Our 17 month old GSD is in quarantine for biting our son. My husband is going to kill this dog when the 10 day quarantine is up. Is there something we can do to save this dog?

Hi,

I am contacting you as a last resort before we have our German Shepard, Thor, put to sleep.

We purchased Thor at a pet store for $300.00. Thor is 17 months old and a male. Thor's birth date is 9/9/02. We bought Thor at 3 weeks old 11/5/02. We moved from California to Florida December 2003. In California we lived on a fenced acre and Thor was able to run freely at all times and had numerous sheltered areas such as the carport and front and back porch. Thor often laid on the cushioned chairs on the covered front porch. In California, we also had a outdoor cat whom Thor played with a lot. The only aggressive behavior that Thor displayed was towards strangers, but could become quickly used to them if we introduced them.

Since we have moved to Florida, Thor has had to be on a chain 24-7 and has had hardly no sheltered area. Our 15 year old son takes Thor for a walk every day. Thor's environment has changed tremendously. We live in a deed restricted area and have had to put a shock collar on him to control his barking. In California, his barking wasn't a problem.

This past weekend, Thor was chewing on a fresh t-bone steak bone that my husband had just given him, our 8 year old son, Triston, walked towards Thor to pet him and Thor attacked him biting him twice (once on the left wrist and once on the right forearm), breaking the skin in both places. We took Tristin to the emergency room (actual cost not known yet) and filed a report with animal control.

We feel our only avenue is to have Thor put to sleep. We can no longer have Thor in our home, we feel as though he is a loaded gun with small children present. My husband is going to have Thor put to sleep 2/23/04 (immediately following a ten day quarantine). My husband says enough is enough. On 1/19/03, we took Thor to the emergency vet because he had consumed rat poison which cost us $522.00. In October 2003, Thor jumped on my mother-in-law which broke her back. She was in the hospital for more than a month. The expenses and anguish that this caused is to great to mention.

With all of the hardship Thor has caused, I still feel he is a good dog and can be a great pet with the proper training and family.

Please contact me if the shelter is interested in taking Thor.

p.s. I am also sending this email to the Leerburg website in the event they have any last minute advice.

Thank you,
Teresa