Not sure really.......?

Question

I'm ready to get some mean responses, bc there always are on here, but I just want to know people's opinions on this. About two months ago, my boyfriend's (whom I have lived with for years) black lab mix attacked my Jack russell. He put him in the hospital for a week, numerous surgerys, etc, and he now is living with a permanent trachea. We were not sure what happened, we got him neutrued, bc he was not, we then took him to an animal behaviorist for a temperment assessment, the lady said she did not recoomend he be in any home w/ other animals, or any small children. We tried to find a home, but could not. He was secluded from our other animals, and he got loose a few days ago, and attacked my dog again. Luckily, not as bad, still a night of hospitalization, but this was it, he could not stay here anymore. We took him and surrendered him to the humane society, actually his sister did, and she called us to tell us as soon as she signed him over, they immedialtely put him down. I now

feel horrible, like I am responsible for what has happened, and for my boyfriend, is he going to regret being with me. I don't know, I just needed some opinions.

Answer 1

I think you did the right thing.

You tried to work through it, you saw vets and animal behaviorists. You tried to rehome him but an older aggressive dog isn't easy to rehome.

Sure, you could have done a lot more, but you, like everyone else, is a real person. It's just not feasible for many people to devote half the hours in your day and your life savings to a problem dog.

I think you made a serious effort to work with him. You did a lot more than most owners. You didn't "let him loose in the wilderness" or try to foist him off on some unsuspecting owner. Living isolated is not a good life for a dog and leaving him un-isolated was dangerous.

It's sad, but I'm certainly not condemning you.

Answer 2

Don't beat yourself up over this. It happens. Some dogs just are not safe around other dogs or animals and a lot of people(me included) would not want a dog that has to be secluded and can't go anywhere for fear it may attack another animal or person. A shelter cannot knowingly adopt out a dog that might be human-aggressive. Unfortunately, many times there are warning signs to a dog that is close to acting like this, but most owners do not recognize the signs. Were both dogs intact at the time? That can always cause problems. Was the dog food/treat/toy aggressive? Was he ever human aggressive? Without knowing your dog, I can't say whether or not there were early signs of aggression. I'm sorry that happened to you, and hopefully it won't affect your relationship adversely. Good luck, and I hope your dog is okay.

Answer 3

Please don't get me the wrong way but thank god it was your dog. A time bomb like this and it could have been you ore some child.
I just hope your bf will understand this.
how do you think he would feel if the dog got loose and attacked a neighborhood child and the court case etc.
I am truly sorry about your dog and feel for your boyfriend but it was actually the best.
What if the dog was adopted out to find out it attacked more animals or a child
I myself would rather know that to have a dog put down is done humaely and you know for sure what happened then to always wonder is the dog ok, has he done something so horrible is he tied out in someones back yard to his aggression or what might ever happen.

Answer 4

That is very sad for everybody. My parents once had a dog that was very little, but so violent and prone to attack. They did everything imaginable, classes, vet, medication, and nothing could calm this dog down. Eventually, the vet said just to have him put down because this dog was adopted and didn't know about his past and clearly the violence was not going to stop (he attacked my little dog when I visited). Sometimes, there is just nothing you can do if an animal has violent tendencies. I know you feel awful, as my parents did, but it is better for the dog. think about it: that dog might be constantly upset, anxious, etc, and that is why he is attacking. Plus, it is good for your little jack russel to have a safe place to live. Do not worry about what your boyfriend is going to think about being with you, you absolutely did what you needed to do. I think it is hearbreaking when animals are put down, but in some cases, such as yours adn my parents, there is not any alternatives. Feel better soon!

Answer 5

I'm so sorry, for what happened to your Jack Russell and your boyfriend's lab. The whole experience must have been difficult for all of you.

It sounds to me like you did everything you could do as a responsible pet owner. I hope your boyfriend doesn't hold this against you. You didn't make his dog attack yours, and it doesn't sound like you rejected him after your JR was attacked.

Give him some time to grieve. He just lost a friend, and he'll need to recover from that. But don't act as if it was your fault, because it wasn't. It was just an unfortunate event.

Answer 6

A dog like that is inappropriate to keep in a home or around people. You did the right thing by having him euthanized, because he was dangerous. You have nothing to feel guilty about; that sort of behavior is ingrained, and an animal that will maul a dog is only a few steps away from mauling a child. I salute you and your boyfriend for having the courage to do what was best for both you, your dog, and that lab.

Answer 7

It seems like you tried to find a new home for the dog and did everything you could- it is hard when a dog attacks another and it leaves little options. Don't be so hard on yourself- as long as you did what you could, you should realize that and there wasn't much else you could do.
The only thing I would have done differently was take him to a no-kill shelter, but considering he has attacked another dog twice, it would have been hard to find him another home.
It is always hard getting a pet put to sleep, especially under those circumstances.
I'm sure your boyfriend doesn't blame you, it's not like you did anything- you tried to make the situation right but things just didn't work out.

Answer 8

You did the only thing you could, It would have been very disastrous if he attacked a child. You tried to work with him.
Was the lab mix used to being around other dogs?

Answer 9

I hate when animals have to be put down because of behavioral problems. that being said, sometimes despite out best efforts, it happens. I think you made the right choice, as it would not have been right to keep putting the other dog intto a life-threatening situation.

Answer 10

as difficult as it is you made the right decision and I'm sure the bf was in on making the decision to get rid of the dog so he has already chosen you over the dog so i wouldn't worry about that.just concentrate on taking care of the little dog and be glad that the other one wont be hurting anyone Else's animals.