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February 8, 2005
Dog with attitude making progress in rehab
By MICHAEL MILLER Staff Writer, (609) 463-6712, E-Mail
An Upper
Township pitbull terrier has taken to rehab like a vicious dog
taking to rehab.
An animal behavioral specialist in New York
reported Monday that Bradley is adjusting well to life outside the
Upper Township animal shelter, where the dog has lived for the past
year.
Beacon Animal Rescue, a nonprofit rescue group, took
the extraordinary step of sending him to New York for treatment to "cure" his viciousness toward other animals.
Bradley is a
more docile pooch away from the noise and stress of a shelter, said
Garo Alexanian, who runs Companion Animal Network. But the dog got
off to a rocky start the day his caretaker, Maureen Robinson, drove
him up to Alexanian's home in Forest Hills, N.Y.
"He went
after me," Alexanian said. "He was on Maureen's leash. She pulled
him back just in time. In a fraction of a second, his head lunges
forward and he takes a nip.
"I had some
reservations."
Alexanian warned Beacon Animal Rescue that he
would recommend euthanizing Bradley if he were too vicious to train.
But after spending 20 minutes alone with the dog without further
incident, Alexanian decided Bradley was willing to learn.
The
nonprofit shelter in Upper Township raised money for the dog's $5
per day boarding.
"He was very protective of Maureen,"
shelter manager Sandy Halbruner said. "But since then, he's been
doing a lot better. He's coming around a bit."
The training
is expected to take as long as six months. Eventually, Alexanian
hopes to find Bradley a new home. But first he must learn to like
other people and animals. The final test will be when Bradley begins
to play with other dogs. Right now he ignores the other dogs and
cats in his temporary home.
"This was a tough one. If
something goes wrong, you don't get a second chance to build a
relationship with him," he said. "But I think he's a
mush."
To e-mail Michael Miller at The Press:
MMiller@pressofac.com
BRADLEY WITH LIFETIME FAMILY NOW
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