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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this dog shouldn’t be put down for causing this injury?

111 replies

QueenofmyPrinces · 08/11/2018 11:07

I was talking to a colleague yesterday who was telling me that he was having to leave work early as his elderly uncle was in the local A&E and he was picking him up.

I asked what had happened and he said he’d been walking his dog (as in it was my colleague’s dog) that afternoon who had pulled on the lead which caused his uncle to fall over. It had happened in a park and the uncle fallen on a gravel pathway and cut one of his hands quite deeply which needed cleaning out and stitching under local anaesthetic.

My colleague said his uncle walks the dog during the afternoon so he gets an opportunity to go to the toilet and have some fresh air as my colleague isn’t usually home until 7.30pm-ish.

Anyway, my colleague has said that his dog isn’t safe if he can’t be trusted to not pull on the lead and that as he can’t risk his dog causing anymore injuries he’s going to have him put down.

I was really shocked and my facial reaction couldn’t hide it. I’m not a dog lover particularly but I was genuinely taken aback that this was his answer to his problem.

He’s had this dog for about 8 years, it’s a spaniel of some sort and he’s always talked fondly of it so I’m surprised that he’s decided to have it put down for causing an accidental injury. It just seems a bit harsh?

Surely he could just find someone rather than his elderly uncle to walk the dog, someone who is able to manage a dog who pulls on their lead? My colleague is in his early 50’s so the uncle must be quite old?

I’m no dog expert at all but it just seemed very extreme. I feel a bit sorry for the dog to be honest Sad

OP posts:
RhiWrites · 08/11/2018 12:59

That is outrageous.

OP please tell the colleague you will take his dog off his hands and then take it to an RSPCA shelter. It deserves a chance to find a loving home.

user555999000 · 08/11/2018 13:14

I have a spaniel. They are big lead pullers and have huge amounts of energy. I walk mine 1-2 hours per day. Usually off lead because this is what their bread needs. They will often suddenly pull when they see rabbits, squirrels, birds etc as they are WORKING DOGS and they are genetically programmed to hunt and flush out birds.

To be quite frank if he puts this dog to sleep for pulling on its lead I consider it murder. That is appalling and fully the fault of the owner who is to blame for getting a dog when he work's too much which means he can't walk the dog himself. Why on earth people think it's ok to get dogs they can't or won't put the effort into walking or looking after I don't know.

I've currently got my spaniel curled up at my feet. He pulls on every walk despite 8 years of training. It's just what some dogs do. He's a member of our family. He's pulled me through some hilarious things - cow pat included. We all love him dearly. To think someone could put a dog to sleep for being energetic makes me feel sick.

ADastardlyThing · 08/11/2018 13:15

Your colleague is a disgrace if he does this. Beyond contempt. I'd look at them in a very different light if they did it.

Tors33 · 08/11/2018 13:46

I'm totally shocked mouth open shocked 😮 what a horrible person your colleague is poor poor dog

Tinklewinkle · 08/11/2018 13:59

That’s outrageous

My Spaniel is an utter tool on a lead.

He gets so excited that the first few minutes of every walk is spent with me calling him a variety of names until he remembers his manners.

He has pulled me over, and through a load of brambles, cow pats, down a steep, wet, muddy hill (face first), etc, etc, and so we never, ever let anyone other than me, DH or my Mum and Dad walk him. He’s had hours and hours and hours of training and we’ve never been able to crack it

He’s a total star off lead and walks to heel until I tell him otherwise though Hmm

makingmammaries · 08/11/2018 14:04

I would take that dog, but unfortunately i’m not in the UK. But if he has some problem with taking the dog to a shelter he can give it away on Gumtree - better than PTS. Please remind him that PTS costs money while giving a dog away is free and for sure there are people who will want it.

e1y1 · 08/11/2018 14:04

WTAF?

Your colleague is a wanker - and I would be telling him as much.

QuizzlyBear · 08/11/2018 14:20

Your colleague has given me the Rage! Who kills a dog because of their own failings (not getting it some proper lead training)? Wanker.

Please don't suggest that he gives the dog away on Gumtree, as a pp suggested though - it's known as somewhere to pick up free dogs as bait for dogfights. Get him to drop the dog off with an animal shelter or breed rescue.

Sorry you have to work with such a selfish cockwomble, op.

Pissedoffdotcom · 08/11/2018 14:26

Giving the dog away on Gumtree is NOT a good idea ffs! If the only two options are scumtree or PTS then the kindest thing is PTS!!!

Original poster
QueenofmyPrinces · 08/11/2018 14:27

He knows I’m not a dog lover so probably wasn’t expecting me to care one way or the other about his decision but it just really bothered me.

My mum used to have spaniels when me and my sister were young and although I have no memeory I’d it, my mum has always said what a wonderful, happy breed of dog they are.

In one way I’m eager to see him tomorrow because I’m hoping he will say the dog is still alive and he’s changed his mind, but on the other hand I’m dreading hearing that the dog has been PTS.

I don’t know much about dogs and specific breeds etc but I can’t imagine that being 8 years old makes a dog old?

OP posts:
LucieMorningstar · 08/11/2018 14:32

Let everyone have an update tomorrow op.

Eleanorsummer · 08/11/2018 14:36

That's awful. I really hope he doesn't get the dog put down, what a disgraceful man.

Original poster
QueenofmyPrinces · 08/11/2018 14:38

lucie - I won’t be able to update until about 9.30pm but I will let you know what’s happened.

OP posts:
makingmammaries · 08/11/2018 15:35

Oh pur-lease, @pissedoff, I’ve adopted several adult dogs from Gumtree equivalent, should I now have them PTS on the basis it would have been better?

PoisonousSmurf · 08/11/2018 15:39

Well, if the dog does get put down, I'd be making sure that everyone in the office knew about it!

RiverTam · 08/11/2018 15:43

I agree that it sounds very harsh but the uncle must be at least in his 70s if not quite a lot older, and that fall must have been a terrible shock for everyone - I know my heart lurches in my chest every time I hear about an elderly relative falling.

So I would guess that your colleague is still in some shock himself about his dog 'causing' this fall, and there may be other family members piling on the pressure.

Hopefully it will not come to this and either a dog walker can be employed or the dog rehomed.

Original poster
QueenofmyPrinces · 08/11/2018 16:03

Well, if the dog does get put down, I'd be making sure that everyone in the office knew about it!

Funnily enough a woman from the office next door has just asked me if it’s true that Steve (fake name) is selling his dog as she might know someone who is interested.

I said I didn’t know - I guess if that tale is circulating then it must be true?

OP posts:
makingmammaries · 08/11/2018 16:06

Watch people pile in now to say he shouldn’t sell it privately.

Deadbudgie · 08/11/2018 16:10

Your colleague is a nasty twat. I would be compelled to spit in his coffee on a daily basis

binception · 08/11/2018 16:23

Where are you, OP? If you're anywhere near me I'll take the dog.

And yes, most vets will and do euthanise healthy animals if they're asked to.

RiverTam · 08/11/2018 16:26

Dead no, he's not. Have you ever seen an elderly person after a fall? It's pretty shocking and distressing, and must be doubly so if you feel responsible for it.

kazillionaire · 08/11/2018 16:27

Tell your colleague to stop being a wanker and pay for a dog walker

Greentorch · 08/11/2018 16:46

My mum took our old dog to the vet to be put down because she was going on holiday and hadn't arranged for anyone to look after him.

Luckily the vet refused and got in touch with a charity that re-homed that particular breed of dog.

Selfish woman. I can't believe some vets would do it.

Original poster
QueenofmyPrinces · 08/11/2018 19:45

greentorch - that’s awful!! It baffles me how some people can be so indifferent to their pets. No offence to your mum but I find that really, really sad.

OP posts:
Maelstrop · 08/11/2018 19:58

Dear God, he's going to have it puts because it pulled an older person I very? I'm not an older person and my dog has pulled me over multiple times. If he can privately re-home to a colleague, fab, if not, l,ease ask him to contact spanielaid.co.uk who foster and re-home with suitable people, including a mate of mine in Hertfordshire. Feel free to message me.