Has your dog ever bit anyone and you had to make the choice of putting him down or not...?

Question

If so what was your decision?
My dog bit my sister she was attending to an injured dog and my dog was trying to help the injured dog and he grabbed my sister by the leg and pulled her out of the room, she was hurt really bad. My sister and I both love this dog very much, but his actyions cannot be tolerated. I know he was protecting the other dog, but that is not an excuse. I just can't bring myself to destroying this guy. I get a 50/50 response from training professionals, what is your honest opinion?

Porcelain Doll- He is like my son, and he really loves my sister. She was the only female in the room and the other people there say it looked like he was trying to protect her. But her injuries are serious, skin grafts to her leg, more surgery in the future. He is currently being retrained and will go through temperment testing next week.
I want to thank everyone who has posted. I'm getting a 50/50 response from other professional trainers. My sister and I are both dog trainers, and we run a rescue. My dog is extremely intelligent, but he is a pack protector he loves dogs, as much as we love him.

Desgracedale- I appreciate your post, thanks for your honesty

I would like to thank each of you individually for your post, but please accept one big thank you for all of you.

I would never give this dog away, I truly love him too much, and so does my sister.
My her injuries are really bad. That is why I was asking all of you if you have experienced the same situation. I know my sister will continue to love me regardless of my decision, but I also know she won't be visiting me as much. To answer whoever asked if she was young, we are both in our 30's. Thanks again keep them coming!

At first my sister wanted him destroyed immediately, and I can truly understand that. But she visits him and is involved in his retraining, he was her guardian before this happened. She said she understands my pain, and will respect any decision I make. But she said If I keep him, she probably won't visit as much. I don't take that as a threat I understand how she feels , this guy really tore her up. She is pretty tough I have to hand it to her. It just really saddens me to see her in the hospital for a week, skin grafts, meds(which she hates), more future surgery. But she made me muzzle him so he could apollogize to her , she gave him a big hug and cried,he bellied up and submissed to her, he really misses her and she really loves him too.

Thanks KristyB

Cindy8413- Wow that must have been a hard decision for you to make. My dog is in the best hands he could possibly be in right now, we are a no kill shelter. Thanks for answering.

Disgraced- you are right there are no guarentees, that is why I posted this question.

Renee- I understand why you made the decision you did. God Bless you. I know it must have been hard for you, I truly do.

Suzy Q- that is not entirely true many of dogs who were well trained have bitten people, including canine enforcement officers, and especially dogs protecting their young. This dog is a brilliant well trained dog, and I know many of professional trainers who would agree with me.

Suzy Q- But I do value your opinion, and I truly understand what you mean, thanks for your answer.

Answer 1

I love dogs too much to put them down. But having said that, if a dog bit my 1 yr old daughter I will have no hesitation and let the dog to be put down.

Answer 2

Sometimes there are questions that don't seem to have a 'right' answer. I think I'd try to find another handler that would take him. I wouldn't want to destroy him. You didn't say he attacked her. You said he did the damage by dragging her away. So, he was doing what he could to help the other dog without trying to harm your sister(if I'm understanding correctly.) I'd only give away to a handler that knew the situation and with a yard that it could not escape from. Is this is an entirely isolated incidence? You said he was a pack protector. What, if anything, has he done in the past to either a human or another dog and was it justified? If he is "iffy" then as much as it hurts I'd have to say put him down for the protection of others. Tough situation, I am sorry for all concerned.

Answer 3

I don't envy you for the decision you will have to make. I'm sorry that your sister was bitten, however, imagine if a stranger had been bitten, or a toddler or baby. I guess, in a sense, you are lucky that it was a family member that was bitten and not an outsider, imagine the medical bills and everything else you have to pay for, and you would probably be sued as well!! I suggest that you give the dog to someone else and just let them know why you are giving him away so they are forewarned. I just hope that with all the answers you have been given, that you can make a decision. God Bless You!!!

Answer 4

ooh man im so sorry u have to make this decision i did have a similar experience i adopted a dog that just for whatever reason probably abused prior to me would act aggressive towards toddlers very jealous ..otherwise good guy but it was only couple of monthes for me to realize it and i too talked to vet and a trainer both same advice that made it easier to have them agree so yes he was put down being as u didnt mention the breed which i agree with because the dog i had was a breed that is very much biased against and also the only dogs ive ever owned and yet only one i had concerns about i wont add to the rep nonetheless u cant add human reasoning and emotion to an animal in the end its all instinct once again im sorry and hope maybe this helped a little

Answer 5

putting him down is like taking his life away. u gotta ask yourself if it's really something you want to do. if it's like you said, and your dog was only trying to protect the other dog, then mayb it's not the best thing to put him down. imagine how the scenario would look like to your dog. seeing an injured dog and seeing someone attend to it, thinking they were gonna do something to it (mayb hurting it even more. your sister may hav bn trying to help the injured dog, but your dog doesnt know that). i think the dog just needs some time to adjust to your sister, and that can only be achieved if you let your dog know that she's not an enemy. training your dog may help your dog with it's aggression. remember, your dog was only trying to be protective of the other dog. if your sister is young, then it's just more of a reason for that to happen. perhaps u can show a little more aggression to your dog, seeing as your a guy. dogs tend to listen more hearing from a man's voice than a female or young kid-like voice. well, that's my opinion anyway, just not putting your dog down yet after something minor like this. if your dog does this often, like nearly all the time, then mayb u should gather your thoughts and decide if you should do that.

Answer 6

Yes years ago we had a pitbull that got loose and bite a 13 year old boy and we had the dog put to sleep. The boy came in my yard but after that I was scare because I had small children

Answer 7

Yes my dog, Punch, who was 1/2 Great Dane and 1/2 Rottweiler, jumped my fence to attack to small Pekingese dogs. Several people were trying to help me make him let them go, when he accidentally bit me. As soon as he realized he'd bit me he ran back to our house. Animal controll made me put him in quarantine for 15 days, and then I had to send him out of my city, to live some where else. If i refused to give him away, then they would have made me put him down. I suggest you give your dog to a no kill shelter, with a large donation, and ask them to place him in a home, without other animals or children. That way he will be safe and happy, and you won't have to be afraid of his getting out of controll ever again.

Answer 8

ouch that sux my dog never bit anyone but if your sister was the one who got hurt and she doesnt want to put him down i wouldnt but you really dont no if he will do it again and the next time if he does, he could do it to somebody you dont know and they can sew you and you would be responsible so than in that case put it down you will be saving somebodys life im real sorry about what happened!

Answer 9

That's a tough decision. I could never keep a dog that would hurt a family member. ..

Answer 10

My dog has bit 2 people but they was playing to hard with him.And I still have him 6 years later.