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.

That is scary and completely irresponsible of the owner. I would keep DC away until the dog is gone.

if it did fully attack the damage could be severe.

Quite. You would be amazed just how low the bar of expectation is set amongst many dog owners in the behaviour of their pets
OP - I hesitated to say it earlier as I do not in any way want to make light of what has happened but it is entirely possible that this dog is making unruly and inappropriate attempts at play, being a bit of a bully or right up to full on dangerous and aggressive, I make a point of not attempting to diagnose via keyboard as so many things can be in play, it’s impossible and very unprofessional to do so
The only way to know is to engage the services of a behaviourist and work in person with them. That costs and your brother will likely balk at it but that’s the ONLY way he can safely keep this dog
My original advice stands however - keep the dog away from children and have it assessed

I don’t personally feel it would be report worthy without injury as wrong as that sounds- I’m not sure the police would be in a position to act in that scenario

There are a number of steps your brother needs to take. The first is a trip to the vet to get the dog checked over for any underlying medical issues. Many bulldogs are inbred to the point they are very unhealthy and can be in pain which can cause them to lash out. Ruling out a physical issue is his first step. The next is working consistently with a trainer as it sounds like he hasn't trained the dog properly. Either that or the dog isn't coping with the move and change of surroundings and needs more help to behave safely.

Ultimately this will all take time though and I think you're making the right decision not to have your child around the dog unless you know they can be kept in completely separate rooms at all times. If your brother isn't prepared to do what he needs to as a responsible owner then I'd report him but either way my kid wouldn't be in their care since they seem unable to assess risk appropriately. This would really damage my trust in them.

I would report it to the police and not go round there again unless they get rid of the dog. It's not worth the risk.

So sorry this happened OP. Your poor DC. Ultimately, dangerous dog attacked your innocent child unprovoked. The dog needs to be put down. It is out of control. It is a dangerous breed. I also thought it was illegal to rehome dangerous breeds (not too sure on the law)? I would report the dog to RSPCA. You’re very lucky it could have been much worse. And yes, they’re choosing the dog over your family. Can’t stand entitled dog owners.

Well you know your value to your family OP.

Report the dog and don't visit again until the dog is no longer there.

As a dog owner I think this is great advice. Dogs are capable of breaking skin very easily if the intent is there. A behaviourist can get to the bottom of exactly what’s going on here, rather than relying on internet strangers who haven’t seen what actually happened.

@ADR25
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.

This part of your post stood out for me. I know your mum is supportive but can you be 100 percent certain that your brother won't turn up at your mum's with the dog on days/nights your son is there?
You trust your mum but can you trust your brother or step dad to stick to this arrangement. Your brother could walk through the door with the dog at anytime. Don't take the risk - tell your mum it's your house only.

Report to the police and don’t give a fuck about the fallout.

Hi, I've only read the first page.

Just thought I'd share a different perspective. In Children's A&E, if a child comes in with a dog bite, regardless of whether ots just a graze, we have to report it to the police and to social care. Even if its a random dog in a park.

I admit i don't know what actually happens afterwards in all cases, but from feedback the majority of them get put down. I believe its those that are predominantly around children, even living in a different home. I'm not sure if this is enforced by police or the owners decision.

So really, whether or not the dog punctured the skin, as soon as they bite they are dangerous.

Personally I would report the dog. It could have seriously hurt your son. What if it hurts someone else. It may upset people but not as much as if it hurts someone.

@Undisclosedlocation is taking into account he has attacked a child but also the dog of OP’s mum?

Id see that as two cases of unprovoked attack and I’m wondering what is the tipping point to say ‘actually this dog is dangerous and training will only make a marginal difference’

Or is it a case where it’s mainly the owners that need to be trained iyswim

@MindfulBear a GP would not 'report' a dog bite. Why would you ring your surgery to report a dog bite?! Absolute waste of time

What do people suggesting reporting to a HV or GP expect them to do? I work in healthcare, we do not report dog bites! As though we haven't got better things to do. The child wasn't even injured so not sure why a GP needs to be involved

I don't think you could report it, because it's not a bite is it? She didn't break the skin. Is it possible she was playing, but it looked aggressive? What did your brother think? Is there a trigger for her behaviour?

I don’t care if she was ‘playing’. Would you want a big, strong, unknown, growling dog playing with your 2 year old? I have 2 harmless cats but I don’t play the game of tummy tickles as the repercussions are scratches!

Good on your DH, and I'm glad he thinks that way. Better to be safe than sorry. When it comes to Christmas etc, your relatives will have to choose whether to prioritise a dog over their family.

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.

Well that's not going to happen is it so it has to be your house only.

Is your mum doing anything about the dog attacking hers?

So this dog craps in the house, attacks other dogs and has now had your child’s leg in its mouth, and no one sees the dog as an issue? Everyone (except your mum) just wants to carry on and ignore the potentially fatal elephant in the room, while it craps all over the floor? This is messed up.

🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️
I’ve told my husband that I’m not happy with the lack of remorse shown. My brother hasn’t even thanked us for not reporting it, even though the law states that a dog is considered out of control for injuring a person or animal or causing worry that it will cause an injury. They seem to have washed their hands of the problem today and I’ve seen photos of my brother and his gf out at a restaurant. My husband is going to contact him.

Not doing anything that I’m aware of!

Tetanus booster? Although pointless in this case as no break in the skin.

I hope they all start taking it more seriously. Your brother sadly doesn’t appear to be bothered by his responsibilities as a dog owner. I know your husband is worried about the potential fall out if the dog is reported but that’s nothing compared to the devastation of a life changing/ending attack. I really feel for you and your DH being put in this position.

Am I the only person who thinks the dog should be put to sleep? Biting a child and attacking an elderly dog, is just completely beyond the pale for me.
Please report the incident. I would be so worried that the dog might seriously harm a person or pet.

The fact that a 4 year old dog is ‘soiling’ in the house indicates your brother doesn’t give a toss about training and being a responsible dog owner. He’s not sorted that very basic issue so he’s not going to sort the other very worrying behaviour.

Definitely agree with your child not being at your mum’s house, and reporting the dog.

I also feel for your mum as it sounds like she has two arsehole men living with her. Doesn’t sound like a great set up for her or her poor elderly dog.