My dog bite a child

[Cranberry]

I'm so sorry that you are going through this. Maybe, instead of putting him to sleep, you could look into finding a new home for him? He sounds like he'd be happy in a rural area living with a single person, or perhaps a couple.

Hello Nicci,

At first glance your idea makes a lot of sense, but it's sadly not as simple as that. I'm a volunteer at an animal shelter. Dogs that are known as biters are almost always put to sleep. It's only under very rare circumstances that they are put up for adoption. Usatxmom already attempted many things to insure her dog would be safe for her neighborhood: dressing, fences and so on. A dog who's still a biter after that is unlikely to change unless he's placed in the care of an exceptional handler (which Usatxmon seems to be) in exceptional circumstances.

Sending the dog to a rural area is not guaranteed at all to solve the problem. There's still kids playing outside, and often many small animals too. For a territorial large dog, a rural area can look like an ideal hunting ground. He'd probably have to be kept in small fenced areas or on a leash at all time. The dog would be surrounded by an exciting environment in which he could not go. That tends to make dogs miserable and they develop new behavioral problems, like constant barking.

Usatxmom probably feels like she's betraying her dog and friend right now. That's how many people feel when they take their pet to the shelter or have them put to sleep. It's really a hard decision to take.

I think considering all the efforts she put into helping her dog fit in with his new life, we should give Usatxmom the benefit of the doubt and take for granted she already explored all other alternatives to having her dog put to sleep. I'm sure you and all those who tried to think of ways to avoid the death of the dog are well-meaning. But that's not what Usatxmon asked for in her opening post. What she needs is that we stick to simply finding ways of comforting her through this...

 

[Tangnefedd]

I can't understand why she held onto a dog that she knew was aggressive, the animal shelter should not have let it go, but put it down themselves! I am sorry if I sound harsh, but in my opinion kids' safety wins out over an animal any day of the week!

 

[Faithful83]

Any dog that bites a child should be put down, I don't think there should be any argument about this. In the UK it is likely the police would be involved, and unless there were extenuating circumstances the owner would be ordered to have the dog put down.

Why do you say this? There are always variables. Maybe this child didn't provoke a dog, but what about a dog who is provoked by a child? What if a dog bites a child only after the child repeatedly does something (hit, kick, etc) that provokes the dog? You can only expect a dog to take so much...

 

[stoney85]

Maybe a stronger fence and a muzzle? How about being an outdoor 'pen' dog?

I have a border collie and got to a point where his aggression was becoming an issue. It's mainly when I'm not home which makes sense because as smart as he is, I think he knows its his job to protect my wife and kids. I was preparing to fit him with a muzzle after a recent indicdent, but before doing that I realized that some of this is instinctive and starting being very aware of what situations I was putting him in. It seems to have worked so far.

Either way you chose to go, I hope you find peace in your decision.

 

[Nicci]

I was referring to the numerous private no-kill shelters and sanctuaries. I volunteer at a local shelter as well, and we do take dogs with a history of aggressiveness. Those shelters are out there; just because several, including the one you work at, might have a history of putting biters down, that doesn't mean they all do. I just want her to exhuast all available resources before she puts her dog down because that's not a fun thing to go through. The area of the US I'm from also has several large areas of land, and if someone owns a lot of land they can get a large portion of it fenced in for the dog. Like I mentioned to her in my previous post, the ability to do that depends on where she lives. It may or may not be feasable. A lot of agressive dogs also do better when they aren't around a lot of people. It is possible to have a home out in the country where there are no small children playing. My cousin's dog had been acting very aggressive, and she found him a new home in a rural area. He spends almost all his energy running around, and he's a completely different dog. Stoney85 has good suggestions as well. Whether they will work or not, of course, depends on her resources. I know she'll make the decision that is best for everyone involved, and it's not an easy decision to have to make.

 

[Cranberry]

I was referring to the numerous private no-kill shelters and sanctuaries. I volunteer at a local shelter as well, and we do take dogs with a history of aggressiveness. Those shelters are out there; just because several, including the one you work at, might have a history of putting biters down, that doesn't mean they all do.

I'm particularly bad at decyphering the tone in other people's posts. So... Just in case I offended you in my earlier post, I wish to offer you my apologies.

If you are interested in discussing no-kill shelters and other solutions to the "problem" of biting dogs, I'd be happy to. I would just feel more comfortable doing it in a new thread.

 

[Tangnefedd]

Why do you say this? There are always variables. Maybe this child didn't provoke a dog, but what about a dog who is provoked by a child? What if a dog bites a child only after the child repeatedly does something (hit, kick, etc) that provokes the dog? You can only expect a dog to take so much...

The dog would still be put down if the bite was bad enough. But in this case the dog was known to be aggressive so the owner should have immediately have had the dog put to sleep, that is the responsible thing to do, surely.

 

[Nicci]

Oh you didn't offend me at all, don't worry about it. I just want to make sure she's considered all possible options. I can tell that she loves her dog very much, and if there is a way for her to avoid putting him to sleep I just want to make sure she knows.

 

[Dagna]

I understand how you are feeling about your dog right now. Unfortunately, Great Pyrenees are not necessarily the best family dogs, especially in a neighborhood setting. Pyr's are independent working dogs that were bred to guard their flocks and most Pyr's, even mixes, retain many of those instinct. To me, honestly, it sounds like territorial aggression, especially when you mention how bonded he is to you. Have you considered turning this dog over to Pyr rescue? They may consider taking him if they feel they could work with his problem, which they may be able to do since this seems to be a problem with many of the rescue Pyr's and mixes that I've worked with. It's usually because they were owned by someone who didn't understand Pyr's and didn't train them (which is difficult, even for experienced Pyr people since they are such independent dogs). I've worked with a couple Pyr's and mixes with the exact same problems as your dog has and usually, they can be placed in an experienced Pyr home that understands the needs after some extensive training. I still wouldn't trust any of them around children, but when owned by people that are able to keep them under control, they have lived wonderful lives and haven't hurt a single person. Just a thought for you. If that doesn't pan out, I don't think anyone could really blame you for having the dog PTS as it is a danger without proper control. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Crofter]

To put the dog to sleep and save the animal from further fear and stress can sometimes be the kindest but most difficult action. You are very brave to face such a situation and I know this must break your heart.

You have given in a short time a loving home for this dog... this is in itself a wonderful achievement... and the dog bonded with you... a bond with someone who loves them is what a dog needs more in life than anything else. What is important for a dog is quality of life... not length of life.

To rehome the dog after seeing how hard you tried might be too harsh for this dog because he would pine for you. Most dogs who end up in a shelter never loved... so they do not suffer this break of bond and trust. However the dog is young and could do well in a different situation... you will know and be able to discuss with a shelter if rehoming is a realistic option.. or if this will just cause more suffering in the long run for the dog.

I took on a rescue dog some years back... the harm had ben done to this dog so that he was terrified of children... he loved my kids, but was agressive towards the neighbours rather loud and active boy... he could not be trusted near children at all... and I could not, dog lover though I am. favour the dog over the safety of other children. So he went back to the shelter... it broke my heart and when I recall the look of trust in his eyes as I drove him there I can feel some of the pain you are now in.

God bless you for trying so hard and for having enough love to see that sometimes the hard choice is sadly the kindest.

 

[usatxmom]

Thank you so much for all your thoughts. I was not going to come back to this thread and read it because the decision had been made and the "helpful" advice and suggestions had already been thoroughly investigated and were very upsetting to me. However, the other comments and support have trully helped me and I appreciate them so very much.

This is a wonderful place and I'm so glad I found it while surfing.

 

[Nicci]

I'm sorry it was upsetting to you. No one (including myself) wanted you to go through this because it's not fun. The people who offered the "helpful" advice and suggestions wanted to make sure there was no option you hadn't thought of. No one was trying to upset you. I'm sorry I couldn't be helpful, and I'm sorry about your dog. This isn't a fun thing to go through.

 

[steelmagnolia]

The child was just walking by, not doing anything to my dog. The grandparent, my n eighbor, of the child saw the whole thing. My dog burst out of our wood fence (through a loose board that he had obviously been working on). The little boy saw my dog get out and ran. That was a huge mistake as most dogs will then chase you. Mine did, he chased this little boy, all 60 pounds of him, down until the boy tripped then he grabbed his arm and bit him. My neighbor was able to pull my dog off his grandson before more harm could have been done, thank God. I'm so thankful it was just a scratch that he received and that he had been wearing a baseball jacket when it happened. The Lord was watching and helping out. My neighbors, the grandparents, were understandably overwrought about the entire thing.

I will stay with my puppy the entire time and be with him. I have no idea how I'm going to make it through that without a complete breakdown.

I for one think you are doing the right thing, difficult, but the right thing.
I have heard too many news stories of an innocent child being mauled to death. I can not even imagine if this incident would have been worse or the child been killed. I shudder at the thought of it. You have obviously done all that you could do. You will be sad and understandably so. I had to give up my female boxer for the same reason except she bit my daughter. I just could not have that in my home - a dog biting my kids or another child.