surely that is not a "Clown from Barnum & Bailey circus", that is Red Skelton's clown face paint.

Unreal Spot, lummels:

My only experience like this was in rescuing an abused Rottweiler from a tow-truck yard.

That dog was the living embodiment of having a heart of gold, having many people loving you and supporting you, but still succumbing to demons, undeservedly.

I am glad I was able to give that dog 2 years of joy. But ultimately, it had to be put down because it was a fear biter, it had a devastating and practiced bite, and the fact that it was a sweetheart the vast majority of the time just lulled people into a false sense of security. I have the ability to defend myself against the enraged surprise attack of a large Rottweiler with a practiced bite, but it was unreasonable to expect the people around us to be able to do the same.

There are self-described "dog trainers" that will "break down" a dog, in the same manner that I imagine these children are "broken down", with unrelenting physical punishment. It is advertised as an alternative to destroying an animal. I imagine it is effective, to some degree. I would never make use of their disgusting services.

My dog was humanely put down. He enjoyed days of the full attention of the people he loved, and he was allowed no anticipation of the final procedure (thanks to a vet that kindly injected an initial overdose of a sedative in my house, when the dog's attention was occupied). The animal exited this world feeling the caresses of his trusted owner.

Frankly, the vast majority of humans will never get the opportunity to exit this world in such a physically, emotionally, and spiritually humane way.

But this is not an option for a human child. I imagine this whole cruel enterprise (Judge Rotenberg Education Center) is a charade to somehow mollify the tortured conscious of parents that have reached the end of their ropes. It is very important for these parents to mindlessly deny that torture takes place to control the children.

Thank god I am not in that position with my child.