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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To have reported my own brothers dog?

11 replies

Gracelings · 27/12/2022 23:24

Bit of background: DB and SIL have a 3 year old Jack Russell. They absolutely worship this dog. In their own terms have fully on taken the dog as their “baby”. Nobody is allowed to insult the dog or suggest the dog is a “dog”. Dog can not do any wrong in their eyes. DB and SIL refer to themselves as the dogs mummy and daddy and the dog is beyond adored by them.

The dog has also fought other dogs in the park and has always had a bit of a “nasty” streak with other dogs.

The dog is incredibly ill behaved. All over the furniture, snatches food out of peoples hands, will jump up and drink from people’s glasses, steals guests shoes and chews them up, is very possessive over SIL in particular and will snarl or even snap at anyone that goes near her.

Anyhow, we were at DB’s Christmas Day. Me and my daughter DD14. Dog was a nightmare as usual but this was put down to it being overexcited. DD is a bit scared of the dog so keeps her distance. Later on, DD is looking over at SIL’s phone at a TikTok and the dog came into the room and bit her on the back of the calf! Completely unprovoked. We checked it and it had drawn blood and left puncture marks.

DD was v upset and so was I. I told DB that he had to do something about the dog, that it’s out of control now and that it’s not a “baby” but a dog that needs disciplining. Anyway, SIL became hysterical saying it’s not dogs fault it’s excited, it’s just a baby (it’s 3) and DB asked us to leave. Later that evening, in my v Bailey ridden state I reported it to the police and dog warden.

so was I unreasonable?

OP posts:

Wasywasydoodah · 27/12/2022 23:27

Yanbu. Dog attacked your dd. Has she had medical attention? Minor injuries would be good as risk of infection, or the GP.

but… your DB may never speak to you again…

Whowhatwherewhenwhynow · 27/12/2022 23:39

I don’t think it’s unreasonable. I’m not sure they’ll do much and if they do I’m sure your DB will be angry with you. However he’s in the wrong- he’s not trained the dog wel enough and now it’s dangerous. It’s a dog not a human.

MissMaple82 · 27/12/2022 23:40

The dog isn't out of control, the dog isn't the problem here, the owners are! They need to treat it correctly and appropriately, like a dog and give it some appropriatetraining. And any educated and responsible dog owner would put the dog away in a calm space whilst having people over entertaining. Dogs get stressed and become unpredictable. Don't t report the dog. It's not the dogs fault it's stuck with shit owners. Speak to your brother and educate him. Next time don't agree to be around the dog in stressful/different situations

ToBeOrNotToBee · 27/12/2022 23:42

No you're completely within your right.

They need to stop treating the dog like a baby and instead like the animal it is.

They're obviously not meeting its needs and are unable to be mature enough to recognise this.

They need to muzzle train the dog and start putting things in place ro keep the dog and others safe.

nocoolnamesleft · 27/12/2022 23:43

You did the right thing. I trust you have also sought medical help for your DD?

Ingleduh · 27/12/2022 23:47

Definitely not unreasonable however to minimise fall out I'd probably lie and if challenged say when u took her to be checked over that they automatically request details of dog as safeguarding procedure as DD is a minor.

paintitallover · 27/12/2022 23:51

Good for you. People who don't teach their dogs boundaries are idiots.

Shivermytimber · 27/12/2022 23:53

If the dogs teeth punctured her skin she will need antibiotics. 111 will be able to arrange these for you.

BlackeyedSusan · 27/12/2022 23:58

Unfortunately, we have reason to know that you need medical attention for a dog bite. The biten one refused to report.

CaptainBarbosa · 27/12/2022 23:58

It was your right to report a dangerous dog.

However, if you want any future relationship with your brother, I would say as a PP has, tell them the hospital asked for details and reported it.

I do feel sorry for the dog, the owners have caused this behavioural issue. Dogs are not babies dogs are dogs that require firm boundaries and fair/good leadership.

I have a mastiff, he's wonderful with guests and children and dogs. But today my family visited and they have a 2 year old. Dog was locked away in a upstairs bedroom, not because I fear he will attack a child but because the oaf doesn't know where it's arse is half the time and a 2 year old is prime height to be knocked over by him! So I put him away and said toddler was safe.

NalaNana · 28/12/2022 00:01

If it was me, I'd consider it something to be dealt with within the family simply to maintain a relationship with your brother i.e dog is not brought around the children in future or is muzzled etc. If your DD took something from their house and they called the police to report her how would you feel? I suppose it just feels like an escalation that might be hard to resolve with your DB considering how they feel about the dog.

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