My future father in laws dog bit my first cousins 3 1/2 year old son how do i prevent a war?

Question

The kid provoked the dog to bite after he hit the dog twice and was told not to do it
I blame my first cousin for not stopping it when he was right there just watching
the dog is a Dogo Argentina and could have easily killed the kid but just bit him on the hand that the kid was hitting him with....this kid bites other kids at day care and is a brat
my father in law is a top lawyer and has threatened to sue my first cousin after my cousin tried to get the dog euthanized but failed and now is mad ............ thank god they have 3 strikes law for dogs
my question is how can i make my family and future family not fall apart

Answer 1

Not sure if you can, my advice, stay out of the way.

Answer 2

First of all, the kid is 3 1/2 yrs old! The dog should not have been in the same room as the dog especially if this species is known to easily kill a child! You and the others are grown ups and should have moved the dog especially if the kid would not leave the dog alone!!!

I would tell both parties to prevent this from happening again by not allowing the children or the dog be around one another! Your family life has changed and I do not think it can mend itself...not for a long time! And, you need not take sides...that just makes this situation worse! Just keep the dog away from children!!!

Answer 3

Well first of all the child needs to STAY away from now on just label the dog as a biter. Tell Mr.Lawyer man that, and you have a case the child PROVOKED it. We had a case like this where the child who was 3 wandered into the neighbors yard, where the dog was on the chain, and the child got killed, they EVEN had beware of dog signs up. The people won the case to keep the dog alive and the parents at least the mother got charged with child abuse/neglect it's sad she should NOT have let that child be outside alone. The other thing is at what price to we pay to not take accountability for our own stupidity? Lets kill all the dogs then because they all have "potential" to bite especially when provoked....yes that was sarcasim but it was a point.
It is so sad....not the dogs fault at all!!! Nor the childs....now you know the dog will not put up with people's abuse...just keep him/her in safe places around other people....maybe even invest in a kennel to put it in to keep the peace....someone is throwing power around!!!!
I really hope the child is ok...so sad!

Answer 4

All I can say is GOOD LUCK.......I agree with you, it is your cousin's fault. BUT he didn't stop the kid. WHY didn't someone else STOP the kid? I would have have taken the kid out of the way and handed him to one of his parents BEFORE the dog bit him.

That said and that didn't happen I think you are always going to have a problem with your father in law and the cousin. My advice is keep the father in law happy. You are marrying his daughter. You need to get along with him. AND you admitted the kid was a brat and deserved it. Actually you are going to end up telling your cousin that you don't blame the dog and it will end your relationship with the cousin. Besides, doesn't your family know how bad the kid is? I wouldn't worry about it. If needed, confront them with, "Hey! All of you know what a brat the kid is. I am surprised it has not happened before!"

Answer 5

Well the best thing you can do is stay out of it, and tell both sides that you are not getting involved in it. Make sure that your cousins baby is okay and tell them how sorry you are, and tell your father in law that you are sorry about the situation, but the truth is the dog should have been restrained or put on a muzzle to prevent this if it was known to be aggressive. Fault is on both sides not just your cousins but not getting involved is the best thing to do or just ask for them to just stop for the sake of you and your fiance. No animals died, the scars will heal and thats that, noone died they should be grateful.

Answer 6

My advice is stay out of it. You know what happened and if your cousin cannot control his three year old then the dog will have to teach him. If you want to keep the peace just stay out of it. Make sure you don't have the family around the dog. If in the future you get married and your father in law comes to visit at the same time the cousin is there.. ask him not to bring the dog. I am sure your cousin will not be invited to your father in laws for any reason. Therefore just stay out if it. Don't defend anyone. Just walk away and let your in laws and outlaws work it out.

Answer 7

That's tough, if you are a good listener or mediator maybe approach them individually how much this disturbs you that you all aren't getting along. Gather their Points & what they might be willing to compromise on and then approach the other for a possible sit down. Maybe it's just as simple as He locks up his dog when you all come over or your cousin doesn't bring his kid over & agrees to have some training for his Aggressiveness. The biting at school is a clear indication of a bigger problem.

Answer 8

-First of all, I wouldn't consider that a bite; rather a warning. Did it even break the skin? Did the child have to go to the emergency room, get stitches...? The "mom" should count her blessings that the dog exercised restraint.
-How often would all of this group (father-in-law with dog and first cousin with child) actually be around each other? You could probably just avoid bringing them together, as you are the common link.
-If either try to get you involved, just tell them that you'd rather not be caught in the middle if they want to drag it on... but it is your hope that they will let it go and move on.

Good luck!

Answer 9

If anyone goes to police to complain, there will be calls for the dog to be put down.

You seem to leaning towards blaming the kid alot, but lts remember the child is only 3 years old.

The facts is, the dog has shown he will attacked if provoked and should not be around children.

Social services may be concerned if the child is around the dog for a long time.

Fact of the case (if in UK) The kid must be taken to hospital for a tetnis (sp) jag. To stave of infection.

Answer 10

1) don't let their problems be your problems. If anyone want you to intervene, tell them, it is not your problem, and they need to grow up and solve their own problems.
2) the kid is a brat and needs to learn respect for animals and the other people around him apparently. See number 1. Avoid the kid and his parents until they mature appropriately, even if it takes 50 years.
3) your cousin is obviously a trouble maker. Do you want someone like that in your life anyway? sounds like it is time to prune the family tree.

Answer 11

Stay out of it and let them work it out. Your cousin didn't wait for your help before trying to get the dog euthanized, so what makes you think they need your help now? Just stay out of it and work on your own future with your in-laws.