Debated posting this

[CPA]

because A) it's personal and B) I'm liable to get reamed over the coals, but I am 20 minutes away from the County Animal Control Officer coming by to pick up my 4 year old Great Dane, Trooper.

Two days ago, my son took him down to the bus stop as my younger son was coming home. He had Trooper on a leash and held properly. You know where this is going... Anyway, a neighbor (middle-aged woman) walked over to pet him, my son told her "don't come near, he may bite". The warning didn't stop her and she reached out to Trooper. Trooper immediately snapped forward and caught her on the hip, tearing the ladies shorts and getting skin. The neighbor's mother was the one who called the sheriff.

This is, unfortunately the second time Trooper bit someone. Last year around the same time, he bit the UPS man as he reached into the house to grab a package from my daughter. Got the guy on the chest.

In Texas and this county, it doesn't matter the circumstances of the bite, human > dog.

County and State law limit my options:

1) 10 day mandatory quarantine. Then a hearing in front of a judge with us and both complainants. The judge will then decide to either 1) have him put down or 2) have him labeled a "Vicious and Dangerous Animal. With number 2, we will have to post signs all around the property and house (no big deal), pay fines (no issues), pay annual fees (another no big deal) AND kennel him up, to county standard, outside. This is my issue. He basically becomes a kenneled dog. No life, no family, out in the heat of Texas, cramped in a 10 x 30 concrete run. Sorry, I just don't find that a long-term liveable solution for a dog.

Therefore, I have decided to put him down. It was not an easy decision, but one my wife supports and my kids, while upset, understand. IT FUCKING SUCKS!

Not sure why I'm telling ATOT this other than confirmation I'm making the right decision. But, then again, it doesn't matter now, Animal Control will probably be here in about 10 minutes. I'm having a hard time dealing with this right now. :'(

 

[kranky]

Given the options available, I think you're doing the right thing.

 

[mnewsham]

How can they force you to keep the dog outside year round? That sounds totally false and a misunderstanding on your part. They can require he be in the house or when outside be in his kennel in the heat. You wont be able to take him out on walks or anything, but you are fine at home. I would NOT put a dog down just for that

 

[masterxfob]

that's truly awful

 

[ThePresence]

Let me first say that I don't know much about dogs, having never owned one.

Is this a training issue? Was he not well-trained? Most pet dogs don't bite, from what I understand. If so, are there no other options? Can he be trained by a professional?

I'm sure you exhausted every option, I'm just asking because I don't know, and it doesn't make much sense to me. Seems like there has to be something else to do.

 

[terry107]

Condolences. That's an incredibly difficult decision that I, honestly, could not make.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I would think your homeowner's insurance would take a hit on this too. That reminds me, I need to call our insurance company and let them know that we no longer have a dog.

By the way, I think you're doing the right thing. You can't have a dog that goes around biting people.

 

[rivan]

Ouch, tough call man, but it sounds like you're probably doing the right thing.

Is there a "adopt him out of the county/state" option? A 4 year old Dane's probably got a good 4-6 years left.

 

[crashtestdummy]

That's a hard decision to make. I don't think it's fair of me to either confirm or condemn putting him down, as I don't know what I'd to in the same circumstances.

Sorry, man.

 

[CPA]

How can they force you to keep the dog outside year round? That sounds totally false and a misunderstanding on your part. They can require he be in the house or when outside be in his kennel in the heat. You wont be able to take him out on walks or anything, but you are fine at home. I would NOT put a dog down just for that

Nope, it's the law explained to me by the Animal Control Officer last night after a visit to our house. In fact, the run must meet his specifications, be visited by him once a year and have two doors at one end to insure that one is locked at all times and his escape risk in minimal.

 

[CPA]

Ouch, tough call man, but it sounds like you're probably doing the right thing.

Is there a "adopt him out of the county/state" option? A 4 year old Dane's probably got a good 4-6 years left.

The problem with that is if he bites again, I could be legally responsible, even in someone else's hands.

 

[CPA]

Let me first say that I don't know much about dogs, having never owned one.

Is this a training issue? Was he not well-trained? Most pet dogs don't bite, from what I understand. If so, are there no other options? Can he be trained by a professional?

I'm sure you exhausted every option, I'm just asking because I don't know, and it doesn't make much sense to me. Seems like there has to be something else to do.

There would have been earlier, but now it's too late. The judge, by law, can only administer one of the two punishments, unfortunately.

 

[sonambulo]

I'm sorry man

 

[purbeast0]

Nope, it's the law explained to me by the Animal Control Officer last night after a visit to our house. In fact, the run must meet his specifications, be visited by him once a year and have two doors at one end to insure that one is locked at all times and his escape risk in minimal.

this still makes no sense at all. they would rather have a vicious barking dog outside 24/7 where it will be a nusance like hell to all the neighbors, then let you take him inside where he can be watched?

i don't know the laws at all or anything, and it sounds like your situation really sucks, but that law just makes no sense at all. there HAS to be some kind of misunderstanding.

 

[jagec]

County and State law limit my options:

1) 10 day mandatory quarantine. Then a hearing in front of a judge with us and both complainants. The judge will then decide to either 1) have him put down or 2) have him labeled a "Vicious and Dangerous Animal. With number 2, we will have to post signs all around the property and house (no big deal), pay fines (no issues), pay annual fees (another no big deal) AND kennel him up, to county standard, outside. This is my issue. He basically becomes a kenneled dog. No life, no family, out in the heat of Texas, cramped in a 10 x 30 concrete run. Sorry, I just don't find that a long-term liveable solution for a dog.

Wow, there's no (3)Decide that the people who got bitten acted inappropriately, rule in favor of the dog, and caution the owner to keep the animal away from careless people in the future? I mean, the UPS guy probably didn't have it coming, but the other lady might...what if some kids were throwing rocks at your dog and it bites them? Surely that isn't a death sentence?


That sucks. I agree with your reasoning.

 

[chimaxi83]

Whether you made the right choice or not, I don't know. I'm sorry for your loss though man, it sucks.

 

[mnewsham]

Nope, it's the law explained to me by the Animal Control Officer last night after a visit to our house. In fact, the run must meet his specifications, be visited by him once a year and have two doors at one end to insure that one is locked at all times and his escape risk in minimal.

Keeping a dog outside is sometimes illegal depending on the heat so they can't force you to keep a dog outside of your OWN home. Doesn't castle law come in to play there?

My neighbors got in trouble for leaving their dog outside on a 103F day for more then 10 hours.

 

[SunnyD]

Despite the emotions and the obvious loss to your family, I commend you for your actions. Not many people would be willing to do "the right thing".

Hopefully said woman doesn't saddle you with lawsuits for her own stupidity.

 

[rcpratt]

Not the easy choice, but probably the right one.

 

[momeNt]

Given what I've read from your posts I am inclined to believe that you researched and read the law properly and are interpreting it correctly.

Most google results show that the home can be considered the secure structure/enclosure as well as the kennel, but your specific ordinance may be different than what I and others have read.

edit:

Nope, it's the law explained to me by the Animal Control Officer last night after a visit to our house. In fact, the run must meet his specifications, be visited by him once a year and have two doors at one end to insure that one is locked at all times and his escape risk in minimal.

Did you read the law yourself?

 

[Ns1]

that's ridiculous, I hate people that come up to your animal to pet them w/o asking.

I'm sorry to hear that btw, that's incredibly shitty

~@

 

[Number1]

I't s a no brainer. Your dog would eventually hurt somebody seriously.

 

[OutHouse]

i feel for you, you are doing the right thing. it totally sucks some bitch of a neighbor did not listen and got bit. serves her right but its a shame you have to put your dog down for it.

 

[preslove]

You have a Great Dane that bites people? Why did your kid know that he might bite? Was this a common issue with strangers?

Socialize your dog better, next time. Consider getting a smaller, less (potentially) dangerous breed, given that you're apparently incapable to raising a large dog that doesn't attack people.

 

[mnewsham]

Now i'm not saying you are wrong about local laws, but I would want to be damn sure before making this choice, I would hate a dog to be put down because animal control worded the law to you to make it seem different then how it really had to be by law.