Brother’s dog attacked my 2 year old

[ADR25]

Hi,
Looking for some advice. Me,my husband and our 2 year old were at my mum’s house for a family lunch yesterday. My brother has recently moved back in with my mum with his dog (a British bulldog). The dog has always been boisterous but yesterday my son was standing quietly in the garden holding hands with my husband about 6 feet from the dog and she just went for him and had her mouth around his leg. Fortunately she did not puncture the skin but he was obviously very scared and upset. Me and my husband are very shaken up too (particularly my husband who witnessed it and was in floods of tears) and he is saying he doesn’t want him in the same house as the dog ever again. According to gov.uk aggressive behaviour is against the law.
My mum supports us and says the dog needs to go to kennels when she has my son overnight and needs to be elsewhere when she has him on Fridays, although we’ve said she could just have him at our house. Yesterday my brother was very remorseful and talked about rehoming her as her behaviour in general has been concerning. But today he is adamant that he’s not rehoming her and my stepdad says my mum should just see our son at our house.
So my son is not welcome at his grandparent’s house because we’re afraid he might be mauled to death?
It would be another story if it had happened to my stepdad’s precious daughter or granddaughter.

You can't change their opinions, but you can protect your child. He is not to be around the dog end of. You can also contact the police as if she is dangerous around your child, she may be around others too.

Well follow their suggestion.. Visiting at your home only. If your dc hasn't much of a relationship with them that's not on you.

They have a great relationship which is what is upsetting me. Everyone apart from my mum choosing a dog over my son.

As the first reply says, my child would absolutely not be in that house again until the dog was gone. I would also report to the police as the dog is a risk to others.

This is awful and a worrying time. Can the dog be muzzled ?

Exactly, we are torn between reporting it to protect other potential victims but my husband says that will cause a potential massive fall out between the family which we don’t want. Our son loves my brother.

We had similar when my brother and his dog moved back to my parents. The dog didn't bite but it stood over my toddler after she fell down/was pushed. We decided that day the kids wouldn't go over any more unless the dogs were gone. The dogs didn't go for ages. My kids didn't visit for ages unless I was there and kept the dog away from them. It was easier not to go.

I’m not sure. We don’t see the dog as our responsibility and neither does my mum. But 5 minutes after the event the dog was getting a fuss from some other kids who were there! I feel like everyone thought me and my husband were overreacting as the dog didn’t puncture the skin!

So that dog is around other children anyway?!?
And no one is worried for their safety?

Bloody hell

Your child isn't in the same house as the dog end of. If the dog was likely to be around other children I think I would have to report it.

That’s awful! My husband is saying that our son will never be in the same house as that dog again so I’m not sure what it means for Christmas etc. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I’d report it. We had a dog on the estate that attacked children and ripped clothes etc. Everyone didn’t report iti as the owners daughter kept saying sorry and it was going to training etc. It attacked 5 children I think before the police were involved.

Exactly. Only my husband had witnessed the incident but when I heard him crying I ran to find out and then came running back inside to tell everyone what had happened and no one seemed concerned at all!

Yesterday my brother was very remorseful and talked about rehoming her as her behaviour in general has been concerning.

That’s what is extremely worrying.
Not just an unprovoked attack but actually there is a pattern of behaviour.

Youre doing the right thing.
Your step dad … well clearly doesn’t care about people who are t ‘his blood family’
Your brother is putting his head in the sand, supported by your step dad.

Id actually seriously think about reporting that dog.

Dog not allowed to see child again

Period

Report to the police. Please, for the sake of other people, especially children.

I hope you three are ok. x

Even if your mum sees your child at your place which is sensible please think about this. what if the dog attacked another visiting child or escaped and bit a child in the street? you must do what is right and not put another child at risk and btw I love and rescue dogs but do not put anyone at risk

I love dogs but your family need to see yesterday as a warning of potentially much worse aggression and consequences. The dog has shown that it can and will attack a child. It will happen again. It could happen to an adult too. Does your mum feel safe around it?

Me and my son are fine thank you, but I think my husband is traumatised. I’ve never seen him as he was yesterday.

Apparently they’re all fine with her but my mum doesn’t like the soiling in the house and my brother’s girlfriend has been complaining to him for ages about the soiling and the fact she runs off on a walk. She also attacks my mum’s poor dog who is 17, deaf, blind and wouldn’t hurt a fly.

I agree. There’s no way I could consider keeping a dog who went for a child. I’m not sure why he hasn’t taken her to the vet to ask about rehoming. If this had been my niece on my stepdad’s side then the dog would already be out.

Your brother is being very irresponsible. If ur vhild had been provoking the fog then it would be understandable that the dog would react. As this was not the case then the fog must be muzzled at the very least everything there are children about.

Your husband is correct and your son should be kept away from the dog. Is your brother your step father’s son. If not why is he sticking up for him.
Clearly your brother hasn’t bother to train his dog.
I wouldn’t worry about Christmas. Do you usually host?

Some years we host and others my mum hosts. Yes my brother is my stepdad’s so technically my half brother. He is saying my mum needs to give my brother a chance to take the dog to training classes even though it’s 4 years old now.

Op, someone has be be responsible in this scenario. That dog is dangerous. How will you feel if you do nothing and that dog goes on to maul or kill someone else's child? You have a moral duty to report this dog.