URGENT - DOG ATTACKED PARTNER **Please read OP's latest updates** [edited by MNHQ]

[FlangeBoil]

Hi all, my 6yo JRT has attacked my partner twice this morning. He has recently developed some territorial aggression, and we have to 'coax' him away from his bed each morning. This morning was as normal, but he wouldn't come so we just left him. My partner went to get milk, about 2m away from him, and the dog lunged and has bitten his hand fairly badly. We managed to lock him away whilst we sorted things, and have since boarded a section of the kitchen away so he can get outside but also can't get to us.
Anytime we enter the kitchen he viciously barks. I have a 4yo at home, so this isn't something I can risk.
He has since bitten my partner again when we went to open the back door for him (by leaning over the barrier we've created) and it's really bad - blood everywhere and he is now in a&e.
I cannnot get near the dog. How do I get him to a point where I can get him checked out - or as I'm probably denying to myself, put to sleep..?
I'm in absolute bits - I just need advice please urgently.

To note - I can't get a vet to come to him, I have already called around

• [Note from MNHQ: We've already edited the title to ask people to read the OP's updates before responding (just click on the See All tab). As that doesn't seem to have worked, we feel the need to explain here in the opening post that the OP's dog has been put to sleep by now as he was found to be suffering from a brain tumour. The OP is obviously in pieces about this so please be sensitive when responding.]

Your dog may be ill, so reacted badly. Have you had any visitors that maybe teased him? Can you explain what happened and where he was when he first started acting aggressive, and has any one fallen near him?

JKRs are vicious lil bar-stewards.

I did a Saturday job aged 14 in a village shop, in '76. Had to walk out the back across a small enclosed outdoor area to go to the storage shed.

2 dogs; inquisitive, friendly Alsatian, nasty little bitey, snappy aggressive Jack Russell.

Never trust a JRT.

The fact that he did not want to leave his own bed shows that he is unwell. Call a vet in the morning.

I really don't think so! Speak to a dog behaviourist as well as a vet - these things don't come out of nowhere; he might be in pain or having a hormonal issue etc. If you feel you can't keep him, try taking him to a rescue centre before committing to putting him to sleep - ultimately it would be their decision I think but just a thought. In the meantime you could work on muzzle training and keep him muzzled around your toddler. So sorry this happened to you, hope your husband's alright!

Sorry that this happened to you and DP. I have had a similar incident whereby one of my older dogs suddenly snapped at a 6 week old puppy and subsequently tried to lash out to my son, who was about 2 years old. Luckily we were next to them so could intervene and DS was not hurt. However, we checked with the Vet and they found a brain tumor. So we had to PTS as the most humane solution. He was loved untill the very end of his life and we still love him but it was not safe nor were the alternatives fair on him.

All dogs have the potential to be dangerous, especially if they become ill; they shouldn't be kept as "pets". The national obsession is a crisis waiting to happen. What a shame for the poor dog to have been bred, probably taken away from its mother at about 6 weeks old, and now probably killed at only 6 years old.

I really feel for you, what a horrendous situation.

I can only imagine its something like a brain tumour for him - which might make it that tiny bit easier on you to put him to sleep.

Thinking of you xx

Oh bore off, the overwhelming number of dogs are safe and happy pets.

I think you're doing the right thing to PTS. It's way too late for a 'behaviourist'That wouldn't be safe, and you don't have the time.

Absolutely not and it was only used as she came to us crate trained and would take herself there willingly. She had open access to leave or enter until after the attack and we were trying to sort out a downstairs area that was people free...I only mentioned it as it was such a different behaviour.

I agree that now I wouldn't even consider keeping a crate now but at the time we thought it was best as it's what she knew. Honestly, couldn't feel worse about the whole situation.

Oh god. Awful op. My condolences. 💐

Sorry to hear this OP it all sounds very traumatic. Its seems strange the dog had suddenly turned vicious i wonder if it could be secondary to pain or injury. By the sounds of things this constant growling and aggressive barking behavaiour does not seem normal. I'm glad ur partner is okay now and u and ur daughter are safe. Ik from what has happened it is likely dog may be pts but please don't blame yourselves this is beyond ur control. For what its worth my mum was bitter by a terror and still has the tooth in her leg. Shes always know then to be slightly aggressive and wasn't even near the dog it was her uncles. May be a territory thing as you say but you definitely can't risk this as you say.

💐

Because depending on what the vets find, they may be able to cure the dog, which takes away the pain, and then stops him being aggressive.

I really hope the dog isn't still locked in a room still. It's been 13 hours since @FlangeBoil first posted.

And what else do you suggest they do until someone trained can help them?

Let the dog run riot?

I have to agree with PP's that it is most likely illness that is causing this, it was my first thought, but that doesnt mean that the OP or her partner or god forbid the 4 year old should be attacked.

OP says they opened the back door.

Under UK law, the owner of a dog is responsible for its actions. It is against the law for a dog to be “dangerously out of control”. This used to only apply to public spaces. But as of 2014, it now also applies to private property, including homes and gardens.
A dog who has injured someone is usually considered to have been “dangerously out of control”. However, if they were defending their owner from an intruder inside their home, then this may be treated differently.
You can report dangerous dogs to the police, or your local dog warden. What happens afterwards will depend on the circumstances under which the bite occurred, and that dog’s history. In severe cases, the dog might be removed from its owner and could be “destroyed” (the legal term for euthanasia). The owner of the dog might also be given a fine, a ban on owning dogs, or even a prison sentence.

He should be PTS straightaway, I know you may love him, but imagine what he could have done to your 4 year old.

I love dogs and have always owned them and still do, but in this situation I wouldn’t bring the dog home. If it turns out there is a medical issue and you have someone willing to take him then that’s up to you, but the dog being PTS may be the best option.

I think you’ll be constantly on eggshells if you bring him home.

To be perfectly honest, JRTs are not recommended to have around young children. I know you had the dog first and didn’t choose to get it after having children. But they do have a tendency towards aggression and are generally quite snappy/bitey dogs. I know people try and argue that the breed doesn’t matter and it’s the owners blah blah, but the breed does matter! If you want to get a dog in future, I would get something like a Labrador considering you have a young child.

I’m sorry you’re going through this, OP. Dogs are so easy to get attached to so this must be horrible.

@FlangeBoil

👁
I hope it,

🙏 doesn't get an opportunity to attack or badly maim kill a young child or a baby in the future too..🤔

@FlangeBoil

This was one of those threads that I just read your updates. I hope you have a safe solution; this is such and upsetting situation for you.

Sending big hugs.

Omg, you have a child & your even considering keeping this dog 🤦‍♀️

This is so sad, I love dogs but I think the kindest and safest thing for everyone will to PTS he is likely in pain as everyone has suggested

Odd comment lol