My mastiff has mauled a small dog, I have a baby, my family want her to be pts. wwyd?

[bittenipples]

I will try and keep this short whilst not drip feeding. Needless to say I am devastated.

Bull Mastiff rescue bitch - very dog aggresive, never shown any human aggresion. I got her when she was 6 from rescue, she had a bad fight when I slipped on ice and lost grip of the lead and since then she is not off the lead due to her bad dog aggression. I have worked with her intensly and trained her to be okay to walk past other dogs without too much tension, took 4 years but we got there!

We live in a flat, so as a holiday every 6 weeks or so she goes to my parents house in the country with huge garden so she can relax and wander off lead in a gated and fenced area. She must be about 9 now, no problems since I have been on top of her training and walks. She has bad hips and Cushings disease which we medicate but she still hates the stairs in the flat.

We have been at my parents for a week and having coffee outside when we hear the gate latch. The church warden has visited unannounced and walked in with her miniture breed. We did what we could but obviously my mastiff gets there first and mauled the dog. The dog is fine, thank god, after surgery but it was a close call - I am gutted. My family wont have her here again and think that she is a risk to my 10 mo son.

Yes she is a risk, but no more than she was 2 days ago. she has never shown human aggression, when we pinned her down to let go of the dog we really hurt her hips but she just howled but didnt harm us at all. I dont know what to do. Every one is saying to put her down, but I think this is unfair because a the dog walked into her territory. I know she is dog aggresive and i manage it. but do you thinbk she is a risk to my son in the flat? I keep them apart at all times, I will teach him to respect her space.

Sorry for the typos, very upset.

WWYD/

her quality of life will be diminished now she is not allowed back to my parents lovely garden and stuck going up and down the stairsand I can understand and respect thier desicon on that, but pts is a step too far or is it?

Help!

[hellymelly]

bitten I cried reading your news. I think it is unlikely that your dog would have bitten your baby I completely agree that her quality of life had reached a point where the kindest option was to pts. It is a really hard decision and clearly one you have agonised over. She was very loved and would have felt that. Chronic pain makes even very good tempered dogs ratty and unpredictable, as it does people. I was bitten as a small child by my Granny's lovely dog, he loved me and I him, but he had a painful tooth and was about to go back to the vets. I touched his mouth (I had been told not to!) and he snapped. He snapped rather than a true bite, it was a warning , not anything else, but it shows what pain can do. I imagine your dogs pain was a big factor in her aggression towards the other dog, as pain makes dogs act defensively. I am very sad for you that the time came to say goodbye to Amber, but you have been a wonderful owner and you have done the absolute best for her. for you and Amber.

[merrymouse]

Even without any aggression and no children, I think her health problems would have led you to face this decision soon.

Whether or not your flat was suitable in hind sight, it sounds as though she was very lucky to find you and have the years that she did with a good owner.

[LifeIsBetterInFlipFlops]

OP - I'm so sorry for you and I hope that it will help you knowing that you've done the right thing and that you can concentrate on your happy memories of her and know that you gave her a good life.

[LeoandBoosmum]

Bittenipples, just focus on the love and happy times you gave her. You gave her stability and perhaps it was kinder to let her go now rather than draw out her suffering. I stayed with my aunt's dog - she couldn't cope with it - when he was pts back in January and it must qualify as one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life. That was awful and upsetting enough, I don't know how I'd cope if it were one of my two.
Having to let them go or see them suffer is the one downside of having a dog! I'll say a little prayer for you and Amber tonight...

[JumpingJackSprat]

This:

"There is nothing for her to forgive. She loved you with everything she had and would have stayed in pain to be with you. Your love for her means you chose to carry the burden of grief over her suffering - that is bravery and moral courage, sticking to your principles for her welfare over your own feelings. "

Brought a tear to my eye and its so true - its such a hard decision to make but OP you have done the right thing as you know. Your dog knew how much you loved her and you know you did everything you could. Take care of yourself and don't rush into getting another dog if you're not sure.

[notpossibleisit]

You did the right thing

R.I.P Amber

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

The Rainbow Bridge.

[Scuttlebutter]

Bitten, I'm so sorry to hear this news, but it sounds like you were being a responsible dog owner, and that means doing the right thing for Amber, even though that meant heartbreak for you.

Please, please remind yourself that Amber was a puppy farm girl who got lucky - she got a name, and was loved and knew that - with you, she had a happy, stable, loving home. Most pf dogs die nameless, alone and without ever knowing the joy of sunshine, running on grass, or snuggles on the sofa.

And bless you also for wanting to carry on by volunteering for Cinnamon Trust. Because of caring people like you, more dogs can stay with elderly or sick owners, and enjoy a great quality of life.

[yabbadabba]

I also have a tear in my eye. You did all you could Bitten, think of all the happy memories you gave her.

[bittenipples]

Yes! SDT They bloody do! I'll look at the Rainbow Bridge, thanks.

Thanks again for everyones posts, I'm going to go now and grieve for her, like she deserves.

Best wishes.

Bitten

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

I have a tear in my eye for Amber now. I don't know if you subscribe to the Rainbow Bridge thing, but I do like to,think of lots of happy dogs, free from pain or fear or any worries or issues, all running free, waiting for us.

They do wind their paws round your heart, don't they.

[bittenipples]

LeoandBoosmum I'm not. It was the hardest decision in my life. I'm wrecked by it. (not in front of my ds obviously)

[LeoandBoosmum]

You're stronger than I am.

[bittenipples]

Thank you all for your kind words. It really helps.

Can I just share this one memory?

When I had just got her and she was still relatively young (6ish) and energetic, I used to walk her on private land (with permission) We were walking offlead around some fields (no dogs) and she disturbed a small group of deer. There was no way she would be able to catch them so I just let her chase and for about a field and a half she was free to do what dogs love most - to run free and chase.

She came back to me very joyful. I like to think that not many dogs, rescue or not, have had that joy i was able to give her.

Thanks again, all.

[TotallyBursar]

Bitten There is nothing for her to forgive. She loved you with everything she had and would have stayed in pain to be with you. Your love for her means you chose to carry the burden of grief over her suffering - that is bravery and moral courage, sticking to your principles for her welfare over your own feelings.

I'm sorry you have to feel this to get through to remembering her without tears. I'm sorry you had to make the choice and health forced your hand.
But I hope your grief is short and your memories plentiful and one day, when you're ready, you go ahead with your plans; because Amber has made you a gift to the countless rescue dogs that have difficult needs. She has a legacy that will help hundreds. Not every dog can say that.
Take time, be gentle with yourself and it probably doesn't mean much but I'm thinking of you and sending hugs.

[Quodlibet]

Well done OP. You did well by the old girl. Such a hard decision to make, but be comforted by the fact that she didn't have to go through the confusion and angst that you have had to, nor any more physical pain. It must be a hard loss for you.

[cocolepew]

I think you have done the right thing, I'm just sorry you had to make it.

[VoiceOfRaisin]

and hugs. Sounds like you did the right thing. Concentrate on your little baby for now - you have kept him as safe as you can.

[Shlurpbop]

I'm so sorry OP. I know you have made the right decision for you, your daughter and Amber, who deserved not to suffer. Am also so pleased your vet was able to be honest with you too and help you make the right decision for Amber.

[morethanpotatoprints]

Sorry OP. have no idea how I missed your long post above.
So sorry for you, .

[Selks]

So sorry for the loss of Amber. I've read through the thread and for what it's worth I think you made the right decision. Please try not to be hard on your self, and think instead of the good times that you had together.

[morethanpotatoprints]

I think that you have to lose the dog because you have a baby and of course you would never forgive yourself if anything happened.
It must be a hard decision to make and you have done so well in training the dog, it is such a shame.
Rehousing would be the best thing for all concerned imo.

[MissStrawberry]

Oh this has had me in tears so I can only imagine how you feel .

You did the right thing. We recently had to have my cat PTS and I did it for her as she would have started to suffer in the next few weeks. Even when you know you are doing the right thing it still really hurts.

Cuddle your baby.