Everyone’s least favorite topic, taboo in many circles, the cause of guilt, shame, and bullying. When we euthanize a dog for medical reasons, no one blinks an eye. When we euthanize for old age related ailments causing quality of life challenges or a complete lack of life in general, no one blinks. You receive condolences, empathy, and offers to chat when your ready.
But what happens when we Euthanize a seemingly healthy dog (1yr – 8yrs of age) for behavioral related challenges? We are often ostracized, shamed, bullied, turned away from adopting another dog, shunned by friends and family for doing the outrageous.
Known as Behavior Euthanasia (BE) it is the act of releasing a dog trapped in a cycle of fear, aggression, anxiety, or other behaviors that restrict their quality of life or endanger the lives of animals and people around them.
Why does BE happen? BE happens when animal is a) danger to society and/or it’s family members, b) a danger to other animals in the home/neighborhood (dog – dog aggression generally), c) anxiety/fear or aggression has reduced the dogs life to a single room/crate or yard, d) fear/anxiety prevents the dog from enjoying any life experiences (fear of sounds, OCD behaviors), e) the level of management required for the dog to safely navigate life is unsustainable for care givers.
Quality of Life (QOL) is an essential piece of any discussion regarding End of Life (EOL) whether for medical or behavioral reasons. QOL can be defined on under the 5 Freedoms of Animal Welfare.
- Freedom from hunger and thirst: Animals should have access to fresh water and food to maintain their health.
- Freedom from discomfort: Animals should have a comfortable resting area and shelter.
- Freedom from pain, injury, and disease: Animals should be treated quickly if they are injured or sick.
- Freedom to express normal behavior: Animals should have enough space, the right facilities, and the company of their own kind.
- Freedom from fear and distress: Animals should be treated in ways that avoid mental suffering.
When we review the 5 Freedoms AND ask the questions is Society safe, is the Owner/handler safe, and is the animal safe, we can develop a holistic picture to better understand when BE is the kindest, most humane option.
When an animal presents with aggression, fear, anxiety, or phobias we want to rule out any potential medical reason. Certain conditions can cause aggression including thyroid conditions, some cancers and neurological conditions. Anxiety and fear can be brought on by traumatic events or be genetic.
The first recommendation from any Trainer or Behavior consultant when presented with cases involving aggression, anxiety or fear should be a vet check including bloodwork. Following up on the vet consultation, training and potentially medication (prescribed by the Vet or Vet Behaviorist) for the behaviors would be the next step, with management and ensuring we are meeting the animals needs as part of the process.
What happens when an owner or family can’t afford an in-depth vet check up, vet behaviorist, or extensive training? IF the animal is safe (not aggressive to all people or all dogs) we can explore rehoming the animal to a family that doesn’t have the triggers causing the challenges in the current environment. This could be kids, cats, a specific dog, or simply an environment that causes the dog so much stress they have begun to act out.
If it has been established the animal is unsafe: Been deemed dangerous by AC (Animal Control), Bite history (reported or not), the owner has exhausted all of their resources (time, money, emotional & physical energy) BE can be the kindest, most humane option.
No matter how much love, training, management, or medication we offer, some animals struggling with severe aggression, fear, or anxiety may still be unable to live a safe and fulfilling life. In these cases, the most compassionate choice may be behavioral euthanasia. It’s time to talk about these hard decisions, they are not made lightly, stand by these owners, they need friends and family to support them.
Resources for Behavioral Euthanasia:
Losing Lulu – Grief Support group. Losing Lulu has a website with tons of fantastic resources, they also have a FB group.
Losing Lulu Resources – This page is dedicated to the before, day of, and days after for owners.
Behavioral Euthanasia by Paws at Peace