The sad fate of police dog “Billy” touched many readers! Due to his unpredictability, the male was kept in the kennel for more than 18 months – without any exercise or contact with his peers. The Ministry of the Interior has now approved the lethal injection.
His sad look got under your skin. During a local inspection by the “Krone” in August last year, the service dog seemed lonely and desperate rather than aggressive and uncontrollable.
There was much talk about ‘Billy’s’ future prospects, and our readers also took a keen interest in his fate. But after initially promising discussions and an offer from an animal protection organization specialized in such problem cases, those responsible opted for the “simplest” route.
When asked by the “Krone”, state police chief Pürstl confirmed that “Billy” had been euthanized by the attending veterinarian on January 11 in consultation with the police. The whole thing is justified by a report from the VetMed University of Vienna, where they diagnosed a genetic defect that can affect the breed.
Wasted tax money
But why does such an analysis require such a long period of time, during which the dog has been in solitary confinement for a year and a half? And why is something like this not tested before the Republic invests almost 34,000 euros in training a service dog?
Case raises questions
It is a given that authorities depend on the support of dogs during operations. The training of guide dogs cannot be compared to the training of private working dogs, but the ‘Billy’ case raises questions.
Four-legged elite?
If the ‘elite’ – which certainly includes the police service dog unit – buys such mentally ill dogs from private breeders, what does that look like in general? Any Austrian can keep such an animal and will probably not invest money in a genetic test if it suddenly develops behavioral problems.
Reforms Demanded!
The “Krone” stood up for “Billy” because every animal has the right to life. But the case once again shows how urgently reforms are needed in dog breeding and training. In response to our request, the Ministry of the Interior stated: “Of course, the experiences from the case of the assistance dog ‘Billy’ will be taken into account in future purchases of puppies; In concrete terms, this meant adjustments and further developments in the purchase test. .”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
