Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Our dog bit DS. What next?

454 replies

newnamefortoday · 04/08/2022 19:39

NC for this one. Our JRT bit 4yo DS on the foot at the weekend. Not terrible, but a huge bruise, puncture wound, visit to minor injuries and antibiotics. We’re not sure exactly what happened, dog was in the garden, DS climbed on the gate as he has done dozens of times before but this time the dog bit his foot as he put it through. Just heard a snarl then a scream. Dog knew exactly who it was as the gate is between garden and house, not the road. It would have been much worse had the gate not been between them. We also have a small baby. We are obviously considering dog’s future and keeping him separated for now. He snarled at my mum this week and caught my ankle snapping at me last week. He’s always been a bit of a grumpy terrier but has never bitten before so we’re considering all possibilities. He’s quite old. Lots to think about but with a small baby we can’t take any chances. What would you do next, apart from taking dog to vet to check for pain etc? Would you expect any follow up from SS or HV through the hospital?

OP posts:
LovelyYellowLabrador · 09/08/2022 06:34

Pts
rehoming just passes the risk on to others that may not be aware

Fadeout83 · 09/08/2022 06:40

I echo what others have said in this thread. My DH family have two dogs who are aging and quite unwell (nothing specific, just end of the road). Both have nipped at my kids and my husband (I’m scared of dogs so keep my distance and it has always annoyed me that ILs instinct has always been that the kids did something to annoy the dog. I always thought that dog bite/nip/aggression = get rid of. Especially if repeated

I’ll keep this thread in mind for my next fight with them about it.

Fadeout83 · 09/08/2022 06:40

I should have mentioned that obviously the situation is different as we only visit two or three times a year. But still.

stayathomer · 09/08/2022 06:48

Fadeout83
Our ils put the dogs away when we come (2 giant breeds that get very hyper around children which is understandable as our kids are a big ask considering they’ve a quiet house the rest of the time). I’d talk to them about it as better for the kids to be safe and then the dogs are safe too.

pilates · 09/08/2022 06:49

After reading your update I would pts. So sorry it’s an awful position to be in 😞

SeasonFinale · 09/08/2022 06:52

Whilst your typed words are that you agree that the dog should be PTS the underlying message is that you are looking for excuses not to. I think saying DH doesn't want to is an excuse. Pretty much all the advice here is PTS but it seems you are waiting for the one that disagrees. Your children should be the priority here.

SavBbunny · 09/08/2022 06:54

I had a JRT for 12 years. Never bit me but many near misses with friends or he
nipped stupid people who put their hands in his cage. They are a killing breed (rats, rabbits). No dog is safe alone with a baby. Personally I agree with the person who said maybe rehome with a older single person. However I would never have another one. We have a cockerapoo. Daft as a brush and subject to theft around here.

ClassicHoumous · 09/08/2022 07:09

My dog has epilepsy. Has once bitten me quite badly but that was after a fit, before he was medicated - they can't see for a few minutes after so are obviously scared and lash out. Could this by why your dog has been acting out of character?

My dog's epilepsy came out of nowhere, was diagnosed with some blood tests and is treated with epiphen tablets. No fits in 5 years, back to his old self - I know you must keep your DC safe but make sure you've got all the info before making a decision!

Teacupsandtoast · 09/08/2022 07:24

What a horrible situation

The changed behaviour and fit definitely points towards a neurological change. It would be unfair on the dog to rehome when it is obviously poorly, and in any instance, who is going to take an older dog, with a health condition that is uninsurable, with a history of aggression?

PTS is doing your dog a kindness - there are fates far worse than a peaceful death for animals, and making that decision is responsible dog ownership, however painful it may be

Scianel · 09/08/2022 07:39

Trying to rehome an elderly, clearly very ill dog would be grotesque. PTS is clearly the correct and humane option here.

Mummyoflittledragon · 09/08/2022 07:45

newnamefortoday · 08/08/2022 21:55

Dog had a fit over the weekend. I went with DH to the vet this time as he went alone last time while I stayed with the baby and DS. Vet diagnosed epilepsy but has said they wouldn’t treat at this stage as there has only been a single fit. Clearly things are not right with dog, which probably explains the last week or so, so although DH still wants to keep dog, he has agreed to consider rehoming. Anyone have experience of epilepsy and aggression in dogs? Or rehoming epileptic dogs? Obviously we can’t keep him but I’m not sure how viable rehoming is. Thanks all. I’m a bit frazzled to say the least.

Your dh’s dog had a fit and bit your ds. This sounds directly related to the epilepsy and not fair to just pts without looking into treatment. We have a dog with epilepsy and have been to the doggie neurologist and the vet there was very clear that aggression amongst others is common for around 48 hours post seizure. This is the post ictal phase. There is also a pre ictal phase ie pre seizure. This causes stress, nervousness etc and can last several hours.

You say the dog is 9 years old. Personally I would get him started on seizure meds, separate from your dcs and monitor him rather than directly pts. Idiopathic epilepsy normally starts in dogs up to their 7th birthday. At 9, this could still be idiopathic or a brain tumour etc. Your vet should be able to start the dog on low dose Pexion (which seems to be the first line of drugs) and refer you to the neurologist. We paid about £300 to see the neurologist. This included a lengthy consultation, history and a series of visual tests and a physical examination. Whilst the neurologist cannot determine a definitive cause, they can give you advice, what to look for and advice on palliative care for the dog.

Longer term. I’m talking 6 months plus and the vet is happy with treatment, you can pet get drugs online a lot cheaper. For this you need a prescription from the vet.

eurochick · 09/08/2022 07:46

Change in behaviour plus the fit immediately made me think brain tumour and I see others have said the same.

Whitehorsegirl · 09/08/2022 07:52

''@zurala ·
A dog that bites a human should be PTS. I know it's hard, but you can't take the risk.''

No.

The dog should be first assessed and to see if it can be re-homed safely in a household where there are no children and with a more experienced owner. Or in a place where there is more space (farm).

A young baby and a toddler can create behaviour issues with some dogs who are just not meant to live around young children.

Let the animal shelter make the decision. They will know best.

KweenieBeanz · 09/08/2022 07:55

Threads like this scare the hell out of me. They bring out the hippy dippy dog obsessives who suggest rehoming or a bloody 'behaviourist' for a dog that has BITTEN A CHILD. People like you are the reason we keep seeing stories in the media of kids mauled by dogs 😢 the dog bites a kid = automatic PTS, no you don't need to find out what the 'reason' was, no reason makes it ok, they are a danger. FFS dogs are not more important than children and those suggesting rehoming need their heads seeing to! Yes you could re-home to a nice single older chap with no kids. Then oh dear he gets ill and dies so his niece and her young family take the dog..... Rehoming an aggressive dog is totally totally inappropriate.

userinterface34 · 09/08/2022 07:55

My parents had a dog with epilepsy. After he came out of his seizures he was pretty disoriented. He went for my dad and he has lots of experience with dogs. My dad said if he can go for his ‘master’ he can go for anyone. He was fearful of the grandchildren getting hurt. He was pts but as someone said up thread. Better to cry for the dog now. Imagine if your child was disfigured after you already knew he was capable. It’s so hard but I don’t think you really have a choice ☹️

Scianel · 09/08/2022 07:58

I don't think dogs should invariably be PTS if they bite a child, as the circumstances might be that the dog has been tormented and wouldn't dream of snapping in circumstances where they weren't being.

However if the dog is biting unprovoked and is elderly and ill, it seems fairly clear-cut.

Teacupsandtoast · 09/08/2022 08:07

Mummyoflittledragon · 09/08/2022 07:45

Your dh’s dog had a fit and bit your ds. This sounds directly related to the epilepsy and not fair to just pts without looking into treatment. We have a dog with epilepsy and have been to the doggie neurologist and the vet there was very clear that aggression amongst others is common for around 48 hours post seizure. This is the post ictal phase. There is also a pre ictal phase ie pre seizure. This causes stress, nervousness etc and can last several hours.

You say the dog is 9 years old. Personally I would get him started on seizure meds, separate from your dcs and monitor him rather than directly pts. Idiopathic epilepsy normally starts in dogs up to their 7th birthday. At 9, this could still be idiopathic or a brain tumour etc. Your vet should be able to start the dog on low dose Pexion (which seems to be the first line of drugs) and refer you to the neurologist. We paid about £300 to see the neurologist. This included a lengthy consultation, history and a series of visual tests and a physical examination. Whilst the neurologist cannot determine a definitive cause, they can give you advice, what to look for and advice on palliative care for the dog.

Longer term. I’m talking 6 months plus and the vet is happy with treatment, you can pet get drugs online a lot cheaper. For this you need a prescription from the vet.

Show quote history

The dog bit ds/snapped at op/snarled at the grandmother days before the fit

Inthesameboatatmo · 09/08/2022 08:13

Any dog that bites a child should be immediately put to sleep. Any adult who refuses to get rid of said dog and puts sentiment before the safety of a child should also be put to sleep or at the very least DIVORCED.

Mummyoflittledragon · 09/08/2022 08:16

Teacupsandtoast · 09/08/2022 08:07

The dog bit ds/snapped at op/snarled at the grandmother days before the fit

Show quote history

I thought both were on the same weekend? If not then, behavioural changes and likely brain tumour.

maranella · 09/08/2022 08:18

I'm shocked that the vet suggested re-homing a dog that is old, epileptic, has attacked and bitten a DC and been aggressive to two adults, all the space of a week! FFS, talk about passing on the problem to someone else. The dog should be PTS.

I suspect if you pay for lots of expensive tests that you can't afford you'll discover that it has something seriously wrong (prob. dementia or a brain tumour as others have suggested). But the bottom line is your DH needs to do the right thing and prioritise the safety of his family over his damn dog!

MishaBukvic · 09/08/2022 08:21

I'd be surprised if a rehoming centre would take him. Most rehoming places are full to bursting, some with waiting lists, and some won't consider dogs who have shown signs of aggression.

In the nicest way (and in a non-manipulative way), would it be the lesser of two evils if you and your DH made the decision to PTS, rather than the dog gets very unsettled in a rehoming centre only for them to PTS anyway?

Katela18 · 09/08/2022 08:24

Our JRT showed signs of snapping at toddler, snarling etc. We tried keeping separate but it's too stressful for us and he was constantly anxious. We rehomed. You can't take chances with stuff like this and hard as it is, a human child takes precedence over a dog

Redburnett · 09/08/2022 08:28

PTS as it is not fair to expect other people to take a dog that bites, especially as he has gone for adults as well as a child.

SunscreenCentral · 09/08/2022 08:28

As a child, I was bitten on the face by a neighbour's dog (golden cocker spaniel) and needed stitches.
Neighbour did nothing.
A few years later, the same dog bit my uncle who was coming to visit our home. We reckon he had a taste for our blood by then... 🤔😉
We moved house not long after that so no idea what happened after that, but cheers Mrs King! Well done you!

ofwarren · 09/08/2022 08:30

I was bit by a JRT as a 5 year old.
It was my dad's DMs dog. I put my face near it and it lunged.
I had to have my mouth stitched back together again and still have the scar now.
My DM took it to be PTS that day.