Dog Bite - Genoa City,WI

Im sorry im a dog lover i have 2 myself and i have a 2 1/2 year old girl as well. If a dog or my dog ever bit my daughter that would be a dead dog. My husband would say so as well. My daughter means more than anything and i would not let it happen again!

S.:

I'm stuck here....I'm a dog lover....but I also see this - as it may sound rude - but this is me....Your dad is doing you a favor by taking care of your children while you work and now it appears you want him to get rid of his dog, his companion. I don't think so.

Did your daughter have to go to the ER? If so - I believe ERs are required to report animal bites. If that is the case - then animal control would have already been sent out to investigate the situation.

If she did NOT visit the ER, then it wasn't that bad.

I don't know the age or the dog or the breed of the dog - but most 2.5 year olds don't know that a tug might hurt nor do they know their own strength so it's POSSIBLE that she could've hurt the dog - WITHOUT TRYING TO - and the dog reacted. You stated your dad said the dog had been growling at her when she walked by - it's possible the dog is protective her master..I don't know.

You are being unfair to your Dad. The dog is his companion and he needs to make all decisions concerning the dog. Its his call on getting rid of the dog. Its very likely that your child did something that hurt the dog. Your child is your responsibility and you are her protector. She can no longer visit the house if he keeps the dog (IMHO) A shut door can accidentally get left open and the dog will be out with your daughter. Dogs need to go out and eat and can't stay locked in a room forever. Ask the Uncle to come to your house to sit until you can find other care or if he's willing to stay at your house and babysit, that only helps you. Dogs and toddlers are a scary combination. You just never know....Good luck.

If my dog bit an adult, or someone walking by, I would absolutely get rid of the dog. But, because your daughter is a toddler, I'm not sure it was the dog's fault! That is the reason I can see your dad's point of view.....sorry this happened. I know it must have been horrible!

On the face? Wow. I would have called animal control already.

I had the same thing happen at my Mom's house. My son was 18 months old at the time. The dog snapped at him before, so we were very careful on making sure the dog was outside away from my son. Then one day, the dog got jealous and bit my son on the face. It was totally unprovoked. He had to have 2 sutures and had a few other puncture wounds and scratches. I had tried calling different shelters for the dog, but none of them would take her because she had bitten someone. We also tried finding her a home, but we couldn't find anyone to take her. I ended up taking her to the vet a few days later to put her down. My Mom knew it had to be done for her grandson's safety, but she just couldn't do it so I had to. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, I paid extra so I could be with her the whole time. She passed away in my arms. I cried and cried and cried, but I knew that my son's safety was the most important thing in the whole world to me. I know this is a hard decision for everyone involved.

I would not leave my daughter there even one more day. I would find someone else to watch them while you find new daycare.

If you force your Dad to get rid of his dog, will he be a caring person towards your daughters? I don't see any good solution here but to remove your children from this danger.

I personally wouldn't require or expect him to rehome the dog, though I also wouldn't be against that option if a loving home could be found and your dad was willing. I would make it very clear that the dog and the child are to be kept 100% separate from one another. The dog can be in a crate, a bedroom, or out back for those 8 (I'm guessing) hours. That doesn't seem unreasonable to me. I wouldn't want to see the dog put down or sent to a shelter where the same may happen unless it was completely unmanagable by anyone. Another good idea is to tell him that it would make you much more comfortable if he invested some time and energy into socializing the dog properly and getting professional training so you can know the dog is under better control. Also, you probably know this but NO child should EVER be left unsupervised with any pet.

Edited to add: It doesn't sound to me like this is the kind of dog who even if he somehow broke out of his secure location would immediately charge and attack the child. I would hope there is enough adult supervision that if the dog got loose (which it shouldn't) that it would be noticed and he could be immediately contained.

If I didn't trust my family to contain the dog (plus the dog can get out at any time) I would find a way to make alternative day care plans. It is not worth the risk.

In the mean time I would also teach my older daughter (depending on age) to keep the younger daughter away from the dog if that situation should occur.

When I had a beloved dog do this, I put him to sleep. I cried and cried and I hated it. But he had been getting sick for the last couple of years, was getting older and then we had little warnings of growling that we didn't take seriously enough. I figured it was unfair to try and re-home a dog that had proven he was going to be costly because of his medical bills and was too old and grouchy to be around any children. He had a long good life and had always been good with children. The child is much more important! You need to do what you can do before something happens.

I think you need to protect your daughter at all costs. Don't let her visit your dads until this situation is resolved. Locking the dog in the bedroom is not a reasonable solution because its unfair to the dog and will only breed resentment-what if the dog got out?? The bedroom wasn't closed all the way etc. Any dog that bites should be evaluated by a behavioral specialist to see if its able to be rehabilitated. I would see if he is willing to do that. Unfortunately since your dad's is your daycare option---I would insist that he come to your house until the situation is resolved. Best wishes and I hope your daughter is ok. You did take her to the doctor and get her on antibiotics right?? What about making a report with the city to document the bite? I would do these things if you haven't already. Dogs that bite once, will bite again. Take care,

M

id make sure the dog was not around my child ever.

Try to get them into daycare. As a parent and dog lover, i can see both sides -- you have to protect your daughter but putting an animal down isn't like throwing away a microwave, it is a living being that is a companion for your dad when everyone else is getting on with their lives.

When I was a child we had a beloved dog which bit a visiting child who tried to pull away a toy or food, i don't remember. We didn't put him down and he never bit anyone else. I'm not suggesting to let the dog have another go at your daughter -- you MUST protect her -- but I would be very reluctant to ask anyone to put down an animal.

I NEVER leave my daughter alone around a dog (or even a cat). Children are impulsive and they may hurt or threaten an animal; or the animal may just FEEL threatened and react badly.

Are you positive the child hasn't antagonized the dog in some way? Not that biting is acceptable, but little kids are often too rough or don't know when to back off. If the dog hasn't growled or bitten anyone else, I'm wondering if your daughter has, without meaning to, made the dog feel threatened.
I was bitten by a very ferocious dog outside while walking home one day, so I have never lost my fear of dogs. Being bitten is traumatic.
However, this dog is your father's companion.
You need your father to take care of your kids so you can work and do what you need to do in your life AND now, in order for him to be able to continue helping you do that, you want him to also get rid of his dog.
To you, the choice is easy. And most convenient.
I'm sure your dad feels terrible about what happened.
My nephew was bitten by my sister's dog after being repeatedly told to stay away from her when she was eating. She was a wonderful dog. Patient. She put up with a lot. But, she didn't want him trying to jump on her or yank on her when she was eating. And one day it happened.
Everyone wanted my sister to put the dog to sleep. That was the first thought that came to her head. But, she just couldn't do it.
My nephew healed up, stayed away from the dog when she was eating. The dog never bit anyone again. They had her for many more years with no problem.
My grandpa had an old poodle who got really nervous with kids in the house in his old age. He was fine during the day, but at night, when it was time to settle down, he didn't stand for little kids acting up. He would bark and growl and get after us if we started acting up and getting crazy. He was affectionate and loved to be held and petted. He would sit with us on the couch. But if we got up to run or jump around after bath and jammies, he put us in our place. He never bit because we didn't push it.
My grandpa got that dog before my grandmother got sick with cancer. When she died, that dog became his buddy. They both missed my grandmother so much.
When the dog got old and grouchy, we couldn't expect Grandpa to get rid of him or put him down.
If you don't feel your daughter is safe, you will have to find alternate daycare.
Keeping the dog in a bedroom is a workable solution until you can get that figured out.
Your dad may change his mind about keeping the dog, but he may not.
Yes, humans should always come first, but your dad loves his dog too.
Like I said, it's an easy choice for you.
Not so easy for him.

I hope your daughter heals up quickly and she'll be all right.
I wish there was an easier answer.

Best wishes.

I think everyone is missing the whole point. Your children where supposed to be looked after by your uncle. Where was he at the time? What are the girls during the time they are there? Coloring, watching t.v. How close is he paying attention to them?

Good luck
J.

I'm sure your dad doesnt want the dog to bite your daughter again so I would believe him when he says that they will be separated while your daughter is there (insist on that!). Let your dad think about this for awhile, you are asking him to get rid of his pet, and that might be pretty hard for him to wrap his mind around..... surely he will realize that the dog isnt trustworthy around little children and he could get in quite a bit of trouble if his dog bites someone else. Let him know your feelings on this, by all means. I'm pretty certain I'd get rid of my animal if my grandchild was a regular visitor in my home. If your daughter isnt a regular visitor, that might be why he hasnt rushed the dog off to have it put down. jmo

I would not have my daughter back in that house. Your dad is wrong in keeping that dog. He may love that dog....but the your daughter should come first. I do not care if the dog is his companion at all. The dog is a danger to your child.

Your dad needs to kennel the dog in a shut bedroom, and then still make sure yoru daughter does not go in. Its not the dogs fault - some dogs just are not good with small children. Its not your daughters fault - she is a toddler and you cant relaibly expect for her to stay out of the dogs space. The adults need to make good decisions for both the welfare of the child and the dog.

If your dad can't do that, you need to find another place for your children. I KNOW It is expensive (I pay more for daycare than for my mortgage) and really sympathize.

I also know more people than I can count who have been bit in the face by a family or friends pet, and either scarred for life, required plastic sugery, or both.

If the dog bites severely enough to require a hospital visit, he can be put down, which is also not a good outcome.

I would not make a distinction between a nip and a bite or under what circumstance the dog bit. Either one says the dog does not want the child around.

I'm sorry. I know this is a tough one.

Looks like u have response already but heres one more. When i was about 9years old i was playing with my dog "a lab" on my bed when she truned and bit me in the face. We had to have her put down because it was see as her being a violent animal. That is not something to take lightly if your little one is only 2 the dog can hurt her a lot more. I would sit down with your dad and have a long talk that is not safe for your little one. you are only asking him to get rid of the dog not have it put to sleep.

Did you file a police report?
This needs to be done, if this is a dangerous animal it needs to be on file.
What if it bites someone or your daughter again?

DO NOT let her be there, it is an animal. How scared will she be when you drop her off & act like it's no big deal. What if it happens again? The cost of daycare or a sitter is worth it.