My au pair manhandled my dog.... is it gross misconduct?

[MissionImplausible]

We have a camera in the house to keep an eye on the dog whilst we are at work. It's been off for a week or so but I put it back on today and it caught my au pair kicking our dog to get her out of her bed for a wee and then, when the dog didn't move, grabbing her by the collar to lift her clean off her feet and throwing her outside!!!

The au pair has been with us for over a year and knows about the camera but not that it was working again.

I am disgusted and want her out of my house straight away for what I see as gross misconduct - how can I trust her with my child (who is 10yrs old?) BUT a colleague who is playing devils advocate is suggesting a final warning is more appropriate as she has been with us for so long and we've not experienced this before (although perhaps it happens away from the doggy cam?)

Any opinions?

Get rid of her. Anyone who is cruel to animals is not fit to care for children. And what kind of example is she setting for your dc?

Thanks everyone - it looks like you all agree with me. I appreciate all the quick responses.

I'm still at work but my hubby is home with the dog now. My daughter is with her dad this weekend so I don't have to worry about that. I really do not want someone who can do that to my poor doggy (who is a rescue with a questionable past already) in my house at all in any capacity let alone one of responsibility.

I was worried that I was over reacting - I'm known to do that and so was doubting myself when my colleague questioned me.

I'll deal with it tonight and let you know how we get on... thanks again x

Why are you letting some random colleague stop you from doing the right thing?

Ok here’s a good way to see what’s best:

If you are more than happy for this person to kick your child, and lift them by the throat and throw them across the room, don’t fire them.

If that doesn’t appeal to you, fire them.

It’s as simple as that and the fact you don’t know that automatically should signpost that self-reflection is required.

Op if she did that to my dog she would be sacked without a seconds thought. Probably with my foot up her arse on the way out !

I wouldn’t ever trust a person that kicks a animal with a child.

Poor dog

I couldn’t have her in my house she’s a nasty person and has no respect, I detest cruelty, you don’t know what else she’s doing in your absence the sneaky bitch.

Good I’m glad you’re going to sack her. This behaviour is entirely unacceptable and abusive. I bet your colleague wouldn’t put up with it if it were her ddog or children.

Well done for doing the right thing.

from ddog.

You’re doing the right thing. Poor dog.

Oh my goodness if someone did that to my dog I’d be fuming. You’d never be able to trust her anyway. Glad you are getting rid.

It’s not illegal to video or photograph people in your own home, unless in a place where they expect privacy, such as their own bedroom, a bathroom or toilet. Everywhere else is fair game

In that case, go to the police as well as sacking her.

I would kick her out immediately. I would not tolerate anyone doing anything to hurt any of my pets. If it were me I would go home now and do it. I really think I would struggle not to give her a kick to help her out of the door as well..

Police or rspca along with dismissal. I'd be tempted to kick her head in tbh. Very unladylike but people who abuse animals are pieces of shit in my eyes.

I would grab her by the collar and kick her out. Anybody that treats animals like that are not trustworthy in my book. At least you have seen her true colours now and you can do something about it.

I hope your dog is ok x

I'd probably dismiss her as well, but if I was an au pair I'd envisage caring for kids, not dogs. She might resent looking after a dog. Doesn't make it ok to mistreat it. Is she from a culture where dogs are treated with less care?

Evil b*tch! I’d get rid of her immediately, show the video to the police/RSPCA - and see if something could be written on her record.

What kind of psycho does that, and what else has she been doing that you don’t know about? Even if it was ‘only’ this, she’d never step foot in my house again!

Hugs to your DDog

I’m not a dog person. I would 100% tell her to leave immediately. I would trust someone who got an animal not to hit a child (I know that lots of people are violent towards animals without ever escalating but it’s not a risk worth taking).

Breaking the law on video has to be gross misconduct doesn’t it? I’d be reporting her to the RSPCA/police too.

Yes that's abuse of an animal.

Dismiss her and hand the footage over to the police.

Dismiss her give the footage to the au pair agency and the rspca.

Poor dog. Sacking her should be the least of her worries, evil woman.

If she can mistreat a dog, she can mistreat a child.

A lack of empathy is a very worrying trait and not one I'd have around my family. Regardless of how I feel about my dog, people who mistreat animals are generally riskier people to be around.

Out, instantly. No hesitation.