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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:
Nocutenamesleft · 09/08/2022 10:16

Gosh. I’ve worked with dogs etc

i wouldn’t recommend re homing. You’re passing on the danger to someone else. What if the person who’s ok him had a child come over who was killed? You’ve got to think of all these options?!?

ScreechingEchoChamber · 09/08/2022 10:22

OP, this dog needs to be put to sleep, it's the best thing for your children, you, and the dog himself. I'm sorry. But it's more than clear, any further prevarication is only prolonging his suffering and the risks.

Mummyratbag · 09/08/2022 10:29

We had a dog as children which is reknowned for being the gentlest of dogs (I often hear people say "you never hear of X attacking children"). Well she bit from being a puppy. We forgave her numerous times until one last time when she broke my brother's finger, just for giving her some affection. Sadly she had to be PTS - it was all so traumatic. Some dogs are biters and once you have lost that trust you can never trust them again. It has taken me 30 odd years to get another. My dog now is the absolutely sweetest big ball of fur who you can even remove food from her mouth if needed, but I still have the fear.

Festoonlights · 09/08/2022 10:29

Rehome - immediately and put your child first

Brigante9 · 09/08/2022 10:41

The epilepsy diagnosis changes things for the worse, imo. If he does have a tumour, the behaviour will be very unpredictable. To properly diagnose a tumour, you’ll need an MRI which won’t be covered if you’ve only got public liability on his insurance. Last time mine had an MRI (years ago), it was over £2K, but we were insured.

A friend’s jrt went for the baby, she managed to put her arm in the way, the scarring is pretty horrific. She immediately re-homed and the dog has been fine ever since. Like pp, I would have to seriously debate re-homing an aggressive dog. On HHO, you’d be getting a unanimous pts. I can’t imagine being in this situation, I would want to do anything to save my dog, but I don’t have a small baby, which entirely changes what I think you have to do. I’m really sorry, OP, this is awful for you.

Violinist64 · 09/08/2022 10:44

That the vet has even mentioned pts is very significant. I have a dog, who is the sweetest natured animal you could want but if he attacked a child, particularly a family member, without provocation, I’m afraid l would not be able to risk the dangers of him in the home. As has already been said, even a small dog can kill a baby and seriously injure a small child. I think re-homing your dog would be too stressful for the animal and unfair on the new owners. I’m sorry.

Laiste · 09/08/2022 10:46

I would never again be able to trust a dog which had bitten one of my children and snapped at me and snarled at another adult.

Test for this test for that, re-home, medicate, muzzle, hope for the best ..... nope, at the end of all that who would trust it around their children (or anyone else's child!) ever again? Trying to keeping an animal as a family pet while having to jump through hoops just to stop it biting everyone is crackers imho.

Dog's had a nice life. Give it a good death.

Wheresthebeach · 09/08/2022 10:53

I'm sorry OP but I agree with the others that PTS is the best option.

Our neighbours dog got grumpy and snappy. Was a lovely dog before but around age of 10 he changed. Sadly he bit their 3 yr old granddaughter in the face. Plastic surgery repaired nose etc and they are hoping scares will fade. The dog was removed. Don't wait.

Wheresthebeach · 09/08/2022 10:56

newnamefortoday · 08/08/2022 22:08

Vet has recommended PTS but I am having to work through every option with DH. Feel like I am running out of time and patience.

Just seen this update.

Your DH needs to listen to the VET , they don't suggest that lightly.

Livpool · 09/08/2022 11:03

You and your DH need to put your children first and takes the vet's suggestion to PTS

fortunately2022 · 09/08/2022 11:03

Ive only looked at your posts but pupcakes rescue are a specialised rescue that takes dogs with bite history's to rehome or keep as a sanctuary dog. Might be worth a look

spanishsummers · 09/08/2022 11:04

Put your children first and have the dog PTS.

Astrabees · 09/08/2022 11:04

I'm a dog owner of over 40 years, I've had 6 altogether. 2 of my dogs have bitten us, one when having eardrops put in and she was in pain and one quite inexplicably when fighting over some smarties dropped on the floor. We understood the circumstances and took action to stop it happening again. Your dog, OP is an oldish chap who is clearly very grumpy because of the changes in his life and has taken to asserting himself. He is probably also grumpy because he might have a few medical issues. It really would not be fair to re-home him. Who would take an older dog that is like this anyway? The dogs re-homing site "Oldies Club" has loads of older dogs and even the best behaved ones are difficult to find homes for. As he is your DH's close companion he would probably not be happy elsewhere in any event. Reluctantly I'd agree he should be PTS, kindly, at home.

HesA10ButNothing · 09/08/2022 11:04

Wheresthebeach · 09/08/2022 10:56

Just seen this update.

Your DH needs to listen to the VET , they don't suggest that lightly.

Show quote history

It’s hard to believe they’ve suggested it at all.

A 9 year old dog with a sudden change in behaviour then has a fit. The vet diagnoses epilepsy, without brain scans so doesn’t actually know what’s causing the seizures, but suggests to put the dog to sleep. No tests, bloods, scans. It could be something treatable. Seems really weird.

Arashi · 09/08/2022 11:12

Ahh OP I feel for your DH I really do, but the kindest thing he could do for his dog is PTS at home with the person he has loved all his life by his side.

Whilst the dog is not old, he's old enough that it puts him in the difficult to rehome bracket. Added to that the bite history which may well be because he is ill limits where it is safe for him to go.

Realistically he could take years to rehome. Is he the sort of dog that would cope and do well in kennels - potentially for the rest of his life? Does he really deserve that if he is ill?

Dogs are wonderful companions and we get so much from them but they always always let us down by not living long enough.

Dalekjastninerels · 09/08/2022 11:15

I would PTS to be honest; you can't risk it happening again.

sunshinesupermum · 09/08/2022 11:31

Your poor dog! He is obviously suffering and your DH must be seeing that. The kindest thing if he loves the dog is PTS.

SirVixofVixHall · 09/08/2022 11:40

Before your update about the fit, I thought there must be a health issue for a dog of his age (9 isn’t old for a JRT, middle aged really) to have sudden aggression.
Although many terriers would go for a foot coming through a gate, that is a terrier sort of thing to do, they wouldn’t associate the thing moving in the gate with the person necessarily.
Dogs can get aggressive with seizures, particularly when coming round or if over stimulated/stressed , I wonder if he’d been coming round from a minor one when he snapped at your ankle. They can go unnoticed at first. Stiffness, staring, drooling etc, you might not have realised that these were seizures until he had a major one with you there. He may have had them overnight .
Sadly a brain tumour is a possibility. Personally I would have this checked, even with the bills. I would want to feel I had done everything for my dog. If there was a tumour, along with the aggressive changes, I would probably PTS, as it would suggest pain, and a dismal end of life for the dog with everyone around getting stressed about possible biting, and the stress triggering more seizures.
As there is a clear medical reason for the bite I would want to establish just what was going on medically though, before having my dog put down, in case it was something treatable.

Thelnebriati · 09/08/2022 11:43

As you have a small child and a baby in the home, the responsible thing to do is have the dog put to sleep today.
Its possible he has a health condition causing or aggravating this behaviour, but to keep him alive you'd have to banish him from family life. Its irresponsible to pass the risk on to someone else.
Its very sad, but not every dog is compatible with a family, and not every dog is adoptable.

longtompot · 09/08/2022 11:45

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 08/08/2022 21:58

I don't think it's very kind to re-home an older, epileptic dog with a history of aggression towards people and children.

My friend has taken on a dog with epilepsy but no biting issues. His elderly owner couldn't look after him anymore. I think possibly with no children and just an adult or couple in the home it could be ok for the dog.
As this dog has gone for adults it does sound like there is something going on medically. Can you get him scanned to see if there is something that has caused these recent issues? If it showed up a brain tumour for example, would you dh then realise there isn't anything that can be done to change his dogs behaviour and everyday is more and more of a risk to your kids?

Greenginghamdress · 09/08/2022 11:46

I'll never understand the handwringing over this. It's a no-brainer. Next time the dog could bite the baby.
I understand that many people are dog lovers but when it comes to a toss-up between keeping the dog and your children's safety, there is absolutely no contest. The kindest thing to do is PTS at home. I agree rehoming is not a good idea, as the dog could be stressed by the change and become aggressive again.
I'm sorry for what you have been through and hope by now a decision has been made Flowers

WalkingOnTheCracks · 09/08/2022 11:54

What does the dog have to do before your husband accepts that being put to sleep is the only option?

PurpleWisteria · 09/08/2022 11:54

Just PTS. It's inevitable. Your DH is being very selfish.
The dog has to go.

oakleaffy · 09/08/2022 11:55

Beachsidesunset · 04/08/2022 19:54

PTS. A jack Russell is capable of killing a baby.

That is true.
They have killed babies in the past-
It’s a shame that some dogs are not trustworthy with children.
No rescue centre will take a dog that has bitten a human-
( Not the main ones) The risk of damage is too great.
Only last night there was. You Tube news item of a Two family dogs ( Terrier x terrier) who snatched a baby from the minder’s arms and the little boy died.