[whitecree]

No, I'm not going anywhere.

My dog, a mixed breed of husky, shepherd
and even a bit of wolf from about 3 generations back, has been my buddy on many a ramble through the bush. He's about 8 years old, and a more laid back, gentle and friendly mutt I have never seen. Until last night.

My grandson - a bit over 1.5 years old - was going out for a walk with his mom. He stopped to feed 'his dog' as he usually does, putting out baby-size handfuls of kibble just after the mutt finished his main supper I had fed him. I leave him in charge of his mom on the front step and go inside.

To my horror, I hear two screams and a snarling/growling noise. I almost broke my legs running downstairs and there's my daughter trying to comfort my grandson who is bleeding from the left cheek. The mutt is standing off to one side looking guilty.

My dog had bitten my grandson.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An hour and 2 stitches later, we get home from the emergency. My daughter couldn't bear to hold her son down while the Doc stitched him up, so I had to. Nobody around to hold me down.

(sigh) Now I have to call the pound. As old as the mutt is, I dunno if he'll be able to find another home. Sometimes, life really sucks, y'know?

[Irish]

Whitecree ... You are so right, in this case life sucks! You are making the right decision and in the situation you describe the only decision that you can.

But, please, do not give up hope that your dog will find a new and loving home. When it is a one time occurance and the dog has no priors the humane society will take that into consideration. His paper work, most likely will be marked for a house with no children .... !

ly little ones as our grandchildren can pull, push, fall or suddenly move and the dog reacts. No ones fault but a terrible situation.

I am sorry that you are losing your friend.

Susan

[Just Carving]

My heart aches for you. I love dogs--can't have 'em. So I live with that. I don't know what is like to give up an old friend like that, but I'm sure it hurts.

I've seen and taken care of kids bit by dogs--some pretty bad. I don't have one of my own, but if it happened one of my nieces or nephews, I'd be sick.

I can only say I'm sorry Whitecree, and I hope your Grandson heals quickly. And I say the same for you and your family--that you get over your heartache quickly.

And I hope your old friend finds a new home.

[Anthony Filetti]

Whitecree,
I am sorry that you have to go through this and know I would be heartbroken as well. My wife works for our local animal control center and I hear all of the heartaches, I hope you can find your old friend a new home.

[squbrigg]

Oh Whitecree, I'm so sorry to hear that. Poor little grandson, poor dog. They can't help being dogs.

I agree, with your disagreeable task, it's best for all. You can't trust a dog that bites, around small children. Kids are kids, dogs are dogs, and sometimes they work together, sometimes not.

Tough day! Life sometimes really does suck!

I hope your Grandson heals up without a physical scar. The mental scar will never disappear I'm afraid. Like him, I've been bitten a few times, twice on the face as a child, (my own fault, I loved dogs, they just didn't understand why some strange kid wanted to hug them!) but I never forgot.

Bob

[Ashbys]

Wow.
Whitecree ,

I can only say , I understand , the giving up and the sadness, but I cheer you for your action and protection of your grandchildren.

[Colin_Partridge]

Whitecree I can associate where you are coming from. I purchased a Black Lab for my grandson five years ago. When he was about a year old my daughter who is a grown women was petting him and he did the same thing to her bit her in the face. Now we are talking about a 110 lb Lab. I watched him carefully after that and he has a tendancy to snarl at small children. I think it is the eye contact thing and of course he is the alpha male. Having said all this my grandson wouldnt even hear of me getting rid of the dog and guess what I still have him. What I do is not allow him around small children and if they are in the house he is muzzeled. He can be that way with people as well but I can now tell instantly just by his body language if he is funny and tell the people right away to stay away. You are the only one that can decide but if he bit once he will probably do it again. My suggestions are as I have mentioned above I personally wouldnt get rid of the dog just moniter him when kids are around.
Colin

[MelNM]

Thats terrible whitecree, It would tear me up to have to get rid of my dog. You never expect them to attack your loved ones though. Hope everything goes well and your dog finds a good home.
Mel

[Ron Davidson]

I agree with Colin on this . I wouldn't get rid of him just monitor him closly for awhile. Even as gentle as my guide dog is just as a precaution I put on a leash when in a place where there are allot of children they call a muzzle leash. Unlike most muzzles it is loose until you pull on the leash very humane. You never know why some dogs will out of nowhere attack someone but I would give him a chance.
Ron

[carver6]

I'd have to agree with Colin and Ron. If I wasn't there to see what the caused the dog to bite, I'd give him a chance, unless the grandchild lives with you.
I used to have a mixed breed german shepherd. You could tell instantly if he didn't like someone. Low deep belly growl, hair on his back would stand up, but was great with our kids. Would not stand for them to wrestle around in the yard like boys will do. Would get one by the arm (gently) and start pulling him away from the other brother.
Having said that, you know your dog better than anyone else. If nothing else, I'd watch him, for a while and see what happens. The grandchild may have unintentionly, provoked him.
Just my opinion.
Garon