My MIL is Cold Hearted

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by Madi100


I would love to take the dog back, but I would be really scared with my three year old and seven year old.

But you said your neice was mean to him and that was probably why she was bitten.

 

[snoopy]

I'm confused, why would you be scared to take the dog back?

I'm in agreement with those who said you might try to find a home for the dog where there are no children. Some dogs don't do well with children in general.

 

[phamton]

My oldest daughter had her cornea scratched by a kitten once.

We've also owned horses and they are capable of causing serious harm. The point is, any animal can be dangerous when threatened. You just take proper precautions when you decide to get an animal. Putting a dog down for protecting himself is just wrong to me.

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by Madi100
The dog is a purebred beagle. There are no papers on him, though.

I would love to take the dog back, but I would be really scared with my three year old and seven year old.

Did you get him from a breeder? You can contact the breeder and see if they have any advice. I would still contact a local beagle rescue society. The kind of people who adopt rescue dogs don't care about papers. I agree about the kids, though. Did he behave himeself with them when they would visit you MIL? Perhaps you can take him for a few days until you find another home or shelter for him just so your MIL doesn't put him down.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

 

[luvdzny]

Do you know for sure that your niece was teasing the dog when it happened? I don't think that pushing a child off a bed 6 years ago makes a child an aggressive child, most kids mature a lot between the ages of 7 and 13. If you think that he was provoked by your niece and that is the only reason that he bit why are you afraid to have him at your house? How often do you see the dog, maybe he has become more aggressive over time. I am not a fan of putting animals to sleep but maybe your MIL know more about this situation then you do.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Originally posted by mudnuri
Let me ask you if your thoughts would be different had it been your daughter who was bitten instead of your neice?

A dog that bites- regardless of anything is does not belong in a family with children.

Now dont get me wrong- we're animal lovers here- have a dog, cat and hamsters. I grew up with dogs, cats bunnies, horses etc.. HOWEVER I must say that in my house- if a anyone was bitten by the dog- the dog would be put to sleep.

We were very careful about the breed of dog we got, making sure it was a family type dog- for instance, our dog is a yellow lab.

That being said- I can understand where your MIL is coming from. There is NO way that I would ever keep a dog that bit anyone, and further more I dont think I'd give it away- knowing that somewhere down the line- it could end up back with a family with young children, and bite another child.

Just my .02 for what its worth (and since the banks are closed, it aint much!)

Brandy

I think thr OP's point was, if it were her daughter, the bite never would of happened. The fact that the niece is mean, has been witnessed doing harmfull things to innocent people (pushing toddler off bed), tells me she may have provoked the dog to bite her. And I am sorry, if the dog bite was unprovoked, then yes, it could be a dangerous animal. But this dog may have put up with this girl one too many times and probably had enough. One bite in self defense does not constitute a death penalty. IMO.

To the OP, I do not know the reasons you got rid of the dog to begin with, but maybe now that he is not a puppy anymore, and your girls are older, is there anyway you could bring him back home?

I just re-read some of the responses. Why would you be afraid for your children if your neice was mean to him?

 

[Madi100]

Originally posted by Bojangles
How could you not think it was an issue if she's had a history of putting pets to sleep?

Because the other's have been HER dogs when this was more for her husband. Really, honestly, I'm not explaining to you why I gave her the dog. I said in the beginning that it was for personal reasons, and for all you know that reason was because my daughter was severly sick and I couldn't care for the dog. So, I would appreciate it if you would respect me enough not to go into that anymore.

As far as me thinking that I can't take the dog back because of what he might do to my children, I honestly don't think he would do anything to my children. However, he has been around the treatment of my niece and mother in law for some time now, and I don't think you can take an animal that hasn't been treated the best out of a horrible situation and bring it to a good one and the dog automatically adjusts. I'm sure that he's no longer the good natured dog that we once had. And, while he could become that way sometime, I don't want to chance my children being harmed. I don't think it's responsible.

 

[Madi100]

Originally posted by luvdzny
Do you know for sure that your niece was teasing the dog when it happened? I don't think that pushing a child off a bed 6 years ago makes a child an aggressive child, most kids mature a lot between the ages of 7 and 13. If you think that he was provoked by your niece and that is the only reason that he bit why are you afraid to have him at your house? How often do you see the dog, maybe he has become more aggressive over time. I am not a fan of putting animals to sleep but maybe your MIL know more about this situation then you do.

I really feel sorry for my niece. She has a mother who doesn't love her enough to take care of her. Therefore, she is living with her grandmother. Her mother is completely able to take care of her, she just chooses to put herself first. Because of that her daughter is very troubled. She is just a rough child, and that is because that is the way she was treated. Although she is no longer six, she is also not a very loving child. We have younger children in the family also and when she wants to hold them she makes them stay on her lap, forcefully. She yells at them also. So, while I can't blame her for the person she has become I also know that she is not a kind person. I would feel more secure having a dog that has bitten before than to have my niece come and live with us. Very sad, but true.

 

[Crankyshank]

Madi,
contact these people at Beagle rescue
http://www.brewbeagles.org/index.php

They are based in the mid Atlantic but have contacts in the midwest. They are an excellent beagle rescue. Don't let your MIL put the dog down. Beagles are such sweet and friendly dogs - I am sure with some corrective behavior training, most of the damage inflicted by your niece can be undone.

I wish I lived closer or I would take the dog. I have 2 beagles of my own and they are wonderful dogs. The biggest danger you face with them is getting licked to death.

 

[marlasmom]

When I was very pregnant with my oldest daughter, my father's lawyer gave us a beautiful German Shephard. BTW we shared two others with my sister and they were very gentle, smart dogs. The lawyer's dog was very good with adults, but hated kids. He dragged my husband all across the lawn to get to the two year old who was just quietly standing there. I called several trainers, all of whom agreed that the dog simply could not be trusted with children at all. The lawyer had 3 kids and the dog was delivered with a stake that screwed into the ground and a very short chain. We assumed that his kids had teased the dog.

It was with a very heavy heart that I had the dog put to sleep. We simply could not give him away and run the risk that he would hurt a child.

We have two rescue dogs now. I love dogs. But I tend to agree that a dog who bites a child cannot be trusted and has to be put down.

I am so very sorry.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by Madi100
he has been around the treatment of my niece and mother in law for some time now .

I thought you said your FIL loved the dog? Now you're saying he's been mistreated all this time and is a behavior problem? Why did you continue to leave your "beloved ex-pet" there in that situation?

 

[snoopy]

Great solution, cranky!

I hope this works out for you Madi. So sad to think the dog could be put down. The situation with your niece is sad too, I hope she gets the help she obviously needs too.

 

[Kallison]

Anyone who makes a blanket statement that the minute a dog bites it should be put to sleep really does not understand animals. Any dog will bite if it is provoked enough. I have a 5 year old yellow lab that is completely devoted to me, but sometimes when we are rough housing in the yard he will nip at me until I yell hey. He will also bite by accident when playing with a toy and trying to bite up to get a better grip. My kids know this and know when to let go, they didn't know that when we got him at a year old though. They got nipped several times, we didn't throw him in the car and rush him back to the pound. Every time I pop my head out of the pool, if my dog is standing there he will lick my face and then nip the end of my nose. Dogs are animals, you don't put them to sleep the first time it bites, did it even break the skin? Did she need stitches? I was bit by my neighbors dog last week, just standing there petting it, she made eye contact and bit my hand, left a mark. I didn't demand she put the dog to sleep. People get crazy with the notion that if a dog bites you should immediately put it to sleep. There are a lot of variables going on in every situation. Dogs are animals, they can be unpredicatable. That does not mean they are disposable and the minute they don't react to every situation 100 percent as you would choose that you give them away or put them to sleep the minute they are inconvenient. I know I'm blathering but this topic makes me sick every time is comes up on the board and all the perfect moms start spouting about how they never would allow and it never should happen and the dog should be gotten rid of, etc. etc. People think long and hard when you have young kids before going out and getting a pet for a lifetime commitment. It is hard work and they will be around for a good 13-18 years.

 

[Dee & Greg]

Nicole:
By all means, continue to explain away your reasons for giving up the dog; then tell us not to bring it up anymore, then discuss your neice, and Blah, BLah, BLAH, while this dog is being carted off to the vet's to be put to sleep. Stop wasting time posting and do something!

 

[Deb in IA]

http://www.icanimalcenter.org/indexi.html

The Iowa City/Coralville Animal Care and Adoption Center

is located at 111 Kirkwood Avenue, at the corner of South Clinton and Kirkwood in Iowa City.

The mailing address is 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240

Phone: (319) 356-5295

Animal Center hours:

Monday-Friday
10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Saturday
10:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m

Closed Sunday and Holidays


Please send any questions regarding Center animals or policies to the Center Director.

 

[Kallison]

I'm really not venting about the OP and her whole situation, I just get so discouraged when people agree that a dog that bites once should be put down. You can train and work with dogs or get them matched up with owners that know how to handle them.

 

[LoraJ]

I know kids who bite other kids and break the skin, should they be put down too?

 

[tiggersmom2]

Originally posted by LoraJ
I know kids who bite other kids and break the skin, should they be put down too?

Really? Do you also happen to know a child that is capable of biting another child's jugular, or ripping half the other child's face off or maybe causing puncture wounds so deep that the other child dies? I didn't think so.

 

[Dee & Greg]

We really should retire this thread to the "I made a series of bad desicions, and now I want to be showered with Pixie Dust" Hall of Fame.

After working in an animal shelter for over 10 years, I have heard this story so many times that it makes me crazy...

Parents get a dog/cat/other living animal

Animal doesn't fit in with lifestyle/children are frightened/ don't have the time/ moving/etc

Parent gives the animal away

Animal ends up in bad situation

No one wants to take the responsbility to do anything about the situation

OP: are you really looking for advice and will you actually DO anything? Or would you prefer we all just give you hugs?
You've received several good pieces of advice, and one direct line to an animal organization.

My favorite scenario: Folks are moving and bring the animal to a shelter. I would look at them and ask "Did you find another home for your children, too?" They would look at me like I was joking. Guess What? I'm not.

Yes, animals are not human, but they are a responsibility. If you get an animal, it is YOUR responsibility to care for them and treat them correctly. Not put them in a bad situation.