Helping a friend - must her dog be PTS or any other options?

[SoiPup]

Hi all

I was wondering if you wise people can help.

My friend has a highly strung collie, he's always been a very nervous dog. He attacked her 3 yo grandson yesterday and bitten him nastily in the face. It was a mistake on her part as she had always tried to keep them apart but she went to take bins out and an amazon delivery just arrived and apparently in that moment of oversight the dog went for her grandson. Ambulance was called and police arrived. Dog has been taken away. The police warned her she could be prosecuted but have told her that this is unlikely given the circumstances of the case.

Police are coming tomorrow to discuss with her what to do with the dog. Is putting the dog to sleep likely to be the only option? Her grandson is in her house a lot so obviously returning the dog to her is not an option. Could a breed-specific rescue be allowed to take the dog to rehome him in a child-free home where people know the breed? He's a pure-bred rough collie so is it likely there would even be takers for a dog with such a bite history? Would the police even allow it?

My poor friend is in bits. First the terrible guilt about how it all happened and the awful worry about her beloved grandson. And then the loss of her dog in such a terrible way. Her mum is terminally ill and one of her kids is very unwell too so my heart is breaking for her. Is there any way to safely and responsibly save the dog?

@ScottishStottie

And i wouldnt worry about the dog being around the child if it gets returned, i cant imagine the child will ever be spending time at your friends house again.

Well, that's really none of your business what is going on in their family. (and you're wrong)

OP, I understand that the thought of the dog dying is upsetting to your friend.

But if it's anxious enough to bite in it's familiar environment, how much will it be suffering now? The kindest thing to do for the dog is to have it put to sleep.

I think your friend needs to be guided by the police and their expert assessment.

She obviously cannot keep the dog. If it were me I think I would almost certainly PTS. I don’t say that lightly, but sometimes it really is the kinder option for the dog than being handed off elsewhere. It might make your friend feel better to think she’s giving the dog another chance, but it’s not always for the best.

Huge THANKS to all those who gave helpful and constructive advice, including that the dog does need to be pts. I have passed it all on.

And a huge FUCK OFF to those who thought to start faux outrage, gloating and mean spirited threads. Clearly, bullying doesn't stop when you leave school.

Hiding this thread now as the nastiness is just unecessary at this time

@PollyRoulson

Speak to Dog Law.co.uk .

It depends is the answer to your questions

If you can find a court approved behaviourist willing to home and rehablititate the dog that may be an option.

Depends on exactly how the police have seized the dog, the nature of the damage, the events leading up to the bite. The dogs history and health etc.

Get Legal advice from Dog Law asap

This ^^

Yeah, it may be true that the dog won't do well in a new environment. Being a collie, it's very bonded with its owner. Perhaps it would be the kindest thing.
I'll pass this pov on to my friend.

I can’t offer much advise but you’d hope there’d be an outlet for the collie. An unfortunate moment should not mean the end of the dog - accidents happen - but I know not everyone will agree with that. I’d say that a grog who bit a child is far different to a dog that bit an adult. Children provoke dogs. Alas, I think this will likely go down the pets route cause dogs biting children is a touchy subject.

Your friend needs to make the only responsible decision and have the dog PTS. Please do not encourage her to waste her own or public money keeping the dog in kennels waiting for a court to make the decision.

@SoiPup I know this is devastating for everyone involved and I hope the little boy makes a full recovery. Please ask your friend to get in touch with the Border Collie Trust www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk. They will able to offer sound, sensible advice and sign posting or hopefully take him.
Your friend's dog was just doing what he was bred for, and a good working collie will always nip to push the target forwards or away. The BCT will recognise this and hopefully their reputation will persuade the police to let them rehome somewhere more suitable.

I would also say that there are worse outcomes for a dog than peacefully being PTS.

It's hard for us - not for them.

She needs to speak to Trevor Cooper from Dog Law solicitors who specialises in these cases

[quote SoiPup]@FlowersInSpringtime
Yeah, it's cos I'm a heartless bitch and I only care about my friend and not her grandson. FFS[/quote]
I didn't use the term heartless bitch anywhere, did I? My question was genuine as I do think the opinion of the parents of the bitten DCs is important in deciding a way forward.

I gave my personal opinion as someone who was bitten by a dog as a child also. If the child is scarred or has life changing injuries (and an ambulance isn't called for a nip or graze) I genuinely think it's important to think about how this DC would feel growing up knowing their parents and GC didn't want to have the dog destroyed.

So the parents and the child themselves are important in the decision and future of the dog, but hey, you get defensive and tell people to fuck off rather than consider that view.

Quick update.
Turns out the poor dog has a tumour and was more than likely in pain.

So looks like being PTS is going to be the only way forward now in any case.

It's all very sad.

The poor dog that's so awful.

Maybe is best if the poor thing is in pain with a tumour... it's a shame there's not more in place for rehabilitation of dogs who bite. Dogs who bite children can easily live happy healthy lives in the right home.

Sounds like your friend wanted to do everything she could to stop the dog being PTS. Sadly maybe for the best if in pain

Will your friend at least get to be with the dog when it's PTS?

The dog should be put to sleep. I really wish people would consider the broader community I'm these durations and not just the dog. A dog that bites will bite again, and it's simply not possible to ensure 100% that any dog is never around other people. The dog can slip its leash, run away, bite a visitor to the home, bite an unsuspecting dog or child that approaches it in the park, etc. It is simply selfish, irresponsible, and reckless to keep a dog that has bitten unprovoked.

My dog was bitten by such a dog. How is that fair? Why should the community bear the risk?

It's very sad, but it sounds like - even if the tumour had been discovered for a reason other than the bite - then he would need to be PTS anyway on welfare / medical grounds.

I just hope that the police are compassionate and allow your friend to visit first, and to be there when he's PTS if that is her wish.

I hope the poor child recovers well and no bad scarring. The dog PTS is best for all concerned.