I as a child was bitten and received 32 stitches. No, I did not provoke the dog, I was just riding my bike to my friends house, when it came after me. The fear of dogs is real, after something like this happens. I would not take your son over there, if that dog is still going to be there. It is unfair to your son
Did the dog single out your child and go after him or was the child close to the dog? Maybe close to a toy or food? Some dogs see kids as a threat. And some just don’t like dogs. Maybe ask them to put the dog away while y’all are there. But don’t let them force reintroduction. There’s already been trauma, emotionally, forcing will make it worse.
In my opinion the dog should be kept away from this child. The child was traumatized and is scared of the dog. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to ask that while the child is visiting the dog be put in a separate area or outside away from the chikd
Oh hell no, I wouldn’t go back until something was done with this dog…or they would have to put him into another room, so my son wouldn’t be around him. Your job as his mom is to protect him…so I feel your right in what your saying. And your mom should feel the same way!Goodluck.
Yea I wouldn’t let it be business as usual.Said yourself it’s not the first issue w the dog and your child wasn’t being disrespectful toward the animal. Just asking for it to happen again, especially if your child is now frightened. I’d demand the dog be put up when you’re over. The dog is the problem, not you and your child, so I wouldn’t fall for guilt trips over it either… all jus my opinion of course.
I had a friend that just went through this, except they were made to put the dog down and then send it off for testing. 1st time to bite. I don’t know if the grandparents just agreed to it or if they were made. I think usually it is a 3 time rule. I would not let my child go back over there. I would tell them they had to come visit me.
Nobody loves their dogs more than I do BUT if my dog bit a child in the face requiring stitches nobody would have to tell me to put that dog up while the child was there. A comfy crate, a bedroom, outside with cover and water, something. But if it happened twice, I’d have to consider perhaps that aggression is from something paining the dog which brought about that fear and aggression and consider evaluation from a trusted vet. Sometimes dogs get aggressive if they have a sore back or leg or something and they anticipate the extra activity with a child. Who knows but you can’t risk a child or anyone a second time.
Mine would be put down. I love my dogs but they are not little humans not do they rank above my grandkids.
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Why can’t they keep the dog in another room
We have two dogs and they’re both very kind but they are not around young children very often
The smaller dog especially loves to jump up and hug but his nails Tender scratch like any dogs away so we just keep them in the back room until everybody calms down a little
We have a dog who is uncomfortable around small children… whenever there is going to be children here, we put him in “the dog’s room” until they go home. We prefer to be “safe” rather than “sorry”. I would never put my grandchildren at risk. Our dog is a very sweet boy but he wasn’t raised with children so he doesn’t know quite what to make of them… lol
You can’t hold an animal accountable. They connot reason like that. You can however, hold the owners accountable. In my state police and animal control would have to investigate it. They would determine what would happen to the dog. This makes me mad because lack of training is what is likely going to end this dogs life.
Keep it in another room or crate while you visit. Cutting ties seems harsh for your whole family. If it bites again she’ll need to rethink having a dog that bites.
My dog is super gentle but I keep him away from little ones …I just put him in the foyer when little ones are visiting. Kids and dogs can both be unpredictable…best to be safe
Our recent rescue is not to be trusted so I do not take him near the kids and if they come here we keep him on a short leash and control him. We had no idea he would be like this but he’s great with us and very protective of us .
Our daughter had a dog that she simply adored. Long story short, her Callie was aggressive and could not be trusted even after spending a lot on training, broke her heart, but she put her down. During the time our grand’s were small some of our dogs were kept away from the girls. Children come first.
A neighbor’s dog bit my adult niece on the face and ripped her lip requiring plastic surgery. This wasn’t the dogs first time, he had nipped others. Homeowners insurance required the dog to be put to sleep. Put your child first!
As a grandmother and a dog lover, if my dog would have done that to my grandbabies, unprovoked, I would have a dead dog. Even if it was provoked, I would be hard pressed to keep it around. And I adore my furbaby. The guilt alone would keep me up at night.
I agree. Just keep them separated. Why do they have to like one another. Maybe the dog knows the kid don’t like him. Turning against your family is not worth the drama.
Just have the grandparents come to your home if they won’t do anything about the dog. I’m sorry but I would not allow my child in the same room as the dog. Keep the dog away or come to my house instead. My
Brothers dog bit my husband. They
Come to my house now.
All visits should be outside of this dog’s presence. If your family wishes to see your kids then they can visit you, the park, or anywhere else. Meanwhile your son needs to learn to understand not all dogs hurt him. Puppies would be the best way to initiate this with him. Little puppies. When your son is bigger this dog may be reintroduced to your son but not now.
There are an awful lot of judgy people in this thread. It helps no one to comment on parenting or grand parenting or say one does not love their kids or grandkids. This was a childhood incident like many other we navigate as parents. Who are u to judge the relationship or their live for child? The dog is loved, too. He needs to be controlled, yes, but it is extreme to ask a daughter to force her mom to euthanize her fur baby. Talk about a relationship killer. Be real, people!
I would ask them to put a muzzle on the dog and get it used to your son… but at the same time… some dogs pick a person they dont like and are just jerks… protect your kiddo.
I am a dog lover but just don’t go there again. Your children’s safety must come first
Your expectations are unrealistic and petty. That’s their dog. You can’t expect them to get rid of it when you likely haven’t considered the circumstances that caused the bite. Sure you SAY that you teach your kids to respect animals, but was your kid too rough with the dog? Was the dog raised around kids? You said the dog is nothing but loving to people he knows, and that you’re over there maybe 2-3 times a week. So the dog should know and be familiar with your son by now, right? I find it hard to believe that your kid was just sitting there innocently and the dog attacked if it hasn’t ever bitten him before. You’re leaving something out.
If they want to see you or the grandchild, they need to come to your place. I wouldn’t put my child back in that dog presence even if dog was crated or in another room. To traumatizing and unfair to your child’s well being.
Separate the dog from him. They can put him in a crate or block him in another room. My dog is not always friendly so when people come, other than ourselves, we block him away.
If your parents don’t love your child enough to put this dog in a confined space, there’s a problem! To have your child terrified and it’s face scarred, is not acceptable! I wouldn’t take my child back there if something isn’t done to assure your child’s safety! Your mother should put your sons safety first!
I love my fur babies but I would crate or pen my dog or ( put them in a safe comfortable bedroom) during visiting grandchildren
Don’t cut family ties big mistake, keep child away from dog when at their house! Don’t allow dog at your house! If you new dog was aggressive why did you allow your child to be around the dog???
Simple. Don’t take your son there until the dog is locked in another room. If it was my parents they would have solved the problem the first time, no matter what had to be done! We all love animals but a bite to the face needing stitches NO… just NO!! Dog needs a safe place either behind lock & key or in his final resting place.
Lock the dog 
up while the child is there. There are certain dogs that just don’t like certain people. There is absolutely no reason to put your child in harms way. That dog will bite him again. 
Keep the dog and the children separated. Some dogs are not meant to be around small children. I also don’t think. Getting rid of the dog is the answer. The dog will spend the rest of his days in a kennel never adopted and or killed . Most animals bite when scared , they are animals. It’s not acceptable behavior, but if the dog is other wise a good animal, then I don’t suggest getting rid if it. Separation of the children from the animal would be best. The dog is a life too. It’s horrible that the the dog bit your son. Sad site to be in all around.
Love and respect clash sometimes but you have the right to ask them to put the dog up when you’re visiting…any dog bite should be taken serious…if it bit once then it probably will again…not to mention that it’s not fair to put your child in a situation that they fear…
Does your 4 year old get near the dog? How old is the dog? There are some dogs that don’t like kids and it’s usually because they are never around kids. When my grandson came over to meet my Bear, Bear was in his halter and short leash. You think that the dog is aggressive and it’s the dog’s fault but it probably isn’t. In my mind, the only way it’s the dog’s fault is if the dog lunged at the child from across the room.
I wouldn’t let your children go back to their house. have the grandparents over to visit you or meet someplace.Your children’s safety always comes first.
If your son is afraid of the dog I wouldn’t make him go to the house unless the dog was crated or segregated from the rest of the home so it wouldn’t be near him.
If the grandparents won’t agree to that then they wouldn’t see the child unless they come to your home. You can’t take a chance that there won’t be another attack!! It could be a lot worse than the last one!!!
Oh my. That baby will always fear that dog now and the dog will sense it… Better lock the dog up when you come over or get rid of it. If it had bit my child or grandchild I would have shot it. Who’s more important. The child or the dog.
My hubby would have thrown the dog through a brick wall. AND he loved animals more than people.
I agre to kenneling the dog I’m not sure the type of dog they have but u do know when a small child is close to most dogs that they don’t see a lot sometimes depending on the dog they can feel as if the child is a threat and if said child is down to their level face to face the dog may snap at a child as it would another dog that’s face to face with them. Some breeds of dogs depending on there surroundings and what’s happening can do this. I wouldn’t allow a child of that age to be up in a dogs face or eye to eye on their level. It’s just not a good idea in my opinion. I’ve seen dogs growl at a small child when they were that size and it didn’t do so once the child became bigger in size . It can happen I know from experience.
I am surprised the police and child protective services aren’t involved when my daughter got bit by a friend 8 month old puppy and needed stitches it didn’t take them a full hour to get involved and we are talking a puppy with sharp teeth
Your child is traumatized and needs you to keep him safe. I have been in similar situations and would not let my child go there if that dog is there.
Usually if someone got stitches or hurt by someone elses pet. The hospitals in Iowa mandatory reports it to the animal shelter.
My parents had a cat that attacked me, unprovoked. I was a bloody mess. Went to ER, got no stitches cuz cat bites are very infectious. I have ugly scars on my arms. I didn’t go to my parent’s for a year. When I started to go there again, I did not go in the door unless I knew the cat was locked up.
When you’re going to visit , ask them to have the dog put in another area. I wouldn’t force the relationship until your son is ready himself.
A dog that bites a human must by law be reported. Knowing it has bitten also puts the owners in legal jeapardy of being sued. Never let the dog near your child again, tell them this is not negotiable
What exactly are you asking them to do? Put the dog down? You’re a guest in their home so to demand that is ridiculous. What I would suggest is that don’t visit again til your son heals. And I think it would be fair to ask your parents to put the dog behind a gate (not locked behind a door) this way your son can see dog and the dog can still see what’s going on.
Or better yet have your parents come (without dog)to your house where you have control of your sons environment.
I agree with you. I would not go over until the dog is gone.
Nope no child’s face should come after a dog. I would not go there if they don’t take care of this dog!
It wouldn’t be hard to put the dog in another room while their grandkids are visiting.
I think that if they want to keep the dog that is fine, but put it up when you go there. They can put it in another room, in a crate, or outside. They do not need to try to reintroduce it to your son, no. My brother lives next door and he has a male red heeler dog and for whatever reason he doesn’t like my granddaughter. She is 10 now and she knows to just ignore him and leave him alone when we are there. So she loves on the other dog but never looks at or gets near or speaks to the heeler. As long as she stays away, he leaves her alone. Your son may have to do the same but I would encourage them to put the dog up for safety’s sake. Or if they won’t you should stop going over there and just have them come to your house without the dog. But, don’t leave your son in the room with the dog out loose, odds are it will attack your son again and it will be worse the next time.
In most cases where there is a bite to the face, particularly A child the hospital will be your advocate for actions to be taken on the dog.
They can come to visit him at your home. That is trauma for the child and he should not have to be afraid the dog is gonna bite him again
Your child’s safety is most important either they lock the dog up in another room or they visit you over your home.
My son would never be around that dog again if it was still living after it attacked my son.
I would make it clear, the dog is put Away from the children while visiting or there will be No visits with the children along.
Keep dog away from your children:… all children he doesn’t know. Maybe have grandparents visit your house for awhile.
if he had stitches the hospital should tell police, at least that is what they did when my son got bitten years ago
The dog should br locked up when you come over, but if my puppy bite my grandson or granddaughter he gone and they didn’t do anything to him. He crossed the line when it comes to my babies.
As a kid my aunt and uncle had a mean dog didn’t like kids so they locked the dog in the bedroom. They need to lock the dog in a cage until your son has gone home.
You have to make a choice. Either quit visiting the people. Or ask to have dog put away when at the house visiting! Surprised hospital didn’t report dog bite. Especially to the face
You have absolutely no obligation to “reintroduce” the dog to your son. How you proceed is your decision, not theirs. Period.
I think they should pay for his medical bills. Also the very least they could do is agree to lock him in aroom seperate when yall are visiting. However I think I would tell them i wont be coming back. They will have to come to our house to see the grand kids. How long have they had the dog, has he displayed these actions the whole time (if they just started he could have a medical problem). This could be corrected. Is he protecting your parent’s or this something else giing on.
If the dog has bit more than once, it has to be reported.
I don’t understand them, if I had a dog that bit someone, especially more than once I would have it put down and especially with it being a grandchild I would not hesitate.
Your son comes first. A compromise must be made. Stitches?! I’m shocked your mom isn’t taking this seriously.
No dont if the dog bit the child he doesnt care for him keep him Away from that dog why risk it
I wouldn’t be comfortable taking my child there with the dog - if they are willing to lick him in another room when you go - okay- if not - they’d have to come visit me
I wouldn’t take myself or my son back. Do facetime or them come to your house without the dog. You have to protect your child
I have a dog and two cats. THEY would b outta here n a heartbeat if they bit my grandbabies! And my cats were VERY expensive! Bengals r not cheep! But my grandbabies come first!!
Why not have them put the dog in his kennel when your visiting. That way everyone’s safe
Buy a muzzle and get a great trainer from your area. Some dogs are going to bite. My Shih Tsu is not by choice a biter. We have no small kids around us. Outside he is always on a leash. We adopted him a year and a half ago. We didn’t know why someone would put him in a shelter. He was brought from Alabama to Wisconsin. He had been in foster with a mom and several children. They claim he was great. Well now down the road we find he is a barker, good aggressive, doesn’t listen and just a brat. We even put on a leash when someone has to come into the house. Luckily I used to train dogs and we broke most of his bad habits. I can take his food or you away and I watch his body language. I have learned to not push him. I have the scars and know what situations in which he bites. I would not have a small child around him in any situation. When I was in rehab for my broken leg hubby brought him to visit and he was a perfect gentleman. I would never get rid of him as he is part of the family. Get some help with the dog. A good trainer should be able to find the cause and effect as to what happened. If not find him a good home.
If our dog bit our grandchild their grandfather would make sure the dog was Gone
They should put the dog in a kennel when you are there. I hope they helped with the medical bills.
I would not be going over as long as they have the dog. That can be traumatic to a young child.
Surprised the dog was not quarantine d needs to be put down
When I got bit by a dog and I went to the Dr. office the police came right away and went to the house to see if the dog had all the papers, have they came to talk to you? If not call and report the dog.
Dog needs to be put in another room when you come visit but they should get rid of the dog!
Explain the fears and request the animal be tied or crated while you are there. Good luck
How long have they had the dog I would keep him just don’t let the kid around the dog
I wouldn’t let him around the dog. What kinda dog is it
I have dogs but she should put the dog outside or in other room
I am surprised the doctor hasn’t turned this over to the police
Your child’s safety should be the priority here…not the dog!
Don’t take your child around the dog. If you continue to put your child in harm’s way it is your fault alone.
Why can’t they out the dog in a different room. When go go and visit them
The dog comes first in their eyes, they should come to son’s house to see him…
Absolutely they should get rid of the dog once it has attacked a person. No contact until they do. No pity for an aggressive dog. No second chances. It could be your son’s eye the next time.
I would just keep dog away from your son when going there
I would never keep a dog that bit any child.
That’s their dog they need to put the dog up while little ones are around
Stay home don’t go again you can by the way go after their home owners insurance if she refuses to pay his bills
It is up to you to protect your child. Keep him away from their house until they can restrain the dog and keep him away from your child.
See if when your son goes to visit if theyll put him “up” somewhere. Otherwise theyll have to come to your house if they want to see him
Can they put the dog in a safe spot where he can’t get to the child?
In my polite society; euthanasia is the only remedy!
Ask them to put the dog in another room
You don’t need to cut ties - just invite them over - go to a park
Maybe have then put the dog away from the kid while your there
Just put the dog outside or in a different room
I would put my dog down if it bit my grandchild
Either they get rid of the dog or just stay from over there