My little boy was bitten by his Aunt's dog
By littleone3
@littleone3 (2063)
August 16, 2009 1:39pm CST
We were visiting my partners sister and her husband and my youngest who is three asked if he could play with Daisy their dog.Like he had done many times before with no problems.
Everything was going fine they were playing away nicely in the front garden. When all of a sudden my son went to stroke her and she jumped up and bit him in the face just under his eye.
Obviously my son was in shock and just wanted to go home. His uncle went mad and gave the dog a good telling off.
I was just interested in getting my son and taking him home which we did.
His aunt and uncle were both very upset at this as apparently when my partner returned (as he had a few bits to finish up)to his sisters she did ask him if he wanted the dog put down. He said No as he felt that this would be very upsetting for her as she treats the dog like her baby as she never had children due to having about 8 miscarriages.
We found out later that the dog had had the two boys next door teasing her every time they saw her we think this is what made her snap.
My partners other sister is of the opinion that the dog should be put down.
Personally I am not sure what to do in this situation?
I am just relieved that it hasn't made my son scared of dogs as we have two of our own.
2 people like this
9 responses
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
17 Aug 09
Well...usually when a dog attacks someone there is a reason behind it...as to your partners sisters dog....she's been teased. That could defeniatly set any dog off, especially if she thought that your son was coming up to tease her. I'm sure he wasn't but she doesnt know.
If this is something that hasn't happened before, and the dog is not a dangerous vicious animal than I don't think that Daisy should be put down. Just maybe have her locked outback, or in another room while your son is over if you don't trust her. But if she isn't a danger to her family that she resides with and she isn't a danger to society than I think putting her down would be unneccesary.
Is your son okay?
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
18 Aug 09
It's good to know that he is okay! :) It is quite lucky it wasn't more serious. What kind of dog is Daisy??
@littleone3 (2063)
•
17 Aug 09
Yes thanks he is fine just was in shock for a little while after it happened he went and locked himself in the bathroom and refused to come out for about half hour but was okay after that. We have been back since it happened and they kept the dog out the back as he will only go to see them if Daisy is out the way.
@Bad_Daddy55 (497)
• Canada
19 Aug 09
1st tell the boys uncle to have a good talking to those 2 kids parents, let them know what happened to your son because of what they did. Now you have to watch your son when he is around that dog, or when you are there the dog must be placed away from kids untill that dog proves that he is trustworthy around kids again.
If this was a normal world I would kick those 2 in the BUTT and tell them if they ever tease this dog again they will be a unik..
@littleone3 (2063)
•
20 Aug 09
The dog is now kept out the way when we visit as they don't trust her any more around my son.
Hopefully his uncle will say something to them after this happening.
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
17 Aug 09
To me putting down that dog would be absolutely unacceptable. Just because they cant say what’s bothering them and when, we just take them for granted and whenever there’s just a hint of indiscipline, the easy (and cruel) way out is to put them down. When our dog came in, my son was the same age as yours and one day he was sitting on the edge of the bed and dangling his legs just like that. The dog was somewhere under the bed and she suddenly snapped at his legs and bit him on his big toe! We of course too my son to the doctor and the dog to the vet and both of them had shots and checkups and all was well. Even later while playing, the dog has scratched or lightly bitten my son many times…we have never given an special thought to it. The dog is a part of our family and we take it for regular checkups so we know if anything is wrong with her. In your case too, it’s a family dog not a stray…so why should it be put down? You can just keep a watch to see if it develops any symptoms…otherwise I think the owners give it regular anti-rabies shots??!!
@littleone3 (2063)
•
17 Aug 09
Having given it some thought I also agree she should not be put down. It was a one off and has never bitten anyone before. I think the fact the neighbours boys had been teasing her was probably what made her snap.
@joygracia (1325)
• Philippines
17 Aug 09
wohh!!.. that`s really scary. But good thing that did not made your son got phobias on dogs because that could make him really anxious. Our dog is quite aggressive. I am really scared he might bitten someone like kids or my relatives kids. That`s even worse.
@littleone3 (2063)
•
17 Aug 09
It was scary at the time. That is good. I hope that your dog never bites anyone as I would not wish for you to go through that.
@TheGypsyDad (391)
• Canada
17 Aug 09
If the dog makes it a habit, or looks like it was not going to stop after the first nip...then the dog needs a tune up. But where I come from, where there are many dogs, the nutty ones end up going for a walk behind the shed :-(
@linkmaster111 (74)
• United States
17 Aug 09
I don't think the dog should be put down, especially if it was used to being antagonized by the kids next door! Its not the dogs fault if it grows to dislike children, the parents of the neighbor kids should be to blame for not watching their kids better.
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
16 Aug 09
No, I wouldn't demand that the dog be put down at this point. As you stated your son had no problem with the dog before. This may be an isolated indecent and might not be repeated again. It would be a shame to have a good dog put down for just one bite. Teach your son to move very slowly when getting ready to pet the dog. If it happened again then it is time to think about having it put down.
@littleone3 (2063)
•
17 Aug 09
I do agree they have had the dog since a pup and it has never been bitten anyone before. So hopefully this is a one off and it will not happen again.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
17 Aug 09
Given that the dog has been being teased by the neighbor boy, that may explain why he snapped at your son. I don't think it would be fair to put the dog down. I would take the dog to the vets to have him checked just to make sure it isn't anything serious. If the dog has had its shots and is healthy then there is no need to put him down. I would maybe keep the dog more restricted for a time and I would definitly have a talk with the neighbor kids. 
@littleone3 (2063)
•
17 Aug 09
That is what we think that made the dog snap as well. I was also wondering if the dog was being teased by other people as well. As they allow dogs out on their own here to roam the streets.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
16 Aug 09
My daughter was bitten by a dog when she was three years old, it was the dog of her grandparent's next door neighbor. She had been spending the night with my in-laws and they had gone over to the neighbors house to deliver Christmas presents. Next thing we knew, we were being called at home to come get Kathryn and take her to the emergency room. We took her there where she was given a prescription for antibiotics and the wound was cleaned. She did really well about it.
My in-laws, on the other hand, were insisting that the neighbors have the dog put down immediately. I didn't share this opinion with them. I wasn't fond of the dog, but I figured that my daughter did something to provoke him. They didn't put the dog down, but did offer to pay the ER bill as soon as it came. And, when we got back to the in-law's house after the ER, the neighbor was waiting to find out if Kathryn was ok.
@littleone3 (2063)
•
17 Aug 09
Its good to know your daughter Kathryn was ok. Sometimes young children amaze me by how brave they can be. The neighbour must have felt very guilty but like you said it wasn't really the dogs fault.
