Behavioral Euthanasia: Understanding When It’s the Right Choice—and When It’s Not
Jack’s journey to finding his forever home was anything but easy. He first arrived at the Sacramento County Bradshaw Animal Shelter in California as a stray in October 2022. Despite being a friendly dog, months passed without any adoption interest. Unfortunately, Jack struggled to adapt to the stressful shelter environment, leading to behavioral issues. (Watch video below)
The stress caused Jack to develop a habit of biting at leashes whenever staff or volunteers tried to take him out of his kennel, which made interactions challenging. Even with these difficulties, shelter workers never gave up on him, and eventually, Jack’s story took a turn for the better when the perfect adopter came along.
Dog Slated For Behavioral Euthanasia
Gradually, Jack became one of the longest residents at the shelter. In addition, the staff felt that the dog wouldn’t last for more than a few months due to his mental state, thereby, deciding to set him up for behavioral euthanasia.
Fortunately, a foster-based rescue in California, Hearts For Paws stepped in and they ended up saving Jack on his euthanasia date. One of their fosters, Heidi, decided to take him in.
Being with the rescue for a long time, Jack went through several foster homes. Then, finally, after one and a half years of coming to the shelter, the wonderful dog found his forever home.
Source: @heartsforpawsrescue
A Loving Forever Home in Sacramento
Jack’s new parent, Stephanie, is the best dog mom the rescue could have hoped for. She adores the dog and they now live together in Sacramento.
The canine’s new family sent an update to the rescue that his new name is Eddie Guerrero and they find him a perfect furry friend. He may once have been a stray, but Jack is now living the dream and receiving a ton of affection and care.
When the rescue posted the good news of Jack’s adoption on Instagram, many comments came pouring in. One of them was from Stephanie, who wrote, “He is such a precious prince, I knew the moment I saw him he would be our baby! Losing our senior boy last year was so hard thank goodness for Eddie’s foster parents taking care of him until we were ready to adopt again.”
What is Behavioral Euthanasia?
A certified professional dog trainer, Stephanie Gibeault defines behavioral euthanasia as “the term used for humanely ending a dog’s life because of severe behavioral issues.” This transcends physical health concerns and commonplace behavioral problems like leash pulling or jumping on guests.
It revolves around aggression – specifically, a dog’s potential or history of causing harm to humans or other animals. In essence, some dogs are humanely euthanized because their behavior renders them unsuitable for life in our community, posing a risk to the safety and well-being of those around them.
Things To Consider Before Choosing Behavioral Euthanasia
Before you sign up your dog for behavior euthanasia, you must consider these steps first:
A Veterinary Check-Up
According to veterinarians, Dr. Anneliese Heinrich and Dr. Christine D. Calder, “Many behavioral problems have underlying medical conditions that contribute to behavior.” In fact, they often stem from undiagnosed medical issues, such as ear infections, dental disease, arthritis, or skin allergies, which can cause discomfort, irritability, and heightened anxiety in your pet. This can lead to increased stress and even aggressive behaviors.
If you’ve observed a recent or sudden change in your pet’s behavior, especially in older pets, scheduling a veterinary check-up should be your first step to address the issue and uncover any potential underlying health concerns.
Seeking Expert Guidance
For comprehensive support, consider the following options:
- Veterinary Behaviorist: A board-certified veterinary behaviorist is a licensed veterinarian with specialized training in animal behavior, equipped to address various behavioral issues.
- Applied Animal Behaviorist: A professional with advanced academic training in animal behavior, although not necessarily a licensed veterinarian.
- Licensed Veterinarian: If medications are necessary to address aggression or anxiety, only a licensed veterinarian can prescribe and administer them.
Additionally, a qualified dog trainer can help you develop and implement a customized management, training, and behavior modification plan, as recommended by your veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist. As the quality and approach of dog training can vary significantly, it’s essential to be aware that some methods may even be counterproductive or harmful.
Exploring Rehoming as an Option
“This may not be the solution for all pets, but some behavior problems can be managed well in a different environment,” said Dr. Heinrich and Dr. Calder. For instance, pets with a history of fighting may thrive in a new home where they can be separated from their stressors. Similarly, dogs with a bite history towards children may require a home without kids to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
The process of finding a new home can be challenging, and canines with behavior issues are often more vulnerable to abuse and neglect in new environments. This is because they may not have the same level of trust and bonding with new owners, which can worsen the dog’s behavioral issues. Therefore, rehoming should be considered on a case-by-case basis, prioritizing the pet’s well-being and ensuring a suitable match for their needs.
When To Consider Behavior Euthanasia?
When making the decision to euthanize a dog, several crucial factors come into play. The following pointers can act as a behavioral euthanasia checklist, helping you make your decision:
Safety Concerns
- Young children or elderly relatives in the home may be at higher risk for injuries related to bites and scratches
- Behavior modification may be difficult or impossible depending on the living situation and commitment to the dog
- Liability and safety concerns for you, your family, and other pets in the home
Rehoming Limitations
- Some dogs are not safe in any home
- Shelters may not adopt out animals with a bite history or those exhibiting aggressive behavior toward other animals
- Transparency in shelter adoptions is crucial for legal and ethical reasons
Emotional Well-being and Quality of Life
- Consider your dog’s overall emotional state and well-being
- Emotional suffering can significantly impact your dog’s quality of life and yours
It is important to gather all relevant information before making a euthanasia decision. In some cases, euthanasia may be the most humane choice for your dog, your family, or public safety.
Answering a query about behavioral euthanasia on Reddit, a user suggests, “Trust your vet. Your dog is suffering, and he’s causing those around him to suffer, including the people he loves most. BE [behavioral euthanasia] is not a death sentence for him, it’s an escape from his overwhelming fear and anxiety.”
What is the Cost of Behavioral Euthanasia?
Dr. Gary Hsia claims that these are the typical dog euthanasia prices :
- Local shelters: $35-$100
- Primary vet (business hours): $125-$250
- Urgent-care vet: $200-$400
- In-home euthanasia: $300-$475
