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.]

I don’t think this is a vet job. Your dog isn’t ill? It sounds like it has had aggression issues. With the repeated attacks and a 4yo at home he needs to get removed immediately. RSPCA or dog warden is appropriate (as per vet advice).

May need to get put down. It’s out of your hands. You can’t have an aggressive dog.

Fuck sake, bit of a leap there.

Or put some chicken in the crate and see if the dog will go in of his own accord before you try anything like this!

You don't deserve a flaming for trying to do the right thing op. x

Can you put a sedative in some food?
Not rtft so sorry if this has already been suggested.

Ring the Police. They will send someone experienced with dogs. It sounds like your dog needs putting to sleep. The risk of him biting your child is too high. Hope your husband is ok. Not a nice thing for any of you to deal with.

He needs to be PTS, he could seriously injure or kill a small child. Given your partners injuries I think you have very little choice. I am so sorry.

Thanks for the update OP. You’ve clearly acted decisively and got help.
If this has been logged as a police incident it may be that they will remove the dog to a secure holding centre. Assuming your partner isn’t pressing charges against you as the owner, there will be a decision to make about the future of the dog.
Don’t underestimate JRT’s because they’re small, a dog like this can be extremely dangerous to children. PTS may be kinder and very much safer in the long run.

Hate to say it but think probably needs to be PTS.

I would catch him wearing thick leather gardening gloves and a padded coat, crate him and take him to the vets to be checked first. It may be something obvious that can be fixed, or it may not. Is he on any steroid medication already for example, we had "roid rage" in our terrier, which stopped when we took him off them. Is he entire?

Depends how much money you can or want to throw at a problem that may still end badly really. For all any of us know he could have a brain tumour ☹️ With a small child is it right to even take a chance he might get better?

One of my DD was bitten in the lip in an unprovoked attack aged almost 3, I cannot begin to describe the guilt I felt as her mother. Just awful. A night in hospital and the max fax team stitched her lip back together, only a tiny scar 25+ years later, the dog went (back) to rescue with full honest disclosure which we hadn't had in the first place. He attacked the foster carer and that was that, there was only one option for him then.

If it was a gentle dog that suddenly got aggressive the vet may be able to find an issue like an ear infection. If the dog has a history of aggression and is getting to the point of being dangerous PTS is unfortunately the best option for all. If the dog is rehomed it may be abused or injure a child.

Well done OP, you've done exactly the right thing.

@PowerTulle that's helpful, thank you. The call
Handler, lovely as she was, wasn't sure what would happen once the police and handler arrive so that's good to know.

DP is ok, not pressing any charges as he understands it's just a horrible incident and he loves the dog like I do. He's just, understandably, shocked. I feel horrendously guilty but as he keeps reminding me, his injuries are fine on him, but could've been much worse if me (I am chronically ill) or DD, so he feels it's the best of a bad situation.

Daughter had this with a Cocker Spaniel. He got territorial and snapped at several family members including my DP and our son's fiancé. DP may have surprised him but fiancé is from a family of dog owners and was doing it by the book.

In the end he went for a neighbour.

One way trip to the vet followed.

It would have happened sooner or later anyway as Grandson was on verge of toddling and I don't think that was a sustainable mix.

Agreed with above and OP, please keep dog on short lead and a muzzle in public and lock it up when answering the front door as I only recall too well in my job visiting clients and the dog/s would run out and scare me

Good luck with your pet!!

They have a 4 year old it's really not worth the risk.

Agreed, it sounds like the dog needs to be put to sleep.. or it could be your husband or even 4 year old that’s put to sleep instead. I know it’s horrible to lose the family dog but to me that seems far too big a risk, especially with your husband currently in a&e.

Buy a muzzle and lead.
Put on a thick leather or woollen jumper and long leather motor bike or gardening gloves to catch dog and put muzzle on him before taking to the vet. Sometimes a blanket is useful.

Check out that dog is not suffering a chronic pain or illness.
Ask the vet about assessing the dog for behavioural trustworthiness. RSPCA might do that for you.
Would neutering the dog have a positive effect?
He might have to be put down, sadly.

You can't have a dangerous dog at large.

I read it as the dog, house and the child are OPs, not theirs jointly, and her boyfriend is visiting - but I could be wrong.

I'm starting to try and accept that PTS might be the reality here. It's breaking me. I'm constantly bursting into tears at the thought of not seeing his daft little face anymore. But I know the risks and I know my duty as a mother to keep my child safe, as well as others. So I'm fully aware that this might be the reality.

He's such a sweet lad usually. It's breaking my heart.

She hasn't time for that - the dog is locked in her kitchen!

I’m sorry, this is really hard. Your partner sounds sensible.

This happened to my mums chihuahua- totally out of character. Vets confirmed he was in pain from ear infection room & ear mites.

I am a dog lover but I don't see how you can ever trust the dog again. I know it isn't fair but I would lean towards having him destroyed.

Was his aggression behaviour brought to the vets attention before this incident?

What do you mean, he's not pressing any charges? Who on earth are you thinking he could press charges on, when it's his own dog??

@FlangeFlangeBoil i have PM'd you