I have two second hand anecdotes from friends with similar experiences.
A guy I used to work with who was a mentor of mine got a rescue because his daughter who was 12 or 13 at the time wanted a dog. Dog bit him once or twice and did some real damage to his hand an arm to the point where he was in the hospital for a couple days and barely could work. He himmed and hawed about putting the dog down until his daughter was home alone with it one night and the dog tried to corner her and she had to lock herself in the bathroom. Dog was put down immediately.
My roommate in college got a rescue for his dad who was recovering from a stroke and addiction. Dog became aggressive after a couple weeks, bit the dad pretty good to the point that stitches were needed. Dog was scheduled to be put down. The dog ended up really tearing into my roommates dad, almost killed him. The dog got loose somehow when the paramedics showed up to take the dad to the hospital and charged a cop, dog was put down by the cop's service weapon.
Please put this animal down immediately before something happens, your conscience will a whole lot less clear if you keep this dangerous animal in your home.
John Welsh said:
camopaint0707 said:
In reply to TRoglodyte :
clear conscience.....I'll work on that.
Its not that no one cared for Old Yeller but Old Yeller wasn't "right" any more...and he wasn't gonna get right either.
Sad for sure but its a story older than the 1957 movie release.
Additionally, and not to be cold hearted, but in searching for a shelter you are learning that there is an oversupply of dogs in your immediate area. That sort of implies that anyone whom you could pass the dog onto currently has a glut of dog choices available to them.
Mndsm
MegaDork
6/13/24 3:29 p.m.
In brutal, absolutely objective terms, 9mm is cheaper than a lawsuit or reconstructive surgery. The offer is on the table for a (physically) pain free way out for everyone involved.
On a personal level, it sounds like you're out of options. You don't have the time, finances or energy to care for this dog, that may in the end not be cared for anyhow. You've done everything you can. Much like compassionate care and EOL issues, sometimes it's time to make tough decisions. This sounds like one of them.
Here's an important point, speaking for myself and many others in my profession. As veterinarians, we don't agree to do what we call, "convenience euthanasia."
There must be a clear and compelling case for choosing to euthanize an animal. In your situation, it's both for the protection of the family, and due to the fact that this dog is not having a good life.
We read a lot of posts from Doc noted above. I would 100% trust his advice. If he's tellin ya.....
I'll be blunt, but not trying to be rude. You said you've been crying all day over this dilemma. That shows you have a good heart. You've tried to do right by the dog in every way you can think of. It hasn't worked.
Think of how you'll feel if your daughter grows up with scars on her face or body because you were sitting on your hands trying to give the dog yet another chance, and the dog took that as a chance to attack those close to you.
I commend you for doing what you've done thus far, but good lord man, it's time to step in to protect you and yours. The dog has issues (anxiety, fear, PTSD, etc) that you are not able to work out, unfortunately you don't have the time and resources to correct it....if it's correctable.
camopaint0707 said:
In reply to TRoglodyte :
clear conscience.....I'll work on that.
When you have moved on from this situation call the rescue and consider adopting an animal you and your family can have a fulfilling relationship with. Hell, take two off their hands.
pheller
UltimaDork
7/8/24 9:52 a.m.
Curious if the dog was put down?
I've got a mutual family friend who loves Australian Shepherds and might be interested. He's had a dozen or so over the years, so knows their personality ranges.