"Cross Posted with Permission...

Anybody wishing to rehome an English Mastiff , Bullmastiff or Neapolitan Mastiff are STRONGLY recommended to approach Breed Societies instead of looking on the internet as it has recently been reported that a 'charity' (currently being investigated by Charity Commission for not adhering to their regulations) that advertises itself on the internet as a rescue specifically for the two above-mentioned breeds has recently rehomed a Neapolitan Mastiff without proper behavioural assessment. The tragic result has been the serious maiming of a child.
Due to legal reasons this 'charity' cannot be named but there are a few precautionary measures that people can take to ensure that they are not dealing with this rescue:

1. Check the charity number given by this rescue on the internet via www.charitycommission.gsi.gov.uk

If the result shows that the organisation has not submitted accounts in the last two years, then do not rehome a dog from this organisation.

2. Do not, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, pay any monies, whether it be adoption fees, 'holding' fees, reservation fees, donations etc into a private bank account, and certainly not by direct transfer from one account to another. This is not the way most reputable charities do business. A cheque made out to the charity's bank account should be acceptable... If it isn't, ask why not, then walk away.

3. Ask what behavioural assessments have been done on the dog and who by. Ask for their credentials, ie experience and /or qualifications. Check them out by speaking to the assessor directly. Ask exactly WHAT assessments they were. General observations or past owner reports, i.e. 'Oh yes, the previous owners said he was fine with kids...' are NOT good enough...

It must be stressed that the dog involved in this incident was in extremely poor condition when rehomed to the family concerned, involving treatment for ringworm, skin problems, eye problems and general malnourishment.