East Alabama Humane Society

Good Morning, Mrs [redacted] and her husband meet "Jack" (the dog that this dispute is over) at Petsmart on May 2nd, Jack was months old at the time, and had come from a home with other dogs and childrenWhen he was surrendered to us, he had never been reported as biting or nipping any oneThe ***'s took Jack home and fostered him over the weekend to be sure it was a great fitThere was absolutely no money exchanged at that timeWhen they brought Jack home initially, it was on a foster basis, they had not paid anything, and were more than welcome to bring him had he not worked outWe could have tried an alternative dog, and that is exactly what had been explained to the ***'s prior to them agreeing to foster himWe did not foster or adopt out a "biting dog" like they have stated Monday morning, May 4th, they officially adopted Jack, and paid an adoption fee of $They stated repeatedly how well Jack was doing and how he played well with their nieces and nephewsWe are always thrilled with reports of easy transitions On June 11th, Mr [redacted] sent a private message via Facebook to our East Alabama Humane Society PageUnfortunately, our Facebook is maintained on a volunteer basis, and the message wasn't brought to our attention until Saturday, June 13thI immediately contacted Mr [redacted] and we discussed "Jack's" behaviorHe had stated that Jack acted out when he was in an elderly person's lap and was protecting themJack had not broken skin during either incident and was only nippingHe also mentioned that they could not afford to utilize an animal behaviorist, but wanted to keep him because they love himI suggested that he not be allowed to sit in laps if he is going to misbehave or while children are presentHe had agreed to try thatI stated that if his behavior did not improve, to please bring Jack back to us At no point did we insinuate that they were doing anything to JackDogs will bite for a reason, and we were trying to pinpoint what had changed that was causing Jack to suddenly start nippingThat cause could be a number of things that are not intentional, but for whatever reason results in a negative behaviorWe cannot provide suggestions for mitigating future incidents without first knowing that causeWe attempted to help the ***'s with training suggestions, we do not advertise that we are dog trainers because we are notWithout assistance from a professional trainer, our only other suggestion was to allow the ***'s to return Jack to usTo make the statement that "They were not willing to help us in any way," could not be further from the truth On Monday, June 15th, both Mr& Mrs [redacted] surrendered Jack back to us The adoption contract that Mr [redacted] signed and initialed states: "Within hours after adoption, if the animal is found to have a serious health problem and the adopter provides a written statement to that effect from a veterinarian, the adopted may return the animal for refund or replacementAfter hours the adopter may return the animal but no refund will be issued." Mr& Mrs [redacted] had Jack for weeks prior to this incident and had never reported this behaviorThey are not entitled to a refund, nor will we exchange a dog or return JackWhen they were told this, Mr [redacted] became belligerentAt that point they wanted to take Jack back, and even threatened calling animal control to report Jack as a biting dogWe do not believe their household is the appropriate home for Jack based on his nipping, and will be working with him as well as searching for the right home It is an unfortunate situation, that leaves no one happyAdditionally, we have still not seen Jack exhibit any aggressive tendencies, and do not want to have this misunderstood puppy labeled as a biting dog Please let me know if you have any questionsSincerely, [redacted] East Alabama Humane Society

Good Morning,
Mrs. [redacted] and her husband meet "Jack" (the dog that this dispute is over) at Petsmart on May 2nd, 2015. Jack was 10 months old at the time, and had come from a home with other dogs and children. When he was surrendered to us, he had never been reported as biting or...

nipping any one. The [redacted]'s took Jack home and fostered him over the weekend to be sure it was a great fit. There was absolutely no money exchanged at that time. When they brought Jack home initially, it was on a foster basis, they had not paid anything, and were more than welcome to bring him had he not worked out. We could have tried an alternative dog, and that is exactly what had been explained to the [redacted]'s prior to them agreeing to foster him. We did not foster or adopt out a "biting dog" like they have stated. 
Monday morning, May 4th, they officially adopted Jack, and paid an adoption fee of $150. They stated repeatedly how well Jack was doing and how he played well with their nieces and nephews. We are always thrilled with reports of easy transitions. 
On June 11th, Mr. [redacted] sent a private message via Facebook to our East Alabama Humane Society Page. Unfortunately, our Facebook is maintained on a volunteer basis, and the message wasn't brought to our attention until Saturday, June 13th. I immediately contacted Mr. [redacted] and we discussed "Jack's" behavior. He had stated that Jack acted out when he was in an elderly person's lap and was protecting them. Jack had not broken skin during either incident and was only nipping. He also mentioned that they could not afford to utilize an animal behaviorist, but wanted to keep him because they love him. I suggested that he not be allowed to sit in laps if he is going to misbehave or while children are present. He had agreed to try that. I stated that if his behavior did not improve, to please bring Jack back to us. 
At no point did we insinuate that they were doing anything to Jack. Dogs will bite for a reason, and we were trying to pinpoint what had changed that was causing Jack to suddenly start nipping. That cause could be a number of things that are not intentional, but for whatever reason results in a negative behavior. We cannot provide suggestions for mitigating future incidents without first knowing that cause. We attempted to help the [redacted]'s with training suggestions, we do not advertise that we are dog trainers because we are not. Without assistance from a professional trainer, our only other suggestion was to allow the [redacted]'s to return Jack to us. To make the statement that "They were not willing to help us in any way," could not be further from the truth. 
On Monday, June 15th, both Mr. & Mrs. [redacted] surrendered Jack back to us. 
The adoption contract that Mr. [redacted] signed and initialed states:
 "Within 72 hours after adoption, if the animal is found to have a serious health problem and the adopter provides a written statement to that effect from a veterinarian, the adopted may return the animal for refund or replacement. After 72 hours the adopter may return the animal but no refund will be issued."
Mr. & Mrs. [redacted] had Jack for weeks prior to this incident and had never reported this behavior. They are not entitled to a refund, nor will we exchange a dog or return Jack. When they were told this, Mr. [redacted] became belligerent. At that point they wanted to take Jack back, and even threatened calling animal control to report Jack as a biting dog. We do not believe their household is the appropriate home for Jack based on his nipping, and will be working with him as well as searching for the right home. 
It is an unfortunate situation, that leaves no one happy. Additionally, we have still not seen Jack exhibit any aggressive tendencies, and do not want to have this misunderstood puppy labeled as a biting dog. 
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
[redacted] [redacted]
East Alabama Humane Society