her muzzle.
A good Samaritan rescued the dog by cutting the cable and giving the dog, named Chloe, water, which she lapped up. It was in the upper 70s on the day Chloe was found.
Chloe was taken to a vet where she underwent an examination. With the exception of mild hip dysplasia, which is common in German Shepherds, the vet did not find anything physically wrong with her.
All things considered, the 11-month-old German Shepherd was lucky. It could have ended much worse.
“Panting is the main way in which dogs cool their bodies, because unlike us they do not have an effective system of sweat glands,” RSPCA South Australia’s Chief Veterinarian Dr. Brad Ward said.
“If you prevent a dog from cooling its body in this way, you put it at extreme risk of overheating, particularly in warm weather. Dogs must be able to cool themselves through their mouths, not to mention be able to drink and eat with ease.”
Chloe’s owner admitted to tying her muzzle with a cable tie. His lawyer said he claimed he was going to take it off before going to work, but got distracted and left it on.
The man was sentenced in October. According to RSPCA South Australia, he was given a good behavior bond for $200 for a period of 15 months. He was also ordered not to own an animal for two years and pay $1,600 in vet and legal fees.
Chloe has since been rehomed.
RSPCA South Australia Chief Inspector Andrea Lewis said this particular case is the perfect example of people needing to learn about animals before they bring one into their home.
“This young dog was just doing what young dogs do – they want to chew things, to play and to have company,” Lewis said.
“Tying your dog’s muzzle shut as a solution to stop unwanted behavior is a shocking indication of how little this person understands dogs and their needs, and begs the question of why he bought such a large, active young dog in the first place.”
This is so true. I wish people would understand that bringing any kind of animal into your home comes with a lot of responsibility.
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