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Parenting
my dog bit my baby.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: my dog bit my baby.
I didn't know all the info at that time I posted because the original post wasn't 100 percent clear to me on all the details (although I do admit it seemed more like an attack than just a simple bite). Just trying to say if it had been a similar situation to mine, it wouldn't be an automatic get rid of the dog in my opinion. But if feel like your child might not be safe if they aren't kept apart 100 percent of the time, yes the dog cannot remain in the home.
Euthanasia... It's not "killing the dog". It's not "unfair". I've never had a dog be anxious or upset or dread it. They don't know what is happening and they just relax more and more and more and then they pass. They're not going to have a "mom is killing me!" moment. They aren't angry or sad or scared. They're just gone. They're free from any mental or physical issues they suffered in life. They're free. I TRULY believe that it's a wonderful gift. I've seen a LOT of euthasias. DS saw one (not really my choice but shit happens). They're peaceful and the animal is gone.
Now, rehoming. Over the years I've helped many animals find new homes. It is ALWAYS stressful. Health declines and stress increases and bad behavior increases for a month or two. In your dog's case, a bite would be very likely. They do miss you forever. Rehoming can be great and I love finding forever homes, but good homes are seriously limited. For every dog I place a dog in a shelter dies, so I try to be sure the dog I place is more worthy of a fresh start than that unknown shelter dog.
You'd be liable for that dog for forever. He bit and he lunged. Even if both were provoked, you knew he was dangerous (that's why you are getting rid of him) and you risked people by placing him in a new home.
I've lost track of a few dogs I've rehomed over the years. It's not a good feeling to know that a dog I care about is somewhere unknown. I have more than once wished that the dogs I loved had a nice death with me rather than face the unknown.
Think of who your priority is here. Your baby deserves to be safe. Priority number one. Other people do as well. Priority number two. The dog should be treated well and not frightened or neglected or upset. Priority three. Your heart should be considered. Priority four.
Euthanasia accomplishes all of those. Yes, your heart will break... But it would with rehoming anyway. This way you know you did what is best for the dog... Not best for YOUR feelings.
There are no fantasy homes out there. There aren't farm dwelling, far walking dog trainers who will never have or never see kids who have time and space and desire to adopt all the troubled dogs like yours. Don't send him off to a fantasy. Know you did right by him even though it tore you in two and euthanize.
Before any evaluation can be done, you will have to sign over your rights to the dog. This means that you will not get the dog back of he doesn't pass, nor are they obligated to tell you if he doesn't pass. The SPCA is a "no kill for space" shelter, which means that they won't euthanize an animal to make room for new ones, but they will euthanize for behavior problems, illnesses, ect. Anything that would make a dog "unadoptable". A dog with a bite history like this (unprovoked attack on a child), will be euthanized. Oftentimes, the dog must wait anywhere from several hours to several days until a behavior eval can be done, in which case they are in the holding area, surrounded by barking dogs and people they don't know. The shelter will not tell you what happens to the dog after they are signed over, so you may never know the outcome. (This may be different for a small, privately owned shelter, but not for the major ones)
The behavior evals are designed to determine if a dog will react to a number of stressful situations, including children (obv no actual children are used in the tests), food/resource guarding, general provocation, etc. It does not sound like your dog would pass.
I am so, so sorry that you are in this situation, it is heart breaking and it seems like none of the options are good ones, but for the sake of your dog, let your final act of love for him be to be there for him in his final moments, instead of him being surrounded by strangers and barking dogs. You are a good dog mom and want to do what's right for him, and what's right for him is to put aside your heartbreak and be with him in the end. I'm so sorry.
Harry Styles = Life Ruiner
There’s a lightning in your eyes I can't deny
Then there’s me inside a sinking boat running out of time
Without you I'll never make it out alive
But I know, yes, I know we’ll be alright
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J. 1.14.13 my reason for breathing
I'm so sorry for the loss of your dog. The loss of a pet is extremely sad and painful, regardless of how it happens.
((Hugs))
2 years, 2 surgeries, 2 clomid fails, 2 IUIs, 1 loss, IVF #1 - 10/25/10 = BFP!, DS is now 3.5yrs!
TTC #2 - 6/12 surgery #3, FET #1 & 1.2 = BFN, 12/2012 FET #2 = BFP! DD is 1.5 yrs!
Surprise! 12/16/14 BFP, loss #2 12/31/14
I can't wait for the "im getting a divorce" post in 5 years or so because your husbands were fed up with your disgusting chair asses from playing on the knot all day and getting fired 4-5 times for not doing any work. you guys are all winners!! ~ Laur929