Veterinary Workforce
Human Distress and Suicide

Reducing even one small component of stress and guilt
might make a difference for one person.

The hope is that veterinary staff
who carry out canine behavior euthanasia
can do so with less guilt if following consensus guidelines.

CANINE AGGRESSION EUTHANASIA PROJECT

"Develop Ethical Criteria Indicating Euthanasia in Canine Aggression to Reduce Veterinary Suicide" 

Hard data is scarce, but many feel that veterinarians who perform animal euthanasia may experience some level of guilt, and desensitization to death.  If there were generally recognized Ethical Criteria Indicating Euthanasia in Canine Aggression, this would reduce (for some) the guilt and residual sadness.

Second, through treatment or carefully selected behavior euthanasia, it might be possible to reduce the number of aggressive dogs that harm humans, other dogs, and who make other people less willing to adopt homeless dogs.  There are several recognized types of euthanasia, and most of them are outside the scope of what can be tackled by the VES.  However, there is at least the possibility of reducing Canine Aggression Behavior Euthanasia which, because the dog is medically healthy at the time, is more likely to contribute to overall guilt and emotional pain.  This situation occurs relatively frequently in the shelter community.

Since most veterinary general practitioners lack the training or time to carry out the evaluation of the behavior history, another component of this strategy is to recruit behaviorists knowledgeable about canine aggression to collaborate (usually remotely) with the local attending veterinarian.  It is hoped that treatment for aggression is obtained by the owner.  The participating behaviorists are expected to charge for their services, and the only euthanatized dogs are those that are non-responsive to treatment, and a threat to humans.

There are potential benefits to society and benefits to dogs (overall) because:

1. Without established criteria, there are likely canines who are inappropriately euthanized

2. Children are the most common human target by aggressive dogs

3. Beloved pets are often the target of attack by dogs with aggressive predisposition and poor impulse control
   
   

Veterinary and Behavior Related Organizations

• American College of Veterinary Behaviorists

• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior

• Association of Professional Dog Trainers

• International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

• Pet Professional Guild

• Pet Happiness Network