“Give me two minutes and I will give you a new life.” This is the title for a Videos 2020 about Coco, a young Spanish Bulldog was sentenced to a government shelter in Spain. Believed to be too aggressive for adoption, Coco was scheduled to be executed until a man came to give him a second chance.
inside videotapesSince then garnering more than 1 million views on social media, dog rescuer Edwardo Puerta gives viewers a glimpse into the process of appeasing canine aggression.
Rescue aggressive dogs
Executive Edward Asproan dog shelter nestled along the rugged coastline of the city of Santander, Northern Spain. Rescued dogs labeled with a response are sent here from all over the country in the hopes that Edwardo can rehabilitate them and eventually find these troubled dogs a permanent home.
“I have been rehabilitating dogs with severe behavior problems for over 10 years now, giving them opportunities that no one else can,” says Edwardo. “This is what I have chosen to fight for the most. Others see hopeless cases while I see opportunities to correct aggressive behaviors before they are sacrificed by government shelters.
Coco Rescue Story
Coco, a large breed Alano Español (Spanish Bulldog) who was 10 months old at the time of the rescue, spent nearly 4 months locked in a cell without intervention. Edwardo would lunge forward and bar his teeth to protect himself, Edwardo said. “He was so scared and no one dared to come near him, so his condition and isolation got worse,” he added.
In the video, you see Edwardo enter Coco’s cell and put on a leash as the dog struggles violently to defend himself. Edwardo said: “As we got out of the crib, Coco started to reveal her true character knowing I was there to help her. “Embracing her new-found freedom, Coco was reborn on that day.”
Misunderstanding of aggressive behavior in dogs
Hearing that a dog is “aggressive” or “reactive” can frighten people who don’t understand what drives these behaviors. Many of these dogs have profound traumas that trigger their defensive response. Fear and anxiety are two of the biggest components of defensive action.
A scared dog is suddenly overwhelmed with emotions. He feels unsafe, whether there is real danger or not. Frightened dogs respond instinctively, guided by their primal urge to stay safe. So at the core of dealing with aggression, you first need to figure out what’s driving it.
“Give these dogs the chance they deserve,” Edwardo said. He added: “Knowing that many dogs like Coco are still alive because someone took the opportunity and cared enough to help them. “For me, this is the greatest gift life can give me.”
Legal aid for aggressive dogs
In January 2023, the Spanish Council of Ministers initiated the landmark National Animal Protection Law defining Spain’s pets as sentient beings, banning the sale of pets in stores, imprisoned animal abusers and converted the zoo into a wildlife rehabilitation center. The hope is to encourage change in citizens’ relationships with animals. In doing so, shelters will no longer be allowed to kill pets, like Coco, regardless of whether they are considered aggressive or not.
