Dog bitten twice - they don’t want to put him to sleep

[Lanzy]

A few weeks ago my partner was staying over, we have a newborn so normally wouldn’t but needed to. My partner went out then on return my bedroom door was closed and my mum was inside my room (the dog must have been waiting outside for my mum, guarding as he follows her everywhere) On return my partner didn’t realise my mum was in room and went to pet my dog (hoping he’d shift by petting and speaking) to get into the room. On doing this he bit and it broke the skin, drew blood. This got me entirely stressed especially with newborn and what had happened. That night I told my partner I wanted him to go to hospital he refused but even with cleaning it under water and plaster it didn’t stop bleeding. I kept at him and my parente were justifying that it’s because dog is old (now 14) and is deaf so got a fright! In the morning I made him get app due to it still bleeding. The nurse then put him onto antibiotics and tet jag. I got further upset. My mum offered to get put down but my partner said he’d feel guilty…
Two weeks later my niece never seen dog and accidentally stepped and again he bit but this time just left mark..she then went to get antibiotics at hospital but didn’t need jag. My mum got worked up but everything is back to normal again

i told my parents I didn’t want my baby anywhere near dog yet today dad carries baby low and brought her into livingroom with the dog in there so he was then gonna try jump up so I took away. My parents can’t visit my place due to high rise and I’m worried he’ll do it again or am I over reacting? is dog justified due to frights and parents backing..do I need to stop stressing since no one else is!

Maybe I’m being unfair but I have Autism and once something happens I get focused. I am also worried over potential of baby more than anything as just want to protect

You are not veing unfair. You are doing the right thing. There's no way I would let my baby anywhere near a dog like that. You would never forgive yourself if your baby got hurt and the risk is simply too high x

No, you stop meeting your parents at their place. You are bringing your child to a dog and your parents cannot be trusted to assess the risks.

YANBU. I wouldn't take my child to a house with that dog.

They are probably right that the dog is old and has had a fright. It is normal for old dogs to behave like this. Old dogs also get dementia and unfortunately get bitey. I think that if they were smart, they would take it to the vet and discuss this behaviour with the vet, but they are no doubt too attached to the dog to do so. (Understandable also.). You need to let your parents know that you understand that they love their dog but it poses too much risk to your baby, so you are happy to meet them out for coffee, etc, until the dog has gone to "the big farm in the sky."

Either the dog needs to be in a separate room where he’s not disturbed or you all need to stop taking your kids there. This needs to be done to protect the humans and the old, deaf dog who just needs a home that’s not busy to live out his days.

Honestly - your parents are probably right that the dog bit your DP out of fear and fright. It's unfortunately quite common for old dogs to lose their faculties a bit and it does change their behaviour.

The dog is 14 and deaf, likely has arthritis and other issues as is normal in an old dog. The issue with your niece again - she stood on an old, deaf dog and probably hurt it - and got a warning snap. It's unpleasant but it happens.

However none of that means you should be comfortable having your baby there and I would just meet your parents elsewhere until the dog passes away.

Agree with everyone else, the dog is old , deaf, possibly loosing sight too so people need to be careful around him. Dogs in this case usually bite out of fear and stress and your parents cannot let him near anyone else, ever, particularly children. I've seen some very nasty facial injuries caused by elderly dogs who have been woken up wrong or become confused as dementia takes hold, so your dps, whilst they love their dog, need to be very careful not to wake him abruptly or get in his face.

Your instincts as a mother are correct. I would not allow your baby and the dog to be in the same house/apartment.
It’s their choice about the dogs life. But yours about who your baby has around them.
Good luck!

Unfortunately, while it may be understandable for an old deaf dog to get a shock (especially when stepped on) and snap, you have to protect your baby. I was in a similar situation, although the dog wasn't aggressive due to being old and deaf. She'd been found traumatised and tied up by her leg in woods and was taken to the vets where my sibling worked. She adored him but would snap at everyone else and then mauled a lamb. I ended up saying if the dog's there, I'm not bringing my baby to visit, and I meant it.

I posted too soon. The dog could easily be shut comfortably in one room while you're visiting. It may even prefer the calm environment to the stress of visitors with a baby.

I would ask your parents to muzzle the dog when you are there.

I wouldn’t have that dog anywhere near my baby. What is the dog going to do when they are crawling / toddlers?

You have a choice here; don't take your baby to their house. The dog probably did get a fright if it's old and deaf and reacted instinctively, but it shouldn't be put to sleep because you want to bring your baby to visit. Stay away from their place until the dog is no longer with them, and don't let them bring it to see you.
Don't use babysitting as a reason you have to go there, you really don't.

Don't visit until the dog is gone. It is just not worth the risk to your baby. Even if it's shut in a room or muzzled the grandparents sound like the sort who would let it back in the room or take the muzzle off if it starts 'crying' or 'looks uncomfortable'.

Sorry OP but with all the stories in the news about fatal dog attacks they are totally irresponsible to keep a dog with a bite history and expect thier very new grandchild to visit.

I wouldn’t visit until the dog was gone. I also would report both bites so that they were on record.

Don't take the baby to house with dog. Meet up with parents in a coffee shop or park.

Put the dog in another room when you visit or meet up with your parents outside of the home - simple .

No way would I take a baby to a house with a violent dog. If your parents won't/ can't come to yours, you'll have to meet in public places. Babies safty comes first.