Edit to say:
I started this post at 3:15 but was just able to finish. I have not read up on all the posts since then so please excuse my lack of knowing what events have transpired since earlier that may give good reasons against my opinions. Thanks for understanding
Ok, I am only playing a devils advocate. This are only my thoughts and I'm not a professional let me start with saying I am truly sorry for what has happened and given your situation I would not bring the dog back into my home with young children. Not worth the risk to my kids no matter how much I loved my dog. As painful as that decision would be, it would be nothing compared to my child being hurt in any way at all.
That being said I would like to ask what training has been given to this dog since puppyhood? Some dogs need very strong leadership, rules and boundaries. Was this given in an effective way? Should the dog be destroyed if not? I only ask because my sister lacked those skills and training with her pup and "surprise!" the dog resource guarded her/food/toys from her kids! Multiple times while never lashing out at my sister. Could this be the case for the aggression? Why would the dog attack the child when unprovoked in front of a firm leader? I also learned the hard way with my first EM and having a good training plan. Lucky for me it was a only a lesson in learning to control a 200 lb dog on a leash but that could have been a very different story if he was unstable or aggressive. I'm only bringing this up for the argument over euthanizing. The dog should not go back to this home, I think we all agree. But why not have a behavioralist, trainer and vet thoroughly check into the behavior, training and medical issues which may give a cause of this aggression before being so quick to euthanize? Thoughts?
I started this post at 3:15 but was just able to finish. I have not read up on all the posts since then so please excuse my lack of knowing what events have transpired since earlier that may give good reasons against my opinions. Thanks for understanding
Ok, I am only playing a devils advocate. This are only my thoughts and I'm not a professional let me start with saying I am truly sorry for what has happened and given your situation I would not bring the dog back into my home with young children. Not worth the risk to my kids no matter how much I loved my dog. As painful as that decision would be, it would be nothing compared to my child being hurt in any way at all.
That being said I would like to ask what training has been given to this dog since puppyhood? Some dogs need very strong leadership, rules and boundaries. Was this given in an effective way? Should the dog be destroyed if not? I only ask because my sister lacked those skills and training with her pup and "surprise!" the dog resource guarded her/food/toys from her kids! Multiple times while never lashing out at my sister. Could this be the case for the aggression? Why would the dog attack the child when unprovoked in front of a firm leader? I also learned the hard way with my first EM and having a good training plan. Lucky for me it was a only a lesson in learning to control a 200 lb dog on a leash but that could have been a very different story if he was unstable or aggressive. I'm only bringing this up for the argument over euthanizing. The dog should not go back to this home, I think we all agree. But why not have a behavioralist, trainer and vet thoroughly check into the behavior, training and medical issues which may give a cause of this aggression before being so quick to euthanize? Thoughts?