I found this pet-owner's story very interesting. Tell me what you think.


I'm looking for some advice/input/support from other dogster members who've maybe been down the same road...

Today Jake attacked someone. Completely unprovoked. The man's shorts were ripped and he had 2 bites on his thigh. This isn't the first time Jake has bitten someone. But it is the worst.

I got Jake when he was 6 months old. He'd been abused, and has always had "issues". Jake is a good dog. Always wagging his tail, always excited and always eager to please. But his other side... is out of control and unpredictable.

I don't know what to do anymore. I feel like I have no other choice but to put him to sleep, for my sake, for his sake, and for the sake of other people. His behaviour issues or not so much an everyday occurance but rather random, unpredictable outbursts. One minute he's fine, the next he's not. With one stranger he's fine, the next he wants to eat. I feel like, as much as I hate to say it... he's a ticking time bomb. I don't know when and with who but he's going to really hurt someone one day... he already has hurt people.

I love my dog, and I've been crying all day about this. I don't want to let him go... but I don't know what else to do. I can only protect him from so much... I can't save him from himself. I already take so many precautions, and he already lives on such a short leash ( no pun intended)... I can't just keep him indoors and locked in a room away from any human contact... but it seems I can't trust him with anyone because he's so unpredictable.

I won't take Jake to the Humane Society.... because I know he will not make it out. He is already 6 and with his history of aggression no one will take him. And I feel like even if someone did.... he will still be this way... and he can still hurt someone... it will just be someone else dealing with it all, and I don't want that.

Everyone I talk to either says putting him to sleep is the right thing to do, even though it's hard... or that it's NOT the right thing and that I need to try harder/more etc.

I don't know what to do.

Can you get a muzzle for him when hes out in public?
That way he cant bite anyone.

Ed, Alec was posting this story about another dog owner's pet to generate a discusssion on this dilemma I believe. It's not his own dog.

StoN3d wrote:Can you get a muzzle for him when hes out in public?
That way he cant bite anyone.

Yes, this was my first thought too.

If things continue the way they are, it is only a matter of time before the authorities will order that this dog be put to sleep and there will be no choice.

Linda

Oh LOL
DUH I feel dumb LOL
Well imho theres a home for every living creature.
Maybe instead of putting the dog down they could find someone with a farm or something similar that could keep the dog.

Alec_17 wrote:lol thanks Lindi.
No Ed, Jake isn't my dog. Just trying to stimulate discussion.

Well, I don't have a problem with discussion, but I would prefer you not tell a story that is not true to do so. If you want to ask a hypothetical question, then do so, but please do not lead us to believe it is a true story, just to get us talking. Just my opinion, of course.

Alec_17 wrote:ACTUALLY, I believe what I said was "I found this pet-owner's story very interesting", which suggests that this is an actually story of a pet-owner who was experiencing such a dilemma. The story, is in fact, a true one... I wouldnt just make up garbage hoping to get your input.
I simply wanted to know what everyone would do if they were in the position of the pet-owner mentioned in the story.
Thanks for your feedback though!

You are right, Alec. I completely missed the heading of your post and I apologize for jumping to conclusions. Very much my bad.

Hi Alec,
I believe that, just as there are insane dangerous people, there are insane dangerous animals. Whenever I learn about some sick individual killing people and little children on murderous impulses I feel that such persons should not live. Some horrible tragedies occur all over the world because of dogs attacking and killing children even babies. Yes I believe a dog such as described in your story with unpredictable urges to attack should be put to sleep before a major tragedy takes place. So, here is the way I feel about this subject for what it is worth. Gladys

Gladys, I agree with you. In fact, my daughter just had a jack russel put to sleep two days ago for the same reason. It has killed 2 of her other dogs. He was mean, mean, mean, and it was just a matter of time before his agression turned to a human. She had no choice. It killed her to have to do this, but it really is the only way.

Alec_17 wrote:In this situation, and situations similar to this, I don't think that a dog should be put to sleep. Jake had been abused, which obviously impacted him psychologically. The owner of Jake did not mention seeking professional help. Instead, she turned to forums asking the opinions of others regarding what she should do.
I have heard of a few cases like such; however, in those cases, the dog owners sought out professional help (i.e. trainers) in order to help their dogs with their behavioural issues... And guess what? Significant progress was made.
I think that when you face the possibility of having to have your dog put to sleep - put to DEATH, you should do everything in your power to prevent it from occurring.
There are, indeed, situations where there is nothing more the dog owner can do and as a result, the aggressive dog would have to be put to sleep. But I think that before planning to have the dog put to sleep, the pet owner should try everything they can first...
Jake has a problem... if I was his owner, I would go far lengths to help him. If one truly loves their dog, then they should be willing to go the extra mile.

Hello Alec;
A dog who after professional treatment "had made significant progress" almost killed one of my daughters when she was a child. All I possessed at the time was spent on plastic surgery. It happened to be the dog of one of my brothers who was and still is an animal lover. That dog, bought as a little puppy, had never been illtreated.
At what point an owner decides that "there is nothing more that he can do"? when terrible damage has occurred? This is what my brother did.
Alec, believe me I understand how you feel abouth this kind of situation and I wish with all my heart that you will never have to face such a decision and that if you do you won't regret the outcome of it for the rest of all your life. My best wishes. Gladys

But my brother HAD seeked professional help as the dog had already attacked people (although he was present on those occasions and could control the situation without too serious damage) and and progress had been made or so it was thought. I hope your cousin's dog will never cause him any regrets. Gladys

Alec; it happened 51 years ago!!! I had been back in the country after 10 years absence. My daughter was 9 years old. The surgeon who operated on her was N° 1 in the country. His experience had been obtained during World War II operating disfgured soldiers. He made a marvellous job. As Susie grew older the scars moved up to the scalp to a certain extent freeing her eyelids and eyebrows. It was me who got to the scene first as I had heard the growls from the dog, he had already his teeth on her throat. I could pick up an iron bar lying near by and hit the dog's head with all my might. When the others arrived the dog was lying unconscious and I had flown out of the house with Susie in my arms to stop the first car down the road. . So much was happening in my life at that time I cannot remember all that was said to me. I do remember that that dog had received professional treatment and was supposed to have greatly improved. All this has not been a deterrant to Susie's happiness, the only after-effects have been her terror of big dogs

Gladys,

That is awful what happened to Susie when she was a child! What a horrible incident to have witnessed and your daughter to have gone through at such a young age. She's the daughter you showed us a picture of not too long ago with yourself, right? Does she remember the incident well? Does she have a fear of dogs as an adult now?

I'm just glad that she recovered so well and after the surgeries because it sounds like a horrific attack.

Brad wrote:Gladys,

That is awful what happened to Susie when she was a child! What a horrible incident to have witnessed and your daughter to have gone through at such a young age. She's the daughter you showed us a picture of not too long ago with yourself, right? Does she remember the incident well? Does she have a fear of dogs as an adult now?

I'm just glad that she recovered so well and after the surgeries because it sounds like a horrific attack.

Yes, of course she remembers, she was 9 years old. Yes I am afraid she is terrified of big dogs although she manages to interact with the family dogs. In the zone where she lives people let their dogs out part of the day on their own. Poor Susie doesn't dare to go for walks by herself. It is a real shame because she is only half a block from the beach and it is a woody area. OH yes, she is the daughter on the photo with me. As you can see nobody would know what happened unless it is pointed out. Actually it hasn't been a problem in her life. Thanks for asking Brad. Gladys