What's best for *this* dog?

[npmommie]

Hard to believe so many are willing to put this dog down without even knowing the circumstances.

If I thought the dog was vicious, there wouldn't be a question. I would not send it to live its life out in a kennel at age 10 away from its family. If the dog was truly vicious, I would make the difficult (not simple) choice to put it down.

But (and it's a big but), I would want to analyze the circumstances of the bite. If I felt there were extenuating circumstances in an otherwise stable dog, I'd probably get my own lawyer and temporarily put the dog in a safe home with reliable friends or family (and no children) while the case was evaluated.

I agree with this.

I think the circumstances of the bite are very important. as well as the history.
I would not be so willing to let go of a family member who has been in my home for 10 years.

 

[TanyaLovesPooh]

Isn't there a family friend or someone they know that lives on a farm or something that would take the dog. That would be my first step, trying to find it a new home. Most likely it was an accidental bite to begin with.

If that is not an option then putting it down is far less cruel than putting it in a dog jail.

 

[lakelandgal70]

I know you didn't want to go into details about the bite, but the details are at the crux of this matter. Was the bite provoked?

If the bite was provoked, then I would look into other homing options for the dog. I would also include a behaviour assessment with a specialist.

If the bite was not provoked or there is history of aggression, then euthanasia would be best. I would not send a dog to a no-kill shelter to live out it's life in seclusion.

The insurance company is taking a very hard line in this situation. I know when you apply for home insurance, you have to indicate whether your dogs have ever bitten, but I wasn't aware they would cancel the policy if there was a documented bite.

I totally agree with this post. The details of what happened are important! Have you had the dog checked out to see if there is something physically wrong with the dog? Maybe he isn't feeling well and since dogs can't communicate and tell us in a way we understand maybe there is something underlying. I don't think putting a dog down is the first and only solution. Maybe contact a lab rescue. They will have the resources to take care of the dog and rehome it.

 

[Anna_Marie]

Bad as I hate to say it, I would put the dog down too. The alternative with no human contact for a dog used to it is cruel.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I don't like either option.

 

[Principessa1284]

Like another poster said, I can't believe how many people would suggest putting the dog down without knowing the details. How old was the child? Perhaps she was ASKING to be bitten without adequate supervision - she may have really been hurting him and he didn't know what else to do. Especially if the dog isn't used to being around children. Let me tell, you, I'd fight for my animal if it was a one-time, fluke situation. Not saying this is a great idea or legal, but if it were my mother or my aunt (or pretty much any women on my mom's side of the family) they'd sooner lie to the insurance company than put the dog down under those circumstances.

Now if the dog has a history of biting, it's a totally different story.

 

[luvmy3]

My answer would depend on the dog's history.

 

[jrmasm]

Like another poster said, I can't believe how many people would suggest putting the dog down without knowing the details. How old was the child? Perhaps she was ASKING to be bitten without adequate supervision - she may have really been hurting him and he didn't know what else to do. Especially if the dog isn't used to being around children. Let me tell, you, I'd fight for my animal if it was a one-time, fluke situation. Not saying this is a great idea or legal, but if it were my mother or my aunt (or pretty much any women on my mom's side of the family) they'd sooner lie to the insurance company than put the dog down under those circumstances.

Now if the dog has a history of biting, it's a totally different story.

I think the OP made it clear that the owners were only willing to consider 2 options. I do not agree that they only have 2 options but that was the question that was asked.

 

[JessicaR]

I think the OP made it clear that the owners were only willing to consider 2 options. I do not agree that they only have 2 options but that was the question that was asked.

Yeah thats my take on it also.

For what its worth after re-reading the original post - I dont get the impression the dog has a history of biting.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I think the OP made it clear that the owners were only willing to consider 2 options. I do not agree that they only have 2 options but that was the question that was asked.

While this is true, the options, for some of us (including you, apparently), weren't good ones, especially in light of the fact that we were never made aware of the details of the bite. Since we don't know that, those of us that responded a different way were doing the best we knew how with the information that was given. Truly, neither of those options were good ones, IMO, unless the dog is vicious. And honestly, it doesn't sound like it is because we probably would have heard the details if it was. This may be one of those murky cases in which the dog is going to pay the ultimate price for the mistakes of its owners. And if that is the case, you bet your butt I'm going to put in my two cents about it, if not for this dog, for maybe someone else who's reading and finds themselves in similar circumstances. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to sleep right (yes, even because of this one dog!).

Sorry, yoopermom, I know you're kind of caught in the middle of this situation and trying to help. For that, I commend you.

 

[walden]

OP here, quoting the above in full, because I really do appreciate it. Believe me, I've talked and talked to these owners, gone through every other possible scenario with them, and these two are the choices they've narrowed it down to. (Since I can't take the dog myself, I feel that I've done all that I can do, unfortunately.) The second paragraph is largely true (except owners are rather ignorant, but don't "suck").

The one thing I've learned over the years is that I can't save them all, but I can help the owners make the best choice possible for the dog, hard as that may be. (And I myself placed a dog at this nokill shelter once, in completely different circumstances, so it's not like a terrible place, just not somewhere I'd put an elderly housepet...)

Thanks all, I really do mean that.

Terri

I'm sorry, but you are right that you can't save them all. FWIW, if the owners are only open to these 2 options I'd reluctantly say put the dog to sleep. So sad, but probably better for a 10 year old house pet than to live out his life in a kennel.

While this is true, the options, for some of us (including you, apparently), weren't good ones, especially in light of the fact that we were never made aware of the details of the bite. Since we don't know that, those of us that responded a different way were doing the best we knew how with the information that was given. Truly, neither of those options were good ones, IMO, unless the dog is vicious. And honestly, it doesn't sound like it is because we probably would have heard the details if it was. This may be one of those murky cases in which the dog is going to pay the ultimate price for the mistakes of its owners. And if that is the case, you bet your butt I'm going to put in my two cents about it, if not for this dog, for maybe someone else who's reading and finds themselves in similar circumstances. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to sleep right (yes, even because of this one dog!).

Sorry, yoopermom, I know you're kind of caught in the middle of this situation and trying to help. For that, I commend you.

Yes, by the sounds of it yoopermom has already discussed a lot of different options with the owners. I think she has done all the right things.

My opinion -- coming very late to this thread but putting my 2 cents in too for others that are reading.

One bite is not and should not be a death sentence for a previously non-aggressive dog. We must look at the history of the dog, the circumstances of the bite, do a full medical work-up (checking for pain, thyroid issues, brain tumors etc, etc), and explore the possibilities of adoption through rescue organizations.

It is very hard to adopt out a dog with a bite history because of the liability issues. However, we have had a few with a bite history coming into our breed specific rescue. They are only ever fostered or placed with VERY experienced people in non-child homes. Adopters are made well aware of the issues in advance, but some do step up to the challenge and we have our success stories.

 

[louey]

I don't know why this rubbed me the wrong way, but it did.

I think most people ARE aware how quick and "simple" it is. That's not the issue, with doing so. Or at least not for any of the pet owner friends I have.

It's that simple? What?

This got me too?????? May I ask how many dogs/cats you have put down? It may be a "Simple" needle, but not for a family who loves this pet and considers them one of the family It Is Not Easy!!!!!!!! Its never easy... ugh

 

[walden]

This got me too?????? May I ask how many dogs/cats you have put down? It may be a "Simple" needle, but not for a family who loves this pet and considers them one of the family It Is Not Easy!!!!!!!! Its never easy... ugh

This comment got me too. Tactless phrasing.

No, it is never easy. Not for the family members and, if you ask them, not for the vets either. It can, however, be gentle and loving, and is peaceful and painless. I have held my dogs in my arms when I sadly "let them go" due to advanced old age and/or terminal cancer and appreciated the care of the vet and the peace of the passing.

 

[tlbwriter]

I totally agree with this post. The details of what happened are important!

No, they're not. Not for the OP's question, anyway. The OP does not own the dog, and the owners are only considering two options.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Interesting thread.

I don't recall seeing one where so many feel they have the right to tell people what to write and what not to write.

 

[jrmasm]

While this is true, the options, for some of us (including you, apparently), weren't good ones, especially in light of the fact that we were never made aware of the details of the bite. Since we don't know that, those of us that responded a different way were doing the best we knew how with the information that was given. Truly, neither of those options were good ones, IMO, unless the dog is vicious. And honestly, it doesn't sound like it is because we probably would have heard the details if it was. This may be one of those murky cases in which the dog is going to pay the ultimate price for the mistakes of its owners. And if that is the case, you bet your butt I'm going to put in my two cents about it, if not for this dog, for maybe someone else who's reading and finds themselves in similar circumstances. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to sleep right (yes, even because of this one dog!).

Sorry, yoopermom, I know you're kind of caught in the middle of this situation and trying to help. For that, I commend you.

Unfortunately there are times when no matter how hard you to work to change things, people still make a crappy decisions. Heck, when it comes to animals, there is at least one tread a month on the DIS about an animal that makes me furious. Sadly, you can't save them all.

I got the impression that the OP felt like she was in a situation like that and was trying to convince the owners to make a less terrible choice. Like you said, she's caught in the middle. Short of stealing the dog, she can't change the choices that owners are considering.

 

[yoopermom]

Thanks everyone for keeping this civil. On a general note, it's not just a biting dog that can make you lose your insurance, some will charge you a higher rate or even won't insure your house if you own a certain breed...
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/insurance/11-dogs-that-could-raise-your-insurance-costs.aspx

Terri

 

[Agri]

Put it down and tell them to not get another animal until they know wth to do with one. And yes, the people do suck for letting this situation happen at all. We have a dog who is iffy around strangers, so we don't let him around strangers - simple as that.

I'm also willing to bet that this dog is 'iffy' with strangers and has bitten or at least nipped before. Otherwise the owners would be entertaining more than two possibilities. If they didn't think their dog would bite again, they'd be re-homing it.

Its also making me a teeny bit curious that the OP isn't answering if the dog has bitten before and how bad the injuries were.

 

[yoopermom]

I haven't given details for two reasons: first, I don't want to feel as though I'm defending them (because I'm not, believe me), and second, because they truly are only acquaintances, not good friends, so I don't know how much of what they tell me is true, and how much is not.

To the best of my limited knowledge, this was the first nonfamily member bitten, and it required stitches/medical attention, but was not one of those "dog ripped my face off" horror stories. I also have seen how one of the children acts around dogs. To protect this child's privacy, I won't give specifics, but will say that I'm working with her extensively on the proper way to act around animals. Whether or not the parents will take my suggestions/help seriously, well, I hope so.

Terri

 

[ahutton]

When talking to the Insurance Agent - I would ask if the carrier has an exclusion form they can put on for the dog? The ownsers would personally assume the risk of taking care of a bite if it happened again. If the current carrier does not, can they find a carrier that does?

That said, as hard as I would find it, I would probably put the dog down. Our lab was getting old, moving slowly and getting uncomfortable and snapped at someone who startled her. We soon found out she had a brain tumor, and had to put her down anyway. It could have easily been a bite situation.