What do you do when a dog bites a child?

[chickengrl]

I would get rid of the dogs too. I would reccomend a labrador ret. when your child is bit older and can understand to be gentle. Not that she wasnt in this case. Labradors are awesome with children. Very tolerant. I guess thats why I prefer purebred Labs and not a rescue. You just don't know what you might be getting and some things are just not fixable. (yes I know there are awesome dogs from shelters, but I like having an idea on how my dogs might be) IMHO!!

 

[hikerchick]

25% of all dogs in shelters are purebred.

And if your "purebred" dog comes from a petstore, then it comes from a puppy mill. You still wont' know what you are getting.

 

[welsummerchicks]

Given the description you gave, if it was my dog I'd have the dog put to sleep.

 

[squeakyballs]

My grandma ended up with a German Shepherd mix. My 2-year-old loved that dog, and the dog was always very patient with him. One day my son was riding his tricycle, and the dog rushed him (from the other side of the room). The dog was ticked, hackles up and everything. He knocked my son off the trike and bit the side of his face. He had dark red blood drizzling from his eye and dripping off his chin, and little holes all over his forehead and temple where the other teeth hit. He still has the scar just under his eye. 1/4 of an inch up and it would have been his eye ball.

The dog was euthanize.

We decided that there was no way to know what triggered the attack, and it is next to impossible to find a home that is truly child free. I mean, sure, the person might not have kids at the moment - but they might later, or grandkids, or a friend's kids, or the dog might get out...

If I was in your situation, I would get rid of the dogs. I wouldn't make the back-yard dogs. Kids learn to open doors, and they are curious. I know you love the dogs, but their behavior isn't acceptable. There is a fine line between what your dog did, and what can seriously injure a little kid.

 

[Xtina]

Yeah, he's too young to even realize what's going on. Luckily, he hasn't seemed to notice that mom is more depressed than she's ever been in her entire life (including my teenage years). Whatever happens, I bet in a few weeks he won't even remember that he ever had dogs, and that in itself is another tragedy in my eyes.

 

[chickengrl]

Quote:
Nope would never buy from a pet store. Those are uaually puppy mills with little thought about the dogs that are bred. I would stick with good breeders with a solid reputation for their dogs. The 25% purebred dogs in the shelter may be a gamble with your children at risk because you don't know if they have been abused. A shelter dog can be a wonderful pet, but like any animal you have to be careful with your kids. it's a difficult issue.

 

[GhostRider65]

I would also have them put to sleep, they are not trust worthy if they bite, ahs the other dog also bitten? or just the 1, if the other isn't a biter I would give it up to the shelter to rehome, but once bitten never trusted are best put nicely to sleep. Don't let this bad experience condem you to a no dogs allowed rules, sometime in the future get another dog that is known for their trust worthiness. a lab, golden retriever, St Bernard if your a big dog lover, they are very gentle but also very big. I would avoid smaller dogs most are nippy, but I'm not as familiar with small dogs there may be some that are kid friendly. Kim

 

[Xtina]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that my failure in training my last two dogs is a pretty good reason for me to not be getting more dogs. I obviously can't pick them, can't train them, can't provide their exercise needs, and now can't even make a lifetime commitment to them. I'm a failure as a dog owner and probably shouldn't be allowed to ever get another dog.

 

[Flyingbavarian]

Most rescues will take the dog back. My wife runs a greyhound adoption group and will take a dog that we adopt out back for any reason at all if the owner doesn't want it they just have to let us know. Let the rescue know exactly what happened and they should work with you.

 

[booker81]

Awwwwwwww hugs!!!!

If I could clone my Haley dog for you, I'd give it to you. She's a fat, lazy lab (purebred, registered all that), but loves and tolerates kids, doesn't need special care, and is proof there are great dogs out there for those of us who don't do massive training and exercise. She sleeps on the couch, doesn't know any tricks, about the only command she knows is "dinner". If she's around, there are more dogs around like her who would love to be cared for by you.