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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:
SleepingAgent · 04/08/2022 20:47

I think for me it does depend on his age. If he's probably only got 1-2 years of natural life left, I would PTS as rehoming at that point could cause an elderly dog a lot of unnecessary stress.

If he could live another 5 years for example in a childless, stress free home where he can be left in peace to enjoy his later years as a grumpy old pooch then I'd consider that. But again I'd prefer somewhere I know who has him and know they wouldn't pass him on again to who knows what situation.

Original poster
newnamefortoday · 04/08/2022 20:47

He’s not massively old, he’s 9, which for a JRT isn’t that much. He could have a decent span ahead but I’m grateful for all your responses as you’re confirming what I already felt.

OP posts:
silverclock222 · 04/08/2022 20:48

You really have to take the vets advice on this, the dog is struggling with the two kids. As you've said he's old I would PTS, although I would be devestated.

mynameischloe · 04/08/2022 20:49

I also thought to myself how awful it would be if ddog hurt someone, how awful I would feel with the police/ambulance knocking on my door. Even worse if it was someone else who then reported us to the police. You need to show this to your DH and if he refuses to do anything (which is shocking considering what has already happened) then he needs to ensure the dog is separate at all times. Not you, but him.

hothorses · 04/08/2022 20:49

PTS without a doubt. Sadly there isn't many people (with good intentions) who would be willing to take on an elderly and aggressive dog. Please don't pass it onto a rescue who are already struggling (and dog will most likely be put down in that case anyway just surrounded by people it doesn't know and in a whole new environment.

Give the dog a lovely last day, lots of human treats it wouldn't normally be allowed and lots of attention. If you'd be willing to pay a little more see if there's someone who could come over to your house to put it to rest. It clearly isn't happy anyway and could likely be lashing out out of pain.

Best of luck

35965a · 04/08/2022 20:50

PTS. I wouldn’t hesitate. I disagree with rehoming unsafe dogs.

SparklingLime · 04/08/2022 20:51

newnamefortoday · 04/08/2022 20:42

@SparklingLime the vet’s advice was rehome or pts and that it could be that he’s struggling now we have DS and baby. As I said upthread, DH is very reluctant to do either and it’s going to cause a major incident in my marriage, so I wanted to post here for some reassurance that IANBU before tackling DH. AIBU is not the place for a post like this as it needs people with good knowledge and understanding of dogs.

OK, it wasn’t clear from previous posts that your vet had given that advice. So you’ve had expert opinion. Most people would be shocked at your DH ignoring that professional advice.

Idroppedthescrewinthetuna · 04/08/2022 20:53

Sounds awful, but in your position I would be saying I am moving out with the kids if he decides to keep the dog. I love dogs and was distraught when ours got PTS due to cancer. We could have slowed it down with steroids to have her around a bit longer, but vet said she would be so hungry she could look at my baby as if she was food. There was no decision to make. We let her go. A childs life is never worth a dogs. No matter how much you love the dog

Original poster
newnamefortoday · 04/08/2022 20:53

@hothorses all our animals are PTS at home, I can’t imagine taking them to the place they hate most for their last experience. Just gutted tbh but the responsible path is rarely the easy one.

OP posts:
MyneighbourisTotoro · 04/08/2022 20:56

Hi OP, What checks did the vet do exactly? Did they do any scans/x-rays/bloods etc?
Personally I’d keep the dog separated from the children and I’d be doing a thorough investigation into his health.
If the vet has already done absolutely everything then I’d look into rehoming to someone with experience of the breed and behavioural issues. Have you looked into any JRT clubs or organisations? They can often help on these situations.

hothorses · 04/08/2022 20:56

@newnamefortoday I completely agree it's so much nicer for them to go to rest in a place they know. Pets really can be heartbreakers. You have all my respect and I hope that whatever path you choose it works out for you X

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 04/08/2022 20:57

Hmm I think I'd want another vet appointment to double check for things like arthritis if the behaviour is new.

Would it be possible to keep the dog and kids separate?

Does the dog seem stressed/anxious?

Yea to re homing or pts if everything else has been checked.

nodiggetynodoubt · 04/08/2022 20:58

@mynameischloe better quality of life than being dead! Besides which, if he is unhappy at the moment it may be jealousy and the chaos of another child in the house. A 9 year old Jack Russell could have another 10 years in him which could be spent happily in a child-free home.

Louisa4987 · 04/08/2022 20:58

I'd be very surprised if the hospital haven't done a referral to have this flagged to either the HV or the police. Both of which would take a very dim view of you doing anything but removing this dog from your home ASAP. I'm a dog lover and a mother, also a police officer so I can see it from all angles! Unless you can find the absolute perfect home I think the kindest thing would be to PTS I certainly wouldn't put a dog through a spell in kennels waiting to be adopted.

Helloitsme1 · 04/08/2022 20:59

There was an incident near me the other week similar. It was a border collie who had been rehomed due to aggression towards the young child, went to a farm where they were aware of its behaviour but he started to become aggressive towards the new owners, ultimately led to him biting and the dog was PTS.
As unfortunate as it is I would have him PTS. You can't risk him biting somebody else if you rehome.
Your children come first.

Original poster
newnamefortoday · 04/08/2022 21:01

mynameischloe · 04/08/2022 20:30

Also agree with this.

I had to do this a few years ago when my dog became aggressive towards people. My two DC were very very young. As PP said, do not pass this problem on to someone else.

If your dog is being aggressive they are clearly very unsettled and unhappy.

When I took my dog to be PTS (which was the most heartbreaking thing I've had to do), the vet said to me "cry now for the dog, not later for the baby". That stuck with me and will forever.

Show quote history

@mynameischloe that quote from your vet about dog and baby is all there is to say. I would just never be able to live with myself.

OP posts:
ZealAndArdour · 04/08/2022 21:02

All dog biting children attending hospital should be reported to the police. That’s the guideline, whether it will have been, I’ve no idea.

Original poster
newnamefortoday · 04/08/2022 21:06

Louisa4987 · 04/08/2022 20:58

I'd be very surprised if the hospital haven't done a referral to have this flagged to either the HV or the police. Both of which would take a very dim view of you doing anything but removing this dog from your home ASAP. I'm a dog lover and a mother, also a police officer so I can see it from all angles! Unless you can find the absolute perfect home I think the kindest thing would be to PTS I certainly wouldn't put a dog through a spell in kennels waiting to be adopted.

@Louisa4987 thank you, it’s very welcome to have your opinion. I’m rather hoping someone does make a referral as it would force DH’s hand but I’m guessing that could take some time so I’m going to have to tackle it first.

OP posts:
Fimilo · 04/08/2022 21:07

We had a Lhasa apso who liked to bite sometimes. He bit my foot and I needed surgery twice on it. He was 11 and was going blind. We had a 4 year old daughter and we got him PTS it was awful and I cried so much but it was definitely the right thing to do

LoveInNashville · 04/08/2022 21:09

What tests did the vet do?

I’d keep the dog separate to the children unless directly supervised, but that should be standard with such small children anyway. You don’t know what happened so presumably were not supervising.

ED81 · 04/08/2022 21:13

Hi,
im so sorry you are in this situation. Sounds like the dog isn’t enjoying the noise & potential stress that having small kids can be like on an animal.

Could he go to an adult only home near by? This is gonna be a tough discussion with your hubby.
All the best.xx

Original poster
newnamefortoday · 04/08/2022 21:14

LoveInNashville · 04/08/2022 21:09

What tests did the vet do?

I’d keep the dog separate to the children unless directly supervised, but that should be standard with such small children anyway. You don’t know what happened so presumably were not supervising.

@LoveInNashville the dog was on the other side of a gate. DS was on the patio, I was watching him playing from the kitchen. They weren’t together and DS couldn’t reach the dog other than putting his toes through the gate when he stood on it. The dog was standing by the gate and bit DS the moment he put his foot through. That’s hardly unsupervised.

OP posts:
Original poster
newnamefortoday · 04/08/2022 21:16

hothorses · 04/08/2022 20:56

@newnamefortoday I completely agree it's so much nicer for them to go to rest in a place they know. Pets really can be heartbreakers. You have all my respect and I hope that whatever path you choose it works out for you X

@hothorses thank you 🙏

OP posts:
Sitdowncupoftea · 04/08/2022 21:16

Personally I would rehome the dog to a rescue or someone with a child free house. PTS is extreme. The dog deserves a second chance.

SparklingLime · 04/08/2022 21:19

ED81 · 04/08/2022 21:13

Hi,
im so sorry you are in this situation. Sounds like the dog isn’t enjoying the noise & potential stress that having small kids can be like on an animal.

Could he go to an adult only home near by? This is gonna be a tough discussion with your hubby.
All the best.xx

It really shouldn’t be a tough discussion or tough decision. The vet has given advice, to ignore it risks a child’s and a baby’s safety and potentially lives. It will be hard to go through with, but DH should have his priorities much clearer.