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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be considering putting my dog down

158 replies

Bestdoggoever · 22/08/2017 16:25

Please be gentle. I just want to do what is right for him. I rehome my dog from another family a couple of years ago. When I got him he was very nervous and neglected, and would flinch a lot. He is now a confident happy dog, but due to circumstances completely beyond my control, I am moving into accommodation that will not allow him. I am very worried about rehoming him again, because of all he has been through, and because I couldn't be there to protect him if anyone tried to hurt him again. I am considering having him put down. However I am worried that I am being unduly influenced by my own past, in which my mom broke several of my bones and left me malnutritioned. I suppose I know there are fates worse than death, and I want to protect him. He is only four and my boyfriend thinks I am very wrong to be considering putting him down. But so just want what's best for him. Thank you

OP posts:
OnionKnight · 22/08/2017 16:26

A vet will not put him down just because you ask.

Hmm
Original poster
Bestdoggoever · 22/08/2017 16:26

Sorry am typing on my phone hence the mistakes

OP posts:
Gorgosparta · 22/08/2017 16:28

Do people really consider putting a healthy dog down?

Whats more traumatic? Death or being rehomed?

Original poster
Bestdoggoever · 22/08/2017 16:28

My vet has agreed it's the best thing for him

OP posts:
Mustardnowletsnotbesilly · 22/08/2017 16:28

I totally understand your thought process but 4 is young. The RSPCA will rehome him to a loving family/person after assessment. We got our Staff at 3yrs old and have loved her totally since then. The past is a mystery but she clearly had been taught things by someone! The dog can have a good life still.

IloveBanff · 22/08/2017 16:28

Why would you move into accommodation that doesn't allow dogs?

PsychoPumpkin · 22/08/2017 16:28

I think you need to put your own issues aside & try to find him a new home. Give him a chance.

Mustardnowletsnotbesilly · 22/08/2017 16:29

Speak to the RSPCA first, Go to your local centre.

Original poster
Bestdoggoever · 22/08/2017 16:30

I am moving because my brother has died, and I had already signed the contract

OP posts:
Original poster
Bestdoggoever · 22/08/2017 16:31

My brother was going to have him while I was at Uni

OP posts:
DotForShort · 22/08/2017 16:31

No, I don't think that would be reasonable at all. The dog is young and healthy. If you really cannot take him with you to your new house, the kind and appropriate thing would be to rehome him.

Hont1986 · 22/08/2017 16:31

Your vet told you that it would be best to put down a healthy, confident four-year-old dog? Hmm

AllToadsLeadToHome · 22/08/2017 16:31

Find a sanctuary that will take him because of his past and let him live his life happily. They do exist. I support one.

NAWT is a rehoming centre that might help you. www.nawt.org.uk/

Killing him because he had an unhappy past is really not the act of an animal lover.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 22/08/2017 16:32

Bloody hell. Yes. Considering having a healthy dog who could still live a long happy life with another family put down is barbaric. I can't believe your vet agrees unless there are some huge other issues that you're not telling us.

PollyFlint · 22/08/2017 16:32

Absolutely DO NOT have your perfectly healthy dog put down because you think you are the only person capable of caring for him: you are not.

It would be terrible and very selfish to kill him rather than let another person love him. He is only four years old.

Explain your circumstances to your nearest rehoming charity and they will find a home for him with a suitable owner who will love and care for him in the way he deserves.

You've done a great job in building up his confidence. It's very sad that you can't look after him any more, but someone else will and your idea that he would be better off dead is completely irrational; that's really disordered thinking. Please let him have the long and happy life he's entitled to.

DotForShort · 22/08/2017 16:32

Sorry, your vet has agreed to put the dog down? I would not trust any vet who agreed to euthanise a dog under these circumstances.

Original poster
Bestdoggoever · 22/08/2017 16:32

He is confident with me, but still jumpy and shy with others

OP posts:
caffeinestream · 22/08/2017 16:32

I don't know any reputable vet that would put a healthy young dog to sleep over rehoming it Hmm

kali110 · 22/08/2017 16:33

Yes ywbu.

AnUtterIdiot · 22/08/2017 16:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JacquesHammer · 22/08/2017 16:33

Why would you move into accommodation that doesn't allow dogs?

This line is trotted out on threads like this regularly. Posters have to accept there are sometimes little alternative

OP - I'm so sorry you're in this position and for the loss of your brother Flowers

Pigface1 · 22/08/2017 16:33

I'm not an expert but I don't think that vets put animals down on request - ie without a medical or behavioural reason.

PollyFlint · 22/08/2017 16:33

My vet has agreed it's the best thing for him

Your vet is a fucking disgrace.

OnionKnight · 22/08/2017 16:34

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

maxthemartian · 22/08/2017 16:34

If he was a frightened, unhappy dog with potential aggression issues I would understand, there are indeed worse fates than a peaceful end for animals.
But why on earth would you want to put down a dog who as you say is happy and confident without making every effort to rehome?
I am very sorry about your brother.