I was watching one of the dog shows on Animal Planet last night ... yes I know ... lol
Anywho ... there was a pit bull type pup that was brought into rescue. He was found in an apartment of his elderly owner. The owner passed away, from natural causes, and he was discovered a week or so later. The pit bull pup was feeding off the decomposing body.
Would this in any way, shape or form affect the dog's behavior towards humans?
I dont think so, but wanted to ask your opinions.
Would you think that most dogs, regardless of breed would do the same in that situation? Survival kicks in and you eat whatever is available to keep alive?
Not all dogs will eat at the body. But like you said, 'survival 'instinct' get the best of some dogs.
Had called the police to do a welfare check on a friend & found her dead. She had been dead for 5 days. She had three dogs, two cocker spaniels & a Rott. Once the police busted the door down the dogs come running out & you could tell by the smell that she was dead.
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The dogs were fine, they never ate into her. Toilet was dry & they were very thirsty when we game them water. She had cats too but they did not eat on her either.
But,
Animal Control called me once & wanted me to clean up a dog that was found in a dead woman's apartment. She had diabetes & died because of that. The dog was a Briard & he was MATTED, Oh, he was so matted . Very very badly matted. Long matted dreads. He had ate into his own after she died. One of the worst messes I had to clean up. The stench was horrible. He mush have just laid down beside her.
I do not think a dog would attack an owner that is still alive.
3 dogs that did not eat on an owner after 5 days & one that did after 5 days.
I never heard back about the Briard as to how his temperament was after that. But the Cockers & the Rott were just fine & adjusted very well.
No, it should not effect the dog's personality and yes other dogs will and have done the same thing. Dogs are in fact carnivorous and scavengers. They live in a very narrow window of time and are masters at survival. Just like people, given the right circumstances and faced with certain death, you make hard decisions. That meal was not the "owner" That energy went away days before.
Absolutely would not affect the behavior of the dog down the road. A dog would eat another dead dog it had been raised with if it was starving & had no other food source, doesn't mean it would attack & kill a living dog down the road & eat it.;)
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But I do imagine there are some silly people out there who would think differently.
I think most dogs would do the same & I don't think that's strange at all. It's survival.
Oh Gawd!!! That was on Animal Planet or was it Animal Cops???
Spme people are gonna pipe in that the breed was a pitt bull so yes they would ..
I would think if it came right down to it and the dog ws starving and the smell was disgusting than the dog would devour it to stay alive ..
I would think the dog would know the difference unless it's new owner smelled like a dead carcass:))
I KNOW most dogs would do that. It is not breed specific. You are correct when you say survival kicks in and you eat whatever is available. Humans do the same.
I have read that cats will start to eat as soon as you die. Dogs generally take a few days.
I don't think it will affect future behavior.
Yes I think the dog would kill the owner and eat him if he was hungry enough.
