Dangers in your own backyard (updated with graphic photo pg 6)

[cafarmgirl]

If it were my dog I would never consider rehoming him and would put him down after the quarantine. It just is not worth the chance that another child, or any person, could be harmed. Some dogs see children as being below them in the pack order so it doesn't take much to provoke an attack. This dog went for the girls head/neck, he didn't make a quick snap and then back off. She's lucky she got away from him.

Prayers for Sara, I hope she starts feeling better and mends well.

 

[grumps]

I understand your pov. I too have had aggressive dogs most of my life. German Shepards, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Akitas, Queensland Heelers and even the more mellow Boxer. But the simple fact is that this dog has attacked a human, at 12 the child is big enough not to be considered the same as a toddler in the eyes of a dog. This dog was a family pet, not a trained guard dog. I say it's just not acceptable to allow a dog into another home when the possiblitly of another attack can occur. Even in a home with no children, does not mean that dog won't come into contact with another child (aka vistor, dog gets loose, etc...). There are so many harmless dogs available in the local shelters that need homes as pets, put the ones who've crossed the line down.

 

[Slinkytoys]

Glad to hear your daughter is doing better. It's amazing what they can do with plastic surgery, in case she will need it in the future. How is the puppy's foot?
Carrie

 

[wanda047]

Just a little update...
For those of you who have read Sara's story I posted days ago before this incident, https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=209335 (posting #9), you know that Sara Kate is adopted. Because of issues that she had struggled with for several years, we had put her in counseling. Several months ago, we were told that she no longer needed the counseling and discontinued them. She had come a long way in dealing with her abuse and neglect.

Today, her therapist came by for a surprise visit. She had heard of Sara's injuries and came by to check on her. While here, she showed Sara Kate her scars... bites from a dog and a horse! The visit helped tremendously and we have asked that Sara's counseling resume.

Today, Sara's bruising came to surface and she's really black and blue in areas that we did not know she was injured. She had a fairly good day, but tonight it caught up with her. Around midnight I finally sedated her so she could sleep.

On another note, today Spanky, the puppy (whose foot is fine) killed two of my young chickens! Spanky will be rehomed tomorrow. They were two of Sara's favorite chickens, a little mille fleur d'Uccle, named Coco and the mottled cochin cockerel in my avatar. I can't stand to see Sara suffer much more heartache. Don't know how much more she can handle.

 

[danielle82]

Oh My Gosh, I'm so sorry about the two chickens on top of everything else...WOW
Good about the therapist stopping by, sounds like that was a step in the right direction

 

[CMV]

Wow. You guys are having a bad week! I hope things turn around for you soon.

 

[hunterjumper999]

I thought spanky was a puppy? Can't you train the dog rather than just toss him away?

I think you're doing good things with your daughter but the animal lessons shes learning are a bit concerning.

I learned your POV on the agressive dog- I am young and sometimes jump the gun on my ranting so I hope you didnt take that wrong. . . I respect your decision on that.


But throwing a PET away that your daughter obviously loves because he did what you can not argue was instinct in this case? Leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[wanda047]

Quote:
LOL.. did I mention that the night after Sara's incident, that my 18-yr-old son backed into my car with his very large truck and smashed the whole front-end in?? It has not been a good week at all.

Concerning this question and comment:

But throwing a PET away that your daughter obviously loves because he did what you can not argue was instinct in this case? Leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Sara loves the chickens more than she loves the pup. However, we are considering keeping the puppy, though he will have to be chained until I can build him a pen. Maybe you, hunterjumper999, would like to give me some pointers on how to train this dog not to kill my chickens. I have worked with him from the first day we got him. Apparently I have not done a very good job. At the rate of 2 chickens a day, I'll soon be out of the chicken business. He didn't just kill the chickens.. he was eating them. I assume that since he's had a good taste of chicken.. he'll want more.​

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Training a puppy is like training any other animal - it takes work and supervision (key word there)

Would you place a child in a room full of candy, turn your back and get rid of the child 'cause he or she ate some?

I think you're doing good things with your daughter but the animal lessons shes learning are a bit concerning.

I have to agree with hunterjumper there.

I'm not trying to stir anything up and from the bottom of my heart wish you and your daughter all the best. I just felt I had to say something for the dogs, we have been involved in animal rescue for a long time and tossing them away or putting them down isn't always the answer.

Steve in NC​

 

[saddina]

Here we have a simple rule, no pet gets to attack or eat another pet or person. This has been used to decide what to get as a pet, as well as govern thier areas/actions.

Example, no dogs, we already have bunnies, chickens and cats, it would be too tempting.

No mice, hampsters, small mammals, as those would tempt the cats.

A chicken eating puppy would be in violation of said rule, and would need a new home. A child biting puppy well, they're not allowed to attack family either.

The puppy may be happier in a home without birds, and it's much easier to find a home for a puppy, than for a dog who's been trained but still wants feathered nuggets.