Woman Explains Why She Decided To Have Rescue Dog Euthanized Over Behavior

A dog owner faced with the heartbreaking decision of behavioral euthanasia had one last special moment with her canine.

Known on TikTok as @that.lab.tundra, Apsen knew it was 2-year-old Tequila’s time. The Belgian Malinois was in her fifth home. She came to Aspen with trachea damage and burn marks around her neck, likely from the two shock collars she noticed in a video she was sent before bringing Tequila home.

All was fine for the first two or three weeks, the owner told Newsweek via TikTok. Tequila played well with the Aspen’s four other dogs. But one day, seemingly out of the blue, Tequila was triggered and went after one dog, Nakita.

“From there she started to go after the other dogs, she had a muzzle on, and then it was all dogs and then it was people,” she said. “But it wasn’t just aggression that she was going through. Tequila didn’t have a safe mind.”

Desperately trying to find a solution, Aspen tried working with her dog but nothing worked. Tequila would bark in the kennel. She stopped eating. Apsen recalls one night when she wouldn’t stop barking and after checking on her, Tequila defecated in her kennel. It happened three more times that same night.

“It also got to the point where she couldn’t just sit without being stressed and that went on for weeks,” she said.

Aspen reached out to 21 animal rescues. Not one said they would or could take care of Tequila. She then reported it to animal control who heard the stories and watched the videos of Aspen. They agreed she needed to be put down.

Behavioral euthanasia is the humane ending of a dog’s life due to severe behavioral issues. It is usually not related to physical health or nuisance behavior like jumping on guests, the American Kennel Club (AKC) reported. Instead, it’s about a dog’s aggression that can lead to harm to people or other animals. These dogs will have clear aggression triggers and could be unpredictable.

Knowing her time with her beloved dog was ending, Aspen wanted to give Tequila one last special moment. She posted in a TikTok video last week Tequila’s final moments where she enjoyed a large bowl of special food and they got to play together one last time. A moment she’ll cherish forever.

The decision for behavioral euthanasia is never an easy one, and TikTok users have offered support by saying it is the nicest thing an owner can do.

“She will not longer be trapped in her mind. You gave her peace and quiet. Rest in peace Tequila,” commented one viewer.

Another added: “Even in this situation, I APPLAUD the grace you are providing her with. You are doing THE KINDEST thing for her in this situation. I’m sorry. Clearly, you care about her AND those around her.”

When to Consider Behavioral Euthanasia?

Deciding to put down your dog is never easy no matter when it comes, hitting you like a ton of bricks. Sometimes the decision comes as they reach the end of their senior years or maybe, like Tequila, they suffer from extreme behavioral issues. But when do you know it’s time?

Before deciding it is time for behavioral euthanasia, owners should rule out any underlying health issues that could cause irritability and behavioral issues. They should also be on the lookout for what triggers this behavior because sometimes owners can avoid those situations that set off their dogs.

The difficult decision can be hard and confusing. Owners are overcome with a range of emotions – fear, guilt, anger. But one does not have to decide alone. The AKC recommends consulting an animal behaviorist or veterinarian to assess a dog’s aggression. They will provide options and guide toward what is best, but ultimately, the decision is up to the owner.

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