AFTER THE PIT BULL THREAD ADVICE NEEDED DESPERATLY...

[kittylette]

i need advice,

BIL and SIL have a rotweiller/alsation cross, its huge,

theyve just had a baby son

weve told them the dangers (shouldnt have to really) but they sent a pic of the tiny baby lay across the front paws of the dog

i have two sons and havent visted them for 2 years because i wont allow them near the dog

in my pre-kids days the dog attacked me, tried to bite me BIL had to physically beat the dog to subdue it away from me,

its not a nice dog

im fear for the safety of my nephew

should i phone someone?

social serices?

i dont want to but how would i feel if something happened?

when you first meet the dog, you have to sit low down on the floor with your arms crossed and not give it eye contact

surely thats not right?

sjould a dog like that be near a bay?

they say is soft as anytning, its a big baby

Beautiful baby. I know this is a serious situation, and the dog is potentially very dangerous, and while my first concern is for the baby, I also feel sorry for the dog. He's had a rough start to life, and now he's having a rough time in your BIL's hands too. It is so easy to establish yourself as pack leader, and the dog doesn't have to be a puppy either. The techniques to do so are so simple. Ignorance plays a big part here. Your relatives obviously didn't know anything about dog training when they took the dog on. He's a scary looking dog, and looks like he could be dominant. I hope it's sorted very soon - for everyone's sake. The dog will probably end up being destroyed. My friend's German Shepherd was recently put to sleep as she bit a male friend a couple of times, and then then took a snap at my friend's dd. She couldn't get a rescue place to take the dog because she'd bitten, and she even offered her to the police, and they wouldn't have her either.

phone the RSPCA first of all, kitty, you never know they might have a way of getting into the house without even the slightest mention of you.

No-one's having a go, Kitty, it must be awful for you. But Darling, think how much more awful it would be if on Sunday morning you got a call to say that lovely little baby was dead, because the dog attacked him.

I know that sounds hysterical, but it could happen. That stupid family in Liverpool didn't believe their "angel" would be attacked by their vicious dog, either. And she was much bigger than this little mite, and there's no reports that the pitbull was the alpha dog in their pack (or maybe there are, I haven't read any).

You must try and ensure that poor baby is protected, whatever way you can. If you knew they were leaving him in the bath on his own, would you hesitate to tell them how inadvisable it was?

How amenable would they be to good advice? Remember that your SIL is now a mother and may well have her protective instincts kicking in - she may be more receptive to your advice than you think.

sweety im not having a go at you, im just incredibly angry that a forum full of women who have never metthe animal can see what a danger it is and yet the childs paretns are too ignorant to see it.

It is hard, and yes yrou right this is a situation you shoudln't find yourself in.
but at the end of the day you are in it and if your nephews saftey has been placed in your hands you will have to be the one that takes action.

As i have said, give them a ring explain that the recent newsarticles have really worried you and you were talking to some friends about their dog. our reactions have got you even more worried as we have pointed out some facts about canine behaviour.
explain that you know they love their dog dearly but that it may be better placed within a home that have no children.

If they get funny with you then please email me (fattymumma at msn . com) and i will take the details and make a report.

and i know you've told MiL but presumably you could go ahead and then if she passes on what she knows then it'll be her breaking up the family, not you. iykwim?

BTW, not having a go, Kitty. I'm often torn and caught in the middle with family situations, am at the moment (totally different non animal related reasons) so I can imagine how you feel, and how worried you must be. Poor you. You're absolutely right, this shouldn't have to fall on your shoulders.

kittylette - yes you are in an aweful position, but you don't have any choice but to report them.
That picture sums it all up good luck - he is a beauitiful boy

Have just emailed you with some 'concerns and alot of rambling about xmas and holidays!!! Hope it's ok.

I was asking if many others have seen the picture so that either I or someone can report it for you and that way it has no comeback on you - I'm happy to let them tell your BIL/SIL my/dp's name so that they know it wasn't you.

omg what a huge dog, that baby would fit in its mouth with room to spare! poor you, having to make a decision. but i think in the bottom of your heart you know what the right decision is.

imagine how you would feel if you get a phone call to say that your nephew has been mauled by it

i think im going to email them personally, and tell them my concerns, and that MIL has told me not too but i cant bite my tounge

should i say directly i think he should be rehomed?

is that best?

i dont think they would anyways.

if i say 'if you dont do it ill report the dog' isnt that too much??

It might be a bit too much Kitty. I wouldn't spell it out quite so clearly for a first e-mail, it might not be necessary.

You never know, your e-mail could be the excuse your SIL is looking for to change the status quo. Or the excuse both of them have to change the status quo. Now that they have a baby, they may be feeling uneasy about the fact that the dog is so dominant, particularly if they are aware of what that might mean in reality, and someone nudging them might be the catalyst they need to change things.

I would just make sure to put lots of facts about pack behaviour etc. in the e-mail, to remind them of why they should be concerned.

you could say that you think its best for the dog if it is rehomed before it does something that causes it to be put to sleep.

You could suggest getting some intensive therapy anf training for them but it would take time to work and everyday that the baby is with the dog s a day closer to a bite.

I owuld say that you feel very strongly and whilst your uinderstand that they care deeply for the dog you feel that something really needs to be done and that whilst you dont want to have to involve authorities you need to make sure your nephew is safe.

your not saying you WILL report them but you are teling them that you will not let this lie.

Yes, don't say straight off that you'll report them.
Caligula may well be right. When you have a child your love for and your need to protect your child overrides everything and they or at least SIL may start to feel uneasy about the dog being around him.

What happens when strangers go to the house with regard to having to sit down and not look at him? If you have a chat with the police, you may be able to get them to go there and say that they have seen the dog out and wanted to check his breeding - then obviously when they go in and have to sit down they won't be impressed!!

thats why i suggested the RSPCA Zephyr theyw ill haev to see the dog and if everyone who meets him has to behave in such a way the officer that is sent will be alarmed straight away.

If you saw the way my dogs play with each other I dont think you'd hesitate to report them. They grabbed each others necks, roll around the floor together knarling at each others body. This is play. Once when they were doing this I was walking past and as they were rolling my leg got in teh way and got a nip. The same nip they give to each other. It hurt a lot and marked the skin. They were oblivious to having done it.

Now, that dog sees itself as above the baby. For one thing the baby is in a submissive position in its paws - dogs go down low to show submissiviness. THe dog sees itself as being able to be on the bed - definately higher in the pack than the baby.
We have a stair gate on our stairs so dogs cant go upstairs and they are never allowed on the sofas. They are dogs and must be treated that way.

I honestly dont think it is a question of if but when this dog attacks the child. Perhaps it will be lucky and just suffer severe facial injuries and need surgery for a few times. Perhaps it wont be so lucky.

DOnt bother talking to them. Make a stink and report it. Not saying it's remotely an easy thing today but sadly you dont actually have a choice, not really.

We will be here for you.

I thought that as well mamazon but when I rang them today they said she needs to go to the local police, maybe ringing them again will bring a different answer and someone could go...

My dogs play like that, too, northercules. You'd really think they are fighting. They're not though.

i was going to email this .... (edited for you lot in terms of names)

_

Hi hun,

hows you?

i need to talk to you about Taz(the dog), its been playing on my mind for a long time - but now that *(your baby) is here i have to say it.

When you sent me that picture of Taz 'holding' (new baby), it made me feel sick, actully physically sick. You CANNOT do that! Your son is so tiny, that dog could just snap him up in an instant.

before he was born, we talked about the baby and the dog, and it seemed you were going to try and keep tham apart. Gill even mentioned it at the hospital and you both said you would, but your not

ive read so many stories recently in the paper / on the news that kids have been killed by dogs, by their OWN dogs.

you say Taz is soft, but he ISNT

if he were that soft and trustworthy he wouldnt have gone for me when he did a few years back.

i patted his back and he tried to bite me, he did. M**(BIL) had to physically hit him to get him into the corner away from me.

he snapped. that one time maybe - but he did it

and hes fully capable of doing it again. and what if its travis next time??

it may be ok for now, but what about when (new baby) is Amy sons age (2) age, running about pulling the dog, kicking him (and he will - 2 year olds dont listen to dont do that to the dog warnings)

if he attacked me over a pat - what makes you sure he wouldnt do it when hes being pulled and screamed at??

is that dog so important to you that you would risk your sons life??

the little girl that was just killed by a dog her parent s said they 'NEVER thought the dog would even bark at her'

and it savaged her!

im saying this out of love for my nephew, he is soooo precious to me , soo soo precious,

and i know he is to you too, so much more so as you are his mummy,

i know you love taz, but i believe hes a danger to your baby.

you can tell me as many times as you want 'hes a big pussycat' ect - but he wasnt when he tried to bite me.

i dont want you to be upset at me,

i love you, you are my sis - but i just dont understand your mentality - i DONT understand why on earth you would place your beautiful son under the face of that dog

i wouldnt sit DS2 (6months old) near a chuiwawah - i wouldnt

i think he should be rehomed, i do, i really think he is a danger

im mean a normal happy family dog - you dont have to sit with your hands crossed. giving no eye contact when you meet them - surely a dog that you have to do that infront of shouldnt be around babies?

i hope you think about this,

i called (MIL) - and she told me not to talk to you about it that its best we dont fall out, but i cant bite my tongue when i feel so strongly

please understand im doing this because i love my nephew so much.

Just read this and was very shocked by the picture after reading about the dog.

I think it you should contact the Police AND social services AND NSPCC and tell them that you belive a baby to be in danger.

Their ears will prick up when they hear 'baby in danger' far more than if they hear a 'want to to report dangerous dog'.

From what you have said you I beleive this child to be 'neglected' , negelcted can cover the fact that the aprenst/carers are failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger i.e the dog.

If necessary go down to your local police staion with the photo and speak with someone face to face .

I do hope this situation is resolved as soon as possible.

That's a really good email, kitty. You are such a wonderful Aunt

Agree, that sounds perfect. Doesn't come across as you hate the dog, just that you want to protect your DN.

I hope she sees what a fab auntie you are!

i think that email is great. you have explained that you care deeply for them but your concerns are strong and have been held for a long time.

you point out that the dogs behaviour is not normal and that your not against them, justthe situation.

I would hope they are mature enough to realise what yo doing is for your nephews benefit.
I would also hope that you have a good enough relationship with yoru family to be able to speak freely abotu your concerns without causing too much upset

Good luck hun and know that you are doing the very best for young Travis

Send the text that picture is so scary such a sweet baby

(BTW I love your little one's names!!!! )