I agree with the ones who say full assessment with vet and long discussions with breed rescue before considering pts.

From what I've read from you on here Kitty and on other posts the dog is not horrifically aggressive. He has clearly not been well socialised and trained, all of which can be worked with with the right home and is definitely not suited to a home with children, but there is no reason to believe that he cannot be saved.

When he bit, your son was stroking his back. It sounds like something has gone on around his back area before and your dog gave your son a warning bite.

He was aggressive with this, no doubt about it and is not right for your home, but there is more that can be tried that just straight off pts imo.

Also, re age. If you don't know the history of the dog it's easy to say he is two if that's what you last believed him to be, but then later found out it was more like four.

Good post.

Kitty - you say you turned to look at your computer screen and then the attack happened. So you didn't actually see what happened? Also, as I said before, you've mentioned the scars on teh dogs back and that your Son was stroking him. He could've hurt the dog in some way or done something else unexpected or unwanted to the dog whilst you weren't looking.

As I said before, I'm not trying to make excuses for the dog. But I think it's got to a point where you have to decide whether to rehome him or have him PTS, depending on what really happened. As already stated, medical/diagnostic testing can take a wile and for the time being I think you shoul dat least ask a neighbour or relative with no children if they can help you out temporarily - if only to get the dog away from your family situation. That's not to say that I want someone else to suffer with a dog who is potentially aggressive towards people but if you know of anyone who is experienced with large dogs who doesn't have children or visiting children, it may buy the dog some time. After all, if the dog is reacting to pain caused by a medical condition, it can be treated and it would be a shame to put the dog down if it's something that can be sorted.

Laura xx

But I wonder how many of you who are advising all the above, would be comfortable with this dog in your home for the foreseeable future around your 3yr old

I totally agree with the bits in bold here. What we need to remember is

A) None of us were there so don't truly know what happened

B) It's very likely that the OP was very stressed and upset by the incident possibly leading to the view of events being skewed/blown out of proportion a little.

I can't count the amount of times I've seen two dogs really go at each other and thought to myself "OMG they're going to kill each other" only to find when they're separated there's not a scratch on either of them (and yes I know there's not a child involved but it's a uesful analogy!).



I can't help but think that if the dog really did have to be dragged off because it was wanting to seriously hurt the child, then it would've done the serious damage prior to being dragged off? If the dog was on top of the OPs Son and the child only recieved a nip then I have to say this dog actually sounds very tolerant and has hellish bite inhibition. It's highly likely the dog got a fright/was in pain etc and reacted the only way it knows how - shouting (considering it's unstable background and skin condition).

Now I'm not saying the OP is lying, but I think we do have to bare in mind that the adrenalin will have been pumping and in these situations things always appear worse. It's also very easy to become emotive when a dog hurts a child, all I ask is that people try and offer constructive advice instead of pulling each other to bits - it won't help the OP at all.

My advice would be to get the dog to the vets for a health check and then please contact the rescues you've been given the details of. It doesn't sound to me like this dog is worthy of being PTS - if it had really wanted to hurt your child he would have.

I hope Kitty comes back and lets us know whats been decided about the dog.