Should my dog be euthanized for biting?

Question

I have a two year old English Bulldog. Within the last two months, the dog bit my mother, causing a two-inch scar on her leg. Also, the dog bit my Father in the hand, also drawing blood and leaving a scar. In addition to these problems, the dog sometimes growls at strangers. Though he has periods of violent behavior, he mainly is a good dog. I certainly have to get rid of the dog. But I am faced with a huge dilemma - should he be put to sleep, or should I give him to a rescue society of some sort?? If so, how would I go about this process?

I have no interest in keeping the dog - he is far too violent, and my family is afraid of him. Even if he were to graduate from obedience school, I cannot live with a dog that my family fears. I have to get rid of him. Training is not an option.

I owned a bulldog previous to this one, and he was a sweet dog. He lived to be 13 years old, more than five years longer than the average life expectancy. So don't be a hypocrite and tell me I do not know how to handle a dog. This case is much more severe than an aggressive puppy.

Answer 1

You need to do something!!

Training is also an option.

Answer 2

I would imagine that the city found out about this bite from the hospital, as the hospital is obligated to report dog bites. If the vet tech needed to be treated at an ER, this was not a tiny nip, but a more serious bite. It appears that the city law allowed the city to then press charges despite what the vet tech might have requested. There also appear to have been numerous mistakes made by the owners and the vet tech. Letting the owner hold the dog in her arms for any sort of treatment was a pretty big one. When the dog is being held in this manner(up in the air, enclosed in the owner's arms) it has no option of escape if it feels threateed, making a bite much more likely. And if the dog does bite, he's more likely to get the tech's face in that position, as it will be closer than necessary. It's also possible that the dog felt it was protecting the owner, rather than itself, in this situation as the owner was upset and the tech was coming quite close to the owner as well. In a better vet practice, the vet or the tech would have securely held the dog in such a way that it couldn't bite and the other would have performed whatever procedure was needed precisely to prevent this sort of bite. The tech also apparently took the owner's word for it that Spork was OK instead of reading the dog and the situation properly. All vets have muzzles for dogs they suspect may bite, despite what the owner says. So while the owners may well have a vicious dog, the handling at the vet's office didn't do anything to manage the situation and may have provoked it. As to this incident putting people off bringing their dogs to the vet: see above. Good veterinary practices know how to appropriately handle dogs to minimize the potential of bites. ETA: Now that I've seen the previous q on this, it just confirms everything I've already said! The techs lip was torn off, the dog had a history of nervousness at the vet, etc. Look at Miaugh's answer on the original Q for more details.

Answer 3

I am a volunteer for a breed specific volunteer rescue group and I have to say that most rescues will not take a known biter, no matter what. We (as rescue) put down 3 dogs last month. After these dogs were evaluated, temperament tested, and fostered in individual homes, within weeks of placement in their forever homes, they turned on their adopters violently. All three were then evaluated by behaviorists and were determined to be too damaged to be placed again. Sad, but true. There is no guarantee what will happen to your dog if you let him go. I do recommend a consult with a behaviorist and trainer. Would you really feel comfortable with the thought of your dog being placed into a home under false pretenses and attacking a child? I think you should work with your dog, or if that's not possible, you can try to work with a knowledgeable rescue or shelter for placement, but don't be surprised if they recommend euthanizing him. Just my 2 cents.
Good luck.

Answer 4

It depends on the circumstances for real around the biting, he is growling and biting it sound like peope he is not around often or does not know. You are in charge of letting him know when his behavior is unacceptable and being the alpha or leader. I dont think you should give him as you are most likely the reason heis the way he is and if you put him out and he does it..he will be most likely put down. YOu need to find out what the triggeris and work from there. Put some effort into it. These dogs are not usually aggressive like that and they are very popular and worth a lot of money. Have you tried a behaviorist? Dont just give up. I have been nit by dogs as I am in rescue for so many different reasons....for all you know he is sick or not feeling well, or people are being mean to him or giving him a bad vibe or he feels threatened. HE is a dog and gos protect whats theres and they also bite out of fear.

Answer 5

If you really feel you have to give him up, I say take him to a rescue, non-kill if possible. Make sure you tell people that work there of these problems though. Tactfully; say that he is sometimes easily threatened and it'd be best in a one-pet home (or if he's just people agressive, no small kids). Request that they either list this on his pen or tell the potential adopters of this, too. You don't want to stick other people with things that they can't handle.

To do this, you just drive over to the society and talk to the people there. The ones here have a place that you can just drop them off (a pen outside), if you do it when the place is closed, but this doesn't help the dog get a home as then they know nothing about it.

I'd really try to work on the dog, though....

Answer 6

If he isn't safe enough to live with you and your family, why is he safe enough to live with other humans? Do you want to jeopardize someone else? There is a huge legal liability if a rescue group adopts out a dog that has a KNOWN BITE HISTORY.

A dog with a questionable temperament should not be rehomed. You should keep him or euthanize him. And if you plan to keep him, consult a trainer ASAP. You don't have any time to waste. Behaviors are harder to modify the longer you wait to start working on them.

Answer 7

don't give the dog to a rescue or anyone else.... not because he's difficult but because you won't know his fate, and if someone else takes him and he is violent or bites, they may mistreat him or harm h im.

it's better to either a) keep the dog confined to a crate or outdoor run when you have company or b) have the dog euthanized.

or C) find a good dog trainer who will WORK WITH YOU.. sometimes dogs like this can be corrected... dont' give up if you have the time and energy to work with the animal.

i'm sad for your dog... hugs

Answer 8

if you give him away to a humane society or a rescue team or whatever, no matter who they are they are going to put the dog in a behaviorial test, where they see what kind of behavior the dog has, and by the sounds of it the dog is going to fail. Those dogs that fail the test get put down anyway. One of the tests for example is when they feed the dog they will put like a fake hand on a pole to see if the dog will allow you to get near or touch him and his food while he's eating.
i hate to say it sweetie, but your dog may be put down anyway if you give him up. I personally, if he hasn't bitten me (you) i wouldn't give him up. he was obvisously threatened when he bit your parents. But iam sorry to hear what is going on cuz it's hard to make a descion like that.

Answer 9

Why did he bite your Mom and Dad? Does he think he is top dog? He needs corrective training and so do you, so you know how to handle him. What if he bit a small child in the face? You need to seriously think over the course of action you take. Good luck.

Answer 10

First of all do not put your dog to sleep. There are people out their that can train this dog to stop biting. It just needs someone with the right skills. I am pleding with you not to put it to sleep. Start researching places that can train the dog or are willing to take a dog with random agression issues. I think you would make a big mistake to put a dog down for periods of bad behavior.

Answer 11

definately do a rescue society. you can look online for a local one to you.
I do have a suggestion though. Try obedience training. Where I live there is a place where your dog goes for two weeks and comes home perfect. again look online for something in your area.
good luck.