What do you do when a dog bites a child?

[MysticScorpio82]

I would definately find a new home without small children for the one that bit your child. I confused, however, why you want to get rid of the 10 year old dog that did not bite? Am I missing something?

 

[MetalSmitten]

not all dogs are good with kids. if the dogs spent most of their lives not around kids, they probably just don't understand kids. a lot of good (professional) training MAY be the answer. separation until your child is older might be an option. ask the rescue what they suggest. be advised, many dogs with past history of biting are not put up for adoption. =/

was it a vicious, aggressive bite? or was it a correction bite, like when an older dog gets tired of an energetic puppy and nips at it to correct its behavior? if the dog was vicious, don't tempt fate. if the dog was just trying to tell your child to stop running around, training and vigilance would probably be okay. but a professional's advice would be better than online advice from people who didn't see it happen and can't watch your dogs in real life =/ good luck.

Edit 'cos i just saw your update: good luck with the rescue, hopefully they'll understand and take the dog(s) back.

 

[Xtina]

Quote:
He has done the same thing before. I can't trust either one.

 

[MysticScorpio82]

Quote:
He has done the same thing before. I can't trust either one.

Ah, that makes sense. Thank you for clearing that up

If you can't trust them, then a new home would be best. In any relationship (human or with an animal) trust is key. You could try to make them outdoor pets, but if they aren't used to it, it could be hard for them to adjust. You could always try training them as well (a muzzle comes to mind

). I would NOT do a shelter, just because there is a very low chance for them to find a home if they are not puppies.

I am sorry you have to go through this. I am glad your baby is ok!

 

[Mahonri]

I feel badly for the dog. BUT any dog that would bite a child needs to be put down.

my .02 cents.

 

[HogbackMtnChickns]

Xtina, I know that is a tough call. I have a 12 year old border collie mix I adopted from the pound that is snappy with toddlers. (Yes that is her in my avatar). I don't have any kids in my house, and I keep her away from children. She thinks that she knows what children should or should not be doing, and she believes that she can correct kids, just as if they were puppies. We have not been able to convince her otherwise - so she has no contact with children. If I had a child living at home, I would have to make the tough decision. If your dog is only snappy with kids, I would say that she could live out a happy and healthy life with a no-child household, and you should contact the shelter where you got her - making a full disclosure of the problem.

On the other hand, my good friend had a fear-aggressive dog that bit multiple people. She tried training which did not work, and ultimately had to make the right decision to put the dog down. He was a rescue who should never have been adopted out. It was heart-rending for her because to her, (and me) he was gentle and sweet. But he was completely unpredictable with other people. She had the choice of caging him 24 hours a day, or euthanizing him. Putting an aggressive dog outside where he can have contact with other people is not the right answer. She still misses that dog - but she made the mature and correct decision. Sadly, some of these guys have either had such a bad start, or have a genetic predisposition to fear aggression that they cannot be safe pets.

You have to be sure your child, and the public at large is safe.

I feel for you, because it would be so hard for me to part with my girl - even if I knew it was the 100% right thing to do.

 

[Whiskey Bay]

I know it is a heart wrenching issue to deal with,but just think if the dog decided to bite an older person or happened to get loose from the home you found it with no children.There is never a guarantee that the dog will never come in contact with a child or someone they feel threatened or annoyed by.Obviously most small children cannot deal with a dog bite/attack. With that smae note,think of an older person dealing with them.Possibly someone with diabetes or some other health issue that a bite or scratch could medically compound.( infection,excessive bleeding...etc...). I have work with APBT for a couple of decades now.Including rescue and rehab dogs,as well as seized dogs from fighters,dealers,etc...I have also bred and shown my own dogs.Any dog in my pack that showed the simplest act of aggression was culled immediately or in a timely manner(depending on the issue at hand). During raids,I have at times,had to be on point and handle animals in an instant. I suggest not putting the problem out there for someone else to deal with. You really don't want it on your conscience if something did happen. Euthanasia is a humane way of handling it.If it happened with someone else,the outcome may not be so 'humane'.....

 

[debilorrah]

Contact the rescue. They should take them back with no problems. However, quite often dogs are at a rescue in the first place for a reason.

 

[booker81]

Most rescues will take the dog back. Don't know if they will put it down or offer it up for a child free home, but that is their choice.

That said, I value my child over any dog, and if any dog bit her, the end. Kids, especially young ones, are unpredictable, and will do things to a dog at least once before you can get after them and tell them not to do it. I want my dog to give those chances - fingers in the ear, tail pulling, taking food, etc so I have the chance to correct the kid, and I will. More than once DD (3) has had to give our lab a hug and tell her sorry. Hopefully, when the lab is older and gets crotchety, DD will have learned to be nice and respectful to her, and we won't have to deal with snapping from pain or mental issues.

 

[HenoftheWoods]

As a three year old child I was bitten in the face by Grandma's brittany spanial. I was more upset that Tippy was GOING TO DIE than the 37 stitches to my face. I do believe number one is to insure the safety to your familt though. Please do do let the child think that it is her/his fault that the dog goes away. I was lucky and Tippy never bit gain and I learned respect for animals.