on christmas my inlaw's dog bit the face of my 18 month old neice. the child did not even notice the dog, which is a lhasa, (just to put a stop to the pit bull lynching mob), the dog jumped off the couch and aggressivley attacked her cheek. thankfuly no skin was broken. have a 1 year old child who could have been the one attacked just as easily. now my inlaws say the dog was just nervous because of the commotion and they will watch him closer. but they are not going to put him in a seperate room, or crate because he will think he is being punished. well now i'm the bad person because i will not let my child go over without me there and she can't get down if the dogs are not put up. am i wrong?
just to add, their other dog is a shih tzu, and they even admitted that they thought he would be the one to finally get one of the kids, not the other dog. this is why i'm insisting both dog be put up.
also these dogs run the house and do whatever they want, with no consequences
2007-01-03 03:21:13 · 22 answers · asked by oh do you 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
also i feel it important to add, when my husband stopped by days later and he asked his dad to put the dogs up for the baby's safety. and that they have to watch the dogs now better, he was told why did you bother coming over then? and let the dog's back in, that my husband had let out.
2007-01-03 03:22:55 · update #1
Good for you for pushing the issue with the inlaws---it must be tough.
You are absolutely correct to keep your kids away from a couple of unsafe dogs. Your inlaws are making a huge mistake.
They are going to watch the dogs more closely? What does that mean? Will they leash the dogs and hold the leash so the dogs can't reach the kids?
This is going to be very hard for you because unless the inlaws agree to keep the dogs away from the kids you cannot visit them.
They may try to wear you down in a few months---please don't give up and give in. As you know, a dog bite at that tender age will not only scar a kid physically, it could make them afraid for a long time.
Suggest the inlaws visit you at your house.
Best wishes.
2007-01-03 03:48:17 · answer #1 · answered by bookmom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your in-laws feel so close to the dogs and they do not respect the welfare of the child, family or not, the owners should be respectful of guests, especially babies , who of course can't protect themselves. They shouldn't entertain if they can't control their pets and be responsible for children's safety.
You are not wrong and you shouldn't feel badly about voicing your feelings.
Perhaps, the next time you are in their home before you bring in the child, make sure they will put their dogs up B4 you visit or don't return until they respect your desires. Advise the sibling to due the same and they'll get the message. You are in control of this. As a parent it would be seen as neglect if you didn't do something. Stand your ground.
I own a Jack Russell and this breed has a reputation for biting. She's alpha female and she is the world to me but when it comes to my animals' behavior around people if punishment is necessary I don't hesitate. For her it's time out in another room or a muzzle for short while and it gets the point across.. She becomes humiliated when she has to be muzzled. She can't be trusted not to snap at small children because she's ALPHA . Nervous dogs are the first to bite. Animals should not be allowed to endanger a child period.
I hope you can resolve this with your in-laws in a peaceful manner. Family is more important than any pet. Good luck
EDIT: Shame on Grandparent for acting so selfishly. It sounds
like they are too old to appreciate grandchild in their
home and prefer not to have visits. I am so sorry
a relationship for your family in their home is probably
not possible til they change their minds.
2007-01-03 13:22:08 · answer #2 · answered by tina c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IMHO, if they are putting the welfare of their grandchild over their dogs "feelings" then they have a big problem.
There is no way of knowing what is going to set an animal off. Our very docile german shephard mix loved everyone, but for some reason would snap at my uncle. There was just something about him that didn't set right with her.
Perhaps the dog felt threatened by the young child for some reason? In any case, it definitely could have been worse.
Hey, you're child is your first concern. I love animals, but if one tried to hurt my child, something would need to be done. IMHO, you are not wrong to be looking out for the welfare of your child, and that should be the most important thing in this scenario.
If they don't like that you don't come over because of the dogs, it tells you alot about what they thing of other people. They'll be lonely people with their two dogs.
2007-01-03 11:33:06 · answer #3 · answered by BVC_asst 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your inlaws are doing what they think is best for their dogs.
But YOU have to do what is best for your CHILDREN. I love dogs and all, but they're still just dogs. Me personally, I wouldn't bring the child over there at all unless they restrain the dogs. I wouldn't even trust it if the baby was kept up high. I have a lhasa, and he can jump about 5.5 feet.
If they aren't going to train, crate, or put the dogs in another room, then you don't have any other choice. Your obligations are with your children, not with their dogs.
2007-01-03 11:31:28 · answer #4 · answered by Pink Denial 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with what you are doing now. Your in-laws have got to realize that the grandchildren should come before the dogs, and saftey is a big issue. I was in a situation very much like this when I was young.
My aunt's dog attacked me when I was 4 and my aunt claimed no responsibility for her dog. My mom insisted the dog be put up if I were to visit, so I wasn't invited over my aunt's anymore. Years later, when the dog died, my aunt realized how horrible she had been and apologized for blaming the attack on me.
Hopefully, your in-laws will realize that you are only being a good mother who is concerned for her children before they lose their grandkids for years.
2007-01-03 12:48:07 · answer #5 · answered by Shannon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are totally right to want the dogs to be put in a separate room when you come over!! They are out of order. It's not worth the risk. Dogs can often get jealous of other people coming into their territory and with aggressive dogs it would be crazy to take any chances.
Stick with your decision and just explain that although it may not happen again you feel too nervous.
There was a 5 year old girl mauled to death here in UK just a few days ago....it belonged to her uncle, it also badly mauled the grandmother too.
Stand firm on this one.
2007-01-03 11:29:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously your inlaws think more of the dogs than family. I love my dog too but common sense dictates what has to be done -- these are babies we are talking about! I think you and your husband should tell his parents that your child won't be coming to visit as long as the dogs are in the same room -- it's not like you are asking them to be put outside or to harm them in any way. If your inlaws won't do this one small thing... I also can't believe what your father-in-law said. It seems to me he would rather have the dogs around than his grandchildren. Protect your child in the way you see fit. You are right in what you are doing.
2007-01-03 11:32:10 · answer #7 · answered by paloma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you are not wrong. As much as I love dogs, this wouldn't sit right with me, either. You and your husband have to stand your ground with this, as divisive as it may be. I agree with the poster who said that your in-laws can come to your house if they want to see you and the family, but do not allow their dogs into the house. Better a rift in the family then an injured child. Do not get into an argument over this with them. If they try to draw you into one, tell them that they know your feelings about this and there is nothing more to discuss. Let that be your mantra if needs be.
My 2 dogs may be my "children", but there is no way I would risk harm to 2-legged, non-fur children. I do not allow my Chihuahua to get near children as I know he is a biter. I even worry about my Terrier X just because she gets excited and jumps around.
Your in-laws, no matter how intelligent they are otherwise, are being idiots for turning a blind eye to this problem.
2007-01-03 12:02:54 · answer #8 · answered by doggzma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know something....you can sue them or ask them to file a Homeowners Insurance claim for liability on this issue. If you do that, the insurer will most likely have the dog put to sleep. Do they want this to happen? Ask them?
As responsible pet owners, it is their responsibilty to protect others from their dogs. If they refuse to do that, don't go there. A dog bite can be very serious, and it's no laughing matter. More often than not, a bite is the fault of a bad owner, not the dog. And this case just shows that even more.
2007-01-03 11:30:21 · answer #9 · answered by nottashygirl 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO, you are not wrong for feeling this way at all! And they shouldn't take a chance with their grandchildren like that either.
Hmm, tough call. In-laws that is! It's not like you can stop visiting them all together, but I would make visits very short (on the way by) and as sweet as possible. If they expect longer visits, they can either put the dogs up or come and visit you. jmo
2007-01-03 11:40:17 · answer #10 · answered by Pam 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋