Canada: Toronto Animal Services downplays Presa Canario's aggressive behavior while trying to dump it into your neighborhood

CANADA -- Meet the new Boss.

Toronto Animal Services is positive he won’t be like the old Boss when handled by an experienced dog owner.

The municipal agency is attempting to adopt out a four-year-old male, black brindle, Presa Canario with a muzzle order.

Mary Lou Leiher, program manager with Toronto Animal Services, said the previous owner surrendered the dog through a court process with the stipulation that a new home be found for the canine.

“We had some issues with him guarding his owner ... he nipped a few people so we laid some charges, so there is a court order on the dog,” she said. “He will be a good dog if he’s with the right person.

“He was put in a situation that was bad for him and that affected what happened.”

The large, muscular Presa Canario breed is banned in Australia and New Zealand, and has been implicated in attacks on humans, most notably the mauling death of Diane Whipple in San Francisco in 2001.

Carmen Medaglia, of Red Rock Kennels — a Presa Canario breeder in Sault Ste. Marie, said the dog makes a great family pet if properly socialized from puppyhood.

His own dogs are around children all the time and there have never been any negative incidents, he said.

“However, in this situation, because the dog is four years old, history is not really known, and we know he had some issues with biting in the past, I wouldn’t recommend this dog be with children,” Medaglia said. “But that has nothing to do with the breed of the dog, just based purely on facts of his past.”

Boss could still make a good pet for someone who knows how to socialize dogs and who understands that animals bite out of fear, not aggression, he said.

The dog has been at the city shelter since April 23 but was only recently put up for adoption once court proceedings concluded, Leiher said.

Boss was living in Toronto with an individual who did not ensure constant supervision, and that led to bites as Boss tried to guard his companion, she said.

“They were nips, they weren’t like attacks or anything like that,” Leiher said. “He needs to be with an owner whom he trusts and whom he looks to for direction. He can’t be just sort of left unsupervised around people and put in a position where he feels he has to sort of hold down the fort because that’s what was going on.”

Shelter staff have not had any problems with Boss since his arrival, she said.

In order to adopt the dog, would-be owners must successfully pass a number of meet-and-greets with Boss in the shelter.

Presa Canarios were bred as guard dogs and it’s important to find a new companion for Boss that has some experience with strong breeds, Leiher said.

The muzzle requirement applies only if the dog is in Toronto, she added.

On the wisdom of adopting out a dog with its track record, Leiher said the shelter has successfully found companions for other Presa Canarios.

“(We’re) doing our due diligence to make sure that it’s a safe adoption,” she said.

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What Boss has to say for himself, as interpreted by shelter staff...

“Hi I am the Boss Man!”

“I am currently looking for an experienced owner who can meet the needs I require in my new home. I need lots of exercise, a securely fenced exercise area, personal and positive interaction as well as lots of leadership and companionship.

“I would do best in a calm, quiet adult environment where I will not become overstimulated.

“My breed is known to make great family protectors and we are bred to be family companions as well as guardians. I did have some problems in my past where I was a little overprotective and as a result I now must wear a muzzle when I am out in the public. With the right leadership and positive environment, I know that I can be a great canine companion.”

All it takes is for this dog to pull its leash from its new owners hands and take off after whatever it wants to attack and kill - child, cat, dog, mailman, woman pushing baby stroller -- and the owner will not be able to stop it. What if the gate isn't latched properly? What if the owner opens the door to accept a package from FedEx and the dog noses its way out to attack? 

There are so many adoptable dogs at shelters this very minute that are being euthanized because of lack of good homes - why are they wasting their time on this one? Put it to sleep and promote a GOOD DOG that is friendly, has never bitten anyone and needs to be saved from death row.

(Toronto Sun - Jan 17, 2016)