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My heart is breaking - my dogs
I got home from work and there was a note from my neighbor on the door. We had left both dogs in the backyard (something we do often) for a house showing while we were at work.
The neighbor said she heard an awful noise and went to the backyard and saw Angus attacking Max. Angus is our 3 year old bull terrier - Max is a 14 year old mixed breed. I guess she said this went on for 15 minutes. She tried yelling, clapping, spraying with the hose - everything - and he just kept attacking him.
Max was a mess when I found him (the neighbor was scared to get in the backyard and help Max). It had been an hour after the attack at this point. Angus had torn his ear half off and torn the rest of him up pretty badly.
I just got back from the vet. He is advising that we put Angus down. Max is doing well, but he said you can't predict what Angus will do in the future. My heart is breaking.
As much as I have complained about these dogs, I love them so much. And Angus has never bneen aggressive before. If anything, I have always been worried about Max because he is old and mean and had nipped at Gabe before.
Angus is the dog Adam and I bought together before we had kids. We thought he and Gabe would grow up together. It is just tragic.
It goes to show you never really know what an animal is capable of.
My life never has this much drama. It has just been one thing after another lately - houses, my mother getting sick, fleas, chicken pox and now this. How do you put down your pet?
Here is a picture of the dogs that I took for Adam's father's day present. These dogs loved each other:
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Re: My heart is breaking - my dogs
Oh, I'm so sorry you're going through this. Losing a pet is unbelievably hard - no matter what the reason. And poor Max! Thank god he is doing well.
I am so sorry. I don't have any encouraging advice, but wanted you to know that I will pray for you to make the best decision that feels right in your heart.
I would feel uneasy having a dog around that is capable of attacking so viciously. Do what's best for your family, because they are the priority.
Hugs to your Dh too.
I'm so sorry for you! That is just so sad. How do you do it? I just don't know. There is no easy way. My thoughts are with you. ::hugs::
I am so sorry. That is such a horrible situation and one that I'm sure you never imagined you would be in. Your family will be in my prayers.
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OMG that breaks my heart! Poor poor Max.
Gah! What an awful situation you're in right now!
I definitely think you should get Angus out of the house. No way would I want him around my children after that; however, what about a rescue for him vs. putting him down? There are many dogs that have been rehabilitated (Michael Vick's dogs, for instance). He's a fairly popular breed and a beautiful dog. I imagine there's a rescue who would be willing to take him in, rehabilitate him and possibly adopt him to a no animal, no children household.
Just another option for you.
Either way, I'm so sorry you're going through this. I wish I could help!
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Oh my God, this has me tearing up. I am so sorry.
As big a dog lover as I am, I could and would not have a dog who vicously attacked (people or another pet) in my house, especially with children.
My friend has 3 boys, and had two dogs. The dogs were fine w/her kids, but one became snippy with the other, after over 7 years together. It wasn't all the time though, and friend thought things would be OK. One night, the two dogs got into a fight, and as friend ran to intervene, her 2-year old somehow got near enough the dogs that the aggressor bit him.
The kid ended up w/a bruise, but the other dog was bloodied, and their vet strongly recommended euthanasia. Friend agonized about it, b/c the dogs were her first kids. But she couldn't have an aggressive dog around her children, or have to worry about her other dog being killed. She still gets upset about the situation, but I really think there was no other way...
Again, I am so sorry for your dogs, and you guys for having to deal with this. Good luck.
<edit>- I am assuming that there is no underlying medical condition in Angus, and that rehabilitation isn't an option....
There's a Bull Terrier rescue hotline you can call. They will probably be able to provide you with alternate resources for rescues that may be able to take Angus and rehabilitate him to have him eventually re-homed (no kid, no other pet household).
https://www.btca.com/
1-800-282-8911
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Ah this really sucks! Im so sorry.
This happened to my family when I was a teenager. We had a male boxer and adopted a female boxer from our vet bc she was abandoned by her previous family. Well the female litterally almost killed our male. I found him in the back yard laying there pretty much bleeding to death (he had a clotting disorder and bled like crazy). We had to put the female down. It was so hard to see one baby in such pain and then to knowingly have to kill the other. Its heart wrenching.
Again, so sorry you are going through this.
oh my gosh! I'm so sorry for Max being so scared and hurt, and so sad that another member of the family caused it and now you may lose him as a result. Oh aw-- and I mean this sincerely-- pray about what to do.
I'm really sorry. What a sad situation and it's almost like no matter what you'll second guess yourself.
I agree about calling the breed rescue to see what they'd recommend (euthanasia or rehoming in a place with no other animals/kids).
Just make the best decision you can and then go from there.
All I can say is I'm so sorry. How devastating for your whole family. I know that pets are just another member of the family and when you have to lose one of them...it's so hard.
I agree with the PP about looking into the rescue for Angus. Then you won't have the pain of putting him down. He will get a dog foster home with no other pets/kids. Maybe this is just the situation he needs.
What a terrible situation. ?Thank goodness your other dog is doing okay. ?This must be so tough, but I'd really consider not bringing the dog who attacked back into your home. ?You have 2 little guys to worry about, ya know? ?That breed rescue the pp provided will likely be a great help to you.
?Thinking of you. ?All of the bad stuff always comes at once, doesn't it? ?Hey, at least you're getting it all out of the way now for more positive things to come into your life!?