New foster dog attacked my daughter!

  If there really was no stimulation for the attack,I would keep the dog separated from the kids immediately until you can have him evaluated by a vet and /or behaviourist.There might be a trigger your not picking up on.In most cases of attack,there is something that prompts the dog first..Was the child alone with the animal at thetime,or supervised?Were there any other witnesses?

 I should also add,that with any dog breed,the owner should evaluate whether it is safe to leave certain individuals,be them kids or adults,with the dog in question.My kids have been instructed as to how to behave with and around my dogs,but are still never left fully alone with them.I know my dogs,and know the damage they could do if they did attack.I also know my kids,and know they would not be able to fend them off.This is my descision as to why I would never leave them alone together.

I think that's very personal decision, as far as what to do. I won't say what I would do because well....just because.
I do want to extend sympathies to you and your daughter, and I hope she heals well and isn't too upset about the whole thing, and I hope you all can find some sort of solution.
 
I'd also suggest considering that a 13y/o is not really a small kid of the sort some dogs may have issues with, many 13y/o are as tall as adults (not sure if that's the case here)...and I'd be considering maybe it wasn't that she was a child...but something else that triggered this.

She is almost as tall as i am so its not a small child thing.The only thing i could think of was maybe it was the swing??? She wasnt really swinging at the time just sort of slowly rocking with her feet on the ground.

Does he chase cars or bicycles...skateboards etc? I'd definitely get him around those and see. Some dogs are supremely upset by humans moving in unnatural ways and will knock them down or drag them around....it's prey drive but also some fear I think. If he fearful in general? what scares him if anything? Prey drive? Was she staring at him or looking in his direction?

He really doesnt seem to be afraid of anything.He hasnt been around any bikes or skateboards since we have had him though.He is very outgoing and playfull normally.
I happened so fast but i am pretty sure she wasnt even facing his direction before she heard the growl.She was talking to her sister.
Edited to add he has very little prey drive that i have seen.He doesnt even chase cats.

ORIGINAL: rwbeagles

I think that's very personal decision, as far as what to do. I won't say what I would do because well....just because.
I do want to extend sympathies to you and your daughter, and I hope she heals well and isn't too upset about the whole thing, and I hope you all can find some sort of solution.
 
I'd also suggest considering that a 13y/o is not really a small kid of the sort some dogs may have issues with, many 13y/o are as tall as adults (not sure if that's the case here)...and I'd be considering maybe it wasn't that she was a child...but something else that triggered this.

I won't suggest what I would do either.  I was attached by a dog on a swing at a friend's house when I was 14.  They knew the dog was aggressive.  It managed to sneak out of the garage and pulled me off the swing. The  mother of my friend pulled the dog off me before anything horrible happened. Things could have ended much worse.

I sure hope that your daughter heals quickly and that this incident does not make her fearful of dogs.  
 
How old is Sarge?   How is his health?  Any chance of pain from arthritis, anal glands, bee stings, ...?    Any other possible symptoms of hypothyroidism?
 
If you are fostering for a group, what are their rules about a bite?

That is horrible. Could've been so much worse.

I don't know what I'd do.  It must be difficult to decide with fosters. 
I'm glad your daughter isn't seriously hurt. 
Lori

If the rescue group has funds for it, I would get him in to be evaluated by a behaviorist or a very, very experienced trainer ASAP, and see if they can spot anything. Medical workup might not hurt, either.

Both those said? I think you need to SERIOUSLY consider if this dog is adoptable- hopefully this was misdirected play of some sort, but if it wasn't? Can you really take the risk of adopting him out, knowhing he is capable of potentially injuring someone badly?

I say remove the dog immediately,,, and I truly, strongly, and sadly lean toward euthanasia unless a behaviorist will rehab,,,, not consult,,,, rehab.

ORIGINAL: mrv

I say remove the dog immediately,,, and I truly, strongly, and sadly lean toward euthanasia unless a behaviorist will rehab,,,, not consult,,,, rehab.

This is really sad, but true. It's awful. But when I think of the THOUSANDS of pit bull and pit bull mixes euthanized every year with 100% STABLE temperaments that would NEVER dream of biting for whatever reason (even redirection) because they cannot get adopted or no one has room for them, it makes it easier for me to understand why pit bull people say they don't tolerate human aggression/bites for whatever reason at all. I mean, that, and it's COMPLETELY out of breed character.

I would (and this is ONLY my opinion) call whatever rescue/shelter you are fostering him for, and I would tell them that he bit your daughter and you can no longer foster him. That's only what I would do. And, yes, it would break my heart. But, me personally, I do NOT tolerate a dog biting humans like that.

But I wish you luck in whatever you choose to do and I am really sorry that your daughter got bitten and I can only imagine how scary that was at first. I'm also glad that it was not worse. I hope it heals well!

The dog is 1 1/2 years old.He was an owner surrender and lived with children before he came to us.He is in perfect health and was vetted before bringing him to us.
Thankfully she isnt afraid of dogs from this and only slightly afraid of even this one now.As far as a behaviorist is concerned we dont have any in this area.I even see several ads in the paper from people looking for them.
I am president of the organization i am fostering for.We only have 3 foster homes and they all have children.I think my only option at this point is to keep him seperated from the children ( he is good with the other dogs) and only me and DH handle him until we evaluate him further.I will see how he does with bicycles ect.I am still just so shocked at his behavior.He is such a sweet dog,he is also very velcro and loves to be with people.

Well, your daughters health is at stake here. I wouldn't fool around wondering if this was a one time thing or not. I'd take him to the shelter immediatly and talk to them about getting him temperment tested. You don't want to adopt this dog out to the wrong family if he can't be trusted with children. He might be able to go out to a family with no kids, you never know.