Skip to comments.
Groups Fight Over Fate of 174 Feral Chihuahuas
Reuters via Yahoo ^
| July 17, 2003
| Gina Keating
Posted on 07/17/2003 6:31:15 AM PDT by schaketo
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The case of 174 feral Chihuahuas on death row in a Los Angeles animal shelter has pitted animal rescue groups against each other in a debate over whether the purse-sized dogs are too vicious to adopt.
The plight of the tiny dogs has prompted a war of words between rival Chihuahua rescue groups, a candlelight vigil, and an outpouring of offers of new homes and money.
Some experts have also warned that the adorable lap dogs, made wild by years of inbreeding and roaming in packs in the home of their elderly owner, were closer to miniature wolves than the cute breed made famous as the Taco Bell mascot.
The dogs were seized from the home of 72-year-old Emma Harter in November. Harter was charged in April with felony animal cruelty.
Animal experts employed by Los Angeles initially determined that the dogs were too dangerous to be sent to new homes, Animal Care & Control spokeswoman Kaye Michelson said.
"They are very unsocialized," Michelson said. "They do have severe behavior problems."
Their fate will be sealed on Thursday, when a judge is expected to decide whether the dogs should be euthanized or rehabilitated, a question also being debated by Chihuahua rescue groups.
Lynnie Bunten, president of Chihuahua Rescue & Transport, a Texas-based organization, said the dogs were too threatening to be adopted by "regular Joe families."
"They are pack animals and as pack animals are dangerous," Bunten said.
But Kimi Peck, former daughter-in-law of the late actor Gregory Peck, said all the dogs could be rescued and planned to hold a candlelight vigil on Wednesday at her Burbank kennel, Chihuahua Rescue.
Peck also criticized Bunten's group for its stance: "They are despicable. They are Hitlers. They won't take dogs unless they are perfect."
No one questions that these are troubled dogs. The pack's dominant members have attacked and killed more than a dozen kennel mates after arriving at the shelter, Michelson said.
Pet expert Warren Eckstein, who evaluated the dogs for Peck, said he believed all of the dogs can be saved.
"Of course they are going to have that kind of behavior -- look at how incarcerated humans act," Eckstein, who hosts a national pet radio show and consults with NBC's Today Show, said. "I'm not saying they are all Rin Tin Tin, but they're not Cujo either."
TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: chihuahuas
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-74 next last
To: BunnySlippers
I suspect that Josie's ancestry included a terrier of sorts.
But then, the Dread Boston Salty is a purebred Boston terrier, of parents who both weighed less than 15 pounds, and he's 27 pounds of sheer muscle.
No one who meets him thinks he's a purebred Boston - he's about twice as big as the breed usually gets.
41
posted on
07/17/2003 7:23:25 AM PDT
by
Xenalyte
(I may not agree with your bumper sticker, but I'll defend to the death your right to stick it)
To: schaketo
42
posted on
07/17/2003 7:30:00 AM PDT
by
dogbrain
("Life is hard son. It's harder if you're stupid.")
To: schaketo
Death Row chihuahuas...bad to the bone.
43
posted on
07/17/2003 7:37:28 AM PDT
by
Jhensy
To: schaketo
The thought of a pack of vicious Chihuahuas is funny.
But this part of the story is scary:
But Kimi Peck, former daughter-in-law of the late actor Gregory Peck, said all the dogs could be rescued and planned to hold a candlelight vigil on Wednesday at her Burbank kennel, Chihuahua Rescue.
Peck also criticized Bunten's group for its stance: "They are despicable. They are Hitlers. They won't take dogs unless they are perfect."
44
posted on
07/17/2003 7:43:20 AM PDT
by
beaversmom
(Celebrating May 5th and all days with an American Flag)
To: Xenalyte
My little Chihuahua mix is a sweetie to us but not at all friendly to strange children.
45
posted on
07/17/2003 7:45:32 AM PDT
by
beaversmom
(Celebrating May 5th and all days with an American Flag)
To: schaketo
ur link is incorrect
46
posted on
07/17/2003 7:46:00 AM PDT
by
KantianBurke
(The Federal govt should be protecting us from terrorists, not handing out goodies)
To: Xenalyte
He's a cutie. :)
To: schaketo
We recently adopted one of these nasty chihuahua-doggie things from the Humane society. She came pre-named GiGi (yeah, I know it's a French name) but we call her 'Evil dawg'. I think this dog is schizo. She can be extremely sweet one minute and will bite the crap out of you the next! Has an exorcist-type growl too. I think she could spin her head around backwards and spew green vomit if adequately provoked.
48
posted on
07/17/2003 7:52:40 AM PDT
by
mommybain
(not Walmart greeter material)
To: mommybain
I guess she could just be a nutso dog but also she may have been treated badly by her former owners. We used to know a cat named Spinach that was schizo like that. You would be petting him one minute and the next he would scratch your arm off. There was a young boy in that household with pyschological problems who we think really mistreated him.
49
posted on
07/17/2003 7:55:34 AM PDT
by
beaversmom
(Celebrating May 5th and all days with an American Flag)
To: Xenalyte
When I was looking for dogs I wanted a Boston but my husband was against it because he thinks they are ugly. I think an Aunt he detests had one so that's probably the true reason. I think they are cute. I love the picture of your dog.
50
posted on
07/17/2003 7:57:28 AM PDT
by
beaversmom
(Celebrating May 5th and all days with an American Flag)
To: Xenalyte
Hah, I have Chihuahua mutts and I'll tell them I'm going to get rid of them and get a Boston Terrier. Our mutts are nice, snuggly brats as far as family is concerned. To outsiders, they're fierce beasts.
The male dogs chased down and killed a rat the other day. I had to chastise the cat for falling down on the job.
51
posted on
07/17/2003 8:00:29 AM PDT
by
csvset
To: beaversmom; csvset
The Dread Boston Salty was a Christmas present to Xena's Guy back in '98. He was about seven weeks old (Salty, not XG) and about the cutest thing you've ever seen. He'd fit in a tennis shoe, except for his big head.
Little did we know that he'd turn out to be a methane producer on such magnificent lines.
The only problem we have with Salty is that he's a bully. He's very respectful to big dogs - one of our buddies has a big black Lab, and every time Salty sees her, he rolls over and shows his belly - but he tries to harm little dogs. He wishes death on Yorkies. (But then, I do too. Smelly hairy little rats.)
We're considering obedience training, but haven't found one we like down here yet.
52
posted on
07/17/2003 8:04:39 AM PDT
by
Xenalyte
(I may not agree with your bumper sticker, but I'll defend to the death your right to stick it)
To: Xenalyte
I love chihuahuas...especially with catsup. I just can't eat a whole one.
To: beaversmom
I think it's just chihuahua behavior. She's getting better, and she absolutely adores my 9-year-old daughter.
54
posted on
07/17/2003 8:07:41 AM PDT
by
mommybain
(not Walmart greeter material)
To: mommybain
Many years ago I heard that if chihuahuas were as big as St Bernards the human race would be in danger of extinction. I love dogs but every chihuahua I've been around was a mean-spirited little snot!!!
55
posted on
07/17/2003 8:32:02 AM PDT
by
History is truth
(The truth, and nothing but the Truth.)
To: ICX
" put a chihuahua in a pillowcase and drown it."
I agree, thats pretty damn low. Anyone who does that ought to be beaten with that sock full of quarters.
56
posted on
07/17/2003 8:49:34 AM PDT
by
Rebelbase
(........The bartender yells, "hey get out of here, we don't serve breakfast!")
To: History is truth
Mentioning the Saint Bernard reminded me of a comical pair of dogs I saw at someone's house once.....Great Dane and Chihuahua.
57
posted on
07/17/2003 8:51:20 AM PDT
by
Rebelbase
(........The bartender yells, "hey get out of here, we don't serve breakfast!")
To: laweeks
I think a large pot, sliced carrots, boiling water, salt, and some green veggies would make a nice soup.
As a former paperboy, I concur.
58
posted on
07/17/2003 11:46:48 AM PDT
by
Thoro
To: Thoro
Chihuahuas are an ancient breed of Kickmees used by the Mayans to build their fires. They would have used rats, but chihuahuas burn longer.
59
posted on
07/17/2003 11:57:54 AM PDT
by
laweeks
To: Catspaw
"I think you can take McDonald's off that list. The tip-off is that they sell Coke products, not Pepsi." You can take the others off as well they used to be owned by pepsi but were sold off a number of years ago.
60
posted on
07/17/2003 12:01:36 PM PDT
by
Mad Dawgg
(French: old Europe word meaning surrender)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-74 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson