My family dog is a 5 year old, unfixed, purebred European Doberman named Sarge. Sarge was obedience trained professionally. When I tell you this dog has been the best dog my family has ever had, I truly mean that. He’s been amazing- NEVER any sign of aggression. My daughter, almost 2 now, grew up around him and has been loving on him since she was a crawler. Sarge has been her gentle giant and has been so gentle and loving with her. Until March 1st.
On March 1st, we have my brothers family over and he brought a baby mat from home- where there’s a female dog that Sarge has met previously and was obsessed with. He became obsessed with sniffing the mat and we didn’t think anything of it. Then my daughter stepped walked on the mat and he just flipped a switch and within seconds her head was in his mouth. She was hospitalized that night with the side of her scalp degloved, lacerations on her cheek- everything requiring ≈50 sutures, and a skull fracture. My parents, Sarges technical owners, consulted his trainers, his (ex K9 officer) boarder, and even the county’s dog warden and everyone came to the conclusion that it was a semiprovoked attack and didn’t feel like euthanasia was the solution. My daughter had a full recovery- no permanent damage besides possible scarring.
In the meantime, we made a plan for him to be temporarily rehomed until I move out of my parent’s house next year. We established firm boundaries that they remain separated and teach my daughter not to go around him- even though his temperament instantly returned to his normal, sweet loving self. The rehoming couldnt take place until this week. Well unfortunately he couldn’t make it to this week….
On April 25th at around 10am he bit my daughter’s face over a blanket on the floor. She was hospitalized again and got stitches on her eyebrow, nose, cheek, scalp, and neck where his tooth cut open her skin to where fat was hanging out. Sarge was put down at noon that day. Since Sarge was put down before he could be quarantined for possible rabies, they had to remove his head and send it in for testing. So my best friend is headless in a freezer at some lab
Im crying writing this post. I’m gutted over all of this. Im so blessed that my baby is okay and will only have scarring that will fade as she gets older but I can’t help but cry every time I think about Sarge being put down. My parents are riddled with guilt and heartbroken over everything especially Sarge. I can’t help but beat myself up that we should've just rehomed him to a childless home…. Like I said, he was literally the most perfect dog… I can’t emphasize that enough- Sarge was amazing. God I’m a mess. Im hoping this sub, being doberman lovers, empathizes with me. Unless I’m just crazy? Was putting him down the right thing to do after what he’s done? Would the state have forced us to regardless? Am I insane for being so heartbroken over him?
TL;DR - Perfect family dog attacked 2 year old, opted not to euthanize due to attack investigation conclusion, he bit again and was euthanized. We feel guilty and are questioning ourselves constantly if we did the right thing.