Hi again, Reddit. Just under a week ago I posted hereto ask for advice on what to do with my friend Sarah (28F) and her dog Jennie (6F).
TL;DR of that post is that Sarah’s son, Zachariah (1M) was given a level 4 bite on his forearm after he stepped on Jennie’s tail accidentally. Sarah has chosen to take no action other than take her son to hospital and looking into “retraining” the dog, despite this dog being a danger.
Slight positive update! Social services have been in touch with Sarah and will be visiting her home next week. The police are apparently monitoring the situation too.
Zac seems to be relatively unharmed, bar the stitches, and as happy as ever (bless his little heart). Sarah has also decided she will be going through with the “retraining” of Jennie, which is apparently going to cost around £10-£15k.
Now, that’s the okay stuff. Here’s what I need more advice on, please, Reddit.
I found out yesterday that 1) Jennie is not spayed. I personally don’t like this choice, but whatever.
EDIT : I did some research after seeing it commented - apparently this doesn’t effect the temperament of female dogs? My bad honestly. I truly thought this could be an issue.
2) that this is her SECOND level 4 bite. The first was on a friend of Sarah’s when he was reaching to pick up Zac from out of his high chair. She leapt on him and bit his leg through his jeans, tearing skin deeply.
3) Sarah’s partner Harry (28M) is firm in his belief that Jennie is okay to stay with baby, “this could’ve happened to anyone” and “it’s just an accident - Jennie didn’t mean any harm”.
I’ve tried so hard to be supportive of Sarah during this time since Jennie bit her baby, but I truly don’t know how to keep her from making the mistake of her life. All of her friends and family that know about this second incident have either insulted her, attacked her verbally, or abandoned her totally. She’s still minimising the situation and is refusing to listen to anyone the moment something negative or critical is said.
How on Earth can I get through to this woman? Please help, Reddit. I’m scared I’ll either lose her as a friend if I don’t do this right, or she’ll lose her only son and I’ll be sending her letters in prison.
TL;DR of that post is that Sarah’s son, Zachariah (1M) was given a level 4 bite on his forearm after he stepped on Jennie’s tail accidentally. Sarah has chosen to take no action other than take her son to hospital and looking into “retraining” the dog, despite this dog being a danger.
Slight positive update! Social services have been in touch with Sarah and will be visiting her home next week. The police are apparently monitoring the situation too.
Zac seems to be relatively unharmed, bar the stitches, and as happy as ever (bless his little heart). Sarah has also decided she will be going through with the “retraining” of Jennie, which is apparently going to cost around £10-£15k.
Now, that’s the okay stuff. Here’s what I need more advice on, please, Reddit.
I found out yesterday that 1) Jennie is not spayed. I personally don’t like this choice, but whatever.
EDIT : I did some research after seeing it commented - apparently this doesn’t effect the temperament of female dogs? My bad honestly. I truly thought this could be an issue.
2) that this is her SECOND level 4 bite. The first was on a friend of Sarah’s when he was reaching to pick up Zac from out of his high chair. She leapt on him and bit his leg through his jeans, tearing skin deeply.
3) Sarah’s partner Harry (28M) is firm in his belief that Jennie is okay to stay with baby, “this could’ve happened to anyone” and “it’s just an accident - Jennie didn’t mean any harm”.
I’ve tried so hard to be supportive of Sarah during this time since Jennie bit her baby, but I truly don’t know how to keep her from making the mistake of her life. All of her friends and family that know about this second incident have either insulted her, attacked her verbally, or abandoned her totally. She’s still minimising the situation and is refusing to listen to anyone the moment something negative or critical is said.
How on Earth can I get through to this woman? Please help, Reddit. I’m scared I’ll either lose her as a friend if I don’t do this right, or she’ll lose her only son and I’ll be sending her letters in prison.