Mum's dog bit my LO

Solsol

DaveTheMus wrote: »

The dog is locked in a room and doesn't get walked.....it's no wonder it's volatile......

Both dogs should be rehomed, your mother is obviously incapable of looking after a dog.

Agree (apparently that post was too short so I had to write this in brackets)

Pollycat

Solsol wrote: »

We had been there for around half an hour before he was bitten and she knew we were on our way so had plenty of time to shut the dog away. Surely it can't be fair on the dog to keep it locked away all day though?

Why would the dog need to be locked away all day though?
Ideally, shouldn't it just be when there are going to be children there as kids seem to set it off?

Solsol wrote: »

I think the reason she is resisting having it rehomed even just temporarily is that she knows that it will possibly be put down because of it's history.

But sometimes you just have to take that awful decision.
Not only for people but for the dog itself.
And make that decision before it's too late.
Have you read Thorsoak's really sad post (#36)?

Solsol wrote: »

I also don't agree with locking the dog away - and no the dogs don't get walked regularly - IMHO she's not well enough to be looking after any animals at the moment.
This dog is a danger to other people. She keeps them in the garden but I'm pretty sure there are holes in the hedges through which they could escape if they tried.

Is it just since your Mum has been ill that the dogs haven't been walked or is this usual?

Do you really believe the dog is a danger to other people?

DaveTheMus wrote: »

The dog is locked in a room and doesn't get walked.....it's no wonder it's volatile......

I agree with this.
Anyone who keeps a dog and doesn't walk it regularly - to the level the particular dog needs - should have it taken off them.

WolfSong2000

As others have said, from the OP's messages I am getting the impression that the dog is not "aggressive" per se - it just doesn't like/is scared of children.

Also, I have worked with/been around dogs my entire life and have only ever known one dog (out of many hundreds) that would attack people without warning/reason. He was a rescue dog with severe psychological issues - lovely boy, but very, very messed up.

Most dogs will give ample warning before biting (exception being breeds such as Staffies - and I say this as a massive fan of the breed) so I feel that either the dogs body language warnings were being ignored and/or the kid is not as innocent as they're making out.

I am *not* saying that it is okay for a dog to bite, but as has already been said, the dog did not break the skin despite the opportunity to. I had the same thing happen to me, recently...walked onto a strange property and was met by a gang of dogs, one of whom bit me on the hand. Didn't break the skin, but left a nice bruise. Was I bothered? Not particularly. The dog wasn't aggressive and the body language after the bite was very submissive and apologetic, but he had been protecting his property from a "stranger". Had the bite broken the skin then I would have been having words with the owners, but it didn't and considering the circumstances (unknown person on their territory) I decided not to kick up a fuss.

My own personal opinion is that the kid did something to scare/upset the dog...if the dog had had it in the for the kid, it would have bitten the moment the kid walked through the door, but it didn't - half an hour elapsed before the incident.

If it were me I would be working with a behaviouralist to get to the bottom of the dogs issues and maybe allowing the dog and the kid (if deemed safe) to meet on "neutral" ground away from the house so they can get accustomed to each other. I suspect that as long as the kid ignores the dog, the dog will do the same.

borkid

Solsol wrote: »

Thanks for the responses everyone.

This is what was supposed to be happening up until now anyway and a) the dog wasn't locked away when we visited as it should have been and b) I feel that keeping it locked away will just make it even more aggressive?

I have told her I won't be taking LO there anymore but I'm also now getting grief from my siblings for not helping with mum while she's ill! I can't win whatever I do and I don't think it's fair that I have to leave my son with someone else while I go and help her if she's not prepared to leave her dog with someone else for a while! I already have to leave him for three days a week to go to work so I don't like to do it any more than that

Trying not to come across as petty or anything but this whole thing has just infuriated me!

I'm probably not the best person regarding families. For me my child's safety would come first whatever friction it caused in my extended family. Where familes are concerned you will never win. What does you husband think about going to helping your mum and leaving your little one? I know what I would do but none of my brothers speak to me now after I put my husband and children before them and my parents. Even now 15+ years on I don't regret it.

Only you and your husband can make this decision don't let your siblings coerce you into doing something you don't want to do.

Syrah

I am very much a dog person, I have 2 myself, I love them dearly and they are my little friends. But I am also a mum. Nothing compares to that protective instinct of a mother and you are absolutely within your rights to refuse to take your child over to your mum's house. I would definitely do the same, and if your family are making you feel awkward about this then they are either crazy, in denial or having some weird guilt thing... whichever- it's not your problem. Stand your ground, it sounds like it could have been much nastier (although horrible enough for both you and LO) so never risk a repeat performance.
S xx

pixo

I see this on both sides. My dog can be aggressive... I could never get rid of him or put him down. He is a rescue dog and I'm trying my best with him. He is never allowed anywhere near children. Children are not allowed in my house unless I have removed my dog. Could another relative not dog sit whilst you are round?... If not there are several dog walkers etc who might be able to help?

Pollycat

Solsol wrote: »

After my son was bitten the other day, the dog was then locked away and it kept scratching at the door and banging into it trying to escape and it just left me on edge the entire time and I couldn't wait to leave

Solsol wrote: »

I would possibly consider that if she gets approriate restraints put in place. When I say she locks the dog away, it is actually a piece of card wedged into the door because the door doesn't actually close properly.

Do you feel that this is an adequate way to keep a dog away from people?

surveyqueenuk

In what circumstances did the bite happen? Did it occur when LO was playing with the dog or did it just walk up to LO and randomly bite them?

Marshmallow82

Solsol wrote: »

She only has herself to blame as she took the dog in while both my sister and I were pregnant and she was aware that it "didn't like" young children when she took it in. Honestly who would do that?

People who's lives don't revolve around other people breeding?

Solsol

Marshmallow82 wrote: »

People who's lives don't revolve around other people breeding?

What a ridiculous comment my mother took in a dog known to not like children at the same time that she was expecting the arrival of two grandchildren? I suppose I'm the selfish one for thinking this is slightly unreasonable?!