Dog bit my kid.

[RebeccaB]

I just wanted to add that not all dogs who bite were abused, and or vice versa. My inlaws had a doberman that they got when the dog was 6mo old, the dog had been abused w/in an inch of its life, previous owners were trying to make him mean. His entire life, I don't ever recall that dog growling or anything towards anyone....you couldn't approach him at first with anything in your hands, he'd cower and cry. In the end, he was 11 and riddled with cancer, and in obvious pain....my dd was about 1 and she'd climb all over him if noone was watching, and he'd just lie there and whine until someone rescued him. . I miss that crazy mutt.

 

[Mama Who]

What do I do? MIL / FIL watch DD sometimes. I'm not sure I can trust that she will keep the dog in a crate the entire day. Do I find another care taker for her one day a week until she gets rid of the dog?

You absolutely do not leave your child with people who keep a dangerous dog. You know they are bad dog owners, leaving your child with them while they still have the dog would be a recipe for another bite.

If the grandparents want to see her/watch her and you still trust them, let them do it at your house.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Hi All,
Thank you for all the responses.

After calling a few shelters and disclosing everything I was told 5 times that the dog should be put down. I DON'T DISAGREE. He is not suitable for any family whether that is 1 person of a family of 5. I will have to relay this to MIL and then hope she does the right thing. Otherwise DD will not be going over there. I also contacted BIL and SIL about joining forces for the sake of there new 9 month old daughter. However SIL response was not as supportive as I thought it would be and while she agrees that the dog needs to go she doesn't understand why I'm telling her whats going on.

I never though of a therapy dog and I'm so glad those who mentioned it did! THANKS! DD wanted a puppy for Christmas and while we were somewhat debating getting her a pug we now think it best to wait. I think it would be great for her to interact with some positive dogs. She is really traumatized by the bite and I can't blame her.

Thank you again!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I just read through six pages and I still don't know any details about the dog or the bite.

Queen2, maybe this dog did you a favor by highlighting some "issues" in your family that should be considered if you're going to entrust your children to their care.

 

[angwill]

Hi All,
Thank you for all the responses.

After calling a few shelters and disclosing everything I was told 5 times that the dog should be put down. I DON'T DISAGREE. He is not suitable for any family whether that is 1 person of a family of 5. I will have to relay this to MIL and then hope she does the right thing. Otherwise DD will not be going over there. I also contacted BIL and SIL about joining forces for the sake of there new 9 month old daughter. However SIL response was not as supportive as I thought it would be and while she agrees that the dog needs to go she doesn't understand why I'm telling her whats going on.

I never though of a therapy dog and I'm so glad those who mentioned it did! THANKS! DD wanted a puppy for Christmas and while we were somewhat debating getting her a pug we now think it best to wait. I think it would be great for her to interact with some positive dogs. She is really traumatized by the bite and I can't blame her.

Thank you again!

Before you look for a dog please research and make sure they are good with kids/babies. A lot of little dogs tend to not be so great with little ones out of fear because they are so small.

Sorry but I have to agree with your SIL and don't feel you should drag them into it. Mentioning it out of concern and leaving it at that is one thing telling them how to deal with the situation is a whole different thing and the stuff that family dysfunction is made of.

 

[OceanAnnie]

There'd be no more trips to grandma's until the dog was GONE, if it were me.

You can say that again.

 

[C.Ann]

Didn't read all the posts - don't have to.. I am a grandmother and as much as I love pets, a dog would NEVER take priority over my grandchild (or any other child).. Never ever!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

They are still her grandparents and my husbands parents so i can't very well cut them out of her life.

Of course you can. It's easy when dealing with people who will neglect your child. My MIL has been alone with DS, who is 7 years old, exactly TWICE. She messed up the first time, and we waited 2 more years for the second time. And she messed up that time, too. Honestly I am not sure how her 3 kids survived, but I guess it's b/c with her first, she went to work while her mom took care of him, and with the next two, she had the oldest to take care of them (he's 9 and 11 years older than them).

But you don't have to cut them out. Just don't send or take your daughter there. It's SO simple. If they can't be trusted to take care of her properly, then you and your husband must be the ones to do it, and all it requires is saying "no, we can't visit, but why don't you come over here?". Over and over and over again...

Ever since I've been afraid of dogs. ....

I had to see the dog that bit me twice after that incident (she was a family friend and my mom would make me go) - the dog would lash out at me every time he saw me (even if he was locked up in a different room - he hated me).

I bet it wouldn't be anywhere NEAR as bad as it is, if you hadn't been forced to see the dog in the future. Having an already-feared dog lashing out at you more than once is what nightmares are made of!

I will have to relay this to MIL and then hope she does the right thing.

From what others are saying of what you've posted, though, is she going to believe you?

This is HER dog, and HER responsibility. She gets to call the places, describe the exact problems, and hear it from them directly. This was never your job, and she's not going to believe you!


******

Forgot to mention...DS loved animals until he was around 3, and watched my dad's Golden mouth my arm. She never actually bit me, but I'm sure it looked really scary to the poor kidlet watching through the french doors! [that poor dog...she was a lovely girl until my dad and his "I know how to discipline dogs because I had a malamute" nonsense started. My mom took care of the malamute, and his training was from the breeder who also showed him in obedience and breed, and my dad only lived with the malamute for a couple years! the Golden was absolutely ruined, just a mess psychologically, because of him, and the near-bite was NOT her fault...she'd just forgotten that she was a good girl, and how to greet humans, and forgot that the porch is a common area that doesn't need protection]

After that, it took nearly 2 years for him to feel comfy with dogs again, though it did enforce proper ways of dealing with dogs for him! He still hangs way back until the dog has been deemed OK by me.

I figure that if I *had* been bitten, or if it had been DS that was mouthed or bitten, it would have taken longer for him to be OK with dogs. So give her PLENTY of time, years even, to get over it.

 

[Evi]

So I need a little advice,

2 weeks ago my inlaws dog bit my DD (almost 2). She is now afraid of anything on four legs, not good because we have two cats.

Now this is not the first time the dog has bit a child in fact my daughter is the third child he has bitten. I've stated that the dog needs to go and so has DH to my inlaws.

The dog is still there! They are saying they are going to crate him when DD is over . MIL is saying that she can't just leave the dog on the street but honestly no one is going to want to take in a dog that bites, so sadly the only option is to put him down.

What do I do? MIL / FIL watch DD sometimes. I'm not sure I can trust that she will keep the dog in a crate the entire day. Do I find another care taker for her one day a week until she gets rid of the dog?

Apparently DD walked passed the dog and extended her hand out for him to smell, which she has learned from me and Moose A Moose, is the proper way to interact with a dog. She also was saying " Hi Puppy!" and then he bit.

It's awful how traumatized she is. She loves animals but now she thinks all of them will bite her. She is still saying, "puppy bite me" or if she sees one on TV she says "Puppy bite". I keep saying to her, no just that puppy not all.

I feel bad taking away time with her grandparents but I don't want that dog around my kid.

Sorry but its not your place to tell anyone else to put down a family pet. Wow is all I can say to that I mean ok I come over your kid pulls my hair and now your kids pulling everyones hair when they come near does that mean your putting your child down. I know your going to pull some human over animal superiotity thing but please get a grip get dna tests your an animal perhaps one with alot of rights but still. You have no more entitlement to life than any other living thing.

Now if you don't trust your inlaws don't make them sit for you. Perhaps gasp you should pay for a sitter. Maybe you could gasp invite your inlaws to your house to visit there. You know dogs bite when antagonized is it remotly possible that your baby follows the dog around or pulls on its fur? Perhaps you could work with your child or send the dog to training. If you really don't trust them to kennel the dog maybe when you go to visit your husband could take a minute to walk in before you and kennel the dog.

Really though instead of asking someone to put down a member of their family maybe you should make other arrangements to visit them or have them come sit at your house.

I'm not trying to get a rise out of anyone but I've been bitten more then once by a dog I have some scars too and know the difference between a dog that has aggression issues and a dog that is deffensive there is a huge difference. A dog that is menacing to everyone including their owner probably needs to get put down. But one that is overall friendly and just doesn't like children needs to be kenneled when people come over maybe muzzled when out for a walk and kept on a short leash. My dog doesn't bite but I'm always amazed how many people just reach over to touch him. I've seen him pull his head away from strangers. They have feelings to and I'm sure many dog bites are from people including little ones just reaching over and touching a dog. Imagine strangers just running fingers through your hair or rubbing your head. Yup you'd probably bite too.

 

[M5ward]

Sorry but its not your place to tell anyone else to put down a family pet. Wow is all I can say to that I mean ok I come over your kid pulls my hair and now your kids pulling everyones hair when they come near does that mean your putting your child down. I know your going to pull some human over animal superiotity thing but please get a grip get dna tests your an animal perhaps one with alot of rights but still. You have no more entitlement to life than any other living thing.

Now if you don't trust your inlaws don't make them sit for you. Perhaps gasp you should pay for a sitter. Maybe you could gasp invite your inlaws to your house to visit there. You know dogs bite when antagonized is it remotly possible that your baby follows the dog around or pulls on its fur? Perhaps you could work with your child or send the dog to training. If you really don't trust them to kennel the dog maybe when you go to visit your husband could take a minute to walk in before you and kennel the dog.

Really though instead of asking someone to put down a member of their family maybe you should make other arrangements to visit them or have them come sit at your house.

I'm not trying to get a rise out of anyone but I've been bitten more then once by a dog I have some scars too and know the difference between a dog that has aggression issues and a dog that is deffensive there is a huge difference. A dog that is menacing to everyone including their owner probably needs to get put down. But one that is overall friendly and just doesn't like children needs to be kenneled when people come over maybe muzzled when out for a walk and kept on a short leash. My dog doesn't bite but I'm always amazed how many people just reach over to touch him. I've seen him pull his head away from strangers. They have feelings to and I'm sure many dog bites are from people including little ones just reaching over and touching a dog. Imagine strangers just running fingers through your hair or rubbing your head. Yup you'd probably bite too.

Read the entire thread! The two year old DID NOT antagonize the dog. The OP DOES pay for childcare with another provider. This dog has bitten several people, not all of them children. And, YES, I am one of those people who would put the safety and well-being of their children/grandchildren/any child ahead of the " rights" of the dog.
I was bitten by a neighbor's dog when I was a kid..that was over fifty years ago, and I'm still afraid of dogs. I'm surprised this was not reported by the doctor/medical facility that treated the child.

 

[npmommie]

I actually pay for childcare throughout the week. So don't get it twisted. They are still her grandparents and my husbands parents so i can't very well cut them out of her life. The blame is wide spread, yes it is my fault for leaving my daughter with her father over at their house, it's my in laws fault for taking in a dog that bites and it's my brother in laws fault for giving the dog to them after knowing the dog can snap, because he didn't want it around his own children.
Yes, i will be keeping her away from the home until the dog is gone but your tone is so unnecessary right now.

so did you know the dog bit prior to ever leaving your dd at their home? were there ever any other issues when your dd was at their house?
is this the first time something happened with the dog?
I think its possible your 2 yo did what 2 yo's do and did something the dog didn't like. even though you say your dh was there, he may not have noticed.
what kind of dog is it anyway?

]I just read through six pages and I still don't know any details about the dog or the bite. [/B]Queen2, maybe this dog did you a favor by highlighting some "issues" in your family that should be considered if you're going to entrust your children to their care.

agree with this, I am still in the dark too.

 

[johnnymo99]

Sorry but its not your place to tell anyone else to put down a family pet. Wow is all I can say to that I mean ok I come over your kid pulls my hair and now your kids pulling everyones hair when they come near does that mean your putting your child down. I know your going to pull some human over animal superiotity thing but please get a grip get dna tests your an animal perhaps one with alot of rights but still. You have no more entitlement to life than any other living thing.

Now if you don't trust your inlaws don't make them sit for you. Perhaps gasp you should pay for a sitter. Maybe you could gasp invite your inlaws to your house to visit there. You know dogs bite when antagonized is it remotly possible that your baby follows the dog around or pulls on its fur? Perhaps you could work with your child or send the dog to training. If you really don't trust them to kennel the dog maybe when you go to visit your husband could take a minute to walk in before you and kennel the dog.

Really though instead of asking someone to put down a member of their family maybe you should make other arrangements to visit them or have them come sit at your house.

I'm not trying to get a rise out of anyone but I've been bitten more then once by a dog I have some scars too and know the difference between a dog that has aggression issues and a dog that is deffensive there is a huge difference. A dog that is menacing to everyone including their owner probably needs to get put down. But one that is overall friendly and just doesn't like children needs to be kenneled when people come over maybe muzzled when out for a walk and kept on a short leash. My dog doesn't bite but I'm always amazed how many people just reach over to touch him. I've seen him pull his head away from strangers. They have feelings to and I'm sure many dog bites are from people including little ones just reaching over and touching a dog. Imagine strangers just running fingers through your hair or rubbing your head. Yup you'd probably bite too.

Wow is all I can say to this individuals response. Probably doesn't have too many human friends nor deserve any.

 

[jfulcer]

I understand that they love the dog but what I don't understand how it has gotten this far and why I have to be the bad guy now. Why no one stood up and said something.

It is this way now and has gotten this far because everyone has decided not to do anything about it. It almost seemed like pass the buck. And yes, now you get to be the bad guy.

You have a choice to not bring your DD over there. It's their choice to debate over the choices they want to make with the pet as your DD can't go there.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

For the record both reports from DH and FIl are that DD did not provoke the dog. She simply walked past him. She does not follow him around or in general, act in a way that would disturb a pet to the point of biting. She has two cats at home. She knows not to pull tails and ears. She knows!


MIL is doing all outside errands so DD will not be at the house today. When we (DH and I) asked her what was going on she replied that she didn't want to talk about and that now was not the time or place? Then she started the waterworks.

I mean really? Come on! I know he's your pet but the dog has bitten members of your family? How is this so emotional? If either of my cats attacked my child unprovoked they would be given away that night. On top of the fact that if he bit someone not family they would be sued. It's a saftey issue.

So I guess we will "talk" about it later though there is no discussion. It's the dog or seeing DD. If she wants to sacrifice that relationship for a dog that is on her.

 

[dngnb8]

To some, pets are accessories, to others, they are family. I think your ILs realize they have to give up their dog. But understand, they love the dog too. It is an easy choice to make, but it is one that will hurt. I love my boys dearly, but, I wouldnt hesitate to act if they did something that harmed another. Doesnt mean, I wont cry at the loss.

 

[happygirl]

For the record both reports from DH and FIl are that DD did not provoke the dog. She simply walked past him. She does not follow him around or in general, act in a way that would disturb a pet to the point of biting. She has two cats at home. She knows not to pull tails and ears. She knows!


MIL is doing all outside errands so DD will not be at the house today. When we (DH and I) asked her what was going on she replied that she didn't want to talk about and that now was not the time or place? Then she started the waterworks.

I mean really? Come on! I know he's your pet but the dog has bitten members of your family? How is this so emotional? If either of my cats attacked my child unprovoked they would be given away that night. On top of the fact that if he bit someone not family they would be sued. It's a saftey issue.

So I guess we will "talk" about it later though there is no discussion. It's the dog or seeing DD. If she wants to sacrifice that relationship for a dog that is on her.

I'm sorry 2 years don't know not to pull or be rough with dogs.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I'm sorry 2 years don't know not to pull or be rough with dogs.

Well I'm sorry you are making a blanket statement about 2 yo's. My daughter knows not to touch dogs.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Well I'm sorry you are making a blanket statement about 2 yo's. My daughter knows not to touch dogs.

Well...I'm sure she does KNOW...But lets face it. Kids get carried away. I'm not saying that is how it happened in THIS situation. I believe it happened as you say it did...But just because a 2 year old KNOWS something, doesn't mean they follow that. Just because my 2 year olds knew coloring on the walls was not allowed or a no-no...the did it(and occasionally at 4 STILL do it).

 

[happygirl]

Well...I'm sure she does KNOW...But lets face it. Kids get carried away. I'm not saying that is how it happened in THIS situation. I believe it happened as you say it did...But just because a 2 year old KNOWS something, doesn't mean they follow that. Just because my 2 year olds knew coloring on the walls was not allowed or a no-no...the did it(and occasionally at 4 STILL do it).

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Please don't take your daughter back there until the dog is gone. The in-laws need to understand - this time it was a hand, next time it could be her face or worse. I had to see the dog that bit me twice after that incident (she was a family friend and my mom would make me go) - the dog would lash out at me every time he saw me (even if he was locked up in a different room - he hated me).

See I feel like they just don't get this. Why would you want to traumatize your supposed "beloved grandchild" and put others in jeopardy.