My dog nipped a kid, what should I do?

We had family over and our little dog doesn't like little kids grabbing him and stuff so we kept him in my bedroom. One of my family members wanted to talk to me privately so we went into my bedroom and she put her toddler on the ground. Well, of course, he grabbed at my dog's face and the dog nipped him. He broke skin but no stitches were required, it's not serious. Every thing was fine when she left but now she's sending me harassing emails saying that she can have my dog taken away and things like that. I told her that my dog doesn't like being grabbed and she shouldn't have put her kid down. My dog hasn't really had any problems with anyone else but her kids. Her kids are always trying to pick him up and grab him and he has growled at them or nipped them (without breaking skin) but this is the first time he's broken skin. He's neutered and up to date on his shots. He's an older dog and he just doesn't like her kids. Can she really have my dog taken away? How can I get her to stop?

My dog nipped a kid, what should I do?
It all depends on where you live, however, most counties will give a warning for the first time bite. Just to be on the safe side, I would keep a journal/diary, each time she comes over and what are the circumstances behind the bite. Keep it neutral, that is, don't let your emotions get in the way of the facts. State very simply and plainly what you did (put the dog in the room), what the child did, and what led up to the incident.





When your dog is around her kids, talk to the kids (not the mom, since she obviously will not do anything about it.) Explain to the kids that the dog does not like to be picked up, and not to grab at any dog. Try to teach the kids how to approach a dog. This will not only affect the way they interact with your dog, but also how they interact with all dogs.
Reply:If she wants to continue threatening you, give her a reason to harrass you, kick her ***.
Reply:WOW. I THINK YOU SHOULD TELL HER IM SORRY BUT TELL HER THAT YOUR DOG DOESNT LIKE KIDS PULLING ON HIM. IF SHE GOES FARTHER HAVE ALL YOUR DOGS MEDICAL RECORDS SO SHE WONT LIE ON YOU. JUST IN CASE.
Reply:i dont think its your dogs fault.


my dogs hate it when you touch some part around their face and of course theyll get mad. but nipping the child will teach him a lesson. and you said its not that serious. she shouldnt have to send threatening emails like that. it was a mistake, an accident. your dog didnt know and you cant control a dogs actions unless its trained.
Reply:Depending on the breed, and whether you can prove it was in any pain (diseases, infections etc) at the time, you may be excused.





To be honest, if it's an older dog, who is usually calm and docile, doesn't have a history at all, you're pretty much safe.





Most likely it's all bark and no bite (excuse the pun!) with her, it's very unlikely she'd actually report it if she's family, and especially as it was HER who put her kid on the floor near the dog.





I'd cut off contact with her, and certainly never let her children over again, on the basis that you don't want her children harrassing her dog! She could keep her f***ing kids under control, it's your dog's house not theirs.





Good luck!
Reply:I don't believe she can. She was aware that the dog was not well socialized with rough children, and you had taken all precautions to keep the dog and kids separate. Why did she bring the child into the room with the dog in the first place? And why wasn't she supervising the interaction between child and dog? I think she's all talk, and seeing as there was no damage, I doubt she has any ability to have the dog seized. Next time she calls, tell her you're planning to sue for harassment. That might shut her up.
Reply:It depends on the law where you live. Mine has a no bite policy and if your dog ever does bite someone they have to be registered as dangerous dogs and you can be fined a lot of money. So you might want to check the specific laws on animal biting where you live and you may have better luck.
Reply:Depending on where you live, she might be able to get you into trouble. However, most animal control officers realize that small children and dogs don't always mix - and you had taken proper precautions ahead of time. I would do some googling of your local laws and see what you could do.





Also, I'd never invite her over again! She and her brats need training before they're allowed around unsuspecting anumals again!
Reply:Laws in your state may differ.


If you can't prove your dog has been vaccinated against rabies, she can get your dog quarantined for rabies.





Your relative is being a jerk. Don't invite her, or her kids, over again.
Reply:I just had this same issue with my Pyr. Here is what it boils down to.





YOU are the dog owner


YOU have an obligation to protect children from your dog.


YOU have an obligation to protect your dog from children.


YOU are at fault





She probably can not do anything to get your dog away from you since you had the dog separated, however YOU failed when you allowed a toddler in the same room as the dog by not holding either the dog or toddler to prevent the bite. Give her a heartfelt apology, offer to pay any and all medical bills (if any exist) and make sure your dog is in a crate or removed totally the next time they visit. My home has baby gates all over the place now and my dog will never get a second chance. I suggest you do the same.
Reply:Don't reply to her emails. They can be legally used against you. She may be setting you up for a lawsuit.
Reply:It would be tough for her to have your dog taken away. It all depends on what kind of "family" she is. If she is evil, then she will blame your dog, not her kid, and her kids will grow up to be selfish and blame someone else for all their mistakes. If she is a good person, she will scold her child, apoligze to YOU for causing your dog to react that way. A dog is an animal with animal instincts. She is rediculous if she got mad at you.





Ps. I have a german shepard that loves children and will protect them at all costs. My sister was dog sitting for me one day. My sister's son was trying to ride my dog and when my dog would run away he would run after her. The dog had enough and laid down, basically given up, but my nephew jumped off the couch right on top of her with full force! The dog obviously reacted by biting him! It broke skin and all, but my sister called me to inform me, but placed no blame on the dog...Acutally, she still dog sits every day while I am at work. Keep that in mind.
Reply:take him to the dog shelter
Reply:well i think she can press charges...so maybe, if there is a law like that where you live.





did you warn her and her kids not to touch your dog?





if you did [and having witnesses would help alot] she can't really do anything, its not like the dog is rabid or anything, and it is her own fault for leaving her kid unattended like that and ignoring your warnings [if you gave out one]





ive had plenty of my friends dog bite me, but thats because i was not careful with them and so i didn't tell them off.





if she does do anything make sure you have an argument to stand by...meanwhile try to get as many people as you can to play with the dog gently and see how nice of a dog he is(:
Reply:Threatin her to have her child taken away tell her that or if that does not stop her tell her that you don't wan't her over your house any more and that's finale tell her that.
Reply:Ohh boy - that is a big problem. You knew and are publicly saying that you knew that your dog had a problem with her kids. You took steps initially to keep the dog and the kids apart. But you let your guard down and you allowed the dog and the kid to come into contact. The natural result that the dog defended itself happened. The problem is that as unfair as it might be dogs often don't have the right. The kid is wrong, the kid's mother is in the wrong, and yes, even you are in the wrong. But the dog is at risk for paying the price. Is this dog important enough to you to get advice from an attorney? Because that is what I recommend. There are more attorneys who specialize in suing than protecting the dog - but you can find ones that know how to protect your dog. Without knowing your local law that is the safest advice I can give. And don't post any more details any where on the internet. It can be used against you.
Reply:Really to be honest with you, she could call the human society and they will investigate it. But if she was going to try and get your dog taken away than she would have done something about it by now. Let her keep threatening you. Make sure you save the emails so that if it came down to it, you can threaten her back with the emails she has been sending you. And in order to take the dog away she would have had to report it THAN AND THERE. and she would have had to take her kid to the hospital and get it reported like that, than the hospital would take it from there. So by the time she does that (because i am assuming she hasn't taken the kid to the hospital)the cut would have healed and she would have no proof at all. So she is blowing air out of her a**. You did the right thing by realizing that your dog is not the best around kids, and putting him in the room. Continue to do that. Older dogs naturally get that way when they age. Just continue to do what you are doing. Hope this made you feel a little bit better.
Reply:It sounds like your dog was reacting in a normal "animal manner". It is unfortunate that it happened to a family member and they are now complaining after the situation happened. Just tell your family member you bit your dog back and broke the skin. That should make things even.
Reply:Dogs will be dogs. Have you specifically asked her to tell her children not to grab your dog or asked her to watch her children around the dog? You did the best you possibly could by putting your dog in your bedroom.





Legally, if your dog has no bite history, he probably will not be taken away. However, I recommend you not reply to her e-mails as others have said. Try to not have her over at your home anymore to prevent it from happening again. She's probably just all talk and trying to scare you if she's sending harassing e-mails. Try to ignore it. If she does happen to report it, I would say you're pretty much good. If your dog has no history of aggression, then he won't be taken away. Save all the e-mails just in case she does report it to show that she has been harassing you. I'm not sure if it'll help, since I'm not familiar with the legal system, but I don't think it'll hurt.
Reply:she cant have him taken away. the worse they will do is make you put up beware of dog signs %26amp; maybe have a vicous dog title put on file %26amp; have to put a muzzle on him in public. if it was a reoccuring problem then they could take him away. also beings you were in your own home %26amp; not out on the streets when it happened is a plus on your side.
Reply:your family member should just stop coming to visit (good riddance). animal control would never take away your dog.





for christmas get your relative a choke chain -- the kind with spikes on the INSIDE
Reply:You should see if you can hire someone like Cesar Milan seriously...your dog is dangerous and if it bit my child I honestly would sue you and have your animal impounded.

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