>.> We use signs for a reason...

SC`s Stars II · January 2011

LONG VENT

Wow, I am beyond frustrated. I was at work yesterday (for those of you who don't know I work at a Humane Society). Yesterday was a volunteer orientation, where new volunteers can come and take a little tour, gain some knowledge, and get a little hands on experience. After the orientation is over, we ask if anyone wishes to stay and walk dogs. A lot of people stayed (about 10) so we had to assign dogs to people who could handle them. My bosses and I (I was the only employee signed up that day >.<) went around and assigned dogs to each person. In this scenario, we don't get out the dogs who show any signs of dog aggression because of the risk. Well we got everyone out with a dog, went over the rules and whatnot, and went out to the back area to make sure everything went smoothly. I had been walking a mastif (named Bueford) for a while so I decided to keep him out with me while I watched. I was standing with my back to the door of the building about 20 feet away. I heard the metal door swing open and figured no one shut it all the way and it was just the wind. I turned back around a few seconds later and saw this man, about 35 years old bringing out Ashton. The most dog aggressive dog I've ever seen. I yelled for my boss, shoved Bueford in the back dog run, and went towards this man. As I got closer I noticed the following... - the harness was not on right, it was WAY too loose, Ashton could easily turn his body and get out - the leash was an old crappy one, meant for a small dog. Ashton is a lab mix - the man was holding the leash with one hand, my the loop at the end of the leash I grabbed Ashton's leash from the guy, got Ashton to a point where I could get him to a sit between my legs so he couldn't move, and yelled for my boss again. Then out of no where, this younger girl comes around the corner with a corgi mix and Ashton goes CRAZY, lunging, snarling, growling, barking, you name it he did it. Luckily I had him uner control and eventually dragged him inside. When I came back out, this is what I heard from my boss talking to this man. My boss was pretty darn upset. Boss: "Did you get permission from any staff member to bring this dog out?" Man: "Nah, he was the only one left in there and I felt bad." Boss: "DId you read the signs on his kennel?" Man: "Yeah it said something about not giving him wet food or something." Boss: "So you didn't read the other signs?" Man: "what other signs?" My boss took teh man inside and showed him the signs... - ATTENTION: STAFF ONLY - PLEASE DO NOT WALK WITHOUT STAFF ASSISTANCE - DO NOT STICK FINGERS IN CAGE OR ATTEMPT TO PET - FLAGGED AS DOG AGGRESSIVE - NO WET FOOD The signs are in bold, red letters placed at eye level, clearly viewable before you enter the kennel. Come one people, we have signs for a reason, a dog could have been easily injured or killed, or even injured a person. had I not caught him walking out of the kennel. Seriously?!

RoyalRaccoon · January 2011

It's that kind of ignorance that gets people and animals seriously hurt! Honestly, I think some people just assume the signs at animal shelters are liability waivers, and not actual warnings. It's plain ridiculous. At my local shelter the aggressive animals, sick animals, and puppies are all kept in one section of the building where only staff are allowed to go. Absolutely no one under 18 can go in there, and if you want to see those animal you MUST be accompanied by an actual employee, not a volunteer. In the short time I volunteered there, I can't tell you how many times people got in trouble for just going back there(because they read "Puppy Room" and ignored the rest of the signs), or taking little kids back there despite the HUGE warning signs posted on both doors. I'm so glad your situation, as scary as it was, turned out okay. That could have been a huge disaster.

SC`s Stars II · January 2011

PrinceSushi wrote:

It's that kind of ignorance that gets people and animals seriously hurt! Honestly, I think some people just assume the signs at animal shelters are liability waivers, and not actual warnings. It's plain ridiculous. At my local shelter the aggressive animals, sick animals, and puppies are all kept in one section of the building where only staff are allowed to go. Absolutely no one under 18 can go in there, and if you want to see those animal you MUST be accompanied by an actual employee, not a volunteer. In the short time I volunteered there, I can't tell you how many times people got in trouble for just going back there(because they read "Puppy Room" and ignored the rest of the signs), or taking little kids back there despite the HUGE warning signs posted on both doors. I'm so glad your situation, as scary as it was, turned out okay. That could have been a huge disaster.

Exactly! I wish we had the room for a seperate area, but our facility is so small we barely have room for a quarentine room that only hold 8 cages for cats or maybe a very small dog. We have 2 quarentine kennels that are exactly like the regular kennels, but have no door to outside on them. We are so small we just can't afford to build onto our building. I hate when people bring their kids in and hey stick their fingers in the cages, it freaks me out, I have to constantly be like "Don't touch, just look." to the little 4 year olds >.<

Mileysmybaby · January 2011

Oh wow! That was REALLY stupid of the guy! I hate when people do things like that! But since you work there you might be able to help me LOL, I want to volunteer... do you have to be a certain age most places?

SC`s Stars II · January 2011

Where I work, you can be 7 and volunteer with an adult or be 16 and volunteer by yourself

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>.> We use signs for a reason...

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