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'm sorry you are going through this.
It's possible that the dog is unwell and that's why the aggression has been getting worse. If you can get the dog to the vet perhaps they can check out his general health.
However, it doesn't sound good and you may have to have the dog PTS. That is always a horrible decision to have to make. But perhaps you have to consider that the dog is unwell mentally and therefore a danger to others. Or physically unwell and therefore behaving in this manner, and once again, a danger to others. In the same way as you'd have to make a decision about putting a dog to sleep if they had cancer, for example, and couldn't be treated and their quality of life had deteriorated too far.

@Ragingbull1 he's not my partners dog, he's mine, we don't live together. Another poster had asked if he was going to press charges against me regarding a dangerous dog, I just confirmed that he isn't.

Unless there is an underlying issue, then as you have a child at home, you need to at best rehome him via a private concern or have him put down.

Terriers can be quite unpredictable dogs, look at what they were breed for.

Feel for you though, 6 years, you ve a very strong bond with him but its good you re doing the right thing.

I'm so sorry OP. Sounds like you've done the right thing though. You'd never forgive yourself if you didn't do something

Why did you not get the dog checked out when this change in behaviour started?

If there is a reason behind it, it is probably too late now.

I hate things like this. People just ignore issues until someone gets hurt and the dog gets destroyed.

Could it be done form of brain tumour?
If it has come on so suddenly it sounds like there could possibly be an physical cause?

But if your vet is at a loss to explain things-
then Euthanasia is probably the best option

Aggressive dogs are a liability- if he bites anyone or their dog, you will be liable financially .

Don’t try to pass him off to someone else
Dogs with bite histories are extremely hard to re home and it’s just passing the buck.

If he’s never been aggressive beforehand, it sounds more like a physical cause than behavioural. ( But I’m not a Vet)

@FineWordsButterNoParsnips and @Hoppinggreen of course charities remove aggressive dogs. It’s more often than not as a result of ill health or poor / inexperienced ownership as to why a dog has become aggressive. Sometimes the dog does have to be euthanised, but very often with good training and the right environment a dog can be rehomed sucessfully. .

To be this vicious towards people he knows and trusts, he is clearly suffering. If it comes down to it, I don't think you would be making the wrong choice.

I definitely would get the dog checked out first to ensure it isn’t an acute issue.

I know things are underway but are you registered with a specific vet? Could they prescribe something you could give in food to calm him down so you don't have an ugly stressful scene getting him to the vets?
Very sorry to hear this, he's no doubt a good dog most of the time but you can't take any further risks.

Sorry OP this is not aimed at you but hoping those that say, "my dog would never..." - just proves what I have always stated ie dogs can be unpredictable and leaving them alone with children as many do or with frail people the owners all owners of dogs need to accept the fact this can happen

Once again OP, sorry re your dog, I get it

I'm so sorry OP, you obviously can't have an unpredictable dog around your child but it's still very sad to have to have a loved animal PTS which seems the most likely outcome. It's a horrible thing to have to deal with so be kind to yourself 💐

i don’t understand why the vet wouldn’t offer sedatives you could stick in a sausage or something then remove him safely.

Poor dog, he’s ill and in pain. I hope you can get to the bottom of this op.

Agree why leave it until crisis point, shameful.

Because it’s not a sure fire way to make a dog safe and the vet won‘t want to be responsible if it goes wrong.

What a horrible situation. If it comes to that though, dogs don't know the future. There are worse things than drifting gently off to sleep, and you will have secured his future. He will have had a safe life with you, and you will have protected him until the end, your child too, however hard it is for you.
I wish you strength.

You can't trust the dog after this. Get the dog warden ASAP.

I'm so sorry, op. I had a very similar issue many years ago and the dog had to be put to sleep. You have no other choice, I'm afraid. You can't re-home the dog and you absolutely can never have this dog around your child ever again.

take your point @RawBloomers 😞

How is it sudden if it's been building over a few months?

Oh op what an awful situation for you. At the end of the day a dog is an animal but part of the family. Your duty is to your dc.

Sorry o/p but “pressing charges” isn’t a thing in the Uk, so it isn’t your partners decision.

obviously if he doesn’t support a charge there will be less evidence for the police to use. The charging decision is made by the CPS, not the victim.

Has the vet actually examined the dog?

The thing that springs to mind is the animal is in pain. Dental disease is very prominent in smaller dog.

sorry if someone else has suggested this.

So sorry what a horrible situation - but dogs don't just become nasty for no reason, there must be a health issue behind this - hopefully a vet can perhaps sedate him to get to the bottom of it as he deserves a chance xxx