Do you think this is being abusive to a dog?

Tonight, I was watching Animal Precinct, and there was an officer that had just rescued a dog. He used that catch stick, (I don't know what it's called), the stick with the loop on the end of it. When he was putting the dog in the truck, he basically lifted the dog, attached to this loop, and while it was hanging by the neck lifted it to put it in the car, instead of picking the dog up and putting it in. The dog was not fighting him or aggressive toward him at anytime, from the time he dragged the poor thing from the house to the truck! The poor dog was dangling by it's throat, in mid air! To me, that doesn't look like the most humane way to handle a dog. Do you see that as being inhumane or abusive, or am I just too sensitive?

Rosalie! Just so you don't get the wrong idea, I give these Animal Control Officers alot of credit and respect, and Thank Them for what they do and see everyday. If it wasn't for them, so many animals would be dead.I understand the reasons, behind using a Catch Pole, and realize that it is necessary to handle certain things the way they do to protect themselves and the animals they rescue. This dog was a medium size dog, and when he was putting the dog in the truck, using the pole that way, it just looked kind of cruel. Usually when I see them rescuing an animal, they lift their body up to get them in the truck. I guess since this was the first time I saw them doing it this way, it just kind of shocked me. That's all!

i think maybe they are afraid of rabies so have to handle an unknown dog without contact? but i think lifting a dog by it's neck is abusive, yes..and what a poor example for people watching..
they could have put another loop around the middle and lifted the dog that way

Dogs can be very dangerous when they are scared - and the officers could be very badly hurt if they try to lead the animals away as if they were in a happy situation. They can maul a human, and even a small bite could transmit a disease.

It woudl be impossible to do animal control effectively without a catchpole, or there would be no animal control officers left. It's dangerous enough, as it is.

If you have any doubt as to the handling of animals by catchpole, keep in mind that even the rescue volunteers in New Orleans used them - and they were some of the most caring and compassionate individuals that have ever walked this earth.

It's easy to watch things on TV and pass judgement, but the better way would be to work with your animal control officer, and see what they have to do - you'd be more than impressed.

Those catch poles suck. They are good for an aggressive dog, but as you described, this dog was not aggressive. I think it borderlines on abuse to lift the animal off the ground by the neck - its easy to cause cervical subluxation, and may cause damage to the trachea. These people are trained and I see stuff like that on there, and it just bothers me too. They were probably just reacting and not thinking. But you are not being too sensitive

I can understand your concerns. And I too at times have been very worried about the way some officers use the catch pole (that is what it's called.) Even if the dog does not seem to be aggressive or fighting in anyway, it is a precaution and officers do this to make sure both them and the animal will arrive at the shelter unharmed. But, technically, it isn't neglect. The catch pole is designed not to hurt any animals, and so far, it never has.

It looks bad too. However in their job they need to remain safe. I feel that catch sticks are overused in animal control but I have an understanding of their use and the reasons behind the use. Dog bites can be very disabiling. Most catch sticks also have a lock so that the snare isn't constantly choking the dog also.

I am one who hates to see animals abused, however I have to believe that the dog was fine. They have to deal with so many animals who fight and try to bite them that it must be a difficult job. I am so thankful that we have people who are willing to try to help these animals. You minght mot have seen every second of the footage as to what the dog might have done before this moment. They are great at cutting the footage and you can't even tell that anything was cut out. You are sensitive, but so are a lot of us who love dogs! :)

he is playing it safe.

he doesn't know the dogs. They could be very placid, but when he gets too close, the dog bites.

those catch poles do not hurt the dogs, and dangling in mid air for at most a few seconds is not hurting the dog at all.

It does seem inhumane, but the loop (catch stick) is painless for the dog and although the dog did not seem agressive at that moment, there is no telling what could've happened if the officer had picked the dog up with his hands.

I'm with ya here.BUT,they don't show every step that is taken on this show,and I love the show too! The dog may have shown signs of aggression earlier,off camera.We weren't there...I remember!LOL They do have to protect themselves first,dogs second.Fear creates bites...

sounds like an awful thing to watch. I would have to say yes but hopefully they had their reason.. it is Animal precinct... maybe a precaution because it could have a disease, so being bitten could be more harmful then just a dog bite, i don't know.

if the dog wasnt putting up a fight at all i dont think it was necessary but the thing that sucks is even if you report it what is really going to happen??

i dont know really what to tell you in this situation

It depends on the way the dog grew up. Like some kitties, a few dogs like life that way, but if he's strangling or yanking his neck hard instead of gently (like mother animals carry their babies), then he's a mean or angry like owner.

Yes, this does seem abusive but they might have to do this to keep from being bitten. You have to wonder though if there is a better way...maybe just try to walk the dog into the truck first.

Yes it appears as being abusive but people in those lines of work have to be careful because they don't know the animal and if it has been vaccinated against rabies ect....

Its most likely not the best way to handle the dog but they know what theyre doing...at least I hope so

ya they shouldn't treat those dogs like that its rude!!

I would have had to see it. It may be just a routine thing they do with all dogs in his precinct.

I think so!

Yes I think it's cruel and a terrible way to treat a dog.

I have learned the hard way that even when a dog does not seem aggressive they can be very unpredictable when frightened. If I were picking up a strange dog that came from an uncertain environment and who knows what diseases the dog may be carrying I would probably do the same thing that officer did. Maybe it wasn't comfortable for the dog but it doesn't do any lasting damage. What is most important is getting the dog to the shelter without incident so the dog can be properly evaluated once it isn't terrified and the officer can continue his job in safety.
Now, on the flip side, if someone treated a dog like that just for kicks and giggles it would absolutely be abuse but when an officer needs to ensure their own safety I think it's justified.

i strongly feel it's abusive. because for one, a human wouldn't do that to another human. its called "hanging" and that's how people used to kill people, or still do. and for a dog, it's the same thing.

the cop needs to die. i pity animal abusers more than anything. they obviously have no idea how precious a life is until they die to find out. but until that epiphany, they aren't human.

i for one, treat my "dog"(i don't like to refer my dog as a dog. she's more of a friend to me) like a human. i apologize when i do something wrong to her or break a promise to her, i talk to her, i hug her, she is more human than any soulless "human being" is. and that's that

well, you know how when they put on the catch pole, they do it to the bottom of the neck??
thats the most strongest part of the neck, so even if you were trying to choke a dog in that spot, the dog would never suffocate. its that strong.
its also to help the dog. if they pick the dog up even when not aggressive, the dog could struggle and hit his head, or even snap his spine from struggling.
its also helps them in that the dog could have allergies. did you watch that one show with the biggest non kill shelter ever? its in Arizona. anyway, they rescued a dog that was allergic to a human touch. so they just have to make sure the dog is safe, comfortable, and to keep the rescuer out of harms way also.

hope this helped!

I think it's fine because some dogs do NOT display aggression but very easily fear bite if they feel intimidated which is sometimes VERY hard if not impossible to predict. These officers have a difficult job and have protocol that they have to abide by. It is neither inhumane or abusive, it is safest for the officer in handling stray, strange dogs, AND is kind to the dog because for one thing it's a split second that it's actually "mid air" but also, it prevents the dog from injuring someone which could end up with the dog being put down for being vicious...

Look at it this way: The dog is a stranger to this guy with a dubious medical history. There's no guarantee it's had rabies vaccines.

If it bites the man, the usual procedure for animals without an owner or vaccine history is to put it down and test it for rabies.

So, by never giving the dog the chance to bite him (even a fear bite, since you say it wasn't aggressive), the guy was ensuring it wouldn't be killed for rabies testing. Those poles were originally developed for dealing with rabid animals anyway.

I can certainly understand how it comes across on TV, though. Hopefully the dog'll now go someplace where he can get a better home and never go through this again.