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AIBU?

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Original poster

Romanian dog rescue

403 replies

Preciousmemory · 22/02/2025 17:30

I am in an awful situation that I can find no solution to. Please if any one could give me some advice.
i have rescued a Romanian dog which has turned out so badly.
He arrived 10 days ago and has serious problems I am not able to deal with so am asking if anyone can offer me advice.
The rescue have a policy that I must give him back to be rehomed but are not able to find anyone although it is a short time they are describing him on the advert as a dog that loves humans and children and dogs. A huge part of this is not right I have not tested him with a child but as for people he definitely does not like them , only me.
He attacks my husband in the morning, in the evening when he returns home from work and then randomly at any other time. The attacks are getting progressively worse. But yesterday he met my 80 year old tiny dad for the first time which I had also for the first time put a muzzle on him after 7 days of training with it.
The attack was so ferocious on my dad that he was foaming at the mouth leaping as high as his shoulders to grab him but because he was muzzled there was no damage. my dad immediately left. I despair to think what may have happened otherwise. My daughter turned up shortly after the same thing happened. I was thinking he maybe afraid of men but it seems not.
I have constantly tried to work with the Romanian Rescue which could take months for them to find a suitable home, the only option I have from them is to stick this traumatised dog into a kennel which will cause further damage to him, but I am not able to keep him in my home with this level of aggression.
Dog rescues are full up. I have contacted a few that specifically deal with dog aggression. I do not see how this poor dog can just be homed in a normal family environment as this will happen again. He is a large growing powerful dog that could cause serious damage to a person.
Thank you for reading , this is such an anxious problem that I see no solution to.
I am grateful for any advice possible .

OP posts:
ZoeyBartlett · 22/02/2025 19:55

Poor dog. The kindest thing to do is put him to sleep.

Given his attacks on people, there is absolutely nothing charity will be able to do. And ignore all the bollocks about you not being the owner. If he attacks and hurts someone, you will be responsible.

saladandchipp · 22/02/2025 19:57

Thing is - no farmer would want this kind of dog. They breed their dogs very carefully for the behaviour they need as a working dog (herding/guarding whatever)

Honestly - this is a horrible situation but if you can't cope with him (as an experienced dog owner) then who can? Who is the mythical person that doesn't have children or a job and is just hoping for an aggressive dog to find them? Sad

I'm not having a go at you OP. One of my rescues is from Crete and we were slightly duped by a UK rescue but it's worked out fine (10 years now). Mine has particular issues that come from having been abroad in a kill shelter. Reactive yes - aggressive no.

Friartruckster · 22/02/2025 19:57

Agree. If someone is hurt, watch how quickly the rescue step back leave you to take responsibility.

Original poster
Preciousmemory · 22/02/2025 19:57

Miloarmadillo2 · 22/02/2025 19:49

I’m sorry you are in this situation. The pet travel scheme was never intended for the mass import of feral street dogs - they are a huge disease risk to the U.K. and a welfare nightmare for both the traumatised dogs and the unsuspecting new owners. I suspect the rescue don’t have a leg to stand on preventing you having the dog PTS but it might be helpful to have a phone conversation with Trevor Cooper at Dog Law to understand the ownership issue but also your potential liability when the dog inevitably injures someone badly. There have been situations in which rescues have started huge social media campaigns targeting owners and veterinary practices in similar circumstances to try and prevent PTS. I would suggest you get it documented in the clinical records by two vets that they support PTS.
I guess we see mainly the things that go wrong in vet practice but we have seen many Romanian rescues which are very unpredictably aggressive, can only even vaguely cope with domestic life on permanent anti-anxiety meds or subsequently test Brucella positive. Importing dogs into the U.K. when at the same time many stray dogs here are being euthanased is immoral. I sympathise with struggles of prospective owners with the restrictive practices of a lot of U.K. rescues and understand that the dogs needing homes often don’t match the type people want. There has to be a better solution to our overcrowded rescues and to the Romanian street dog problem (probably a trap-neuter-release program).

Thank you so much for this advice I will look Trevor up.
I have taken him to see the vet to have the test as although he already has been tested it was in Romania . The result will be back soon. The vet was quite concerned with the aggression.
was also told that he had been neutered over there I raised the question why this was in case they had done it for behaviour problems they said no they like to do this when they reach an age but this was 10 days before he came to me so thought was little bit odd as I would have done this. I made a donation towards this but when he arrived he had not been done. I had even asked the next day how he was they replied he was recovering well.

OP posts:
saladandchipp · 22/02/2025 20:00

@Preciousmemory oh no you paid for him to be neutered and they lied to you?

These guys are sounding worse by the minute.

It's la proper scam. Like being missold a timeshare but it actually involves a living creature and emotions are involved. Awful for you.

Original poster
Preciousmemory · 22/02/2025 20:00

saladandchipp · 22/02/2025 19:57

Thing is - no farmer would want this kind of dog. They breed their dogs very carefully for the behaviour they need as a working dog (herding/guarding whatever)

Honestly - this is a horrible situation but if you can't cope with him (as an experienced dog owner) then who can? Who is the mythical person that doesn't have children or a job and is just hoping for an aggressive dog to find them? Sad

I'm not having a go at you OP. One of my rescues is from Crete and we were slightly duped by a UK rescue but it's worked out fine (10 years now). Mine has particular issues that come from having been abroad in a kill shelter. Reactive yes - aggressive no.

i think you are right about a farm dog. I think I am just trying to think of any possibility but can’t really come up with anything.
i am so glad yours worked out for you and I know it does for many people but unfortunately not is 😟

OP posts:
Thesoups · 22/02/2025 20:01

Put the poor dog out of his misery and share your story to highlight why this practise should be banned ..the import of dogs like this needs to stop ,it’s become a cottage industry that benefits no one and introduces diseases into our own dog population.

Original poster
Preciousmemory · 22/02/2025 20:04

saladandchipp · 22/02/2025 20:00

@Preciousmemory oh no you paid for him to be neutered and they lied to you?

These guys are sounding worse by the minute.

It's la proper scam. Like being missold a timeshare but it actually involves a living creature and emotions are involved. Awful for you.

Not exactly that because they said they had done it I made a donation they did not ask me to pay, I felt it was the right thing to do but that really did ring alarm bells when I discovered he had not been done. It made me start to question much more.
whatever is going on it’s these poor souls that are suffering.

OP posts:
TitusMoan · 22/02/2025 20:04

Nameychangington · 22/02/2025 18:01

People don't get dogs from UK rescues as the UK rescues have insane rules like there must be one person not working and at home all the time. Have you tried to get a dog from a UK rescue recently? Their requirements are mad.

How is that insane? Dogs are not at all like cats. They shouldn’t be left for long periods.

Miloarmadillo2 · 22/02/2025 20:06

https://doglaw.co.uk/civil/ownership-custody-disputes/

LlamaDharma · 22/02/2025 20:06

I get so angry at this kind of thing. This is why you don't rescue street dogs from Romania and expect to get a normal balanced family pet. It makes me angry that dogs get put to sleep in our own kennels because they are not wanted, while do gooders spend a fortune importing stray dogs from abroad that have never been a family pet and have so many behavioural problems they can never have a normal life. Any so called rescue that doesn't have a back up plan in case it goes wrong clearly cares more about their own reputation than they do about the dogs. I've heard of Romanian dogs being given to old ladies who thought they were getting a balanced pet then can't cope with their behaviour. This sort of thing needs to be banned. We have enough unwanted dogs in our own shelters who will never be given a home.

Dontletthebedbugsbite2 · 22/02/2025 20:06

People rescue from abroad because it is so, so difficult to do it here. They aren't inherently selfish or awful - they want to give a rescue dog a chance & pay money to do so. My late mum adopted a dog from Romania and he is a dream. Walks well on lead, perfect recall, clean in the house, loves people, good with kids and other dogs. Basically a unicorn it would seem. But would I risk it myself? No, probably not. You don't know what you're getting into. I wouldn't adopt a rescue from the UK either though- not that I'd be able to as I have a job that isn't WFH. I really feel for you OP as you clearly care a lot about this dog & it is ruining your life and dangerous for your family. The dog is unhappy too - it's not a punishment to have them PTS - it will be a relief for you and them. They won't manage a fulfilled and happy life regardless of whether you send them back to rescue or persevere. They must be under stress constantly. PTS is the kindest thing.

Original poster
Preciousmemory · 22/02/2025 20:08

Thesoups · 22/02/2025 20:01

Put the poor dog out of his misery and share your story to highlight why this practise should be banned ..the import of dogs like this needs to stop ,it’s become a cottage industry that benefits no one and introduces diseases into our own dog population.

I do feel I do need to share what has happened to stop it happening to others because this has been absolute hell. With emotions and what will end up happening. Stupidly I have learnt so much after the event that I should have found out before

OP posts:
Nchanged89 · 22/02/2025 20:08

So what are you going to do OP?

Mingenious · 22/02/2025 20:09

How much did you pay (or donate) or the organisation you got him from, in total?

Original poster
Preciousmemory · 22/02/2025 20:10

LlamaDharma · 22/02/2025 20:06

I get so angry at this kind of thing. This is why you don't rescue street dogs from Romania and expect to get a normal balanced family pet. It makes me angry that dogs get put to sleep in our own kennels because they are not wanted, while do gooders spend a fortune importing stray dogs from abroad that have never been a family pet and have so many behavioural problems they can never have a normal life. Any so called rescue that doesn't have a back up plan in case it goes wrong clearly cares more about their own reputation than they do about the dogs. I've heard of Romanian dogs being given to old ladies who thought they were getting a balanced pet then can't cope with their behaviour. This sort of thing needs to be banned. We have enough unwanted dogs in our own shelters who will never be given a home.

I know 💔 I am angry at myself to

OP posts:
21ZIGGY · 22/02/2025 20:12

Euthanasia for the dog's sake. Dont involve the rescue. This is why i dislike all the dragging dogs off the street in europe to home them against their needs in a house. Its a money making endeavour.

ThankyouBakedP0tato · 22/02/2025 20:12

Preciousmemory · 22/02/2025 18:23

As soon as I said that he needed to be rehomed I was told he is no longer my responsibility that they are the owners , they are the ones the chip is registered to so he no longer belongs to me and they are the only one to decide what will happen. This is all in their contract that I am repeatedly being told I am In breach of as I let two of my family come to my house on the 10th day which has put him In a traumatic situation. Despite the daily constant attacks on my husband who he lives with. I very much am getting the blame for being irresponsible yet I have pleaded for help. Sent a video of my husband being attacked to be told for him to give him a high value treat

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I think I'd be talking to a solicitor to get advice at this point. Possible also the police to find out how lawful this is.
It all sounds extremely manipulative and dodgy.

Sillysaussicon · 22/02/2025 20:14

There's no gentle way of saying that but the kindest thing is to be put to sleep. I base this off what you have described, but I would consult with a vet who can advise you further as it's a hard decision to make on your own. I suspect they would agree a dog who is in this state of trauma and fearfulness can't have any quality of life, and is a risk to humans. This is not an uncommon situation to don't feel alone or ashamed as you are not at fault, but please think of the dogs happiness and the safety of others. If you can find a shelter with capacity they will likely put to sleep at their cost, if you feel the need to share the decision making.

oakleaffy · 22/02/2025 20:14

RaraRachael · 22/02/2025 18:57

My son adopted a retired greyhound from a local place and they didn't have ridiculous standards. They also want foster homes so you can see how the dog is before you commit.

He is the sweetest dog imaginable.

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Greyhounds are generally very lovely dogs and the trainer knows all their foibles ( if any) before offering them to greyhound rescues-
There are lots near us as there is an importer from Ireland and they take on retired greys or non chasers or those who have injuries-
They are really sweet dogs that amble happily on a lead and don’t pull.
Some can live with cats ( the ones with low prey drives) .

Original poster
Preciousmemory · 22/02/2025 20:14

Mingenious · 22/02/2025 20:09

How much did you pay (or donate) or the organisation you got him from, in total?

£490 adoption fee and donation for Neutering £100 vet test £120 in the beginning I offered to pay the next adoption fee if the right person came along but that was before I realised the extent of the aggression and as from last night had decided he should not be put into adoption or foster without being properly assessed

OP posts:
Mingenious · 22/02/2025 20:17

Preciousmemory · 22/02/2025 20:14

£490 adoption fee and donation for Neutering £100 vet test £120 in the beginning I offered to pay the next adoption fee if the right person came along but that was before I realised the extent of the aggression and as from last night had decided he should not be put into adoption or foster without being properly assessed

Show quote history

Crikey.

Don’t pay them a single penny more.

ThankyouBakedP0tato · 22/02/2025 20:17

That is a huge amount of money!

These people sound like criminals.

Azdcgbjml · 22/02/2025 20:18

I agree you need to get the dog PTS. I'm not judging. We have a Romanian rescue too (after being unable to find any in UK rescue at the time), and like many I know of it is reactive, although slowly improving. Never aggressive though and brings us so much joy with a cheeky character.

I think you need to have your eyes wide open doing this, I fully anticipated there may be issues and I'm well placed to deal with them, but not everybody is. I wouldn't keep an aggressive dog though. Nobody can guarantee that they can fix an aggressive dog, I wouldn't trust anybody who said they could.

If you sent the dog off to someone else and later found it had attacked a child, would you ever be able to forgive yourself?

By all means check your legal position but I don't see how the rescue can claim the dog is theirs if they refuse to take it!

Original poster
Preciousmemory · 22/02/2025 20:18

Nchanged89 · 22/02/2025 20:08

So what are you going to do OP?

I will speak to the chap that was recommended re dog law and also to my vet as he is the best vet I have ever used and would travel 200 miles to see him if I had to. He has taken the greatest care of our dogs and never once failed them. I will do this Monday because I trust his advice

OP posts: