Big dogs need love, too: Animal shelters overflow with larger canines
NBC 6 South Florida
By Selima Hussain
19 August 2017
There’s a big problem at animal shelters across South Florida—literally.
Larger dogs, like pit bulls, pit bull mixes and German Shepherds, often
struggle to find pet owners, said Lisa Mendheim of Broward County
Animal Rescue. Many people are wary of adopting bigger canines due to
negative stereotypes about the creatures and the restrictions many
condos and apartment buildings place on them.
Roughly 50 to 70 percent of dogs at Broward County Animal Rescue are
considered large, Mendheim said. They also tend to stay at the shelter
for longer periods of time.
In several cases, these dogs -- which also include rottweilers -- are
brought to animal shelters for reasons outside of their control.
“Many of these pets end up at shelter doors because of circumstances,”
said Mendheim. “We have people crying here because they had to
surrender their pet.”
condo size restrictions
Pet owners are often forced to part ways with their large dogs because
of an upcoming move to an apartment or condo that has size
restrictions. A lot of developments in South Florida don’t allow for
dogs that weigh more than 40 pounds.
The issue spans to other parts of South Florida, like Miami-Dade
County. Jossie Aguirre, of the Humane Society of Greater Miami, echoes
Mendheim’s message.
The ban on pit bulls in Miami-Dade County presents an additional
challenge. Mendheim said a large portion of dogs at Broward County
Animal Rescue are pit bulls, due to the ban in Miami-Dade. If someone
in Miami-Dade owns or keeps a pit bull, they will face a $500 fine and
the animal will be court-ordered to location outside of the county.
There are other reasons people opt to adopt smaller dogs – such as
financial issues or having small children around – but condo
association requirements seem to be the main reason why people stray
away, Mendheim said.
“They’re limited by the HCA or condo association,” she said. “That
combined with preconceived notions about pit bulls and larger dogs...it
is challenging.”
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