Dog obedience training and euthanasia were dictated at a public hearing for English Mastiffs, Spartacus and Gabriella (respectively), who have up until recently made their home in the Hingham Square Gallery at 61 South St. as reported on October 29, 2009 by Carol Britton Meyer, GateHouse News Service (New England). See the whole article at:
www.http://www.wickedlocal.com/hingham/breaking/x23527931/Hingham-dog-that-bit-to-be-euthanized-Owner-will-appeal
The article states that the decision was based on two incidents involving Gabriella biting two customers when they entered the store. According to the Hingham police log, the first bite occurred on June 27, 2008 and the second a year later on June 13, 2009.
Everyone agreed that it attack was not the dogs’ fault. As watchdogs, the Mastiffs protected the gallery when it was empty. And the owners, the Ullmans, never posted a sign regarding the guard dogs.
Spartacus must be leashed when outdoors, is banned from Hingham Square and the Gallery, he must be licensed and vaccinated at all times, and that he must be supervised and leased when out of doors or out of his home.
In addition, Spartacus and his owners, the Ullmans, must engage in professional dog obedience training “to avoid any similar incidents.”.
This type of story reminds me of an old saying: “There are no bad dogs, only bad owners.” The owners were negligent and did not post a sign regarding guard dogs, and considerig the size of a Mastiff, I cannot imagine why.
There is an alternative to euthanasia for Gabrella, however, after biting two people, what chance would she have at finding a new home? The owners are appealing the decision.
This incident underlines the need for good obedience training and I found an extensive resource at youcantrainyourdog.info and or http://www.squidoo.com/best-dog-obedience-tips
A trained dog is a happy dog!
