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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

put my dog to sleep?

243 replies

booksandchoc · 09/06/2014 17:34

I am being unreasonable, I feel terrible and I deserve whatever flaming I get.

I've made an appointment to get my little dog put to sleep. I'm tried to rehome him, but all the rescues around here are full, I spoke to the dog warden and he advised in our situation to get him pts.

We got him 4 years ago when he was 2, an elderly acquaintance had him a few months but couldn't cope with him, so we stupidly took him on without knowing his history.

He is aggressive to other dogs, every other dog, he has no recall, he barks constantly whenever we leave him in the house and now he has started snapping at DD. I don't know what else to do Sad.

OP posts:
CrohnicallyHungry · 09/06/2014 17:39

Have you tried a professional 1 to 1 dog trainer? Some of them specialise in cases like this and will come to your home and work with you. Of course, that will cost!

LastTango · 09/06/2014 17:40

I think, under the circumstances, you really do not have much choice. Good luck.

Original poster
booksandchoc · 09/06/2014 17:41

Chronically, we tried once but it really costs too much, money we unfortunately don't have.

OP posts:
janinec · 09/06/2014 17:44

I think you've made the right decision.
We had to do the same, its not fair to rehome it again
Xx

cricketballs · 09/06/2014 17:44

Have you tried any rescue centers for his breed? Whilst they might not be local, I have never known one to say no, they will move heaven and earth to sort something out

please, please try everything before you even consider your op

LaurieFairyCake · 09/06/2014 17:46

I think you should get this thread deleted

What you are describing is that you need help and can't afford it Sad

Have you tried everywhere? You may need to drive to a rescue that will take him

CrohnicallyHungry · 09/06/2014 17:46

I think, if you really have tried everything you can, then you have no other option. If he's snapping at your DD, then you have to protect her.

18yearsoftrying · 09/06/2014 17:47

Could you please try The Dogs Trust?

Put something on Facebook?

My dog was aggressive to other dogs & we managed to train him - I know you said you can't afford to do this but someone may be able to if you ask around any social circles that you have through your DD.

I'm not sure the vet would put down a 6 year old one if s/he is healthy? I may be wrong.

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 09/06/2014 17:48

I think you are doing the right thing too OP.

Original poster
booksandchoc · 09/06/2014 17:48

cricket, I have tried every rescue local to me for weeks, a few put him on waiting lists and one said they would try to match him with someone but no-one has phoned me back. he really couldn't be put in kennels with other dogs, he would attack them and rip them to shreds. He's a mixed breed, we don't know what he's a mix of so can't try specific rescues. This is really something I don't want to do but i don't have much choice anymore Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
booksandchoc · 09/06/2014 17:50

laurie- I have been willing to drive and tried rescues miles away.

OP posts:
Original poster
booksandchoc · 09/06/2014 17:52

18uears - I've called dogs trust and left messages but not got any call back, tried again today.

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 09/06/2014 17:53

Last chance rescue maybe able to help you.

Original poster
booksandchoc · 09/06/2014 17:55

lonecat- where are they based?

OP posts:
angelohsodelight · 09/06/2014 17:55

I think on the basis that either a member of your family or somebody else could be hurt you have no other choice than to it to sleep.

grovel · 09/06/2014 17:55

I'm afraid you've just got to do it. He's 6. Not easy to retrain at that age.

SelectAUserName · 09/06/2014 17:57

books There are worse fates for a dog, or any animal, than a peaceful painfree death. He does not sound like a happy dog, he sounds quite stressed and having to live life on high alert the whole time.

There are thousands of dogs in rescue waiting for their perfect home. Difficult dogs with serious issues like yours are at the bottom of the list. Fear aggression of other dogs is a challenging thing to overcome (I know, my own dog is reactive in that way) and a dog who can only live alone limits the options for dog owners. In general, the types of owners who would have the experience to take a dog like yours already have one!

It's a brave decision OP. Well done for trying and I'm sorry - for you and for the dog - that it hasn't worked out better for you.

LEMmingaround · 09/06/2014 18:01

Realistically - what else can you do? You did what you thought was a good thing. In an ideal world you would find him a good home but the reality is that you have an aggressive dog and a young child. You can't keep her. Rescues struggle to home dogs without issues. The dogs trust wont take him and battersea will pts due to him snapping at dd. You tried. You gave him a chance - rather pts than rehome badly. Poor dog. Poor you x

AvonCallingBarksdale · 09/06/2014 18:03

You sound like you've tried every avenue possible, and, obviously, your DD has to take precedent, so YADNBU Sad Thanks

LEMmingaround · 09/06/2014 18:04

If you are in the south east try "lord whiskey" rescue as they specialise in difficult to home dogs. In all honesty though if this were my dog unless I could find the forever home I would pts rather than condemn to a life in kennels.

ArcheryAnnie · 09/06/2014 18:06

I'm sorry, OP, but it doesn't sound like the dog is having a happy time in his current situation anyway.

In a better world there would be a rescue shelter place for him, but if there isn't, and the only option is to carry on with an increasingly unhappy and aggressive dog, then you are probably making the least worst of a pretty bad set of choices.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you get the last-minute reprieve of a rescue place, but if not, just do the best for the dog that you can, in the short time you have left, then let him go.

LEMmingaround · 09/06/2014 18:06

18 years -you are wrong. The vet will pts the dog as there is no viable alternative. It sounds harsh but its for the best.

LaurieFairyCake · 09/06/2014 18:08

I totally agree that the dog will have a good death and will know no different.

My concern is with you and with you living with the thought (not the reality) of not having done everything.

You posted hoping to get flamed Sad and saying 'you deserve it'

I'm glad you're not getting flamed and I think it's really difficult to live with putting a physically healthy animal to sleep - the poor dog has multiple issues and sounds very stressed.

LEMmingaround · 09/06/2014 18:15

I agree with laurie re you feeling guilty op but you must not. You have tried. Make a list of any other options but I honestly think that pts is the best option for this dog.

Ummmmgogo · 09/06/2014 18:19

Please put the dog to sleep tomorrow. You have to think of your kids. You can't have an aggressive dog in the house while you try and sort out a rescue that's ridiculous. Well done for being responsible and not putting the life of a dog over your children as some are suggesting you do xxx