Have you ever heard of a Golden biting?

Question

We live in a rural suburb of 300 people. There are probably 75 beagles here, 10 goldens, 10+ labs and a few other breeds and mixes, 1 poodle, 10 chihuahuas, a doxie, and a few other dogs here and there. It's farm/hunting country, so most dogs are beagles. My neighbor has 5 Goldens she breeds and takes to nursing homes, schools, fairs, etc. They are nice dogs, that have never shown any aggression that I have heard of. Today, two of them jumped the fence and chased a teen. He was walking with a couple of beagles. He ended up being bitten on the arm twice. Animal control took the male dog and said they will destroy it, and she can't get it back because it is vicious. She did get to keep the female because she didn't get accused of the bites. I cannot believe these dogs would attack. Have any of you ever heard of a golden biting? Or is my suspicion that the kid caused it correct? Can animal control do that even if the dogs had shots? It's a pity because they are nice dogs.

Answer 1

Any dog breed will bite. 75% of the time, it's the kid. Though, the dog could have been in heat and bit anything in it's site he wasn't used to. Animal control will put down any dog that bites a human even if they have shots.

Answer 2

Yes. Golden Retrievers can and do sometimes bite. Any dog can bite and medium to larger breed dogs that do can cause more damage. Something unusual can happen and without a history of aggression a dog can suddenly bite. Biting is not all that uncommon for any breed of dog, but mauling is uncommon.
Mauling is something Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and the "usual suspects"= focused on breeds of dogs have done. None of this makes any of these breeds bad. It is about a dog who has "gone wrong" and sometimes it is about irresponsible owners that brutalize their dogs and make them mean. There is even a case where a Pomeranian mauled and killed a six week old infant. That's a tiny dog! Rare case.
As a result of cases where maulings have occurred, a witch hunt has ensued and targeted a few breeds and now there is a growing list of breeds being banned. That concerns me, in a "free" country.
I am sad to hear the dog accused of biting but had no history of aggression, was euthanized. The point is, the dogs, who can not speak to tell their story of what happened or why they jumped the fence and bit that guy, are sentenced to death. I am NOT talking mauling here, but dog bite cases.
It would be reasonable imo, that the woman would have to better secure her dogs and get a warning and a fine, and have to pay medical expenses of the teen if she had no proof to show her dogs were aggravated by the teen. They got out on public property and bit the guy and something should happen. Not killing the dogs though. Not for non-life threatening bites, or bites that are not real serious, and not without a chance to secure her yard better since there was an incident.

Answer 3

Yes I have heard of goldens biting... lots more than you think. Mostly because everyone is under the false delusion that breed has something to do with a dog biting... news for ya.. it doesnt. its not the kids fault at all.. how could it be? he was walking down the street with some other dogs, and the Golden attacked him after jumping the fence.. no matter what dog or what breed if the dog jumps a fence to get at a human, then bites them, they have aggression issues. Any dog that is well trained would not have done that. Bottom line, no matter what the kid did, the dog is the one who was the aggressor. I mean what are people supposed to do? not walk by the place because the dogs may jump the fence and attack?? no no no its the dog and the owner who are at fault here, not the kid.

Answer 4

Oh yes, I've met more than a few biting Goldens. Dogs of any breed will pack up and chase kids or other pets. They may have been after the beagles and the boy got bit during the fight. If this was a first offense, I don't see why the dog has to be euthanized--seems pretty dramatic. The owner really needs a fence the dogs can't jump--she is liable for this.

Answer 5

some people are very ignorant about the breeds of dogs - many breeds are negatively portrayed in our society while others are put up on a pedestal (i.e. golden retrievers and labradors) My point it this.... if a dog has teeth, a dog can bite - It does not matter the breed, it matters the owners - you can raise any dog to be vicious - I have a 2 year old pit bull who wouldn't hurt a fly but I've worked at a vet for more than 5 years and have been bitten by more chihuahua's and shitzu's than any other breeds - so yes, golden's can attack.... as can any other dog with a bad owner.

Answer 6

all breeds of dogs bite. pomeranians have killed people. some of the nastiest dogs i have met have been golden retrievers.
i was recently attacked by a lab mix and two weeks later i was bitten by an aggressive lhasa apso (i still don't quite have all the feeling in the upper part of my finger) both at work.
breed is completely irrelevant.
Animal Control is completely within their right to remove the dog, and potentially destroy him depending on the severity of the bites. We can't possibly know what triggered the attack, but it is undoubtedly the owners fault for not being able to proper contain her dogs. She can go to court and petition for the dog not to be destroyed, but depending on the laws in the area, she may be out of luck.
Even "nice" dogs can be dangerous.

Answer 7

Unfortunately any breed can bite, and will under the wrong circumstances.

In cases like this it's possible there was provocation, but ultimately it's the victim's word against the owners (who probably didn't see it from what you describe above) unless witnesses come forward.

You'll need to read up on the laws in your city and state to see if you have grounds to appeal the destruction of the dog, but I wouldn't get your hopes up.

Answer 8

Any breed can bite but aggression like that is extremely rare in goldens. Hard to say without knowing the situation and the dog. As with any dog, keeping them from getting loose is critical to avoid these situations.

Answer 9

what a shame...but a dog is a dog any breed can bite...for a first attack...is ussally a warning not put down they have to be quarainted for 2 weeks i believe...i'm sure the kid could have caused the attack or his dogs in heat or males with one of the goldens in heat...i'm not sure why the female was given back..she could have bit just as the male.

and i think maybe she should fight it....if they are certified therapy dogs...i find it a bit odd they would attack...these dogs must go through lots of tests..........

Answer 10

Any dog is capable of biting - regardless of their breed. Many people are bitten by not only goldens but also labs. Both thought/believed to be "perfect" dogs.