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A dog that kills a cat that the dog lives with in the same house is not considered safe around cats. He may not be safe around squirrels, but dogs do not progress from killing cats to killing humans. Nor do they progress from killing cats to killing other dogs.
I kill chickens and rabbits and ducks and turkeys. I eat them. But I have never felt any urge to start killing other humans, or dogs. Prey is prey and one's social network is quite different from prey.
Dogs are genetically programed to kill prey animals. Some of that can be over come with training. None of that turns them into serial killers of their own species.
A dog that kills a cat that the dog lives with in the same house is not considered safe around cats. He may not be safe around squirrels, but dogs do not progress from killing cats to killing humans. Nor do they progress from killing cats to killing other dogs.
Dogs are genetically programed to kill prey animals. Some of that can be over come with training.
Exactly. Dogs are PREDATORS, people! Chasing and killing small animals is normal dog behavior, just as cats killing mice and small birds is normal feline behavior. Individual dogs can differ a lot in how much prey drive they possess, but they all possess some.
A dog with a high prey drive such as the one the OP describes needs to be managed so it doesn't kill inappropriate things (such as pet cats and domestic livestock). Provided a suitable cat-free home can be found for the dog and the animal is never allowed to roam freely, there's no need to euthanize it. Proper use of a collar and leash is all that is needed in this case.
LOL . yeah I don't have any cats . hubs is horribly allergic I feed the feral outside cats though .
I'm horribly allergic to cats, my wife feeds the feral cats that are attracted to the crazy cat lady across the street.
Not a big deal with the dog having dispatched a cat, who actually knows the circumstances? My dog used to tree the cats on a regular basis, never did catch one. Doubt it would change her habits if she did. It was instinct after all, nothing more.
Personally, I would put the dog down if they did this. I would just be sick over it and could never look at the animal the same way.
I had a friend who adopted a shelter dog of a controversial breed which will not be named for fear of that whole discussion starting that lived peacefully with a cat for several years. She came home one day to carnage. Never figured out why-- the cat and dog slept together and were buddies, the cat was very docile and the dog seemed to be too. After she cleaned up the mess, the dog went right to the vet to be put down. Totally traumatic. Can't say that I blamed her.
Personally, I would put the dog down if they did this. I would just be sick over it and could never look at the animal the same way.
I had a friend who adopted a shelter dog of a controversial breed which will not be named for fear of that whole discussion starting that lived peacefully with a cat for several years. She came home one day to carnage. Never figured out why-- the cat and dog slept together and were buddies, the cat was very docile and the dog seemed to be too. After she cleaned up the mess, the dog went right to the vet to be put down. Totally traumatic. Can't say that I blamed her.
This would be my thoughts as well. At minimum, if attempting to re-home this dog, the ad/info on the dog should clearly mention this event (and danger to other cats).
I'd think a little different if the dog and cat were new to each other.
A dogs natural instinct is to chase things. Cats are very chase-able. Unless a dog was raised that cats are off limits, it will not differentiate.
I see no danger in rehoming a dog to a cat free household. Even very good dogs chase and kill things. My Brittany adored chasing squirrels. She was very disappointed when the few she caught stopped moving. She didn't intend for them to die.
Last edited by gentlearts; 07-11-2017 at 01:51 PM..
A dogs natural instinct is to chase things. Cats are very chase-able. Unless a dog was raised that cats are off limits, it will not differentiate.
I see no danger in rehoming a dog to a cat free household. Even very good dogs chase and kill things. My Brittany adored chasing squirrels. She was very disappointed when the few she caught stopped moving.
Awe. That is sad for both of them! Mine scares possums into 'playing dead' and is also let down there is no more game of chase.
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