dog fight HELP .....BIG UP DATE

[Feralpeg]

You killed a PUPPY because you were afraid your neighbors MIGHT sue?

Wow. I would have taken my puppy and fought until they tossed me in prison before I'd let them put down my babies...and that would be in a legitamate bite case, which this was not.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry you're going through this but honestly I'm still absolutely baffled and rather unsettled by this. I'm not going to shower you with pixie dust. You have my pity but please give your other dogs away and please do not get any more animals. Ever.

And what vet in his/her right mind puts down a puppy who fought back when it was approached by a strange dog in it's own yard??

She didn't say she put him down because her neighbor might sue. She put him down because he was too aggressive and she was afraid he might at some point hurt someone. Whether that would have happened or not, it was what the OP feared. It is easy for us to second guess her. We don't know her entire position. I'm sure it was a very difficult decision for her and I think we should cut her a little slack. I'm a huge animal person and I hate the idea of putting an animal down that is not sick, but I am not in her shoes. I know that hearing this sort of thing is difficult, but we shouldn't be so judgemental when we don't know everything about the person or her situation. Perhaps the OP is a person who doesn't handle stressful situations well. Just because we have a lot of tigers on this board, it doesn't mean that everyone is the same way.

 

[halestrm]

You killed a PUPPY because you were afraid your neighbors MIGHT sue?

Wrong, try reading what she wrote. She does care about that.

the vet said they may sue for damages , yeah what ever,, ?

Wow. I would have taken my puppy and fought until they tossed me in prison before I'd let them put down my babies...and that would be in a legitamate bite case, which this was not.

Wow, nice to know your dogs are more important than a child. I love my dog; he has been my best friend for 13 years. My husband and I have argued (when we were first married) over the fact that he is babied. BUT, if he ever attacked, and then seemed to remain aggressive the next day, I would have to consider the safety of my daughter. Remember, Huckster has grandchildren. They must come first.

Huckster’s dog was not restrained when it fought the neighbor’s dog. It dug a hole to get out of the yard, under the fence. Unless the ground was very soft, this dog has tried to get out before. Huckster’s dog went after the other dog and seriously injured it. Yes, the dog was provoked, but it managed to escape the restraints and it attacked and maimed another animal.

It then was aggressive to the vet.


Huckster could not insure her dog was not a danger to a child.

As a parent, I appreciate the fact that she is putting a human child before her dog. If her dog went after her grandchild the next time, would you be critical of her allowing an aggressive and dangerous animal to live?

. You have my pity but please give your other dogs away and please do not get any more animals. Ever.

And you have my pity. This woman made a courageous and difficult choice. With your great concern for dogs, where is your compassion for the dog that was maimed? It has drainage tubes. Why is one animal more important to you than the other?

 

[mtblujeans]

WOW, I had no idea family pets could be like this. We have had the same dog for about 10 years and we had him fixed as soon as he was old enough. This thread has been interesting to read.

I am so sorry for what you have been through! That had to have been a terrible decision to make!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

And you have my pity. This woman made a courageous and difficult choice. With your great concern for dogs, where is your compassion for the dog that was maimed? It has drainage tubes. Why is one animal more important to you than the other?

Thanks but I don't need or want your pity.

I feel horrible for that other dog. A lot worse than for any of the adult humans involved here...one puts her previously not vicious dog down before letting an investigation take place , and the other lets her dog run loose in the neighborhood. BUT, that dog was wandering around and got into someone else's yard. Everyone knows even a gentle dog can get territorial in it's own yard if a strange animal enters it.

As for putting a dog above a child. Where did I say that? Where was ANY child mentioned in this scenario? Did I miss something? I beleive in bite cases facts need to be reviewed and every dog who bites does not need to be put down.

1.My dogs don't go near kids unattened and have never even so much as scratched a kid.
2.They are extremely well trained and are never left in ANY situation where they might be alone with a child.
3.The only way that would ever happen is if the parent of the child let the child break into my house when no one was home.
4.And even then, I seriously doubt my dogs would do anything. And if the judge and jury did find FOR people who broke in and kicked my dogs, You best believe I'd take my dogs and leave the city and fight any and all lawsuits with everything I could.

So yes, I would put the life of my dogs above the rights of someone who might break into my house and beat the living crap out of my dog which is the only situation I can think of where my dogs would EVER even possibly attack anyone. They are not even allowed in the yard unattended and never will be. If that means I care more about my dog than someone's kid, feel free to interpret it that way. I'm sure you do anyway.

 

[chager]

You killed a PUPPY because you were afraid your neighbors MIGHT sue?

Wow. I would have taken my puppy and fought until they tossed me in prison before I'd let them put down my babies...and that would be in a legitamate bite case, which this was not.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry you're going through this but honestly I'm still absolutely baffled and rather unsettled by this. I'm not going to shower you with pixie dust. You have my pity but please give your other dogs away and please do not get any more animals. Ever.

And what vet in his/her right mind puts down a puppy who fought back when it was approached by a strange dog in it's own yard??

She wasn't worried about being sued and if I understand right her dog didn't bite a human. He did however draw blood on the other dog. This is reason to put him down. Once a dog has tasted blood there is a high chance he will attack someone or something. Is it really worth taking the chance that he will attack a child? I really couldn't tell you why dogs attack after they have tasted blood once, I just know it happens. As sad as it is , she did the right thing. I found it disturbing that the dog got out of his enclosure and attacked the other dog. Yes, I know the other dog was "taunting" it, but what IF it had been a child instead of the dog?
I have had many dogs throughout my life. I have also been bitten and cornered by a couple of dogs that belonged to family members. Had they been my animals I would have put them down for biting a child. (Of course the one that cuased me to have stitches also bit my younger brother. After J, he never bit again. J BIT him back on the nose and drew blood!!!) This little dog was eventually killed by a neighbor dog that attacked it. The neighbor dog also went after other animals and children. To my knowledge a child was never hurt, but it did severely injure or kill the animals.
As far as shots....I wasn't sure if she meant neither of the dogs had been vaccinated, or if she was saying that the along with everything else the neighbors dog was not vaccinated. If the dog wasn't vaccinated, then I agree it should have been. Although that is not a reason for someone to never have another animal. The person just needs educated about making sure the dog has shots.

I again express my sympathy to the OP. I know it was a heart wrenching decision.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

This whole thread has just reminded me why I like my dogs more than I like most people.

I'm leaving now before I say anything else that might get me banned.

Good luck huckster. PLease consider giving your other dogs away. Prayers for the other dog to recover soon.

Goodnight.

 

[damo]

Thanks but I don't need or want your pity.

I feel horrible for that other dog. A lot worse than for any of the adult humans involved here. BUT, that dog was wandering around and got into someone else's yard. Everyone knows even a gentle dog can get territorial in it's own yard if a strange animal enters it.

As for putting a dog above a child. Where did I say that?
1.My dogs don't go near kids unattened.
2.They are extremely well trained and are never left in ANY situation where they might be alone with a child.
3.The only way that would ever happen is if the parent of the child let the child break into my house when no one was home.
4.And even then, I seriously doubt my dogs would do anything. And if they did, You best believe I'd take my dogs and leave the city and fight any and all lawsuits with everything I could. And if the judge ruled in the parents favor, I'd flee.

So yes, I would put the life of my dogs above the rights of someone who might break into my house and beat the living crap out of my dog which is the only situation I can think of where my dogs would EVER even possibly attack anyone. They are not even allowed in the yard unattended and never will be. If that means I care more about my dog than someone's kid, feel free to interpret it that way. I'm sure you do. I know your type.

I think you are misunderstanding. The dog did not get into their yard. Their dog got out of their own yard and attacked this other dog viciously.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I think you are misunderstanding. The dog did not get into their yard. Their dog got out of their own yard and attacked this other dog viciously.

And on my way out...

In the OP's first post, in one of the first lines she says "the neighbors dog was out loose" (or something to that effect)

Night.

 

[babar]

sorry, but I kind of understand what Esmeralda was saying....op said that the dog was provoked, dog did not bite human and was just defending against other dog, grandkids and child loved dog...vet said dog had taste for blood...dog bit other dog, not human. It was a puppy who could have been trained. or at least given to someone who would have taken care to keep dog out of those types of situations....like who doesn't have kids, a good fence...so many other choices....

Sorry, but there were other steps that could have been taken. and I have been in that situation before.

Dogs rule.

 

[Aimeedyan]

sorry, but I kind of understand what Esmeralda was saying....op said that the dog was provoked, dog did not bite human and was just defending against other dog, grandkids and child loved dog...vet said dog had taste for blood...dog bit other dog, not human. It was a puppy who could have been trained. or at least given to someone who would have taken care to keep dog out of those types of situations....like who doesn't have kids, a good fence...so many other choices....

Sorry, but there were other steps that could have been taken. and I have been in that situation before.

Dogs rule.

Exactly. The dog was not neutered - something a RESPONSIBLE dog owner would have done. Dog was obviously not in a controlled yard that he could not have easily gotten out of it - something a RESPONSIBLE dog owner would have done. Dog was a baby and could have EASILY been trained - something a RESPONSIBLE dog owner would have done. I bet the dog wasn't even trained at all (it didn't even have it's shots!!).

A responsible dog owner would not have put down a dog for biting another dog in defense of itself and it's property. A responsible dog owner would have known that that is an instinct of a DOG. A responsible dog wouldn't have made a rash decision to kill a living being over one dog fight that was provoked - esp when the dog never had any other issues and evidently was loved by children. A responsible owner would have contacted a rescue and behaviorist before ending a life.

OP, please rehome your other dogs. I would hate for another to lose their life to your careless decision. It sickens me that a life is not worth anymore than that.

Stepping away from this thread.

 

[HappyMommy2]

I'm not sure I completely understand the OP's situation or agree with the outcome but I am seeing some personal attacks here that I believe are uncalled for.

 

[2BigKIdz]

Exactly. The dog was not neutered - something a RESPONSIBLE dog owner would have done. Dog was obviously not in a controlled yard that he could not have easily gotten out of it - something a RESPONSIBLE dog owner would have done. Dog was a baby and could have EASILY been trained - something a RESPONSIBLE dog owner would have done. I bet the dog wasn't even trained at all.

A responsible dog owner would not have put down a dog for biting another dog in defense of itself and it's property. A responsible dog owner would have known that that is an instinct of a DOG. A responsible dog wouldn't have made a rash decision to kill a living being over one dog fight that was provoked - esp when the dog never had any other issues and evidently was loved by children. A responsible owner would have contacted a rescue and behaviorist before ending a life.

OP, please rehome your other dogs. I would hate for another to lose their life to your careless decision. It sickens me that a life is not worth anymore than that.

Stepping away from this thread.

Let me start by saying I am truly sorry the dog was put down and to the family for losing their pet, especially the daughter and grandkids that loved this dog.

But I have to agree with this post. The only other aggression this dog had shown was growling at the vet? My "babies" do that, the vet knows to put a muzzle on my dogs. They are very sweet dogs but are big chickens where the vet is concerned so to be safe we muzzle them. My dog that died last year (natural causes) bit my mom (really badly- had to go to doctor) when she tried to break up a fight betwen this dog and my other dogs. She had "tasted" blood, never once in the rest of her years did she bite another person or attack the other dogs to draw blood (and she was 1/2 chow, one of those "vicious" types). Sorry, just don't buy into the whole "blood lust" thing. I just think some arrangements could have been made for this animal before ending it's life, it just seemed like a very rash decision IMO. I'm sure most would feel differently if it had been an unprovoked attack on a person.

BTW- what's a snoodle? I know a poodle mix but what is the S for?

 

[halestrm]

I am sorry if I reacted harshly. My husband was badly bitten by a dog that had mauled another dog, and then went after him. Yes, he provoked the dog, but he was 7. He has to explain to his 5 year old DD why he is scared but she should not ever be afraid of my dog.

I feel bad for Huckster. She reached out for help and was shunned. She was judged by many (including me) before we listened.

I cannot imagine what Huckster went through. When I read her early posts and I see the way she wrote, I thought this is a woman who is hurting and needs friends, even if they are not someone she has seen or touched.

I am sorry that I went off earlier. I cannot justify my hurtful reaction by the previous posters reaction. I am pming her after I post this.

I will say this. If I am pro-choice, and I believe we all must make decisions for ourselves, as long as we are educated about those decisions, can I then judge Huckster for doing what she thought was in the best interest of her entire family?

This troubles me. Both the thought of putting a dog down over this type of situation, and the thought that people could react so hurtfully over it. Know I include myself in the previous statement.

 

[vickyBaby]

OT:

Sorry, I'm not going to pixie dust you.

I love this line EsmereldaX and I'm going to borrow it.

 

[JerseyJanice]

FTR, I've read on more than one occasion that the whole "once he gets a taste of blood" thing is an old wives' tale. What a shame that Huck's vet believes in it.

I'm sorry for what you went through anyway, Huck. I guess you did what you thought was the right thing.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Geez, I told myself that I was going to stay away from this thread. It's upsetting for me on several level. First of all, I'm upset for the OP's family and the outcome for the dog.

Second, I think it's a big misconception that once a dog "tastes blood" that it will go for it again. My dog has killed rabbits in our back yard (and my neighbor says to giver her a bisquit for doing so ), but she doesn't harm our cats. We have new kittens and I'm taking every precaution just in case, but so far she has not harmed them.

And also, I KNOW my dog would try to do the exact same thing towards an intruder dog, but she has never harmed a person, even unknown people who walk in our house (the people are not unknown to me, just the dog). I can't believe that her vet told her this--it was more than likely a CYA mentality.

If I had of been the OP I would have done some extensive, private training with the dog and then if I felt there was a risk I would have found a home for her either without children or without other dogs. It's not as if she bit a person, but a dog that was intruding.

I do know that the OP is hurting and the damage has already been done, so I'm not going to personally come down on her. What good would it do? Wish I could have convinced myself to not be upset about it when I wasn't sleeping last night.

Linda

 

[damo]

And on my way out...

In the OP's first post, in one of the first lines she says "the neighbors dog was out loose" (or something to that effect)

Night.

She also says, " till one of dogs got out". Her dog got out of her yard and attacked the other dog.

I cannot disagree or agree with the OP's decision but the dog did escape its yard and attack. The other dog did not get into the OP's back yard.

 

[luvmy2sams]

I'm not sure I completely understand the OP's situation or agree with the outcome but I am seeing some personal attacks here that I believe are uncalled for.

No one on this board knows the entire situation. Lovely how people can jump to their own conclusions and be so judgmental of others.

to you OP for all that you are going through right now. I hope you are able to find a way to enjoy your upcoming trip.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I cannot disagree or agree with the OP's decision but the dog did escape its yard and attack. The other dog did not get into the OP's back yard.

As I understand it, the other dog was on the OP's property, in the other side of the fence. I'm assuming the backyard was fenced in. And yes, the OP's dog dug out.

 

[Maleficent13]

huckster, I am sorry for what you are going through. I know that the decision you made was not taken lightly, and that your vet was consulted. You have a family to think about, and you had to do what you felt was best. I am sorry there are some very judgemental people who weren't there, don't know, and yet feel they should be the ones to make the decisions for your family.

My advice, if you want it, is to get the rest of your animals fixed immediately, and update them on all their shots at the same time. If you could do this before vaca that would be good. Does your vet have a kennel they could stay at while you are gone and maybe this could all get done at that time?