Neighbours dog attacked my son, what to do next

thorsoak

gabriel1980 wrote: »

Dogs don't attack without provocation so I don't think you're getting the full story from your son.

Sadly, some dogs can and do attack without provocation. In any case, the dog owner and the boy's father witnessed the event.

I am a dog owner, with over 50 years of dog owning (and breeding) - and sadly I have had -on one horrible occasion - to take responsibility for a beautiful dog that I had bred, still owned and loved, but who was so highly strung that he was unpredictable at times - who bit a person that had in no way provoked my dog. The guy was bitten pretty badly ...and all I could think was "it could have been a child". I had done all I could, to keep my dog and other people safe - but it still happened. So sadly, we took our last visit to the vet, and he hopped up onto my knee (quite a big kneeful, I can tell you) the vet gave him an injection - and he went to sleep for the last time on my knee.

I went home, heartbroken - but I knew that I had done the best thing possible - for him and for other people. But not for me.

mellymoo74

thorsoak wrote: »

Sadly, some dogs can and do attack without provocation. In any case, the dog owner and the boy's father witnessed the event.

I am a dog owner, with over 50 years of dog owning (and breeding) - and sadly I have had -on one horrible occasion - to take responsibility for a beautiful dog that I had bred, still owned and loved, but who was so highly strung that he was unpredictable at times - who bit a person that had in no way provoked my dog. The guy was bitten pretty badly ...and all I could think was "it could have been a child". I had done all I could, to keep my dog and other people safe - but it still happened. So sadly, we took our last visit to the vet, and he hopped up onto my knee (quite a big kneeful, I can tell you) the vet gave him an injection - and he went to sleep for the last time on my knee.

I went home, heartbroken - but I knew that I had done the best thing possible - for him and for other people. But not for me.

This.
My husband and dogs were on the receiving end of a very nasty attack, that left my husband badly scarred, my girl gutted (luckily got her too the vets and it wasn't as bad as it could be, she can't jump as well any more and has fear aggression but is alive) and my dog with a chunk out of his neck.

The dog that attacked went for my husband they all had their backs to it, it crept up, no warning bark or growl and just attacked.

The brother of that dog has just been put to sleep (belongs to friends of mine they are devastated) as it started to show aggression to the woman and child (the dog was 5, they tried behaviourist first).

Sometimes they are just mad

krlyr

gabriel1980 wrote: »

Dogs don't attack without provocation so I don't think you're getting the full story from your son.

I wouldn't say without provocation - I'd say without cause. However, that cause can vary wildly. For some, yes, it could be that the dog has been pushed. For others, it could just be the presence of a young male - they may have negative associations from a past experience. Subtle body language may have spooked the dog (one of mine, oddly, hates when you poke your tongue out - she'll go nuts barking). Other dogs redirect from their trigger - e.g. fence-reactive dogs can often have a pop at the other dog or person in the garden, when the trigger is actually somene passing by outside.

Alternatively, the dog could have a medical condition. It might have been in pain, and lashing out at the nearest target. It could have something affecting it neurologically - a brain tumour, for example, can cause aggressive behaviour without a rational cause.

Even if the son had done something to provoke the attack, the owner needs to take responsbility now their dog has a bite history - which it sounds like they're shirking.

Rev

gabriel1980 wrote: »

Dogs don't attack without provocation so I don't think you're getting the full story from your son.

The point here is the owners are shirking all responsibility and refusing to accept that it's not okay for their dog to have bitten someone.

If the son did something then quite rightly that needs addressing (I'm not saying he did OP just an example). But the fact remains the owners of that dog need to at least try and figure out why the dog reacted like that, see how they might change that behaviour and muzzle the dog until they are 100% sure that behaviour won't be repeated.

Where it seems what they actually did was deny any wrongdoing then throw their toys out the Pram, get rid of the dog and blame the OP for 'making' them get rid of the dog.

Had they just agreed to muzzle train, get the dog checked by a vet and call a behaviourist then they wouldn't be in the position they're in now.

Gigantic over reaction of we've got rid of the dog and are now moving ASAP. When all that was needed was a bit of common sense.

Fosterdog

gabriel1980 wrote: »

Dogs don't attack without provocation so I don't think you're getting the full story from your son.

Just to echo the others, while a dog doesn't attack without a reason they do attack without provocation.

I was once bitten by one of my fosters, she came from an abuse background and had only been with me a day so we'd had little time to bond. She had dirtied in the house, I went to clean it up and as I was leaning over with my back to her she came up behind me and bit and shook my hand causing a fair bit of damage. It turned out she had been beaten so severely previously for dirtying in the house that she got her attack in for fear of me beating her. I can promise you I didn't provoke her.

milliemonster

Thank you everyone. I didn't witness the event but the neighbour in question, husband and son all agree that what happened was neighbour was stood with dog in lead sitting at his feet chatting to husband and son, without any warning whatsoever, dog launched himself at my son so much it caused my son to lose his balance and hubby had to catch him and neighbour to use all his weight to haul dog off, husband said if dog hadn't been on lead he would have been on top of son on the ground. Son wasn't doing anything but stood chatting to neighbour.

I agree that there obviously was a 'reason' dog did this, but there was no provocation on my sons part.

My thoughts are potentially that neighbour has told us previously that dog doesn't like men due to abuse in previous life, I am wondering as my son is 13 and in the throes of puberty, perhaps his testosterone levels are high and the dog has picked up the scent of this and comsidered it a sign of aggression? I don't know, I'm by no means a dog expert.

Neighbour commented on a mutual friends facebook post last night regarding the fact he has been threatened with a harrassment order all because he was angry and called hubby to tell him he hated us, he then said 'you might have to visit me in the clink' I'm not happy that despite the police warnings he is still continuing to comment instead of letting it go, but I'm letting this one pass, if it still continues then I will be back in touch with the police.

map66

milliemonster wrote: »

Thank you everyone. I didn't witness the event but the neighbour in question, husband and son all agree that what happened was neighbour was stood with dog in lead sitting at his feet chatting to husband and son, without any warning whatsoever, dog launched himself at my son so much it caused my son to lose his balance and hubby had to catch him and neighbour to use all his weight to haul dog off, husband said if dog hadn't been on lead he would have been on top of son on the ground. Son wasn't doing anything but stood chatting to neighbour.

I agree that there obviously was a 'reason' dog did this, but there was no provocation on my sons part.

If the neighbour and the dog just left the house and stopped to chat to your family members, the dog must be desperate for a wee. This could be a reason for attack, the small talk took longer than dog expected and he went for the nearest stranger he could get.
Happened to my dog long ago when my mum took her for a walk and met our neighbour, the small chat was about 15 - 20 min before dog reacted, didn't bite but launched herself on poor neighbour.

milliemonster

map66 wrote: »

If the neighbour and the dog just left the house and stopped to chat to your family members, the dog must be desperate for a wee. This could be a reason for attack, the small talk took longer than dog expected and he went for the nearest stranger he could get.
Happened to my dog long ago when my mum took her for a walk and met our neighbour, the small chat was about 15 - 20 min before dog reacted, didn't bite but launched herself on poor neighbour.

No, the neighbour had just walked his dog and was on his way back so that wasn't the reason, but thanks anyway

meritaten

I have read some of the replies with total disbelief! for chrissakes - how many times does the OP have to defend her son and OH? the dog attacked without being provoked, and bit, yes BIT! her son! and some of you are blethering on about dogs being 'provoked' by random things, as if that excuses the dogs behaviour. I can only conclude you are the kind of dog owner who when your dog runs up barking at you say 'Oh he is only playing'! when the dog growls at you - ' 'Oh he likes you'! and famous last words 'He wont hurt you/your dog/child'! you give dog owners a bad name. because your dog RULES YOU, you are convinced you are good dog owners.

I see that some of you are the ones who argue that expensive dog food is best! and sneer at people who want to feed supermarket pet food. well, where do YOU buy your food?

and, guess what............the law doesn't CARE what provokes a dog - if it bites its DANGEROUS! and as a dog lover I fully agree with that!

I think that the OP has been very reasonable - the neighbours haven't. So that is their problem. OP - I would just look into separating your properties if possible if your neighbours intend getting another dog.

I love dogs - have had dogs in the past - but they knew their place were well trained and were gentle creatures. BUT - if one had bitten without provocation - then it would not have stayed with me. Rehomed if possible, but if not - then PTS.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

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