A very difficult situation.. :(

RE: A very difficult situation.. :(

kaiarlo — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 18:39:38 GMT

Yeah that is true - even though the owner swore they would never leave it alone with a child, but you can't always be certain and it only takes a minute like it did in this case.. still sad tho :(

RE: A very difficult situation.. :(

Jo Mackenzie — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 12:15:35 GMT

I have been in almost this exact situation several times, and whilst it is heartbreaking and frustrating when it happens as a direct result of the owners (i.e. leaving the dog and child unsupervised), I think you did the right thing. At the end of the day this dog could never be trusted with children again. Even if she was a happy, lovely, quiet dog, the owners would always be on edge whenever she was anywhere near the child, which would end up with the dog developing negative emotional associations with the child and making her more likely to show aggression again. I'm a firm believer that any behavioural issue can be resolved with time, patience and the right approach, but this is the one instance where it just is not worth the risk. Doesn't make it any easier to deal with though, and cases like this are the ones which break my heart more than most.

RE: A very difficult situation.. :(

Arlo Guthrie — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 21:50:15 GMT

[quote user="elaine elder"]In my opinion (although it May be unpopular) I think the right decision was made.[/quote]

I rather agree. Awful though it must have been for you kaiarlo, I just don't see how a dog that has attacked a child could be saved. And however bad it made you feel last night, think how you'd feel if the police had been persuaded to let the dog live and it later attacked another child.

RE: A very difficult situation.. :(

elaine elder — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 21:41:00 GMT

This is obviously a very difficult situation and is in no way the dogs fault. I used to work night shift and many times did we had to destroy dogs that people had phoned the police to collect, all waggy tails and never needing muzzled. However I think you have to see it from the view of the police- these people have failed to protect one of their own family from being bitten. How can you trust them to be responsible enough to prevent other people from being bitten? rehoming the dog- rehoming a dog that has bitten is extremely difficult and the poor soul if it could get a kennel space would spend months in the kennel.

In my opinion (although it May be unpopular) I think the right decision was made. Although it is heart breaking that this dog has lost its life because of irresponsible owners.