Wouldn't usually condone getting rid of a dog but think this is risky.

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

A man I know in the village has a beautiful retriever that he spent an awful lot of money on being trained to the gun. It was a fantastic dog when he first got it, beautifully trained and worked lovely. Took it out on every shoot and it was a joy to watch.

A couple of years on however and the bloody dog is a nightmare. Basically the man thought once it was trained it would be obedient forever. What he didn't realise was that you have to keep that level of work and training up or the dog will just forget everything. He brings it out for the shooting season and the rest of the year it lives in a kennel or has the run of the garden or his housekeeper walks it. He hasn't a clue about dogs really.

So now the dog escapes on a regular basis. So many people have found it and taken it back home that it's become a bit of a local joke. It got run over once and lost the fur on one side of its head. It goes for bloody miles too. It has killed I don't know how many pheasants, chickens, rabbits, etc and today it caught and killed someone's swan. Now I hear that it has also bitten the mans daughter. I think she's about a year old. Is this an accident waiting to happen? Apparently they covered it up but the housekeeper told me, I know her quite well and I think she's frightened of the dog. I don't want to approach the man myself, he's a bit of a local bigwig and I don't think he'd listen to me. I just don't want to hear that the dog has been unable to tell the difference between a rabbit and a toddler and done her some serious harm.

It would also get the housekeeper in a lot of trouble as he'd know she'd told me. It's not really any of my business but it's a tricky situation.

[Lilcamper]

That poor dog! Used for a few months then neglected. No wonder he does a runner every time he can. As for biting the little one, he has obviously had very little contact with children and has never been taught how to behave around them.

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

I know, poor thing but I feel a bit worried for the baby. Wish I could interfere. Think the dog ought to go back to the guy that trained it. The man that owns it has no idea, is always working or away and doesn't spend much time with it. If you want a good working relationship with a dog you have to spend time with it! Preferably every day. Building up the relationship.

His inlaws banned it from coming to their house after it went for one of their dogs.

[Lilcamper]

I bet it hasn't been neutered either :(

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

No probably not knowing this guy. So dominant behaviour coming out as well.

Thanks for listening! Wish I could do something.

[Booboostoo]

Are you sure all these stories are true?

Dogs that have a strong hunting instinct for small furries are not necessarily more likely to bite humans and it seems odd that the dog bit a one year old child and it was all hushed up. Why would the child's parents keep quiet about such a terribly dangerous thing? And even if they did what about the doctor who looked after the child, why would he/she keep quiet?

[Booboostoo]

Ah, sorry I see it's the owner's daughter who got bitten. If the parents are keeping quiet about that they are insane!

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

Well I think they are a bit. They're a bit landed-gentry types and used to getting their own way. I know it's killed stuff, it got at some of my DFil's pheasants and a neighbours chickens and my dh was asked to help look for this missing swan which turned up very dead, ripped to bits. Nothing fox sized would have done that. And my friend the housekeeper wouldn't lie about it biting the baby but I can just imagine them keeping it quiet.

Dreading hearing that it's done worse and I didn't say anything either.

[Lilcamper]

Dogs aren't dominant over humans in any situation :) this is an out of control, bored dog though. I feel sorry for it!

[3kids2cats2dogs]

I would be more inclined to contact the local dog warden/rescue rather than keep taking the dog back to the owner each time it gets out..the poor thing must be so confused

[LastMangoInParis]

If you or your friend are worried about the safety of a 1yo - and it sounds as if you have very good reason to be - how about giving Social Services a call?