Special Appeal

Special Appeal for Kaiser

Kaiser is a Staffie cross, approximately 8 years old, who has been with Animal Concern for over four years. He came to us emotionally damaged due, we believe, to an abusive owner who not only broke his jaw by kicking him but also, it’s alleged, used him for fighting.

We did manage to find a home for Kaiser but it proved to be an unsatisfactory adoption and he was returned after about six weeks. We were so sad for Kaiser and couldn’t bear to put him back into the kennels and so one of our volunteers offered to foster him.

We were always aware that Kaiser cannot be trusted with other dogs, but didn’t worry about his behaviour towards people. In fact, many of our volunteers have great affection for Kaiser and regularly cuddle him.

However, after being with his fosterers for about three weeks, he attacked our volunteer’s wife and bit her quite badly on the. She was badly shocked and needed medical treatment for her wounds.

Obviously our committee was very concerned about this and took advice from a Staffie expert who suggested that there were only two possibilities for Kaiser – he would either have to be destroyed or kept at the kennels.

Since Animal Concern is extremely reluctant to destroy a healthy dog, Kaiser was returned to the kennels. Volunteers were warned about what had happened with his fosterers and given the option of not handling him. This was not generally accepted.

Diagnosis

Further to this, the committee decided to call in a behaviourist and Staffie expert to assess and work with Kaiser. The behaviourist diagnosed protective jealousy in Kaiser and feels that he attacked our volunteer’s wife because of this. His opinion was that regular volunteers are quite safe because this situation doesn’t arise at the kennels. He provided training on establishing pack leadership with Kaiser.

A possible home?

After discussion with the behaviourist we now feel that it may still be possible to find a home for Kaiser, but several criteria need to be strictly met. We believe this might not be easy.

Criteria for adoption or fostering

Kaiser needs a home with a single carer who needs to be:

•Well experienced with dogs.

•Strong-minded in order to establish and maintain firm pack leadership with the dog.

•There should be no other people, either adults or children living in the home.

•It will probably be necessary to keep Kaiser separate from visitors since once he establishes a bond with his new carer, the protective jealousy may recur.

•There must also be no other pets.

•Kaiser’s potential new carer must also be physically fit enough to walk him regularly and constructively (as will de demonstrated by our behaviourist).

Training

An absolute requirement is that any potential carer MUST be willing to work with our behaviourist until it is deemed no longer necessary. Animal Concern will pay for this.

Any person meeting these requirements who is willing to give Kaiser a chance will be rewarded with a loyal and loving companion.

It is important for us to be honest and stress here that there is no guarantee that Kaiser will not bite again but we are hoping that in the right environment his problems will be resolved.

Support

Animal Concern will provide every necessary support to Kaiser’s new carer.

If you feel that you can help then please talk to us. Telephone Jim, 01946 692178