Trying to rehome a dog that has bitten me- could we be liable if we are upfront about it

[Anonymous]

No. Put this dog down. Don't take a chance on it killing someone. There are plenty of people willing to adopt an aggressive dog because that's what they're seeking. They put all of us in danger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks for all the considered responses. To the poster 15:26, the bite did break the skin but was quick and not terribly deep. Deep enough that it bled for several minutes but I didn’t need stitches or anything. We have not had a behaviorist but several qualified trainers. Well, minus one who I think told us incorrect info- but the others were good. There’s no way he can stay here- we are all walking on eggshells. He’s so unpredictable and won’t growl, will just lunge. He also attacks my other dog and those attacks have become quite vicious. Again, the underbite is what has prevented any major damage from happening. I’m not interested in any more training- I trust the ones we’ve had and the recommendations have been followed- he’s just still not behaving in a safe way. I keep him away from the kids-they don’t go near him and we put him in a pen to sleep. (They are 8 and 10 and understand the drill). We lock him up when anyone comes over. In fact, we’ve stopped having people over because it’s so stressful. I want to do right by this dog but no one can touch him but my husband- no one can walk near him when he’s sleeping- no one can play with him. Oddly, he’s way better with outsiders than with our family- he is a major fan of everyone except myself, the kids and our other dog. It’s bizarre

Ok thanks for the revisit on the extent of the bite. I was the PP suggesting a behaviorist. I take it back. If he actually cut thru your skin, he has to go, asap.

[Anonymous]

A real bite without growling is pretty intense, OP.

Can you call Lap of Love and do a home euthanasia?

He's not leading a happy life right now.

[Anonymous]

OP why are you looking for justification to save this dog. He bit you and drew blood! Put the dog down. Full stop.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, OP. It’s a sad situation for your family and for the dog. You can’t rehome him. Even a single male won’t live in a vacuum, without other people, and when the dog goes for walks he may attack another dog. This situation is nobody’s fault but there’s nothing to be done except gently say goodbye to him and put him to sleep. Poor pup and poor you.

[Anonymous]

OP, it is rare DCUM comes to a consensus on anything. I love, love, love my pets but the right thing to do is put this dog down, not pass him on to bite someone else. There are so many lovely dogs out there needing homes you can enjoy as pets.

[Anonymous]

It's time OP. I'm sorry. But for the safety of everyone, please don't re-home this dog. He needs to be put down.

[Anonymous]

I have to agree with all the other posters about putting your dog down. For what it’s worth, I had a cat many years ago. He became extremely mean as he got older. It was a very difficult decision for me, but I had to put him down. He would try to sneak out of the house and if he successfully escaped, he would sit on neighbors stoops and not let them enter their house. When I had guests , I had to lock him up. Although he did figure out how to open doors. He bit my veterinarian. It was actually the veterinarian who told me that when an animal start biting people it is time to make a hard decision. I loved that cat. But I had to do the right thing and put him down. He was only 10 years old. Young for a cat, but cat bites can cause infections.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm so sorry for what you're going through. It sounds like you've tried everything you can think of to fix the situation and it just doesn't have an answer. Something to consider, since it sounds like you do love this dog - if you surrender him to a shelter or even a rescue, there is a high probability that he will be put down eventually. But that will be after days/weeks of being in a new place, surrounded by new people, which will likely be a very stressful time for him. It might be the kindest thing if your husband takes him to the vet to have him put down or you have the vet come to your house while your husband is with him so that at least his last days aren't spent in a kennel and he isn't put down alone. Hugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks for all the considered responses. To the poster 15:26, the bite did break the skin but was quick and not terribly deep. Deep enough that it bled for several minutes but I didn’t need stitches or anything. We have not had a behaviorist but several qualified trainers. Well, minus one who I think told us incorrect info- but the others were good. There’s no way he can stay here- we are all walking on eggshells. He’s so unpredictable and won’t growl, will just lunge. He also attacks my other dog and those attacks have become quite vicious. Again, the underbite is what has prevented any major damage from happening. I’m not interested in any more training- I trust the ones we’ve had and the recommendations have been followed- he’s just still not behaving in a safe way. I keep him away from the kids-they don’t go near him and we put him in a pen to sleep. (They are 8 and 10 and understand the drill). We lock him up when anyone comes over. In fact, we’ve stopped having people over because it’s so stressful. I want to do right by this dog but no one can touch him but my husband- no one can walk near him when he’s sleeping- no one can play with him. Oddly, he’s way better with outsiders than with our family- he is a major fan of everyone except myself, the kids and our other dog. It’s bizarre

OP, if a friend told you this and how you were living, and didn't specify it was a dog, you would think that friend was in an abusive relationship, wouldn't you?

You need to have the dog put down immediately. This is not a rehoming situation.

[Anonymous]

Former rescue volunteer here. One of the few times I have seen a dog sucessfully rehomed after a bite incident was was actually an Olde English Bulldogge, but he had very a cut-and-dry resource guarding issue (possessive of toys, but gave lots of warning signs), and ultimately went to an experienced couple who did not have children and did not entertain children at their home. It took a LOT of people advocating for that dog, though, including trainers and vets.

Absent the opinion of a trained behavioral vet that your dog can be rehabilitated (or at least effectively managed), the most humane thing you can do is put him down. I'm sorry, OP.

[Anonymous]

Agree that you need to put him down.

Firmly, firmly, firmly disagree that you should take him to a public shelter. If the breed-specific rescues won't take him, that is all you need to know. It is fundamentally unfair and unethical to dump this problem on the shelter. What if you get an intake person who clearly doesn't understand the risks, and wants to adopt the dog out without full disclosure? And what sane person in their right mind would adopt a dog with your dog's history?

Please call the vet and schedule euthanasia immediately.

[Anonymous]

He should be put down. I say this as a dog lover.

[Anonymous]

Look - I do advocate for behavioral euthanasia in situations where it is warranted. I think you guys are jumping to this much too quickly. This dog has not killed anyone, or even hurt anyone - I agree that this is not the right home, but saying he's bitten three times sounds like an overstatement. It sounds like he bit one time, didn't do a lot of harm, and seemed as surprised about it as the family themselves.

How are you describing the situation to bulldog rescue groups, when you approach them? Are you saying you have a vicious dog on your hands - or are you spelling out what actually happened?

But, yes, I agree that this is not a good home for the dog - and that euthanasia would be kinder than all of you living in misery, if you cannot find another solid and responsible placement for your dog.

I'm very sorry you are going through this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look - I do advocate for behavioral euthanasia in situations where it is warranted. I think you guys are jumping to this much too quickly. This dog has not killed anyone, or even hurt anyone - I agree that this is not the right home, but saying he's bitten three times sounds like an overstatement. It sounds like he bit one time, didn't do a lot of harm, and seemed as surprised about it as the family themselves.

How are you describing the situation to bulldog rescue groups, when you approach them? Are you saying you have a vicious dog on your hands - or are you spelling out what actually happened?

But, yes, I agree that this is not a good home for the dog - and that euthanasia would be kinder than all of you living in misery, if you cannot find another solid and responsible placement for your dog.

I'm very sorry you are going through this.

You may have missed the post where the OP said the dog lunges at people and does not growl or give any warning signs. Other dog owners have noted above that such sudden lunging with zero warnings is a very bad sign. That's not "he didn't do a lot of harm and seemed surprised" territory. It's "he's utterly unpredictable" territory. Unfortunate but it means no one, not even specialized breed rescue organizations, is going to take responsibility for this dog.