GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A brand-new policy at a doggy day care is getting attention and getting pushback.
An email from Good Dog GR about the center declining “bully breeds” due to safety issues has actually gone viral, with numerous views and discuss social networks.
Dog day care says brand-new ‘bully breeds’ policy has to do with safety
It mentions particularly that “we have had too many dogs genetically prone to conflict that have jeopardized the safety of other dogs and staff,” which they “no longer accept dogs of the ‘bully breed’ classification.” It goes on to consist of a list of a range of pit bull terriers and bull dogs.
FOX 17 gone to Good Dog GR on Wednesday and the owner validated the email and said that it was a personal email sent to customers. The owner decreased an ask for an interview however said that the choice has to do with safety.
She said that her staff and other dogs have actually been bitten and bruised. It’s the action she emailed to customers who found out about the policy also.
She added that there are exceptions to the policy. Bull terriers and bull dogs are are still welcomed to be serviced. In fact, a few were in on Wednesday for grooming, she said.
She also pointed out that PetSmart has a similar policy. FOX 17 was able to read it on the company’s website under their Day Camp and Group Playtime Requirements. It states “for the safety of all animals and associates, we cannot accept dogs of the bully breed classification or wolves/wolf hybrids.” It also lists a variety of bull terriers and bull dogs.
Lauren Edwards Fox 17
Wednesday afternoon, FOX 17 reached out to the Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance and interviewed its director, Tanelle McFadyen.
She said they found out about the ban a few days ago and received messages of concern from a number of their volunteers.
She included that the alliance and other companies have actually gone over Good Dog’s brand-new policy.
McFadyen, who’s a licensed dog fitness instructor and assists in play time with shelter dogs, said those times can be intricate however there’s a lot to think about.
“The important thing is to make sure you’re matching play styles. Are they matching play styles accordingly with dogs? Are you putting a dog who likes to chase with a dog that would rather wrestle?,” McFadyen said. “These things are very, very important because if you put all of those dogs together they’re not necessarily going to enjoy it. So, I’ve seen a lot of playgroups being 25 dogs in a room and maybe there’s two staff overseeing that, which is not enough people to the amount of dogs either.”
The owner of Good Dog GR said they evaluate their dogs however that you can’t be familiar with a dog in one day. She highlighted that it’s a choice based upon safety and experience.
