Please Help: My Dog Killed My Other Dog Today-Updated Post #166

[JR6ooo4]

After reading more of your comments, possibly lola had hold of the larger dog where the skin is missing. Then would not let go and the other dog then grabbed her neck (where the punctures are) and pulled her off, tearing the skin. It could have been lola aggressing or the other one or both.

Lets hope you find evidence of another predator.

Praying everyone you love and everything you believe in helps you and your family through this.
Mike

 

[crazee4mickey]

So very sorry to hear of the loss....

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

We do have Red Foxes in this area and they are all over the place right now, but I can't say I've ever seen them trotting around at 11:00 a.m. That would seem highly unlikely.

If it were a fox they would be out in the morning if they were rabid. I would have Paisley tested for rabies. We have a fox about the size of large golden retriever that roams in the field behind our house and I see him several times a day.We also have coyotes.
I hope you do talk to your vet before putting Paisley down and try to get as may facts as possible.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Christine, I'm so very sorry... your post has made me boo-hoo.

First, I think many are ready to give Paisley a death sentence and I don't think that is merited based on what you have said. I have a feeling that those pushing for it may not understand dog behavior very well. Biting a hand that gets in between two dogs fighting over food is NOT vicious behavior. That is an accident on the part of the human. Even if you feel that Paisley may have played a role in this, I still don't think that ending his life is truly going to accomplish anything. A dog that has a dog aggression with another dog is NOT going to turn on a human - any dog behaviorist or trainer knows this. They are completely seperate. You would have seen signs of that if it was there. Paisley just needs to be an only dog but can still live many happy years in your home - alone. You will likely not have one more issue with him.

I hope, for your sake and for Paisley's sake, that there is another explanation for what happened since you did not witness it. If there were any doubts in mind that things didn't go the way you think they did, i would def not end a life over it. I would have to know 100%.

I am glad you are going to talk to your vet but I Would also beg you to consider talking to a trained behaviorist as well before doing ANYTHING. Vets work with lots of animals but they aren't trainers and they aren't behaviorists. They are medical doctors. He can give you his opinion but hopefully he would never give out a death sentence on a dog that he is not trained to properly evaluate. I have a feeling he'll give you the name and number of someone he trusts that can consult with you on Paisley =) If he doesn't offer, ask him for it.

**hugs** to your family tonight. I can't imagine your pain.

 

[Cinderella2004]

Christine-

I'm so sorry for your loss. What a terrible day you've had.

I know you're feeling awful that your last memory of her was her dying in your arms.......but.....think of it this way. Her last memory is being comforted by the person she loved the most.

Give your son and husband a big hug, it sounds like the 3 of you need one.

 

[momof2inPA]

We have a fox about the size of large golden retriever that roams in the field behind our house and I see him several times a day.

I'm fairly certain that foxes don't get that big, and I have seen many in the wild.

 

[crazy4disney01]

I am so sorry for your loss and what you are going through. I can't imagine the pain you and your family are going through losing a pet and then having to decide what to do with your other pet.

I don't even know what to tell you to do with your other dog. If I was afraid of its demeanor and felt like I couldn't trust it and worried it could hurt someone or another pet, I would put it to rest. If you didn't worry it would turn on you or your family, I would keep loving it but not get another pet until it passed away. It must have felt threatened or jealous for attention from the other dog.

I'm just very sorry for your loss, and whatever you decide will be for the best. I would give yourself at least 2 weeks before making any decision so there will be no regrets.

to you!!

 

[Mad4Mickey]

Bless your heart I know it is breaking . My thoughts are with you this evening

 

[Aidensmom]

I have seen this thread since it was posted, and have been avoiding it because I knew it would make me upset. Christine, I am SO sorry! I have a little submissive JRT too, and I just keep picturing him...

I haven't read the whole thread because it upsets me too much, but I read the first couple of pages, and I would be checking that chicken wire to see if it could have caused Lola's injuries. I know my JRT will try to chase something it saw outside the fence and would try to get out if it could....

 

[RitaZ.]

Christine, I just saw this. I'm so sorry. Poor Lola. Hang in there.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Christine, I'm so sorry.

The first thing I would do would be to talk to your town's Animal Control Officer (ACO) to see if there have been incidents in your area involving coyotes or other predators entering backyards and killing pets. This definitely happens where I live. In fact we can hear the coyotes howling at night when the windows are open. The Audobon researchers study their bowel movements to see what they're eating and unfortunately a large part of their diet includes domestic pets. Our ACO gives public service announcements in the local paper. He or she should know if it's likely and may have other thoughts on this situation as well. My neighbor's son woke up one morning to find a bloodbath in his fenced yard. Luckily their dog was in the house, but based on their findings in the yard they summized a coyote had been in hot pursuit of a deer which must have jumped their fence trying to escape. There was major fence damage and tufts of deer hair caught in the fence. They never heard a thing.

I would want to know for sure as well before I made such a drastic decision involving a pet's life. It kind of reminded me a bit of the old folktale with the king, the baby, the dog and the wolf (anyone know the name or exact story?). ETA > found it:

The faithful hunting hound Gelert greets Prince Llewellyn with a bloody mouth and strangely shifty behavior. The nursery of Prince Llewellyn's son lies in disarray with the crib overturned and the child nowhere to be seen. Llewellyn acts on his fears and slays his previously faithful companion. The child is afterwards found unharmed, and the hidden intruder Gelert had battled -- a huge wolf -- is found lying dead where Gelert had felled him.

Playing Devil's Advocate for a minute - what if it was Lola who was the aggressor and Paisley was just defending herself? Hard to know what happened for sure when there were no witnesses. I agree if you decide to keep her she'd do best as an only dog, but it sounds as if you already made the decision she would be.

Don't rush into any decision. Do your homework. Watch Paisley. Feel what's in your gut. It's a difficult situation. Prayers and good thoughts coming your way.

 

[Serena]

I'm so sorry.

As for Paisley, I'd find out exactly what happened first.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Wow, this is a really heartbreaking and difficult situation that you're in!

Does the vet have any input on if Lola's wounds could have been caused by Paisley? It would be sad to have Paisley put down, only to find out that it wasn't her fault. I agree with the suggestions to discuss it with a vet, and a trainer, to get some input.

So sorry that this happened to you!

 

[goofy's friends]

Wow, I am so sorry this happened, Christine. I know you are devastated. I think right now, you need to concentrate on gathering evidence and not make decisions. Our dog (RIP) was aggressive to other dogs -- she was a little bitty thing and one time had my cousin's Irish Setter backed into a corner --but she would never hurt a person. NEVER!@!!
Good luck, take something to sleep tonight, and give your son lots of

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Oh, Christine, I am so sorry!!! I know that you are so upset and I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through.

I can't offer you advice on how to proceed--that's a decison that you need to make after careful consideration with your vet, who knows you, your family, and your dog. I am so sorry that you and your family is going through this very tough time. I ache for you.

 

[Shutterbug]

I am so sorry.
*Hugs*

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

I am so sorry! I know what it's like to lose a loved dog, but this situation is so much sadder!

 

[justhat]

Christine I feel so terrible about what you're going through! First losing a beloved dog and now having to deal with thoughts of losing the other too. FWIW, I wouldn't put Paisley down, at least not given your circumstances. You really don't know whether or not Paisley killed Lola and if so why or what happened. Was there blood on Paisley's mouth, face, paws? If not I'd really wonder whether or not he did it.

Lots of hugs to you and your family. I know how hard it is cause we had a pomeranian who was attacked in our yard by a lab and rottweiler. They were owned by someone who lived 2 miles away, but he frequently let them out loose and they wandered over to our house. My tiny little pom begged to go outside but it was 11pm so I wasn't letting him out but I opened the door so a friend could leave and he raced out into the unfenced front yard. We searched all around and found him near death under our back porch. Fortunately he survived but the experience was terrible all the same. And the dogs owner was charged by the town with "dogs at large" and all they had to do was pay our vet bills and a fine. They got to keep the dogs and did not have to put them down and we knew that they attacked him. So in your case you don't know for sure so I wouldn't jump to conclusions.

 

[shellyfive]

Talk to your vet, it is not always the case that your dog would attack humans as well...but she does need to be an only pet. Sometimes the worst attacks are between two female dogs, over territory, food, attention etc.
unfortunately, this happens alot. I feel so badly for you!!! Being the type of injury that you describe, even if you were there when it happened, you wouldn't have been able to do anymore than you did. She probably had the major veins, or an artery in her neck injured...which would cause very rapid bleeding. Be sure to talk to your child alot as well, or maybe have someone council. It can be devastating for little people to see all that.
I'll keep you in my prayers......

 

[Stitchfans]

Very sorry for your loss. I for one know it would be very difficult to put your other dog to sleep so I won't suggest it. This is such a very difficult call. I wish you well.