I had a series of events with my 6 yr old Chessie. He had become more dominant in the last year. With out going into to many details of a complex situation. We where starting a grill and a friend of mine put the rack on the ground to start the charcoal. The dog walked over and stood next to the grate that was placed on the ground and would not let anyone near it. I was on the other side of the yard at the time and did not realize what he was doing. I walked up and gave him the "here" command as I reached for his collar. I was getting ready to feed him.
He turned and attacked me, mauled my hand and arm. My hand is a mess. Once he realized what he had done he came to a heel position and sat next to me. I walked inside and started to go into shock and the dog took off and started to chase the horses that where in the field next to us. I m not sure what happened to my boy. I have three small children and several kids near me that play at my house all the time. I had no choice but to put him down. It broke my hart. I am a parent first and a dog owner 2nd. I am not sure why I am writing this, may be to vent my sadness and frustration over the situation. I am still baffled by the events that night.

I'm very sorry. What you did was the right thing. This is the place to talk.

I am sooo sorry to read this.... I can't think of a worse thing to do... Other then having to put your dog down then go the hospital to visit your child because his/her face is ripped off....

John

Sorry for your loss, i have two young sons love my pup but would have strangeled him with my free hand for that. Do you have any idea what caused the switch to get turned on?

I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you, but you did the right thing. He could have had a brain tumor and just snapped.

My heartfelt thoughts are with you.

Kathy Miller
Sandy Oak Chesapeakes

That is a horrible situation and my heart goes out to you. Thank God it wasn’t one of your children. Had he shown any protective or aggressive signs before? I rarely say this but tonight you will be in my prayers.

Jack I am very sorry you were ever in that situation. Dont worry about what anyone else says. You did what you had to do and you are a bigger man then me.

Jack, I'm very sorry to hear that, it sounds like it was pretty traumatic. Moscowitz is right, this is the place to talk, vent, whatever. You did what you had to do, no one else can or should judge until they've been in that situation themselves. Hang in there.

To truly understand how you feel a person should have to walk in your shoes and from what you have posted I think you did the right thing especially when there are children involved, sorry for your loss and sorry for your injuries to yourself. Northern prayers sent. M.Calhoun

We had a similar situation happen (it was sudden aggression) with our first CBR who was about the same age and we also made the decision to put him down. As I look back I am almost certain he was going blind however, with his irratic behavior I couldn't ask the Vet or his staff to risk treating him and getting hurt. I still get tears in my eyes when I think of him. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Jack,
I too am so sorry to hear about the sudden change of behavior and your decision to put him down. Like others said you did the right thing as hard as it had to be to make that decision it was the right one. There are so many reasons why that might of happened and you can't second guess yourself for one minute.

Jack,

I am very sorry that you had to go through such a traumatic experience...

Juli

Sorry to hear about that.

It happened wit me with one of the best dogs I ever had. He was put down when he was 8.

He did it once and I had him nuetered and they found a cancerous growth in his testicles. About a year and half after that one day out of the blue he got a litle shitty with me again and I made the decision to put him down then.

I held him in my arms and cried like a schoolboy as he passed on.

You did the hard but the right thing.

Jack so very to hear abou this and my heartfelt sympathy to you. That must have been a tough decision but the right one on your behalf. This is probaably selfish; How is Dutch handling the big boy not being there. You know why I ask and if I can help let me know.

Dutch is doing fine, I think she can tell something is different. she is more attached to me now that the big guy is gone. Claiborne was attached to my left leg all the time and now Dutch is starting to do that. When ever we go out she is by my left side, and not because I gave her the command.

She is a wonderful and I am so glad that I have her.

So sorry to hear this. I have never had to deal with a situation like this but if I did I would have done the same thing you did. Hope your injuries heal quickly and you don't have any permanent damage.

I think most CBR owners have their heads in the real world in contrast to some other breed owners. It is an unfortunate way to lose a friend but, you did the right thing. My heart goes out to you. I had to put my 4 year old down for twisted stomach late in 2006. It was a tough day and I know what you feel. Paul

You did the right thing as you could never know what might set off this behavior off in another situation. Someone mentioned a brain tumor which is a possibility. Certain forms of seizures display this way. Getting more dominant-perhaps a tumor in the endocrine system producing more testosterone.

Remember the good times and know you acted in the right manner.