Page 12 | URGENT - DOG ATTACKED PARTNER **Please read OP's latest updates** [edited by MNHQ]

FlangeBoil · 2024-05-22T09:37:30+00:00

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.]

Willywaitingforbreakfast · 23/05/2024 02:33

Palmbeach1 · 23/05/2024 00:08

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.

This is such an annoying reply, you just copy and pasted like op couldn't Google herself, unhelpful and annoying

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 23/05/2024 03:00

So sorry you are going through this
A few points (as a vet) to some pps

Have you any idea how difficult it is to assess pain in an aggressive, tense dog?? Have you any idea how difficult it it to assess pain in a sedated dog?? Very!! We usually can not get a meaningful examination either way. Yes, the dog could be painful somewhere, but often all we can do is trial pain relief. In this instance I would be concerned sending the dig home to try. Lots and lots of dogs have pain. Very few bite unless touched somewhere painful, which doesn't sound the case here. It's a dangerous thing to assume pain makes dogs aggressive and can be magicked away
Sending someone (vet, dog catcher) to the house will be far more traumatic for a territorial dog. A stranger coming onto his home territory will make things far worse. I do second seeking help for sedative drugs that will help his anxiety for the journey, enable things to go more smoothly, maybe speak to your vet again and ask if they can help (may be problematic if they haven't seen the dog for years/ don't have an up to date weight etc) But people demanding that a vet should abandon their clinic and go wrestle with a dog like this at home are deluded about our superpowers of dog whispering ( we're not Crocodile Dundee, or Harry Potter!)
OP, I think sadly PTS may be the sensible option. Yes, he could have a brain tumour, and you could spend thousands getting an MRI and thousands more on surgery, but think what that would mean for this dog. Happy dogs don't bite/ aggress like this, and you do need to think about your child. With the right drugs he will pass peacefully and unaware. Please don't beat yourself up (or listen to others who seem to think thus is all your fault). I've seen a good few of these type of cases and I generally feel sorry for the owners and dog. Sometimes we don't know why, but prolonged investigation isn't usually the kindest for the dog or owner. I hope it goes as smoothly as possible

Frogpole · 23/05/2024 03:38

ThreeDimensional · 22/05/2024 22:25

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.

@ThreeDimensional
All dogs have the potential to be dangerous, especially if they become ill;
The exact same thing applies to the vast majority of macroscopic animals, nearly all of the sentient or quasi-sentient ones, and is universal in mammalian species. What are you suggesting, should we bring about an XK-class Global Extinction Event just in case my niece's Hamster gets a bit uppity when it wakes up with a headache?

they shouldn't be kept as "pets"
Speaking of extinction events... why do you think there are lots and lots of doggies running around, chasing tennis balls, going "woof", wagging their tails etc? How do you think they get to be in our hearts, homes, workplaces, and all the rest? Or let me come at this from the other direction.. Where is it in this "dog obsessed" United Kingdom that you've seen vast herds of wild Golden Retrievers running free with not a care in the world nor human intervention? Which national park are they in, feasting on the abundant year round fruits of the pedigree chum trees?

The national obsession is a crisis waiting to happen
What is it that you think the word "obsession" means? Also, have you ever heard of the Office of National Statistics, or the data they collect from organisations like PDS.. Look, slightly more than two out of every ten people have a dog, and we're not all about to get ripped apart and eaten alive by enraged packs of fcuking sausage dogs, alright? Get a grip ffs.

What a shame for the poor dog to have been bred
Right, you're just taking the piss now. If you're gonna start acting like it's cruel for a living thing to ever have existed, you need to take the Papa Roach CD, and the Linkin Park one, and do something creative with the poop-a-scoop.

redboxer321 · 23/05/2024 05:35

I've got to agree with @ThreeDimensional who I think is saying something along the lines of (might be wrong) that keeping sentient animals as pets is often not in the animal's best interest.
I go along with the argument that people should stay out of other animals' lives as much as possible. It an argument that can be misunderstood as seems to be the case here.

I say all that as a dog owner so this post is not in any way to judge the OP who I have much sympathy for. I hope you find a solution @FlangeBoil.
It's a terrible situation to be in for you and the dog but taking everything into account I reluctantly have to agree with the vet above.
I hope there is a better solution but I fear there might not be.

Spinningroundahelix · 23/05/2024 05:57

The sheer number of Pollyannas posting on this thread astounds me. There is no alternative to this dog being put to sleep. He has sent a grown adult to A & E and is bailed up in the kitchen for the safety of the rest of the household in such a state that it is not safe to approach him hours later. And people are suggesting she consults an animal behaviourist! Even if he is in pain, what happens if he gets in pain again? It would be so wrong to attempt to rehome this dog - it's just pushing the hard decision on to somebody else and running the risk of somebody else getting hurt. It is not in the best interests of the dog either which sounds miserable as well as vicious. I think the OP is doing the best she can in the circumstances and that includes getting that dog euthanised. I don't think there is any point trying to narrow down the cause or doing post-mortems on the poor dog. Something has gone very wrong and whether it's dementia or genetics or a brain tumour it doesn't matter. It is a heart-breaking decision to make and we had to make this decision recently this year about our cat - nothing could be done, she was in pain and it was only going to get worse. The vet told us it would be very wrong to try to keep her alive and I could tell that she was relieved when I said we wouldn't try to do that and scheduled an immediate visit to have her put down in her favourite place surrounded with the people who loved her. It is the OP's role to give her dog the best death that she can in the circumstances.

Twiglets1 · 23/05/2024 06:05

Spinningroundahelix · 23/05/2024 05:57

The sheer number of Pollyannas posting on this thread astounds me. There is no alternative to this dog being put to sleep. He has sent a grown adult to A & E and is bailed up in the kitchen for the safety of the rest of the household in such a state that it is not safe to approach him hours later. And people are suggesting she consults an animal behaviourist! Even if he is in pain, what happens if he gets in pain again? It would be so wrong to attempt to rehome this dog - it's just pushing the hard decision on to somebody else and running the risk of somebody else getting hurt. It is not in the best interests of the dog either which sounds miserable as well as vicious. I think the OP is doing the best she can in the circumstances and that includes getting that dog euthanised. I don't think there is any point trying to narrow down the cause or doing post-mortems on the poor dog. Something has gone very wrong and whether it's dementia or genetics or a brain tumour it doesn't matter. It is a heart-breaking decision to make and we had to make this decision recently this year about our cat - nothing could be done, she was in pain and it was only going to get worse. The vet told us it would be very wrong to try to keep her alive and I could tell that she was relieved when I said we wouldn't try to do that and scheduled an immediate visit to have her put down in her favourite place surrounded with the people who loved her. It is the OP's role to give her dog the best death that she can in the circumstances.

Exactly. The idea that anyone else would want a dog that has sent someone to A & E and is unsafe around OPs partner and child is ridiculous, in my view.

dawngreen · 23/05/2024 07:05

And everyone is suddenly a vet or behaviourist sad! Any qualified vet knows to check for tumours etc which can cause aggression.

Where do's the dog sleep, and why are ppl reaching over him to get milk? He needs a quiet area not a place where ppl run to get drinks and snacks.

Grimchmas · 23/05/2024 07:25

dawngreen · 23/05/2024 07:05

And everyone is suddenly a vet or behaviourist sad! Any qualified vet knows to check for tumours etc which can cause aggression.

Where do's the dog sleep, and why are ppl reaching over him to get milk? He needs a quiet area not a place where ppl run to get drinks and snacks.

We've had at least one qualified vet comment on here - funnily enough they said the same as the majority of us. And added that it's all but impossible to check a dog who is this generally and strongly reactive, for pain.

I don't knowingly out myself on mumsnet but if you knew my profession you might be shocked to hear that I'm strongly in the euthanase this dog, camp too.

Suffice to say that many of us commenting are knowledgeable and caring dog lovers (and JRTs especially) with our own dogs who have had to struggle to make the decision to PTS when it isn't a very clear choice. We've treated our dogs' ailments at huge expense sometimes to give them an extra few months. We've been up at night with them, they've given us plenty of cause to worry and outright cry our hearts out over our years with them.

We who know and love dogs do not take lightly the decision to put them to sleep. Does it not say something to you about the courage of our convictions, that so many dog lovers and I suspect a good number of animal professionals in this thread, are all saying it.

rosaleetree · 23/05/2024 07:51

Spinningroundahelix · 23/05/2024 05:57

The sheer number of Pollyannas posting on this thread astounds me. There is no alternative to this dog being put to sleep. He has sent a grown adult to A & E and is bailed up in the kitchen for the safety of the rest of the household in such a state that it is not safe to approach him hours later. And people are suggesting she consults an animal behaviourist! Even if he is in pain, what happens if he gets in pain again? It would be so wrong to attempt to rehome this dog - it's just pushing the hard decision on to somebody else and running the risk of somebody else getting hurt. It is not in the best interests of the dog either which sounds miserable as well as vicious. I think the OP is doing the best she can in the circumstances and that includes getting that dog euthanised. I don't think there is any point trying to narrow down the cause or doing post-mortems on the poor dog. Something has gone very wrong and whether it's dementia or genetics or a brain tumour it doesn't matter. It is a heart-breaking decision to make and we had to make this decision recently this year about our cat - nothing could be done, she was in pain and it was only going to get worse. The vet told us it would be very wrong to try to keep her alive and I could tell that she was relieved when I said we wouldn't try to do that and scheduled an immediate visit to have her put down in her favourite place surrounded with the people who loved her. It is the OP's role to give her dog the best death that she can in the circumstances.

Well said. PTS is the kindest option, the dog itself must be in massive distress.

Dogs dont view death the same as humans do, it's not like he's having an existential crisis right now about his death- all he knows is that he's massively distressed and it's not stopping. The kindest option here is PTS. Any other suggestions are just prolonging his pain and its cruel.

Isometimeswonder · 23/05/2024 07:58

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 23/05/2024 03:00

So sorry you are going through this
A few points (as a vet) to some pps

Have you any idea how difficult it is to assess pain in an aggressive, tense dog?? Have you any idea how difficult it it to assess pain in a sedated dog?? Very!! We usually can not get a meaningful examination either way. Yes, the dog could be painful somewhere, but often all we can do is trial pain relief. In this instance I would be concerned sending the dig home to try. Lots and lots of dogs have pain. Very few bite unless touched somewhere painful, which doesn't sound the case here. It's a dangerous thing to assume pain makes dogs aggressive and can be magicked away
Sending someone (vet, dog catcher) to the house will be far more traumatic for a territorial dog. A stranger coming onto his home territory will make things far worse. I do second seeking help for sedative drugs that will help his anxiety for the journey, enable things to go more smoothly, maybe speak to your vet again and ask if they can help (may be problematic if they haven't seen the dog for years/ don't have an up to date weight etc) But people demanding that a vet should abandon their clinic and go wrestle with a dog like this at home are deluded about our superpowers of dog whispering ( we're not Crocodile Dundee, or Harry Potter!)
OP, I think sadly PTS may be the sensible option. Yes, he could have a brain tumour, and you could spend thousands getting an MRI and thousands more on surgery, but think what that would mean for this dog. Happy dogs don't bite/ aggress like this, and you do need to think about your child. With the right drugs he will pass peacefully and unaware. Please don't beat yourself up (or listen to others who seem to think thus is all your fault). I've seen a good few of these type of cases and I generally feel sorry for the owners and dog. Sometimes we don't know why, but prolonged investigation isn't usually the kindest for the dog or owner. I hope it goes as smoothly as possible

This is a clear and very helpful reply from a professional. Thank you for taking the time.

Latenightreader · 23/05/2024 07:59

The people who keep suggesting that the dog needs to be pts should probably consider that it may have already happened and the OP could be too upset to return to the thread right now. She was clear that she knew the dog couldn’t be around her child any more, she called someone to help, she has hopefully by now had advice from someone who has seen the dog. She has done what she needs to do.

Oriunda · 23/05/2024 07:59

Spinningroundahelix · 23/05/2024 05:57

The sheer number of Pollyannas posting on this thread astounds me. There is no alternative to this dog being put to sleep. He has sent a grown adult to A & E and is bailed up in the kitchen for the safety of the rest of the household in such a state that it is not safe to approach him hours later. And people are suggesting she consults an animal behaviourist! Even if he is in pain, what happens if he gets in pain again? It would be so wrong to attempt to rehome this dog - it's just pushing the hard decision on to somebody else and running the risk of somebody else getting hurt. It is not in the best interests of the dog either which sounds miserable as well as vicious. I think the OP is doing the best she can in the circumstances and that includes getting that dog euthanised. I don't think there is any point trying to narrow down the cause or doing post-mortems on the poor dog. Something has gone very wrong and whether it's dementia or genetics or a brain tumour it doesn't matter. It is a heart-breaking decision to make and we had to make this decision recently this year about our cat - nothing could be done, she was in pain and it was only going to get worse. The vet told us it would be very wrong to try to keep her alive and I could tell that she was relieved when I said we wouldn't try to do that and scheduled an immediate visit to have her put down in her favourite place surrounded with the people who loved her. It is the OP's role to give her dog the best death that she can in the circumstances.

Exactly. The act of PTS a dog is, imho, the final act of love, when it comes to an ill or suffering animal. My father was a dog handler and we learned from an early age that dogs came and went and the minute they were in pain that couldn't be cured, like cancer, they were PTS.

rosaleetree · 23/05/2024 08:01

Latenightreader · 23/05/2024 07:59

The people who keep suggesting that the dog needs to be pts should probably consider that it may have already happened and the OP could be too upset to return to the thread right now. She was clear that she knew the dog couldn’t be around her child any more, she called someone to help, she has hopefully by now had advice from someone who has seen the dog. She has done what she needs to do.

Yes, of course this is possible and I hope the OP is ok. But she expressed very clearly that she felt distressed and guilty about PTS so the fact people are agreeing its the kindest option will hopefully ease her mind and bring comfort when/if she does read the thread.

newnamethanks · 23/05/2024 08:17

Your dog needs a vet if this behaviour is new and unexpected, he's probably in pain. My reactive, nervy dog has just had 14 teeth removed and he's not happy, he's snappy. Had to tranquillise him to get him to vet for examination. Any competent vet would suggest this.

Clawdy · 23/05/2024 08:19

Hopefully it's sorted now.

Beautiful3 · 23/05/2024 08:44

Mine has a bite history. I've had 2 trainers. He's alot better now. You need to get a trainer in. It would be too easy to put him to sleep. Find his triggers and work with him. My dog doesn't like my husband because he used to shout at him. He doesn't do it anymore, but the dog still growls at him sometimes. Your dog might be ill or stressed and full of anxiety. Be worth taking him to the vets to get checked out. Maybe ask your partner not to visit for a while, as you try calming things down at home and training him.

OrlandointheWilderness · 23/05/2024 08:50

Hope you are getting on ok @FlangeBoil

TheFormidableMrsC · 23/05/2024 09:05

Beautiful3 · 23/05/2024 08:44

Mine has a bite history. I've had 2 trainers. He's alot better now. You need to get a trainer in. It would be too easy to put him to sleep. Find his triggers and work with him. My dog doesn't like my husband because he used to shout at him. He doesn't do it anymore, but the dog still growls at him sometimes. Your dog might be ill or stressed and full of anxiety. Be worth taking him to the vets to get checked out. Maybe ask your partner not to visit for a while, as you try calming things down at home and training him.

Surely OP can't take that risk with a small child in the house? The dog has caused injuries that have required medical intervention. If it were me, the easiest decision would be having it PTS. I'd take your path if I were childless and could guarantee nobody else was going to end up seriously injured but I can't see how this is possible with a 4 year old in the home.

TheFormidableMrsC · 23/05/2024 09:08

Spinningroundahelix · 23/05/2024 05:57

The sheer number of Pollyannas posting on this thread astounds me. There is no alternative to this dog being put to sleep. He has sent a grown adult to A & E and is bailed up in the kitchen for the safety of the rest of the household in such a state that it is not safe to approach him hours later. And people are suggesting she consults an animal behaviourist! Even if he is in pain, what happens if he gets in pain again? It would be so wrong to attempt to rehome this dog - it's just pushing the hard decision on to somebody else and running the risk of somebody else getting hurt. It is not in the best interests of the dog either which sounds miserable as well as vicious. I think the OP is doing the best she can in the circumstances and that includes getting that dog euthanised. I don't think there is any point trying to narrow down the cause or doing post-mortems on the poor dog. Something has gone very wrong and whether it's dementia or genetics or a brain tumour it doesn't matter. It is a heart-breaking decision to make and we had to make this decision recently this year about our cat - nothing could be done, she was in pain and it was only going to get worse. The vet told us it would be very wrong to try to keep her alive and I could tell that she was relieved when I said we wouldn't try to do that and scheduled an immediate visit to have her put down in her favourite place surrounded with the people who loved her. It is the OP's role to give her dog the best death that she can in the circumstances.

I agree with every word of this. It's a horrible situation to be in but there can't be another outcome.

theemmadilemma · 23/05/2024 09:09

Op I'm so sorry. It was likely illness that caused a behaviour change through pain or other symptoms.

MsCheeryble · 23/05/2024 09:11

newnamethanks · 23/05/2024 08:17

Your dog needs a vet if this behaviour is new and unexpected, he's probably in pain. My reactive, nervy dog has just had 14 teeth removed and he's not happy, he's snappy. Had to tranquillise him to get him to vet for examination. Any competent vet would suggest this.

OP has explained that it's not new.

DullFanFiction · 23/05/2024 09:19

@FlangeBoil I assume that the Police has come and gone by now.

Hope you are doing ok and your DP is healing well.

Type2whattodo · 23/05/2024 09:24

I suspect that having called the police, op won't have a choice to rehome and the dog will be PtS (as it should be.) This is not new behaviour. Its been escalating over months.

I am of the opinion that dogs should always be PTS once they bite. Because what about the next time it is in pain or sick?

Coming from a history of unprovoked dog bites (walking down the street and walking through a park) on 3 separate occasions by 3 separate breeds ( 2 terriers) to my Mum, myself and my daughter. One was a neighbours dog who we were very familiar with.

You are making the right decision OP to put to sleep.

Grammarnut · 23/05/2024 09:28

No dog should be left alone with a small child, of course. You need to get to a vet because this aggression sounds unusual - JRT are sporty dogs with a hunting instinct but don't usually attack their owners. Your dog may be in pain or have an infection which is causing distress. A tranquiliser so you can get him to the vet's is a good idea. If you have a vet you usually go to then phone and ask if that can be prescribed. Meanwhile, be careful around him and do not let your DC go near.

Flamingos89 · 23/05/2024 09:30

Sounds like you’re being really sensible about this OP. You can not have a dog you don’t trust around your child.

Absolutely gutted for you that this is happening. But best it is dealt with now instead of something worse happening.

The fact some people are suggesting working through this when your partner is in a&e currently and you are to scared to be around the dog is flabbergasting and frankly dangerous advice for you and your child.

Call the RSPCA - really sorry for you that this has happened. But it’s the best for everyone involved xxx