Our dog bit DS. What next?

[newnamefortoday]

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?

I’d agree in this case.
Dog has “ Form” for human aggression.
Don’t “
Rehome”
Remember Jack Lees, killed by a rehomed dog.
Euthanasia in this instance could spare a bad injury or worse.
Dog hasn’t a good temperament.

I'd suggest speaking to the vet again, ask directly if PTS is the kindest thing for the dog health wise and safety wise for humans.

Sod being "kindest" for the dog. It bit a small child. It should have been PTS straight away.

Don’t rehome!
That is just passing the buck for someone else to take on an older, aggressive dog with health issues.

Much kinder to euthanise at home or at Vet’s surgery.
It’s grossly irresponsible to pass on a known aggressive dog.
Dog shelters in USA have been sued for millions of dollars after people ( Babies and a 90 yr old woman were killed by adopted dogs.

Op. I just want to say that I would be wary taking any advice about my dog from this site. The members are notorious for not liking dogs. No surprise numerous posts here urging you to pts immediately.
Just to clarify there absolutely are rescue centres that will rehome a dog with bite history. They will identify the dogs triggers and then search for a suitable home, ie no children, only pet, female only household.
Your dog could be in pain, it could be losing its sight and confused and your child's foot coming towards it startled him. There could be lots of reasons that could be fixed.

I've had wonderful dogs for 40 odd years volunteered for the RSPCA. why do you think the OP should surrender to a charity before exploring the dogs health. Or do you think charities should take in any animal and pay for testing Sheesh

No I would explore the health issues first. I was responding more to the comments who were urging the op to immediately pts without question. If she doesn't feel the dog is safe to be around her children any longer then rehousing is an option.

Dog shelters in USA have been sued for millions of dollars after people ( Babies and a 90 yr old woman were killed by adopted dogs this liability should exist in the UK, inappropriate rehoming is a public safety risk.

I've had dogs over 30 years multiple at a time. There is absolutely no way I would keep this dog and it would've been pts the same day it bit my child. There should be no blurred lines . This dog has bitten a small child it needs to be put down why procrastinate over it. If I was op I would also be reconsidering my marriage. I could have absolutely no respect for a man that puts a dog before any children. And it would be over for me immediately.

Agreed. After my dog had a fit I took him to see the vet, who told me she wanted blood tests to see if there was anything detectable. She performed these there and then. There is no way she would have diagnosed a brain tumour there and then. She didn’t even diagnose epilepsy as some dogs can have one or two seizures and then never have them again! Even if the blood tests had been abnormal, a vet would talk about there being inflammatory markers and a high likelihood of a brain tumour etc.

Before deciding to PTS, the dog deserves some basic tests to rule out imbalances, which could potentially be fixed and possibly a trip to the neurologist.

I agree.
In America, they have “ No kill” shelters for aggressive dogs, and a young woman volunteer was killed at the shelter by the dogs.

A shelter employee said many were shipped across state lines, Re- named, or exported to Canada- With a cute writeup.

One of these with a “ Cute” new name killed a baby in it’s new home.
A so called “ Goofy” dog that had attack history hidden from well meaning new “ Adopters”.

At least the better established Centres assess dog behaviour in UK.
Suing could well become commonplace here in case of dog bites or worse.

If your husband really can't see that having the dog around your children is putting them in danger then I would seriously consider rehoming the husband. If someone else's pet had done this to your son, I bet your husband would want to ensure that animal never went near your kids again, let alone living with them.

OP, I think your update should make it easier for your husband. It would seem that the aggression is not the dog’s fault, or your child’s fault, or your mother’s. This dog was his beloved companion and support, but it’s now a sick animal, and putting it to sleep is his final act of kindness.

I think I must have missed the epilepsy update. I can't believe your vet recommended no treatment and no scans for a dog that has suddenly changed character and instead has jumped to PTS... Too mild a problem to treat but recommending death?

Pay for some investigations for the poor animal. He may be fine in a new home on medication.

I agree, working in a vets none (and previous vets I've worked) with would suggest PTS so early/in these circumstances.

Maybe you should stop and not get anymore dogs if you'd PTS straight away when there's been triggers. My dog has a bite history (young children), he still got a rescue place and I adopted him no problems. Doesn't matter if you've had dogs for over 30 years or multiples you clearly have little care for them.

@BunBunny2006 .

That's where you are wrong. I absolutely love my dogs but guess what ? I love my child more, what a surprise hey! If any dog bites my child the trust is gone immediately and I wouldn't be able to look at the dog again. Controversial opinion maybe but it's one lots of people have but wouldn't say i doubt. But it's the truth. And the fact you thought it absolutely fine to rehome a dog with bite history says it all.

It happened to my daughter except it was on the face. Older dog. Was PTS same day. Likely dementia. I still have nightmares. Don’t take the risk of it happening again or worse.

Just to be clear, I adopted a dog with bite history (well 2, both my dogs were surrendered for biting children, I didn't have them at the same time). I didn't re-home a dog with bite history, I should have been clearer I am the adopter here. So I don't know what saying the fact I think it's fine to re-home a dog with bite history means? I think it's absolutely fine to adopt a dog with bite history, the first dog never bit anyone once I adopted him, my current dog has bitten but only when triggered and not since everyone respects his boundaries now and he is more comfortable. The rescue wouldn't have approved me if they didn't think it was fine.

Sometimes it's fairer to PTS. Especially as he's an older dog. Terriers are usually very bonded with their owners and often one person dogs and rehoming could be incredibly distressing for them. That doesn't sound like a warning snap that got a bit close but a full on bite.

That's not true, both my dogs I've adopted since an adult were in rescue due to bite histories. One had bitten the parents of the family but growled around the children, the other very snappy and wouldn't tolerate children. One was rehomed through RSPCA the other a smaller, local charity. I had no problem adopting them and neither bitten a human without explanation and both easy to manage safely. I lost one to kidney failure but have my second dog now aged 16 and have him around family children who respect him no problem, he is no more likely to bite suddenly then any dog. I have no concerns being pregnant and having a baby in the same house as him.

Going off on a tangent here, sorry OP, I won't post again as this doesn't help you. But I was also bitten in the face as a child by one of our 3 family dogs, the Airedale terrier. I needed stitches in my mouth. My parents were furious with the poor dog at the time and I was very shaken, but looking back the dog was sat against a wall (with nowhere to go) and I was sat next to her repeatedly kissing her cheek (I have no idea why, I should've been told not to). The dog was doing a lot of warning signs which I didn't know at the time, licking her lips, whale eye etc until her last option was to bite. My parents, thankfully, didn't re-home or PTS the dog, and I realised I was wrong and got a new respect for her, while still loving her no less. So dog bites don't always have to end in PTS, when there is a trigger that can be managed. That dog never bit again in any circumstances

Another problem with refining is the reliance on someone else to correctly manage the dog. What if they got out one day by accident due to carelessness and seriously injured someone. You'd still feel responsible but you've absolutely no control once the dog has been handed over

I don't mean this sarcastically but who is going to rehome an epileptic, older dog with a serious bite history and aggressive behaviour?

And the same people who pts dogs, blaming them go on to buy another pup repeating the same mistakes never understanding what triggers them. Please don't buy another dog.

Talk to a animal behaviourist and a vet. Not on a forum.

What do you mean “That’s not true “
Do you say the owner of these two Terriers was lying?
Shecwas screaming to 911 to “Shoot them, get them off!” The sweet 14 month old baby who didn’t stand a chance.

That the bloodstains in the snow visible on the news item from the innocent baby were faked?
That the grieving father was making it all up?

Just google “Terriers kill baby”
Reams of attacks, it’s sheer denial to say it’s
“Not true “

I bet the father wished is were untrue, too.
Aggressive dogs have no place in a civilised society .

Army and Police use dogs who are under very good control, Those are the only people who should have them, Under very strict control when working, not random pet owners.

Personally, I don’t think babies and dogs are a good mix, especially not Terrier types, so often implicated in serious bites and worse.