Woman Puts Down Aggressive Family Dog That Bit Her, and Her Son Can’t Forgive Her for Not Consulting Him First
One family dog had already been through years of behavioral problems, and one decision ended up splitting the household all over again.
In this Reddit story, OP had moved out of his parents’ home but still stayed close to the dog he had grown up with. The trouble was that the terrier-beagle mix had started snapping at other pets and people, and when the vet suggested euthanasia, OP said he would take the dog if it came to that. Then his mom made a call without him, and that is where everything got messy.
Now he is left wondering whether he should be more upset about the decision itself, or the fact that nobody told him first. Read on.
OP asks:
OP's family has had a dog for the past eight years or so:
The dog had some behavioral issues. It was a terrier/beagle mix and weighed about 15 pounds, so OP thought it was not a serious physical threat to anyone.
A lot of the tension here comes from how long this dog had already been part of the family.
OP shares a backstory: “My dog had been having some behavioral issues and would sometimes snap at our two other dogs, as well as people, growling and barking at them, and occasionally trying to bite them. But usually, if you left her alone, she'd just lie down and be okay after a few minutes.
It was like she had a mini psychotic break and forgot where she was. For context, she was a terrier/beagle mix and weighed about 15 pounds, so not a serious physical threat in my opinion.”
However, his parents had a different opinion—during one of OP’s visits, his parents initiated a conversation about putting the dog down.
However, his parents had a different opinion—during one of OP’s visits, his parents initiated a conversation about putting the dog down.
OP said he will take the dog if it comes to that
OP got a call from his mom
That promise came back around sooner than he expected.
So one day, a few months back, when I was at my parents' house, we discussed how the vet suggested putting the dog down when my parents told them about the outbursts she was having, to which I said that I didn't agree with it and actually clearly stated, "If it comes down to that, I will take the dog and take care of her."
He feels betrayed
He doesn't necessarily think their decision was bad, but he wishes he had been consulted first
Now he asks:
Then came the part that really stung.
Redditors agree that it was a difficult situation and decision to make
Parents did what they thought was the best solution at the time
They could've called...
People in the comments were quick to focus on the missed phone call.
Encouraging family discussions about the emotional aspects of pet ownership can provide a platform for processing grief and loss.
Creating an environment where family members feel safe expressing their feelings can enhance emotional understanding and support.
Consider seeking professional guidance to facilitate these conversations and help family members navigate their grief together.
Vets are very careful about suggesting euthanasia. So, if they have suggested it, they probably had a good reason.
Dogs are family
The bottom line is:
Dogs have different personalities, just like people. And for aggressive individuals, we have courts and jails.
However, that wouldn’t really work on dogs because they can’t understand the idea of punishment for a crime. Unfortunately, the only way to deal with aggressive dogs is to put them down.
Vets wouldn’t recommend it without carefully considering all other options, so they must have had valid reasons.
The situation described reveals the intricate challenges that arise when managing aggressive behavior in pets.
Before you judge, read how a teen got in trouble for siding with a dog trainer against her parents.
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