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.]

A Jack Russell absolutely could do damage through gardening gloves and thick sleeves. They're terriers. They're bred for a strong bite. Their bite can support more than their own bodyweight and their teeth are large in proportion to their jaw. We're talking about a dog that can kill a badger.

She was “wondering” if it would have to be PTS.

Thanks for the education @KreedKafer but my family used to breed terriers Inc JRTs (for hunting) and this is exactly how we trained them for ratting/ rabbits/ badgers etc. Never got injured even as a child so I'm sure a fully grown man could manage as a last resort. It's hardly an XL bully.

That makes him dislike the partner but not her…seems likely.

@FlangeBoil im happy to see the Police/dog warden will be at your house to help you.
Unfortunately, deciding whether it’s worth for your dog to be seen by a vet before deciding to PTS or not might not be in your hands anymore.

As you have said, maybe you should have taken him to the vet before. But you certainly took all the right steps as soon as the first incident happened. Protecting, you, your dd and your DP the best you could.

💐💐💐💐

you beat me to it. a&e visit/notes are also enough so partner is not necessarily required at all. the situation speaks for itself, as it should.

indeed one case i read, a dog that did like this was still allowed to attack other dogs and strangers. one attack is enough evidence and here you have 2 on same day.

Sounds so tricky. Dog must be terrified by now too. Think a vet coming to sedate is way forward. And have you used a behaviouralist previously? So sorry this is happening

This dog is a dangerous menace and should be put down IMHO. Nobody is safe from injury around this dog. And certainly not a four year old child.

Nothing to add over and above what others have already said. it does sound like he may be in increasing pain. The only other time I came across this when there was a small child in the house, the vet found crayon shoved right down into the dog's ear. If the dog is 7 years old and this is a relatively recent thing, a vet really needs to check him over. Dogs can go rogue, but its a rare thing.

I think there has been some confusion - I am desperately trying to get him to a vet. But due to the attacks this morning, we are unable to get near him for fear of further attacks.

DP is back home, the dog is still growling, snarling, barking if he enters the kitchen (where the dog is being held, and the dog is behind a board so he can't get to anyone).

We are awaiting the police and a handler still - I have been honest and everything is on record. Hopefully they will help us get him to a vet, but as before, I'm not naive enough to think that PTS might be the reality, and it might not be my call.

He had some past aggression issues, but this incident is entirely different. He usually 'tells' you if he doesn't like something, a quick bark or a stare, you leave him be and all is well. This is entirely different. It's like a switch.

He cannot come home anymore. If we are able to treat any underlying illness and get on top of his behaviour, I have family with no children and experienced dog owners that have offered to take him on so we can still see him but we have the space to allow him to recover and control his aggression. That being said, he still would never be able to return home, for DD's sake.

I feel like a terrible human. I'm distraught.

People don't and can't "press charges" in the UK.

Is he the same with you? Can you go home and see? It sounds like he may be, but he's also your dog, so there's a chance he'd be less snarly for you.

To be honest, though, from what you've said - it sounds like he's in great pain, and a vet would need to investigate the cause of that. But it also sounds like there is no safe way to approach him, and that will also be true of the police, and so if he's not calmer by the time they arrive, I'd imagine this is going to go the worst way.

You do have to protect your daughter, now. It's a shame he wasn't seen when this started, but it's too late to change that now, so beating yourself up won't help. Can anyone help to start prepare DD that dog may not be home when she gets home, and may not come back? Depending on her age, that might be useful, so it's not a massive shock.

I'm presuming DP is thankfully okay, as he's home quite quickly?

It's quite possible that the vet would find something that isn't curable anyway, if his aggression has stepped up this much, but you won't know until he gets seen, if he does. Have you talked to his vet?

I’m so sorry OP, you must be beside yourself.

I really hope the police handler can sedate him so a vet can take a look. I suspect it might end up in a PTS though.

As you said whatever happens the dog can't come home. And please for the love of god don't get another dog just enjoy your son

I've not RTFT but...

The first plan of action is to take the dog to a vet for a physical health assessment; very often these things are caused by some newfound painful ailment.

Then a behaviourist - someone APBC or CCAB qualified.

However, I do understand that you have a young child and this was quite a significant bite. If you feel unable to keep the dog, then there may still be rescue options.

The big names either won't take him because they're selective intake (Dogs Trust...) or they will take him but he may be euthanised on behaviour grounds (RSPCA, Battersea).

Breed rescues tend to be rather more forgiving of these things, especially when it's a small but somewhat snappy breed. Your dog may be ok in a different, adult only home with more experienced owners.

This rescue will take dogs with a bite history https://www.terrierrescue.co.uk/

And I think this one does too https://www.facebook.com/JackRussellTerrierRescueUk

👆

Don't risk your child. I used to know a school mum who had a JRT and a beautiful 5 year old son. The dog bit his face so badly there was nerve damage so he had scars and his eye and side of his mouth were dropped a bit like someone who has had a stroke. PTS is the only safe answer.

Why are you assuming the dog dislikes him just because he attacked him?

If it turns out the dog was in pain, it could've attacked anyone, including the OP or her child.

@FlangeBoil you're not a terrible human being . You're clearly thoughtful and compassionate. And currently very upset .
Try and be kind to yourself , you've done all the right things .

Do you really think this is the thread to be smart arse and pedantic on?

Seriously? 🙄🙄

Well RTFT then

I'm just so sorry this is happening to your family, OP. In my experience with my wider family Jack Russells can turn, and it sounds like yours has gone to a place where nobody can reach them now. Please don't feel guilty about your dog acting this way and don't feel guilty about PTS. Sometimes it has to happen.

Thanks again all.

I know it's a huge thread so a lot of people won't have seen the ins and outs, but nonetheless I appreciate everyone's responses.

I won't be exposing DD to the dog, for everyone's safety. If he can be treated for anything that may have caused aggression, of course I will go down that route, in the most sensible way for everyone involved, and keeping everyone out of harms way, and then rehome him if possible.

I will do my best by him, but also by my family.

I briefly got my shit together enough to speak with my manager just now, but I'm now a sobbing mess again.

I will try and report back with any updates as and when they come in, but things are slow whilst we wait for a police handler.

A friend had this with a dog and it turned out to have a brain tumour. There could be many reasons behind why he's suddenly turned like this but you can't have an unpredictable dog with a child in the house.

It would break my heart, though, OP, and I'm so very sorry you're in this awful position. I hope your DP is OK.

I'm so so sorry you must be devastated. I had a cat once who was vicious but I could manage her as I lived alone and the other cat was male.
My neighbour was warned never to touch her but the inevitable happened as the neighbour never listened and neighbour ended up in A&E with an extremely deep bite and sepsis. After that she had to stay in the house or go outside on a harness. She was fine with me but would not tolerate any other humans.
But I think a dog can cause more severe injuries.
I do hope that an underlying cause can be found. It's just awful having to have a much loved dog PTS.