ASPCA Adoption Center

My experience with the ASPCA was an utter abomination. On Friday 12/16/2022 "Milkshake" was released to me as a fast-track foster. He was intended to be an adoption, but because of a potential ear surgery that he required, we had to foster until after the shelter vet performed the second surgery.

Upon meeting the behavior team, they mentioned in passing that he had grabbed at a person's pant leg during a walk and also had canine leash reactivity. This did not disuade them from releasing him to me. They sent me home with food, toys, and helped lead him into our Lyft ride home. It did not disuade me from taking him as I have been adopting dogs with behavioral issues for decades and am a certified trainer specializing in behavior.

As agreed, I returned with Milkshake to the shelter Sunday evening for his medical evaluation. I emailed prior to let them know that I did not believe a second surgery was necessary. With supervision and care the surgical site was no longer bleeding, but I would defer to the vet.

Upon meeting with ASPCA personnel, I stated that unless it was absolutely medically necessary it was not in Milkshake's best interest to remain overnight. I was told he must stay. I asked that due to his known reactivity to please not walk him (Manhattan is too stimulating), and if they must, please use a head harness and allow him to carry a tennis ball. My feed back was disregarded.

I was informed the following day that he was involved in an "incident" and the person required medical attention. How did this happen you ask? Sheer negligence.

After two days of being managed by the Director of Foster Relations (Eileen Hanavan), I was informed by the Senior Manager of Behavior (Adi Hovav) that Milkshake would be humanely euthanized due to the lack of warning signals and the severity of the incident. Let's examine this for a moment:

1. The shelter readily released a dog that had already exhibited canine and human reactivity to me on Friday.
2. The shelter allowed the leash reactive dog to be walked by an "experienced handler" (volunteer) on a busy Manhattan street.
3. I was told that the dog was being walked on the left side of the handler, but yet had enough freedom that he was able to cross in front and attack a person on the right.
4. The shelter disregarded my feedback regarding proper safety and handling of the dog
5. The dog had not displayed aggressive tendancies during his first few weeks in the shelter. This behavior surfaced after neuter surgery. It is not uncommon for a dog to display what are often temporary reactive tendencies soon after a neuter.
6. The ASPCA was not open to discussing potential alternatives to euthanasia (e.g.; meds, rescues that specialize in behavioral issues, etc.) to allow the dog to decompress and potentially be rehabilitated.

My heart goes out to the individual that sustained injury. It is a horrific, traumatic incident that was completely avoidable.

My heart breaks for Milkshake who paid the ultimate price for human negligence and error.

I fully recognize that we can not allow dogs to pose a danger to society. I also know first hand, that many of these dogs can be worked with and rehabilitated to become good canine citizens. Have we learned nothing from the Bad Newz Kennel/Michael Vick debacle?

My assumption is that euthanization was the only option the ASPCA considered because of potential litigation from the victim. Euthanizing the animal just looks better in court.

Any way you look at it, the ASPCA made grave errors in judgement. If the dog was deemed dangerous enough to euthanize due to unpredictability, why was he being walked on a front clip harness (no control if his head) after already lunging at someone days prior? What humans are being held accountable for this? Any? Milkshake died in vain, alone, and was then carted to the dump. RIP sweet boy. You mattered and I will never forget you!