My dog just bit my son. Twice :o(

[AboardtheAxiom]

DS is now terrified and is begging me to take the dog back to the pound.

He hasn't broken the skin (ds had thick pjs on) but he has left a bruised lump on DS's leg.

I can't believe it. DS was just stood watching TV 1st time, 2nd time was sat at the table!

I half to go out at half 8 and need to make a plan.

Dog is barking in kitchen and DS is crying (again) in living room.

If you got the dog from a pound then reality is that they would have had no idea of its history and background and should probably never have rehomed it to you in the first place.

If the dog agressively attacked your son without provokation then it would IMO be irresponsible to rehome it. If the dog went on to bite someone else and did further damage you would be responsible for that, having knowingly rehomed an agressive animal, regardless of whether he had been "rehabilitated".

You should have the dog put to sleep IMO. How anyone can even consider knowingly passing on an agressive dog is beyond me.

Oh god I can't win can I? This is just a terrible situation all round,

have him put down - feel shit,
rehome him - feel shit.

DS is satisfied with the dog on the lead situation, I have explained to DS i am trying to find someone who can take him (have put it very simply to him).

Looking back he should not have been placed with us, I guess they just wanted one less dog in there. I have no garden, a ds with special needs, and a dog whose history is unknown. During the adoption stage I was told I would receive a home visit. The woman was in and out in less than two minutes, and basically checked he couldn't escape off my property.

Valhalla - is this true that if my dog was taken to rescue, rehabilitated, rehomed, and then bit someone else, that it would be my fault???

OP- Please don't listen to the people who jump straight to the conclusion that your dog should be put straight to sleep.
You are doing the right thing seeking help for this dog. I don't believe that a dog is agressive for no reason, he might have some sort of problem.
Of course you can't keep this dog yourself now with your Ds, you'd never be able to fully trust it again, but it does deserve a chance elsewhere.

Valhalla will get things moving in the right direction for you and this dog.

op - not your responsibility as in legally, but morally it is now your responsibility to ensure this dog cannot bite someone else, iyswim.

Think about it - if you allow this dog to be rehomed and it bites someone else, and next time does permanent damage or worse, can you honestly say that you won't feel guilt over the fact that you knowingly passed on an agressive dog?

Izzybiz I agree that dogs are generally not agressive for no reason, in fact I am usually one of the first to be at the whole "any dog can turn at any time," posts that appear on mn at regular intervals. However this is a dog of unknown history and background, rehomed into a home with no garden and a vulnerable child (vulnerable as in the child has disabilities). The dog may have been mistreated in the past which may have led to the dog having agressive tendencies. , in fact the mere fact that someone saw fit to leave it at the pound speaks for itself really.

If the dog hasn't previously shown any sign of agression and has bitten unprovoked there is no way of knowing why the dog bit, so no way of knowing that the dog won't bite again.

"I have no garden, a ds with special needs, and a dog whose history is unknown."

But you still decided to take the dog having made the decision you wanted one, so while I am very sorry for you and your son that this has happened, you have to take some responsibility.

i hope you go down sending the dog to a reputable rescue who will help him and only rehome him to a suitable home

i dont think he should be pts at all

you would only be being irresponsible if you rehomed him to a family without telling them what has happened. you arent doing that. you are trying to do the best for the dog whilst making sure your ds is safe. imo you are being very responsible and it takes a lot of courage to ask for help and advice in this situation

i have an autistic son and dogs. i have also fostered and provided respite care for kids with autism so am used to employing various strategies to keep everyone safe. if in the future (maybe when son is older) you want to rehome another dog i would be happy to share my experiences with you

Its all very well rehoming an agressive dog in an adults only household but about about 4 or 5 years down the line when the adults have got complacent or have grandchildren or friends with children or the dog gets out.

that is rubbish. dogs are abandoned for all sorts of reasons, it is very ignorant to blame the dog for being taken to the pound

well said Valhalla

i would hate to see this board go the way of some of the others on MN and good people leave because of the ignorance of a few

oh and i am not talking about differing opinions

i am talking about people making OP feel guilty and assuming they know best about a subject they know little of

To me, Vallhala comes across as someone who has a lot of knowledge and experience with dogs. And as someone who knows what she is talking about I would trust her opinion.

lets hope the name calling, ignorant, rude people dont spoil this board for everyone else

wannabe,worzel,scarlett - you should be ashamed of yourself

I may come across as a "real nutter" to you, Worzsel, but you come across to me as someone who advocates the killing of an animal for no good reason.

I know which I'd rather be.

"no good reason."

Bitten a child - twice!

dog bit your dc twice, id get rid

What happened, aboard?

I should be ashamed of myself?!

That poor child

Aboard please listen to Val. She knows her stuff. I also agree with Ephiny. Yes the incident was upsetting and scary to you and your child and I don't blame you for a second for wanting to look into your options, but the dogs has not 'bitten' anyone. Had he wanted to cause serious damage he would have done so.