Post by VeryViolet on Jul 29, 2014 10:52:26 GMT -5
I am so sorry. I know there are a lot of people who will have a much better idea of what to do than I do. I hope you all find a good option for everyone no matter what it is.
Absolutely no flames, mekiakoo. If it helps to know, we had to put down a cat who was aggressive towards me. Perhaps some people won't agree, but I had the same fears you are experiencing. What if he bit the next person. We really tried - multiple trips to the vet to check his health, sessions with an animal behaviorist, changed everything we could possibly change.
The second (yes SECOND)time he put me in the hospital with another massive infection, the decision was made. We just couldn't try any more. Animal bites can be life threatening. My plastic surgeon told me I could have lost my forearm. Scars still remind me of that kitty. I loved him so much.
I feel really bad for you. Only offering my story as something to think about. Flame if you must, but I stand by that decision.
Post by W.T.Faulkner on Jul 29, 2014 10:54:39 GMT -5
I'm so sorry about this.
I want you to know that I am NOT FLAMING YOU AT ALL and that you have every right to do what you need to do to keep your baby safe. Here's a link for the humane society (they have one in Saint Paul, MN - I feel like you're in MN?) and it says that they can answer questions about particular behavior issues you might have with the dog. I wonder if they would be able to help you figure out what's best for him. I suspect they'll be pro-keeping him, and I know you aren't (and I would agree completely, if I were in your shoes) but at least it would be a starting place?
Post by EmilieMadison on Jul 29, 2014 10:54:44 GMT -5
Ugh, I'm so sorry What a truly difficult situation. No flames from me, and I hope everyone else is gentle with you. I would not give the dog a 2nd chance in my own home with my child. One attack would be it for me, and no amount of behaviour therapy or training would convince me to put my baby in a position of "what ifs".
I would contact a rescue group and be completely upfront about the dog's history and the attack. I wish I had more ideas, but I dont. I'm sorry
You'll have more luck with a rescue than a shelter. Shelters typically have limited space whereas rescues often operate out of foster homes and have more flexibility with how many and what type of animals they bring in. There are all types of rescues out there, many who would probably be willing to work with him to improve his behavior.
I'm sorry . I understand that your H doesn't want to lose contact with the dog but he absolutely needs to put you and E over the dog. If I remember, it was bad, didn't you go to the hospital? No flames here, just lots and lots of hugs.
This might be a long shot, but I would seriously, 100%, contact the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in UT. They are amazing amazing people, and take on animals just like you pup who have histories that don't allow for them to be adopted out (either immediately or ever).
If you call someone there, and tell them your story, I really think there is a shot of them taking him. Be honest with them, but also tell them that you love the dog and really don't want to put him to sleep. Mention his good qualities, along with his bad.
The great thing is, they have behaviorists on staff that work with the dogs to try and get them to a place where they can be adopted. If they cannot get them to that place, they love out their days in the sanctuary with people that love them, lots of long walks through the canyons, and fun.
This place is close to my heart. I really hope you give them a try, because with your dogs history I think re-homing yourself would present a huge liability
Post by EmilieMadison on Jul 29, 2014 11:04:21 GMT -5
Putting him down should be your last resort, but it might come down to that. You have already re-homed him with your mom, but now she says she can't deal with the dog. He should absolutely not be roaming free- he could attack another dog, an adult, or a child. And in any of those instances, you could (would) be held liable. It's horrible to say, but Tucker is more than a pet now, he is also potentially dangerous and a huge liability.
Contact the Humane Society and ask what they suggest. Find a rescue and ask what they suggest. But in the end, the only real option may be that you have to put him down. And if it comes to that, at least you will know that you did everything you could to find him a new home that would be safe for others and for him.
Also - best friends allows visitors. They even have cabins you can stay in! So while not the most convinient, sending him there does not have to mean your H will never see him again.
Post by RoxMonster on Jul 29, 2014 11:08:08 GMT -5
I'm so sorry.
I don't think I know the whole back story about the attack. Did he attack you because of E?
If so, (and I am not knowledgeable in this, so don't take my word for it), you might contact a rescue, explain what happened, and maybe Tucker just can't be in a home with kids. I know I saw many dogs up for adoption when we looked for Rox that said they couldn't be around kids. But perhaps a childless couple or a single person would be able to take him in and give him a happy home.
I would personally look into this before putting him down.
I hope you can both find a solution that makes you guys happy, or at least OK with it.
Post by miniroller on Jul 29, 2014 11:08:18 GMT -5
Also very sorry for this Mekia Ok, this is semi-Flameful, & I definitely side-eyed my friend for doing the following. I'm adding this idea b/c it worked for her & might be an option? Friend already had 2 dogs, got a 3rd for her daughter b/c 'she fell in LOVE!' Daughter failed to do most of the work for the puppy, & the addition of a super young dog to the 2 they already had was too much. So they posted a pic on FB looking for a new home. Like I said, I SIDE-EYED. But it freaking worked! They asked all friends to pass along to any other friends who were interested, & that's how a friend of a friend of a friend became the new owner. New owner has kept in touch, & even sent a couple of pics to friend, which makes her feel so much better about the entire situation. Good luck! Eta: Sorry, after reading more details of the bite situation, I'm no longer sure this is the best option. But maybe? Thinking if you specify no small children/ fenced area is best? Bah!! So srry you're in this position.
Post by sleepyheads on Jul 29, 2014 11:10:42 GMT -5
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I would absolutely not bring the dog back home. We just had a story in the news here a week or so ago about a dog attacking an 8 month old. The baby died from the attack - and prior to this, the dog had bitten an adult. Once a dog attacks, I don't think it can be trusted around small children or babies. I would check a rescue or vet to see about re homing.
Putting him down should be your last resort, but it might come down to that. You have already re-homed him with your mom, but now she says she can't deal with the dog. He should absolutely not be roaming free- he could attack another dog, an adult, or a child. And in any of those instances, you could (would) be held liable. It's horrible to say, but Tucker is more than a pet now, he is also potentially dangerous and a huge liability.
Contact the Humane Society and ask what they suggest. Find a rescue and ask what they suggest. But in the end, the only real option may be that you have to put him down. And if it comes to that, at least you will know that you did everything you could to find him a new home that would be safe for others and for him.
I agree. This is so hard.
I'm going to call few places and see what may be able be done.
I know it's hard - but with his history a regular rescue group is very very unlikely to take him, and even the humane society would probably have to put him to sleep.
I really hope you try best friends before you move on to your last resort. He could be very happy there.
ETA: if they cannot take him, they are an amazing group and will provide you with tons of resources and advice as to how to best place him, or what the best option for him would be.
I'm sorry that happened to you! Could you contact a lab rescue? Maybe they'd be willing to take him on; I don't think it would be a wise choice to try to rehome him yourself.
PPs suggestion of bestfriends.org/The-Sanctuary/explore-the-sanctuary/ is also a great idea!
We had a pit bull/boxer mix that was sweet as could be, but he started acting out because he was losing his vision. I was concerned for our safety, the dog's safety, and our neighbors. Shelters weren't an option because they would just put him down based off of his breed, but I was able to find a organization that takes bully breeds and keeps them on their farm. There were about 50 family dogs that had similar issues as Boudreaux (our dog), and they paired them up and gave the training, medical care, etc. they needed to live happily even though the majority would not be re-homed. It wasn't cheap, a couple grand, but it made us feel a lot better about his quality of life. I still miss him, but I know we made the best choice, especially since we have O now. Maybe you can find something similar in your area?
I'm so sorry, mekia. This is so sad for all involved, and it's clear you love Tucker and want what's best for him, too.
I would call a rescue group, whether local or out of state, and explain the situation and his behavior issues. Surely there is a group out there with the means and resources to take him in and work with him.
Post by daisybuchannan on Jul 29, 2014 11:24:05 GMT -5
I think I've told you before, but we rehomed our dog after Connor was born. He tried to bite him, and had always been very aggressive (especially towards children).
A friend of my moms took him, and he's really happy there. I was 100% honest with his prior issues, but I think she wasn't AS concerned bc he is a tiny dog. It would be really hard if she came back to me and said they couldn't keep him, bc I don't know where I would bring him.
I'm really sorry you're dealing with this. Have you checked with your vet to see if they have any ideas of where to start? One of our vet techs volunteered to temporarily take our dog while we figured things out.
Also not flaming but most rescues unless they are set up like best friends won't take a dog with a bite history. It's too much of a liability for them. If you both and your mil are unwilling to keep him I'd put him down. I know that sucks and will be extremely hard but he'd be surrounded by people he knows and loved.
I would let your H deal with MIL on this one. At a minimum, should you decide to try to find the dog a new home, MIL needs to be responsible for him until new owners are located.
As for whether it makes sense to re-home, you know your dog best. When my dog but my DS (16 mos old, and 4 stitches) I knew that the dog's issue was kid-specific and that he'd be ok in an adult-only home. So we took out ads in our local newspaper and received a ton of calls. Dog was a yellow lab, so there was a lot of interest. Ultimately, we picked an older couple that we really liked. Could it have been a sham and the dog is now being used as bait? Sure. I never retained any contact info on purpose. What would I do if I found out the situation was less than ideal??
The other thing you could try to do is pair up with a shelter / adoption agency. Your MIL would continue to keep / foster the dog, while the agency lists the dog on its website / allows it to participate in adoption events. The agency also keeps whatever fee it charges for normal adoptions. This might be a no-go with a bite history, but it's worth a shot. You'd also get the opportunity to meet / interview prospective owners, which may or may not be important to you.
Post by walterismydog on Jul 29, 2014 11:29:49 GMT -5
I'm just popping in on a break, but see if you can find a breed specific rescue.
I also have several friends who work at Best Friends in UT if you want me to see if I can get in touch with them. You can also call the behavior helpline at my shelter just to see what their recommendations would be for re-homing.
Feel free to PM me, I may not have a chance to get back in here most of the day, but I'll try.
When he attacked you, was it completely unprovoked? Just trying to understand where that behavior came from, especially since he hadn't exhibited those signs in the past. Has he had a vet exam since the attack? Has he had any other incidents since the attack? When he attacked you, was it straight up scary cujo teeth-bared/psycho eyes/ears back/hair raised, or did he exhibit no change in body language? I am only asking these questions because it will help me to figure out what might be the best course of action for you. I'm so sorry you were attacked and I know exactly how scary that can be.