I'm sure this is going to be a touchy subject, being so many people are dog lovers.. as am I.
Today our 1 1/2 yr old husky/german shepard mix female dog attacked my 2 year old son. Our dog and our son have growen up together and they are good together. Today we were outside playing for a couple of hours, they played together perfectly! I was taking some things to the garage and our son tripped and fell, when he did our dog jumped on him and with her head kept knocking him down (maybe 3 times) then stood on him with her front paws and was growling the intire time, he was able to turn his head over and she grabbed his face. Thankfully she did not seriously break any skin... but he got a major bloody nose and was bleeding some out of the scratchs above his one eye and on both sides of his nose. He has scratches on both eye lids and on both sides of his nose and one on his lip. This happened earlier this afternoon and he nose is so swollen and he has one black eye.
It could have been much worse!! Thankfully I was only about 5 feet away and got to him quickly.
Here is my question... Please don't get me wrong I do love our dog... but...
I want to put her down. I'm scared of if she would do it again, what then? How much worse could it be then? Or is this a one time thing, I have no idea why it happened... she was following behind us when he fell and he didn't do anything earlier to her ( 15 mins before she was licking him). My neighbor is all about dogs, she came over and seen our son's face and asked what happened... I told her and that I want to put her down and she freaked!
Now she wants to take the dog and find a home for her instead of me putting her down Friday (already have the appt made). She said if she can't find a home for her then she will keep her. I don't want her to have the dog, she has a 4 yr old girl that is so little our 2 yr old is as big as she is... I couldn't live with myself if the dog ever would hurt her!
As the day is going on I'm starting to second guess myself on if putting her down is the right thing to do or should I let my friend find a home for our dog that doesn't have kids... but then what if someone comes over who has kids.. what then? She is so strong that if she wanted to she could seriously hurt an adult also ( my husband has to walk her because she is too strong for me to hang on to her).
I have always hear that if a dog bites once it's more likely to do it again...
Its so hard not to let my emotions get the best of me because she has been part of our family for a year and a half.. but my kids ( 5 kids ... 7 mo -12 yrs) come first.
What do you think is the best way to handle this?
I did cancel the appt with the vet for today. One I did agree I was jumping the gun too quick and need more time to think. Also I didn't want to put her down right before the holiday for the kids sake. I did call the Humane Society and talk to them and explained what happened, they told me being that our son fell and the dog went into "attack mode" could be a red flag for future attacks. They said that they prefer not to take a dog that has attacked in that manner and would more than likely put her down also just to be safe. So I think that is the best way. We love our dog, but its not worth it have somebody get hurt (mildly or severe) again. Its not fair to the family if we can't go out in our yard and enjoy it because the dog is out there and its not fair to the dog not to have the attention she needs because the kids are all scared of her now. So right or wrong with others with is what is best for our family. Thank you so much for your input and my husband and I did take everything in account before making this very tough decision. Thank you again.
Huskies are known to be territorial and not good with kids-at least from what I know of them. Before you put the dog down I would look into a husky rescue group, a web search should tell you if there is one. Or you might contact the local human society and see if they can help you local a group to find the dog a new home without kids.
I see a lot of responses to contact animal rescue groups, and I will tell you that most of them, including the humane society, won't take a dog that has bitten. I have been looking for a home for a dog that is not great with children - he's very dominant with them and will growl, bark, etc. He has bitten my daughter once, though not seriously, nor enough to break the skin. As I've looked, there are no groups that will take him.
So, while it's very well to tell someone to find a rescue group to take your dog, it's not always realistic. I would call "Adopt-a-Husky" or German Shepherd Rescue today and see what they say. Their information is below-
Adopt-a-Husky
# P O Box 27, Albertville, MN 55301
# Phone (voice mail): ###-###-####
German Shepherd Dog Club of Minneapolis-St.Paul Rescue
Marilyn Lindsey-Miller, PO Box 574, Willenie, MN 55090 ###-###-####
But then, if no one will take your dog, you should not feel guilty putting her down.
My next door neighbor's dog attacked me several years ago. I was the first person she ever bit, but I wasn't the last. You can not ever trust a dog that has bitten, and your son is too young to establish dominance over her. In the meantime, I would keep her either in a crate or muzzled when she's in your house.
I wish you a lot of strength through this ordeal.
Good luck -
Hi R.
So sorry that you are going through this. I went through the same thing when my son was 2 years old. Our dog was a terrier mix, so not a big dog. Ours was food aggressive and my son dropped Cherrios on the floor and the dog went in to attack mode.
I worked at an animal hospital at the time and the dr that I worked for made a good point. He said he wouldnt worry so much about my son (although we were very nervous when the dog was around him) but worry about my sons friends. I can guarantee if the dog had gone after your neighbors son and you sent him home like that, the neighbor would be demanding the dog be put down and on the phone with a lawyer. German Shephards are naturally a protective dog.
I did try calling a dog training service, but felt I would never be able to trust my dog again no matter what the training. Nobody would take him because he did bite and if we knowingly gave him to somebody knowing that he had already bit somebody, we were liable (maybe different laws, different state....who knows) We did end up putting him down. It was the hardest decision I have ever made, but I think it would be even harder if my dog had hurt again.
Good luck to you!!!
Hi R.,
I am so sorry this happen today. It is the hardest thing to go through.
My husband and I had a dog (newfoundland mix) before children. When we first got her she was very sick and we stuck probably thousands of dollars into getting her well. She was our baby. When we first had our son she welcomed him so lovingly. However, when we had our daughter, she took a turn for the worse. (I am getting tears in my eyes just thinking about it) Any chance she got, she would destroy our daughters things, she destroyed other things too, but the majority of our daughters belongings. We again, had tests ran and hundreds of dollars later... the only thing the vet could tell us is that she had neurological problems and that she was definitely sick with some sort of disease.
One day she went up to her room and D-E-S-T-R-O-Y-E-D it. The window was pulled out of the frame, her crib was pulled out from the wall, sheets, mattress torn to shreds. The lamp was so chewed up you really couldn't tell it was a lamp. I still, to this day think I was in a dream. She did this all in a matter of 15 minutes. My first thought after this happen was what if my daughter was laying in the crib. I can't even imagine.
I called my husband immediately and we had to do a lot of soul searching to do. We thought about finding her a new home, but then I could not live with myself if she did this again to someone and this time she hurt them.
In the end we decided to put her down. It was the hardest thing I have every had to do. It will be 4 years next month and I miss her all the time.
I'm not telling you to put your dog down, but I just want you to know that there are other people out there in your same situation and will understand what you have to do. I realize it is a very hard decision to make and it will not be an easy one.
I wish you all the best!
Hi R..
We have had dogs our entire married life--some more aggressive and some more mellow than others. I know you feel protective of your son at the moment, but I would be hesitant to rush to putting your dog down--especially if you have not had any other incidents to this point. In fact it sounds like your dog and son get along very well together.
Did you see the behavior of the dog when she was growling at him? Was it vicious growling or an "I'm dominant over you alpha dog" growl. What were your dog's tail and ears doing at the time? I think this tells a lot about your dog's feeling at the time. Your son fell and put him in a subservient posture to the dog...are his scratches from the fall or mostly from the dog keeping him down? Your dog is still not fully grown either (usually considered at 2 years) and it could have been aggressive puppy pack behavior (that can't be tolerated!!)
I would find a way to observe your dog--maybe ask your vet or a dog trainer for some tips. A truly aggressive dog is not only going to have a one time occurence--with some help you may be able to pinpoint if it's part of her genetics or just a weird thing that happened. I think a professional may be able to help you get some perspective and make the right decision.
Good Luck to you--I know how important dogs can be to families and what moms will do to protect their kids too!!
C. M
We LOVE dogs. We have 3 right now. (2 outside dogs +german shorthair and a rat terrier/spitz+ ---who are so spoiled they are in the house whenever they want and a peka-pom house dog.)
However my husband and I have said from the day we had our kids that if they EVER bit, they would be GONE! I would put her down unless you personally know someone who is childless and that the dog would be secured at all times. And then, what kind of a life is that for a dog anyway..... And what if she did hurt someone else down the road. That would be a big burden for you to have to hold. I believe that my husband and I would put her down.
Good luck with your decision.
R.,
I too would put the dog down. I would always wonder if she was safe with someone else... what if they had kids, or if it attacked someone on the street, etc. Dog rescue groups are great, but if the dog attacked unprovoked (and it sounds like it was pretty vicious - black eye/bloody nose) I wouldn't risk it in the future with your own or anyone else's kids.
Sorry to hear that you have to go through this, but people (especially children) need to be first before animals. Do it humanely and try to move past it.
jessica
One practical matter I want to add is that your homeowner's or renter's insurance will drop you if they find out you have a "biting" dog at your house, and you refuse to get rid of the dog. It is virtually impossible to get other insurance if you keep the dog. I had a friend whose dog bit two different adults, both strangers. She got a letter from her homeowner's insurance that she had x number of days to get the dog off the property, or they were going to drop her. Also, my parents had a dog that bit a child. When they consulted with their vet as to what to do, the vet pointed out the insurance issue.
Additionally, if someone who has been bitten by a dog receives medical care for their injuries, the clinic/hospital is required by law to report the injury to the local police department.
My biggest fear! I'm sorry...but people (especially your kids) come first. Dog has got to go...one way or another. I'd put it down...wouldnt want it to attack anyone else. It would be a horrible position to be put in, but it sounds like you're doing what's best.
Wow! I have children and grandchildren and I am a huge dog lover. BUT.......your children come first. My son was bit by the neighbors dog and he had to get stitches and the dog damaged the nerves on the side of his lip. They quarantined the dog but it did later down the road bit their grandchild.
I would talk to a vet and a dog trainer for advice. I don't know if I would put the dog down immediately or not without talking to someone first. I know how much a dog can be part of a families life but on the other hand you would feel horrible if the dog did this again and the outcome was worse to your child or someone elses.
Remember as a parent you are responsible for your childrens safety.
You can always buy yourself another dog too.
Both Huskys and German Shepards can be mouthy dogs. If it were me, I would take the dog to the shelter. Tell Them the reason and let them decide what to do from there. They might adopt the dog out or agree with you and put the dog down. Either way you won't have it hanging over your head. I'm soory to hear about your son and good luck with your decision.
If that would have happened at my home to my child the dog would already have been put down. I love dogs but my childrens safety is my main concern. I hope you follow your heart on this decision.
I wouldn't put the dog down. If you're not comfortable with the dog around your children (which I totally understand) and don't want to keep her. PLEASE CONTACT A DOG RESCUE GROUP.
They may take her and make an assessment, work with her and find her a home that may be a better fit for her. Maybe a home with someone who doesn't have children?
Contact a veterinarian or a rescue group if you don't want to keep the dog. They can help you find a suitable home. I understand this was scary, but I think making an appointment to put the dog down right away was a knee-jerk reaction. Yes, your kids' safety is more important, but what is wrong with reviewing all the options to also make sure the dog finds a good home? I would suggest making some calls to professionals before going through with ending the dog's life.
Good luck and I'm sorry this happened. I'm glad that your son is ok.
M.
My mommy response was end the dog. But then I thought no there's got to be a better way. I know some dogs are more aggressive than others and not good with kids, and some dogs need extra training as a puppy to control their urges of dominace. So since the dog is really a puppy, and may not be trained to control herself (ie your husband being the only one who can walk her). Dogs normally lash out when they feel threatened.
I would give her to a rescue group or humane society and explain what has happened and that it was a one time thing, so they can find a family without children who will train her and teach her how to control her dominance issues.
Remember training is the key to a dogs behavior, the person must est dominance and the dog must know what is required of it at all times, and then rarely will they act out.
You'll probably get a lot of mixed responses on this, depending on if people are used to dogs and are dog lovers. I myself absolutely love dogs. I certainly would not put my dog down, as he has a perfectly good life ahead of him and it doesn't sound like he was absolutely vicious. I agree with the others, talk to your vet about options. I think finding a new home for him is definitely an idea but your vet might help you assess whether you might be able to keep him, if you are still comfortable with that.
