My dog bit an old lady.

[Milliemoons]

And I feel so awful about it. He’s a chihuahua, he’s tiny but he still drew blood. He’s never done it before. It was super windy, I had my newborn in a pram and my three year old who was running off and I took my eye off him for one second and he just launched himself at this poor lady.

He was off lead but he usually is and I’ve never had a problem (he’s 7). We were in a public park where dogs are permitted off lead. Needless to say I won’t be risking that again.

She was really worried about needing to go to the doctor to be vaccinated (I assured her he was fully vaccinated and healthy). I apologised over and over but the poor woman was shaken up.

I just keep thinking about it. DH says not to worry, I apologised and I reassured her I would not be allowing him off lead again.

Has this happened to anyone else?

This is totally OTT. OP clearly did not have control over her dog, and it being little is highly relevant - the only times I, my son, a fridnd’s son have been bitten every time unprovoked, every time by a small dog. The dog needs to be walked on a leash (and very careful supervision round her own kids at home) but not PTS. For heaven’s sake 🙄

Which is why they should be on leads.

Your dog bit someone today.
it makes no difference that it was a woman.
It makes no difference how old that woman is.
it makes no difference what size your dog is.
It makes no difference that your dog has never done anything like this before.
It makes no difference how upset you are, how windy it was, or any other variable.
Your dog bit someone today and you need to take it to the vet to be put to sleep.

Any dog bite can be bad because of the bacteria that is found in dogs mouths. A bad reaction is not an unusual progression.
Any dog bite in older skin is far more dangerous because of the body’s slower ability to heal. There is no such thing as a ‘minor’ dog bite. Maybe you should get some medical education because laughing at accurate responses?

why do you think a dog would discriminate who to bite when it was unprovoked?

No owner can control if their dog bites or not except if they have it on a lead 24/7.

Once it has bitten someone, they need to think hard about the dog's future in a family.

It actually isn't.
It would take a fraction of a second for a young child to be scarred for life.
A dog that has bitten unprovoked is dangerous, irrespective of size. The bite could have serious consequences for an older person and it should have been reported.

@Theroadt

nah. It needs pts. Unprovoked attack = pts.
why take the risk especially with kids at home.
it’s only an animal.
people and their safety come first. Sad for dog but thems the breaks. Clearly not a nice dog anyway for it to have attacked the lady. No great loss.

So are you going to protect your children here or not?

Are you determined to give incorrect information.

I was bitten by my then puppy z number of years ago. The puppy had caught his paw and i
was trying to free it, in my house.

I had a small bite but blood was drawn. I went to the doctor and received both a tetanus and 5 days of antibiotics.

@Milliemoons

this OP. It’s very simple and straightforward

When people say he’s never done it before I tend not to believe then because you can usually guarantee there’s been incidents before but the owner is either in denial or doesn’t realise what they thought was just cute behaviour was actually aggression. My puppy was bitten twice and the owner of the other dog said he’s never done it before and walked off. I was then approached by another dog owner who told me it had bitten all the local dogs and she says the same thing every time. Another lady said I was walking past her house and her dog ran out and bit my dog, she said oh he’s never done it before. Makes you wonder just how many times that dog has never done it before.

Antibiotics are generally no longer given for minor dog bites, historically they were yes but no longer only cats.

Doctors differ. Patients die.

I was given a tetanus and antibiotics less than four years ago.

Stop spouting misinformation.

I know somebody who DIED because her pet dog bit her when she was trying to help it. She needed a tetanus injection and antibiotics and didn’t receive either. She was a woman in her 50s.

And yes the dog was put to sleep.

I hope you don’t have dogs or kids.

It was super windy, I had my newborn in a pram and my three year old who was running off

So irresponsible to think given the circumstances it was a good idea to have a dog off lead. Just because it’s permitted doesn’t mean you should

Your dog bit someone, unprovoked, may have been spooked by the wind.

You have two tiny children, who may easily may provoke or spook the dog, who now has form for biting.

I think there is such a risk for your children AT HOME. A muzzle and kept on a lead outside is one thing, but what are you doing to protect your family? Can you honestly say he'd never be provoked or spooked at home? Would you honestly never leave your dog alone with your children, even for a second, now or as they get older? As you say, you took your eye off your dog for ONE SECOND.

You need to get rid of the dog or have him PTS. Otherwise you're putting you/ your dog before you children, with potentially very serious consequences.

Mine didn’t even draw blood. It was the most minor of injuries I didn’t even put a plaster on that is how inconsequential I thought it was.

5 days later it was awful and needed 2 lots of antibiotics to shift. I was in my mid 30s at the time so it healed quickly

I’m not saying that steps shouldn’t be taken, especially around her own children.

@Theroadt

there is only one step

I think you were irresponsible and your DH's reaction is not on. I wouldn't have this dog around my newborn, sorry OP.

I’m surprised at people saying the dog should be immediately pts. I thought a change in behaviour like biting could indicate pain/health problems and so a trip to the vet should be the first thing to do? But I do know that once a dog has bitten unprovoked there is a high chance it will do it again

Yes a small dog with little jaw strength is not as bad as a 15st fighting breed.

BUT a puncture wound on an elderly person is no joke. OP should try to find her, check she is okay. At the very least send some flowers/cake & apologise.

See the VET. Don't let your dog near your children meantime. Not worth risk.

This

Infections can happy from any dog bite, and I'd be particularly concerned about an older person who's immune system might not be as strong as it once was.

I also hate businesses that allow pets inside, especially where food is involved.

Please stop minimising this. Your dog did cause damage. He bit a complete stranger and drew blood. You have no idea if the lady will get an infection from as a result but it is a very real possibility. You have a legal responsibility to ensure this cannot happen again - and it goes beyond keeping him on a lead.

This. It's very probable that your dog will end up turning on your baby, given how loudly they shriek or cry which might aggravate or frighten your dog.