Live or Let Die?

a friend contacted me a few days ago about a "friend of a friend" who had a lab/pit mix she'd 'inherited' from her ex husband that was 'acting up'.  right off the bat it sounded fishy, but you never know what's going on in someone else's life so i decided to at least listen and give my best advice.

the dog at hand was described as having killed several animals that got into it's back yard.  ok.  so lots of dogs have a small prey animal drive - but they didn't specify what kind of animals.  a squirrel is different than attacking a cat or another dog, in my opinion.  they also sited the dog as "unpredictable" around strangers.

well, my first thought (and bit of advice) was that this person, if they loved the dog, needed to take the time (and money if needed) and above ALL - EFFORT to rehabilitate the dog.  i do believe that 90% of problems dogs have stem from US, humans, not training/treating/disciplining them correctly.

i realized soon that ideas was not an option for this "friend of a friend" and they proclaimed 'they have to go to animal control.  the dog is too hard to handle".....well, ok. but no rescue or animal control (FOR SURE) has ever let an allegedly aggressive dog go up for adoption.  with that in mind, i made the suggestion that, again, if the owner was fond of the dog (AT ALL) to just take it to the vet and have it euthanized in peace, with someone it loves.  strangely, i got back a message that said that dogs at animal control are played peaceful music and given love before they die.  this was from someone who claimed to volunteer there. 

well i do volunteer there - every week.  and i am calling a big fat BS on that statement.  i have never been in the rooms, i am not allowed, nor would i want to be.  but i can tell you there's no calming music and no love or care whatsoever.  i mean, think about it.  a vet probably puts a dog to sleep on random occasions, with dogs and owners they love and respect.  that bond is not present at animal control...no offense intended, it's just not.  and if 5 million animals are put to sleep every year at these places, i'd say it's more like a factory line than a soothing, theraputic massage-like experience. 

anyway, i spoke my peace, suggested once again that they go to their vet and handle it privately, so that the dog wasn't scared and lonely out of it's mind in it's final moments.  but people get embarrased, don't want to be seen as the 'bad' guy...so ultimately i have no clue what happened.

i will assume the dog is at the rainbow bridge and i will say a prayer for him tonight.

friends - my question to you is - WHEN is it ok to let a dog go?  and WHAT is the responsible thing to do in that situation?

jasper is a dog we got to in the 11th hour.  he was set to be put to sleep any moment,

but we pulled him right before D-Day and he now thrives in a loving home

with kids and adventures all over the US.