New foster dog attacked my daughter!

I read a story recently about children and swings and dogs, wish I could remember where, but it had to do with dogs attacking when children are on swings, I'd say it was the swing.

If you're the president, do you guys have like a sanctuary place for unadoptable dogs?

I know you say he was a wonderful dog in the past. Do seek medical care and testing and a behaviorist (what city are you located in? I could possibly help you find a behaviorist), but even then I'd be hesitant to adopt him out to a family. Do you have any idea what he is mixed with besides pit bull? There may be pit bull specific rescues near you that CAN find you a behaviorist.

This is really sad and I feel really bad for you in this situation because it's up to you whether or not you feel right adopting him out after he's bitten someone.

Sure, dogs can bite and it CAN BE an isolated incident, but I wouldn't want to risk that.

This really is a truly heartbreaking situation and maybe the best decision will never be known, but try and seek help figuring out the most appropriate decision.
I'm sorry.[]

A dog would do that with a family member or anyone for that matter, and it would be back to the shelter with a clear report of the incident. A dog like a Pit could fatally injure someone relatively quickly , and one attack like that is a big red flag for that dog.  It is not worth the gamble, because the dog already crossed a big line.    

Nyiceprincess, I agree that this is a personal matter and I support any decision or action you take.  I understand the wrenching feeling.  For those of us in rescue and fostering, sometimes we let our guard down when it comes to the safety for the fostering family and for the dog.  It is always a good idea that experiences like this be always kept in the forethought so we always overcompensate when it comes to safety matters.  The behavior of this dog would have eventually surfaced but the ramification would not have been so severe.  I will comment that you must disclose this incident to anyone interested in the dog.  And to give you comfort, the last time this happened in my organization, it was off to live with a behaviorist.  The behaviorist ended up adopting the dog.  Again, I support you Nyiceprincess.

NYIcePrincess,
Where are you located? There are a few very reputable pit bull rescues in New York, Animal Farm Foundation and Out of the Pits. They would probably be able to help you locate a behaviorist, if not evaluate the dog for you. If you need further help contacting a rescue/behaviorist, please PM me and I may be able to help.

Im sorry that this happened, I am glad your daughter is ok, but it must be a terrible feeling all around. I don't know what I would do in terms of the fate of the dog. I trust you to use your judgement, but I know that when you have an attachment to the dog, it is not always so clear what should be done. Sometimes our feelings cloud our judgement.

What I would do, though, is contact those rescues and seek out a behaviorist. I would have the dog evaluated, and at the very least, keep the dog safe and secluded, yet socialized under close supervision.

I agree with Chewbecca in the sadness she expressed over the number of pit bulls with solid temperaments that are euth'd daily becuase of lack of space. If this dog is deemed unstable by a behaviorist, you may want to consider opening up a spot in your home and your heart for a tempermentally stable dog that needs your help.

I commend you for your efforts, and hope that everything turns out well. I also support you in whatever decision you may make.

Good luck and keep us posted.

We are near Watertown NY.My best guess as far as mix would be Lab.

Here is a link with a list of SOME rescues across the nation and Canada, maybe this will be helpful, or maybe you could contact one for information about a behaviorist in your area...

http://pbrc.net/webapp/cgi-bin/orgs_by_state.cgi/d8b2bdbaddbcdaa17e0112a14d899468

Does he chase cars or bicycles...skateboards etc? I'd definitely get him around those and see.

I'd only do that if you're prepared for him to deflect on you.  And I searched through IACP and you're right - there really aren't any behaviorists or professional level trainers in your area.  That is a problem. 

This sounds like an unprovoked bite, especially since the swinging was minor and he walked up to her as she was turned away from him.  The swing probably was the stimulus, but... that's a pretty poor reactionon his part.  I'd hate to see what happens when this dog is put under pressure. 
 
I'd take Alieliza's link and ask those rescues who they consult with, or if they've got someone on staff who evals their dogs who could assist you.  Good luck and I'm glad your daughter isn't fearful and will recover.

My bad---wrong place!!!

er...what the...?

I am confused.

Oops!!! This was supposed to be a new thread, not a REPLY !!! SORRY --I didn't mean to hijack the thread..lol

ORIGINAL: jettasmomma

Oops!!! This was supposed to be a new thread, not a REPLY !!! SORRY --I didn't mean to hijack the thread..lol

No, no, it's OK. What confused me was on the main page, it said something about shedding and when I clicked on the thread, it brought me to the foster thread.

ORIGINAL: Auburn
I read a story recently about children and swings and dogs, wish I could remember where, but it had to do with dogs attacking when children are on swings, I'd say it was the swing.

Is this what you were thinking of:
[linkhttp://journals.aol.com/hestiahomeschool/HomeschoolingJournal/entries/2005/05/18/coroner-baby-swings-can-trigger-a-dog-attack/3987[/link]>http://journals.aol.com/hestiahomeschool/HomeschoolingJournal/entries/2005/05/18/coroner-baby-swings-can-trigger-a-dog-attack/3987]http://journals.aol.com/hestiahomeschool/HomeschoolingJournal/entries/2005/05/18/coroner-baby-swings-can-trigger-a-dog-attack/3987[/link]

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.

Unfortunately, I agree.  You cannot, in good conscience, adopt him out.  This was not a nipped hand, it was a body bite - not good.  His aggression could stem from anything, but you cannot afford that level of liability, and he cannot afford the consequence of biting again.
You must remember his age - he is becoming an adult.  This may be the "switch" that goes off that Pittie owners usually only need to fear with regard to other dogs.  But, this dog may possibly not have made the connection that children are leaders, too.  And, even if you could rehab him with your kids, there are kids in the universe that will come into contact with him.  You really can't save them all, and sometimes it's heartbreaking...  Had he nipped a hand, or air snapped, I'd be more forgiving, but he went for the body and he bit.  That tells me he meant it.  I'm with miranadobe - his reaction was poor under very little pressure.

This is absolutely heartbreaking, and i'm sorry for your daughter and your family, and for the dog.
 
as everyone else has said, it's a very personal decision, and if you feel qualified to make it, then you should do that.  if you don't feel qualified, i would have him evaluated- i saw that you're not near a behaviorist- how do you normally handle tempermant evaluations?  a third party's opinion might be really valuable.  you might just be too close to the issue.
 
sadly, i agree with MRV, chewbecca, and alieliza.  a body bite is not a good thing at all.
 
i will say, however, that if you are willing to go the extra mile for this dog, if you are ABLE to go the extra mile for this dog, then i commend you.
 
frankly, i would support whatever decision you make, as the safety of your family is first and foremost, and only you and your family can judge what's in your best interest.