recently adopted adult dog just killed a cat

[red_mares]

@S1969

I think that’s a bit extreme. Many breeds have tons of prey drive, and dogs aren’t born with a set of socially acceptable rules about which animals are ok to chase and catch/kill, and which ones aren’t.

Would you be ok with the dog catching and killing an opossum? If so, you have to ask yourself why that’s acceptable and not a cat, and how your dog would know the difference.

It’s just as likely that the previous owners are returning this dog because it ruined their furniture as anything else. I think it’s unfair to simply guess.

Agree to disagree. Probably depends a bit on the breeding of the dog, and the size. This dog is 70 lbs. That is a lot of dog. A little terrier might get a 2nd chance; a dog this size - not so much. Rescues aren’t always the most honest organizations out there. Plenty of them straight up lie. I really wouldn’t trust a no-kill shelter to do the right thing. They are often too worried about not putting a dog down to accept the truth.

The dog was so focused despite my yelling and very effectively destroyed the poor cat.

If a dog shows that much aggression soon after you get him, why not believe him? Do you want him to kill someone else’s cat? We had a Jack who could kill without destroying an animal. That word is telling to me. Besides that the Jack was maybe 17 lb. Too many nice dogs need a home.

My dad’s dog came from a rescue; I have a pretty good idea why he ended up there.

[jetsmom]

Saying that the dog should be put down for killing a strange cat is like getting a cat and saying it should be put down for killing your pet mouse.

[red_mares]

Read what the OP wrote - she didn’t say the dog merely killed the cat. If it was a quick shake and the cat’s neck was broken, that’s one thing. This is a 70# dog that “effectively destroyed” the cat. Makes me think the cat was bloodied mess. She commented on the determination of the attack. I’ve had a terrier and seen farm dogs killing vermin - I haven’t seen those dogs destroy their prey. They killed it & were done.

If this dog were a peach, odds are he wouldn’t be in the adoption world. I would not want to roll the dice that a dog this size just didn’t like cats.

I guess the OP should consider herself lucky it was a cat she didn’t really like. I’m going to go out on limb and presume she told the rescue all of the other animals she had when she got this dog.:no:

[Casey09]

I have never kept dogs and cats together and honestly, prey drive does not bother me because in the least and in many ways makes dogs easier to train. A lot of serious trainers work very hard to build prey drive as it makes it easier to make training a game.
If I had a house cat, I would not keep a dog that had killed or wanted to chase cats. I had a very high prey drive dog for years, and I trained her a lot with well respected professional trainers using several different methodologies, and I was told that training out an instinct is not realistic. I think you were right to return the dog.
I can understand that a lot of dogs are put to sleep and a dog needing a cat-free home may be somewhat more difficult to rehome. To imply that a dog that kills a cat is going to rip a person to shreds without other evidence is a bit bizarre to me. I’ve had one very high prey-drive dog that was one of the most fun dogs that I have ever known. Every vet I took her to thought she was wonderful. So did I. I had her for her entire life and she never killed anyone’s pet. She did kill a bird and some baby rabbits on the fence once. She was a fabulous dog and I can’t begin to describe the things she taught me or how amazing she was. She weighed over 80 lbs, was very muscular, and was not a pit bull. However, she was a breed known to be high prey drive! Many working dogs are high prey drive. What is a good dog and a good fit for one person may not be for everyone. I don’t know why I open these threads as it is always implied that the only good dog is one that has no prey drive and can go to the dog park and play with any other dog without an issue. This isn’t a pit bull issue necessarily. Most working breeds are not that way. That doesn’t mean that no one should ever have one.
To the OP … if I had cats and wanted an adult rescue, I might try talking to vets and looking for a dog that had successfully lived with cats. A dog that chases or seems interested in squirrels, rabbits, etc. is not as cat-safe as a dog that doesn’t, regardless of what anyone tells you. Look for a dog that has no desire to chase small and fluffy things! Best wishes and sorry for the bad experience.

[Nezzy]

@red mares

Read what the OP wrote - she didn’t say the dog merely killed the cat. If it was a quick shake and the cat’s neck was broken, that’s one thing. This is a 70# dog that “effectively destroyed” the cat. Makes me think the cat was bloodied mess. She commented on the determination of the attack. I’ve had a terrier and seen farm dogs killing vermin - I haven’t seen those dogs destroy their prey. They killed it & were done.

If this dog were a peach, odds are he wouldn’t be in the adoption world. I would not want to roll the dice that a dog this size just didn’t like cats.

I guess the OP should consider herself lucky it was a cat she didn’t really like. I’m going to go out on limb and presume she told the rescue all of the other animals she had when she got this dog.:no:

There are people who do NOT own cats. Those people would probably enjoy this dog. why on earth should the dog be put down?

[SMK]

Make sure the rescue actually acknowledges it, too! I fostered a dog for a rescue that I was told was cat and dog safe (according to surrendering owner), and within a week he had severely bitten another dog who had come around the corner while he was on leash going to the bathroom. I contacted the rescue, who asked me to hold onto him until they could find another foster, and in that time he tried to kill one of my cats. Luckily, he was on leash inside, and the cat got to safety. I told the rescue he needed to be somewhere else that day.

I had made the rescue totally aware of what had happened, so boy was I surprised to see they had him listed on Petfinder as cat/dog friendly. I contacted them to make it clear that he was NOT, and they said they’d mention it anyone who asked. He was adopted, and I got an update on him about a year later (the Dane community was small there). I can’t be certain if the failure was with the adopter or the rescue, but he had been put to sleep after he mauled a dog in the dog park.

Some rescues are better than others, I’ve volunteered for some really great ones, and this one had a great reputation. Moral of this sad story: please make sure the rescue follows through! For the lives of any cats he could potentially reach in the future.

[cnigh]

I would take the dog back just to protect your other pets.

My best girl was the most loving sweetest most gentle soul. Until she saw a critter in her yard. Then she was a killing machine. Never a cat, but rabbits, squirrels and birds were all fair game. She was a Lab x Golden Retriever, so hunting was natural for her imho. She never showed any aggression towards people.

My other dog just killed a skunk 2 nights ago. My house stinks so bad. But I can’t critter proof a yard that backs onto a forest. So I accept the occasional kill.

Lord knows my cat gets her share of birds too.

I would not put a dog down for killing a strange cat.

[pezk]

I owned a dobe/huskie mix for 14 yrs. I adopted her when she was 3 months old so the resident cats could indoctrinate her on how to behave around them. She knew the difference between her cats and everything else, even outside. She had a very high prey drive and killed woodchucks, rabbitts,a skunk, etc. she almost killed a strange cat but the cat was fast enough to get away by only a smidge. I watched her with her own cats outside and if the cat went running she would go after it ,but the cat would just roll over on its back in front of her, claws in, and act totally unconcerned about the pouncing dog. She was a great dog.
i dont understand this desire to euth a dog for killing a cat. Do these people euth cats for killing mice, birds, etc?
In the situation the OP described its probably best for the dog to be returned unless the OP was willing to spend lots of time supervising and training the dog. I hope the dog finds a good home. Sounds like a nice dog.

[Minxitbabe]

@red mares

I’d put the dog down. Someone else moved him on for a reason. Didn’t happen to be a pit cross?

f I did send him back to a shelter, it wouldn’t be a no-kill one. Too many of those DO adopt out dogs they shouldn’t just to clear one off their books. Ask the dead woman in Norfolk.

I wonder what else he killed before you got him?

Well aren’t you a nasty piece of work. I hope you never hit someone with your car because of course then you should be put down.

To the OP. There are plenty of homes with out small pets out there. If that’s his only issue it can be worked with. I have a friend with a half blind golden that kills cats. They aren’t supposed to be in her 3/4 acre yard so she fixes that. Any dog might kill something that runs from them. My two older would sure chase it like they were planning to kill. Hopefully he lands somewhere that will enjoy him as much as you wanted to and he lives out his life well loved.

[blitzkrieg]

It really makes me sick to see people advocating euthanizing a dog over the result of high prey drive, something MANY breeds have. There are WONDERFUL dogs with high prey drive that make amazing additions to homes without cats/small animals. As someone that has worked in a behavioral rehab facility both with dogs with severe dog aggression as well high prey drive, this is hardly worth euthanizing over. I feel awful for you and that poor cat - I’ve been on scene for similar accidents with a dog and it’s just the worst thing to observe, let alone clean up after. My heart goes to you.

Return the dog, just be honest about what happened, and let the rescue or shelter find a more suitable situation for him.

[GraceLikeRain]

That dog would be back with the rescue within the hour. I will never have an animal killer in my house.

[cnvh]

There are plenty of dogs who are perfectly trustworthy around cats but have a prey drive with other critters. My 75-lb shepherd mix will kill any groundhog she sees. but she pays no attention whatsoever to my cats, nor my free-range chickens who will try to steal food right out of her mouth when she’s eating. My parents’ farm dogs are the same-- perfectly trustworthy around the cats and livestock, but woe be to any groundhogs, wild rabbits, etc.

With that being said, I DO have cats, and I don’t think I could own a dog who’s been a confirmed cat killer. I certainly don’t think he would need to be euthed, however!

PS, red mares, wtf with the “pit cross” comment?!?!

[GoodTimes]

OP I think you did the right thing. As heartbreaking as it is you have a duty to your own cats, and he sounds like a nice dog, I’m sure someone with a cat free home will be happy to have him.

My inlaws have a cat killer, he lived with the cat for 5 years before he worked up the nerve to do it. He’s a wonderful dog in every other way, they just won’t get another cat.
My dog likes to chase squirrels and rabbits, she’s not very fast so I doubt she’ll ever catch one. She has never showed any interest in small dogs. SO hates cats so it’s not like we’d ever have one, and I’m quite happy that she keeps the neighbours cats from using my garden as a litter box.

To everyone advocating for euthanizing, give your head a shake! Dog-cat aggression usually has nothing to do with dog-dog or dog-human aggression. It’s no different then a barn or outdoor cat killing mice, birds, bunnies, or snakes. No one bats an eye at that.

[sisu27]

@red mares

Read what the OP wrote - she didn’t say the dog merely killed the cat. If it was a quick shake and the cat’s neck was broken, that’s one thing. This is a 70# dog that “effectively destroyed” the cat. Makes me think the cat was bloodied mess. She commented on the determination of the attack. I’ve had a terrier and seen farm dogs killing vermin - I haven’t seen those dogs destroy their prey. They killed it & were done.

If this dog were a peach, odds are he wouldn’t be in the adoption world. I would not want to roll the dice that a dog this size just didn’t like cats.

I guess the OP should consider herself lucky it was a cat she didn’t really like. I’m going to go out on limb and presume she told the rescue all of the other animals she had when she got this dog.:no:

Come on seriously? My Jagdterrier is a very efficient killer but she will destroy, dismember and consume her prey (sometimes she just swallows the small stuff even if its alive). Depends on the prey and her mood I guess. Dead is dead why this matters and indicates so much to you I still can’t understand. My Terrier also has never even looked sideways at our barn cats and never shown even a hint of aggression toward people. However by your standards because she “destroys” prey she should die.

This dog should die because the OP chose a word that conveys human killer to you? Big leap on your part.

You want this dog to be a Pit cross so badly I can smell it from here.

To the OP I am happy to hear you brought the dog back. Hope he finds the right home.

ETA also @red mares to say that any dog in rescue has something wrong with it is the most ignorant thing! I have had MANY rescue dogs and most were in fact total peaches. People are IDIOTS and get a puppy having no idea what they are doing and give up. HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.

[LegalTexan]

Why put the dog down? Not knowing what breed it is, I refrain from making comments in regards to that. I have one right now with a “high prey drive” - a BC- the prey drive is turned into a play drive, but has to be controlled. At 8-9 month still teachable, at age 4 more difficult. And- not knowing what happened in these 4 years- I would most likely bring the dog back with full disclosure. I do rescue- and at times I pick one with a high prey drive or dislikes that need to be worked on. Some come around all the way, others only partial. ALL learn, but when they are ready to be adopted out, there is full disclosure and the people that come, see in our setting how the dogs do with other animals and kids. We stay in touch too and the option to bring a dog back for whatever reason is always there. We have yet had a dog return, but love the updates we are getting. There are many good dogs out there to pick from- this one just wasnt the one for you- I am sorry

[rockonxox]

There are PLENTY of great animals up for adoption including all of the ones I own who HAPPILY live with cats. My Zeus loves to play with the cats (they wrestle, it’s weird) and Ace is indifferent. We see cats all the time and they don’t have that prey drive. They are also absolutely peaches and ended up at the shelter through no fault of their own (one from a hoarding home and one… well I don’t know, but there is absolutely nothing that I’ve noticed ever being wrong with him other than he is a bully type breed - American Bulldog - and they aren’t for everyone).

As for this guy, I think you made the right decision. Some dogs do have a prey drive that is easily stimulated. Not every dog can handle a cat home. I did adopt a dog before who after having a couple of days started to really harrass my cat. He chased after him incessantly and you could tell both dog and cat were incredibly not compatible. I sadly made the choice to return this dog (totally against my personal beliefs), but it was the best thing for him. I called to check in every day and he was adopted to a lovely catless family in only two days.

Not every dog, or every cat for that matter, works for every home. That doesn’t mean there aren’t amazing ones out there. I personally find younger non herding breeds or those who came from homes with cats are the “best bet” if you have a cat at home… although nothing is guaranteed. Animals will have different reactions to different situations. I hope you find the one that will work for you!

[islandrider]

Almost ditto our neighbor’s situation a few years ago-they rescued an adult dog, who we found out later was on prozac, which wore off. I ‘dogsat’ my daughter’s king charles cavalier. Neighbor’s dog off leash, saw my daughter’s dog and went for the kill. It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen. Took 2 of us to get the dog off little Fiona, who escaped but needed Emergency Care.

This dog seemed like a trained killer from what I saw.

As if that wasn’t enough to seal the deal, neighbors began a whole process with animal behaviorists etc. All the while the animal would get out and roam during the day. Scary scary scary. End result, lots of money later but luckily no lives, dog was euthanized.

Sometimes, in case of an animal like this one (my neighbor’s dog), not sure about yours of course, the hardwiring is just too deep to change and the most compassionate thing to do is send their spirits on…

Good luck.

[red_mares]

@sisu27

Come on seriously? My Jagdterrier is a very efficient killer but she will destroy, dismember and consume her prey (sometimes she just swallows the small stuff even if its alive). E.

The breed spec I saw for a Jagdterrier is 21#. Big difference between a 20# and 70# dog.

[sisu27]

@red mares

The breed spec I saw for a Jagdterrier is 21#. Big difference between a 20# and 70# dog.

Is that the point? If you are looking into that breed you would also see that they are often used to hunt bear and boar. So size/weight is a non issue. Have you seen a Wolverine take down a moose? I have…size is not the issue. Mine is 23 lbs and if she were aggressive toward humans she would not exist.

The point is aggression toward a cat does not mean the dog is a human killer. Huge over reaction.

[GoodTimes]

@islandrider

Almost ditto our neighbor’s situation a few years ago-they rescued an adult dog, who we found out later was on prozac, which wore off. I ‘dogsat’ my daughter’s king charles cavalier. Neighbor’s dog off leash, saw my daughter’s dog and went for the kill. It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen. Took 2 of us to get the dog off little Fiona, who escaped but needed Emergency Care.

This dog seemed like a trained killer from what I saw.

As if that wasn’t enough to seal the deal, neighbors began a whole process with animal behaviorists etc. All the while the animal would get out and roam during the day. Scary scary scary. End result, lots of money later but luckily no lives, dog was euthanized.

Sometimes, in case of an animal like this one (my neighbor’s dog), not sure about yours of course, the hardwiring is just too deep to change and the most compassionate thing to do is send their spirits on…

Good luck.

This is not “almost ditto” to your situation. You’re comparing apples and oranges.
Anyway, OP already posted that she returned the dog to the rescue, she did not opt to euthanize.