I have found out that my former neighbours have given up their old dog in favour of a new puppy.

I am appalled and distraught as I lived a few doors away from them at the time that they got the dog that they have given up, I saw her grow up and so wish I could take her myself now but my dog will not allow another one in the house. She is such a beautiful, friendly, loyal girl and I cannot believe that they have done this to her. Since finding out about this earlier today, I have spoken to some other former neighbours and it appears that they have given her up simply because they are bored with her now and fancied a change. They all have dogs themselves already and are pretty much in the same situation as me, except for one who is simply allergic to dogs.

The dog is a 9 year old Akita, her name is Duchess. She is advertised on dogsblog.com by the pound in which she is being kept in Derby. Unfortunately her 7 days are up on Friday, 24th October 2008 and if a permanent or temporary home is not found by then she will be put to sleep. It is breaking my heart just thinking of this happening to her unnecessarily. I have always known her to be a healthy dog and a dog of her breed still has another 3-6 years ahead of her.

That's really sad. What's wrong with some people?!

Disgraceful

Bless you for caring

Some people shouldn't be allowed to keep a dog! What a disgraceful way to treat an animal!

poor little girl.. at least they gave her up to somewhere rather than abandon her somewhere...

she's better off without owners like that, but tell that to a dog of that age...

That is absolutley disgusting and these people should Not be allowed any type of animal how can they just get rid of an animal that they have raised. ive just had to put my 4 yr old cavalier to sleep because of something so unfair and so she wouldnt be in pain yet these people can give up their dog just like this and then get a new one, words can not describe how angry I am right now!¬

How awful

I had an Akita when I was at home and they are the most loyal loving dogs.

laura89, sorry about your Cavalier. Did she suffer from the neurological problems caused by the size of their skull?

Yeah she did suffer from Syringomyelia.
\It was horrible it wasn't her time to go!,
http://*************.com/lucymagicsky heres a website made in her memory it its freewebs at the beginning but this forum wont let me print it on the link!

Akita Rescue and Welfare Trust
c/o Ken Smith (Co-ordinator), 42 Victoria Street, Barnstaple, EX32 9JD
Tel: 0845 2602206 Email:info@akitarescue.org.uk
www.akitarescue.org.uk

Akita Welfare Trust
Mr and Mrs B Parsons, Gloucester, Tel: 0870 7805298
Email: bernard@jawt.co.uk

From dogpages.co.uk

I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would give up a dog they've had in their life for years in favour of a puppy, it's beyond sense

I know of a man who rehomed a dog only to return it as he'd been told the dogs didn't tend to shed hair and this one had made a mess of his floors as it's winter coat came out....

Poor dog!

I really doubt this will happen though. Pounds tend to have rescues that they pass the dogs on to once their 'time is up'.

I hope she can find some new and loving owners. The old ones don't deserve to have a dog at all.

Hiya - Duchess is now under the care of the Friends of Akitas Trust (UK) - www.friendsofakitas.co.uk

PIDGAS - This happens every week, last year in one Yorkshire pound 10 healthy akitas were put to sleep just because there was nowhere for them to go - that's one pound that covers a 10 mile radius.

Friends of Akitas have managed to save approx 50 Akitas from being put to sleep this year.

I have to say its really nice to read a thread about Akitas that isn't slating them! Please feel free to check out the website, we love new members even if you are Akita-less!

Thanks, Vikki x

Too many dogs put to sleep by that "rescue" for my liking. Even puppies (6 months!).

I don't see why some (usually small) shelters can operate "no pts" policies while others take that option far too frequently.

Too many dogs get PTS by many shelters.

The choice is, operate a no kill policy and turn away many, many dogs (who will then be PTS) because of long stayers or take them in and PTS those you can't rehome.

It isn't an easy choice and I wouldn't want to judge any rescue/shelter/pound.

By saying "that "rescue"" are you refering to Friends of Akitas? Sorry if you aren't but I would really like that clarified.

Vikki

Hope Duchess and others like her find loving homes soon. They deserve to be loved and not cast aside on a whim after many years.

Any news on what has happened to this old girl?

Actually, yes, I am. Unfortunately, I'm one of those frequently called upon to do this job which I refuse.

According to the 'Friends Of Akita's' site she's been rehomed Thank goodness for that..
http://www.friendsofakitas.co.uk/?duchess-re-homed-,136

I just can't understand why someone would give up a pet they've owned for so long, simply to make way for a new puppy.

Aw, I'm so sorry about Lucy, I read her story on the website, and it sounds so heartbreaking.

A sad reflection of the "throwaway" consumer society we now live in.

Good to see doggie has found a home, she looked lovely.

Can you please contact me urgently on vikki@friendsofakitas.co.uk

I have no idea what you are talking about, as we have only ever dealt with one dog in Surrey, she is alive and well and waiting for a home. In the whole time that we have been operating, we have had to have two dogs put to sleep, one due to health issues, the other temprament.

I am concerned that you either have mis-information or an agenda?

As someone who is quite active in dog rescues, please be careful what accusations you throw about as in my experience there are very few rescues who pts a healthy animal - if they are a true rescue. Pounds are different and many rescues go on rescue missions to pounds to save as many dogs from their '7 day policy' as they can - despite being full to the brim.

Thanks for that - I'm seriously concerned that someone is making these accusations - there are two co-ords of this rescue - I am one of them, and we only ever make joint decisions, so I am at a total loss as to where this person is getting their "information" from