What would you do if your dog bit someone?

Question

My dog just bit someone at the park for no reason. There was a scratch not a puncture, but this was through jeans, long johns and socks. He did come back afterwards. He was off-leash.

He has on occasion gone after loose coat sleeves, and the odd time he tugs peoples pant legs if they are on a bike (generally if they are drunk, he really hates drunk/stoned people).

He is a rescue dog and I used to muzzle and leash him at all times, but after some intensive training I thought we had him under control. However I usually have him on an electric collar but it has been broken for a month. He can still be a little snappy a

I literally am so upset right now I can't think. My husband just went out and met up with the person and gave them some money so they (in theory) aren't going to sue or report us (which is good because our dog isn't registered -long story)

Would you go back to muzzling the dog. Or I could give him to my mom who now lives in the country. Or I could put him down

Honestly I don't want to put him down. But I'm just so angry at the whole situation.

Also I have a toddler. I didn't mention that before because it didn't fit.

My mom has said before she would take him, but she just got two new puppies and has 1 other dog.

*Sigh* I know if a few days I will go back to loving the f#$king dog, but right now I honestly want to pull all his teeth out. I was having a bad enough week as it was.

Ok aside from this he has never bit a person. He bites clothing. Many dogs bite loose clothing.

Answer 1

Your dog is very uncontrollable. A muzzle is a must and so is leashing this dog. Do not give him to you mom. I would get help in obedience for this dog. Never let him loose again. He is a lawsuit waiting to happened. He can be retrained with the right person but this will cost you alot of money. Don't take anymore chances with him at all. As for putting him down that's up to you. You must be the alfa dog and pack leader not him. And right now he is. Good luck

Answer 2

ther is no such thing as biting for no reason!!! you most likely didn't see the signs, don't know how to read a dog, and someone was an asshole. first off, calm down. he was probably used in schuetzen training. you know, where the guy with the heavily padded arm entices the dog to attack. some street breeder was most likely trying to do what he wasn't qualified to do.
i'm assuming it's a pit or some bully breed. you need to use exteme caution. you say you use an "E" collar. were you trained to use it by a professional? you need to get with a reputable trainer ASAP and make sure you're doing this right.
a dog that bites people is a huge liability. that 's why rescue groups don't like to adopt them out.
i hope your shots are up to date because if they aren't, those people can call rabies control, and you will never see your dog again.
if you can't control him, better give him up to someone who can. this, under the table pay off, only works till someone loses an eye.
sound familiar?
muzzles only work when the muzzle is on. you need to control the behavior. and you may be very well resposible for that. fix the freaking collar!!!!!
if you don't do something, you will lose your dog and much more!

Answer 3

Your dog can be professionally trained out of this, and there are medications available, like Clomicalm. I really think you need to get the training ASAP.No, I don't think you should put him down yet. That is an easy way out. A dog should only be euthanized once ALL other options have bee exhausted. It will cost money, yes, but that is just part of having a dog.

I have been in your position. I know exactly how you feel...you are angry, sad, and shocked all at once to the point where you can't think straight. Euthanizing him sounds like a nice easy option right now. However, I really advise against it. He needs the training, and in the meantime, he needs to wear a muzzle and just be separated from your child and strangers.

Answer 4

Boy, this question has alot of red flags in it. People are more important than animals (I know you love this dog), however, your child's life is MORE important that your dogs. The last thing you want to do is put him down, so as a precaution, I would most DEFINITELY keep a muzzle on him when out in the general public. What if he had bit a child? The parent's most definitely would be unforgiving, and the dog may do irrepairable damage to the child (which the parent's would sue you for medical damages). A child is what I would really be afraid of that your dog might bite next... A child is very innocent and unable to ward off an animal. I have this horrible vision of a dog biting a child in the face and the child having to live the rest of his/her life with scars of skin grafts.

IT IS NOT WORTH IT... Please do something soon so the dog (which is an animal and has animal instincts) doesn't really REALLY hurt someone very innocent in the near future.

Answer 5

The first thing you should do, whether he has had his shots or not, is take him to the vet to be tested for rabies. No matter how unlikely you think it might be, it is best to know for sure... after all, the dog's behavior was unexpected. A person's life may be at stake.

Second, assuming everything is ok with the dog... never leave him off a leash, unless he is in your fenced yard. This is statutory in a lot of cities now.

Then, if you can afford it have the dog professionally trained to respond to commands, and if possible, to train some of the aggressiveness out of him. It seems strange to me that a rescue dog would have mean tendencies toward anyone. He can be trained to not attack, and to respond to verbal commands if you see him running towards someone.

Answer 6

No dog's life is worth more than any child's life. You know that. We all know that.

You have been very kind in trying to rehabilitate this dog from the pound. It was good of you to rescue him. Sadly he bites and you will never know if your child, or another child, is going to be the next person he bites.

It is time to admit that you have done your best. Give him his favourite meal - lots of it. Give him a great day with all of his favourite activities. Give him a big hug and lots of pats. And then calmly muzzle him, take him to the vet and have him gently, painlessly, quietly put to sleep. He won't even know. You have given him some happy months or years and that's all you can do. This dog, probably for no fault of his own, has been badly handled in the past - not by you - and your training hasn't made him safe enough to keep. That's not your fault or his. But don't compound the error by letting him bite again.

Give him one last happy day. Then have him put to sleep. It's the best decision to make. Good luck.

Answer 7

Keep him on a leash at all times! You are lucky the person isn't trying to get you in trouble. If my dog bit, I'd never let them off the leash. My dog is good, but doesn't listen when I tell him to 'come', so he doesn't get off the leash, and we live in the country.

I got bit when I was younger (by a neighbors dog), but didnt' do anything. He got me a big scar too, but we were friends with the neighbors and the dog had brain cancer, that's why he bit. Maybe he's got a health issue?

Answer 8

A rescue dog and not register? Never heard of that.You must take the blame.You know your dog will snap people.It dont matter if the person is sober or drunk,you should of had your so called rescued dog trained by now.My 10 year old got bit by a pit/rott.I was paid $1000 not to report it.I was givin the cash in 3 hours.Little did they know I had my son to the ER and made a full report.I spent the money on things my son needed and wanted then took them to court where they lost their dog and faced heavy fines.

Answer 9

you have a dog that you know has had problems in the past and yet you choose to let the dog off leash.
if the person that the dog bit decides to sew you, be prepared to pay~~~a lot!!
either give the dog to your mother and pray that she doesn't have the same problems or muzzle and leash your dog as you should have done in the first place.
and thank your lucky star that the person wasn't hurt much worse!!!

Answer 10

Whatever you do,,,DONT kill him!! No bad dogs,,only bad training.I recommend very strongly watching the show called Dog Whisperer,,he is truely amazing. Just muzzle when in a public place & try not to have him near people that he doesnt know.The muzzle will show him that he did wrong but they are not meant to be on the dog for long period of time.