SearchSad story about my Doberman
I dont want to bring everone down, but I want to share with everyone what just happened to my doberman, because of his pedigree. Diesel was a 4yr old, well behaved dog. My sons dog actually. My son was taking him out and Diesel was a little too fast and bolted. He went next door to the neighbors and their children were fighting and the little one was crying. Diesel grabbed the coat of the smallest child and pushed him away from his brother and then ran away. This all happened in about 10 seconds. The child ended up getting a scratch from the incident. The police were called and Im sure you know the rest of the story. We ended up putting Diesel down after going to court with an attorney. The judge had the final say so and he flat out said he had no use for Dobermans or any other aggressive dogs. This is what I mean about Stigma. It has to be changed. The child is fine, but we are not. Now we are struggling with the idea of getting another Doberman. We love the breed. Im just really bummed and I wanted to share my story, but I have a feeling Im not the only one with this story. Actually anyone who has a Doberman could suffer the same fate.
Hi Tess, I am so sorry to hear your story and pray for healing for your family. I almost did not respond but I can't imagine having to be forced to put my dog down I was almost in tears with the thought of what you must have went through. My Loki is mixed with pitbull and we all know the terror stories about how horrible they are, it does not help that Loki is much taller than the average pitbull so I know how diligent I must be with socializing him and training. Although he may look a bit intimidating he greets everyone with a wagging tail. I can't tell you how upsetting and a mixture of fear it is to hear how many cities and communities are banning based on breed. I know it will take time but don't let this turn you away from the breed but instead hope to educate them by owning another one and training he/she well. I have been tossing around the idea of training Loki as a therapy dog because of his openness to people. Again I'm sorry for your loss.
Cyndy
As much as I love Dobermans, I sure wouldn't get another one IF you live in the same place. I'd certainly move away from that neighbour who is bound to be a thorn in your side if you get another Doberman, and out of that jurisdiction before I'd ever consider getting another Doberman.
I don't understand. Your dog didn't even bite the child and yet he ordered the doberman to be put down? and, what about your neighbors, are they really so angry they wish to kill?
If what you say is true, that judge is an animal.
I have to agree with Glengate.
This story is very upsetting.
I agree with Glengate. Don't get another dobe till you move, that way you can start over with neighbors who, hopefully, don't have anything against dobermans and won't give you trouble.
I am sorry to hear this.
Unfortunately, we choose to love a breed that other people don't understand. We have to protect them from other people who hate them just because they are dobermans. The best thing we all can do is make are dogs well mannered, contributing members of society. I try to take my dogs everywhere, I show people how big hearted they really are. Now that does not mean that I don't come across ignorant people that aren't even willing to give them a chance.
But I have to agree, I would wait until you no longer live near these people.
I am so sorry to hear about this Tess. I hope you and your family are ok. That judge simply sounds cruel and ignorant. Your family will be in my thoughts.
I am so sorry that is such a sad story. Big Hug.. Maybe wait to you live somewhere else. I don't understand why I neighbor would persue this to that end.
Terrible, terrible tragedy. I would not have handled it well at all. Sincere condolences to you and your family.
I am so sorry for what you and your family has had to go through. We haven't had the same type of incident occur with us, and I cannot imagine how horrible it was and still is. I tend to agree with Glengate about waiting until you live somewhere else before getting another doberman. I wish that the general public was better informed about the "supposed" vicious breeds. Prayers and hugs for you and your family during this difficult time.
Such a sad turn of events, and to have a judge that was so----well, "judgemental" against the breed and not take into consideration the actual facts, well, it just sucks.
Thank you to everyone for their kind words. As for getting another Doberman, its going to happen. The day after the incident a fence was put up. We thought that would appease the city and the neighbor. We were wrong. We hired an attorney, thinking because this was a minor incident, and the only incident in 4 years that we had a chance. In the end it was the stigma of the breed. In fact the prosecuter even told my son that he should even consider re-homing is other dog (boxer-rot mix) because she looks mean. I dont get how a dog could be judged by appearance. I thought the human race was a little further evolved. Again, I was wrong.
I wanted to mention the one of the last times I got to spend with Diesel. This is a testament to his love and loyality to me. I was taking him and my sons other dogs out. There were 3 total (lab, boxer, and Diesel.) Not smart on my part to take all out at same time. Anyway, I tripped and they took off with me in tow. I ended up on the ground with a severly broken humerous. Diesel ran to his pen, did his business, and came back to me and layed down until help arrived. This was brought to the judges attention that if he was aggressive,then that would have been the time. People were walkikng by while I was on the ground. They couldnt see me but they could see Diesel and the other two. This didnt even sway the judge.
This story made me so sad. My husband has a bad habit of letting Harley walk to our place from the car to our front door, unleashed. It drives me NUTS. I just called him up to tell him this story. Hopefully that will be enough to change his ways. I don't know how I could handle it if anything happened to our little bear.
I still question the legality of the whole matter and why the neighbors could be so...evil (I really can't think of a better word). How can they live with themselves? Not to mention, now they have to deal with it on a daily basis because you are neighbors.
Any lawyers around here that can fill us in?
Man, this really really bothers me.
I questioned the legality of it too. We tried everything humanly possible but ultimately the judge had the final say so. I live in a little town in Northern Michigan called Cadillac and the Judges name is Hoag. He hates agressive breeds. He went on record saying that he gave a pass to a pit bull and then he re offended. I think that its rediculous and not paint all dogs with one brush. He didnt even take into consideration that my dog had never bit anyone and he really didnt even bite the kid. He grabbed his coat and pulled him away. It still hurts so much.
Oh, I know Cadillac.
Looks like your judge has no soul. I wonder how the guy sleeps at night?
I read this at work today, I couldn't believe what I was reading! I'm so very sad for you and your family. I cant believe that the judge made that kind of decision. So there was no placing him out of the county or anything like that kind of a choice. It just infuriates me that a young dog that did no harm had to be put to sleep all because of an ignorant judge. Again I'm so very sorry for your loss!
My husband is a newbie lawyer and when I talked to him about it he said the following: in california dogs are allowed one bite, so he would of appealed the ruling. Wheather or not you have the money to hire a lawyer to fight it is another matter.
Sorry for the type-is, it's hard typing on a tablet.
The one bite rule was mentioned, but it didnt apply here or so we were told. We were told that the judge has total discression in any dog bite case. As for an appeal, we were told it would have been too costly and a mute point considering the judge would have been the judge in the appeal. As for moving out of the county or rehoming Diesel to someone else, we couldnt do it legally. We were told that if he came up "missing" that my son would have been put in jail until the dog was surrendered. Now I dont understand why the witch hunt for Diesel. The only thing I can come up with is because he was a Doberman. He was a very large dog. He was 6ft tall on his hind legs and had a commanding presence. Now with that said he was raised around small children and was wonderful around ALL children. I even have video of him with my 7month old grandson and around other children. The judge wouldnt even look at it. The only reason he bolted and did what he did was because the child was sreaming for help and thats what Diesel did, he helped the only way he knew how. He moved the child away from his brother. Now should he have done that, no, but I will never think that death is a proper punishment. Funny thing about Diesel, the second he did that he ran into our backyard and layed down and stayed until my son told him to go in the house. The one watching the kids said that he only knocked the kid down. It wasnt until they got in the house that they noticed the torn coat and the scratch on the kids arm. Im rambling now, sorry, it just infuriates me and hurts. HE was put down on Jan 14, so its still raw.
Here is another story that is going on right now with a 4 year old Doberman. There is a petition going on to fight for her. This dog was being walked on leash and someone came up asked if they could pet the dog while they were bending down the dog popped up and the dogs head hit the persons nose. Not any act of viciousness but now the judge is ordering that this dog be put under. Please read the story and consider signing the petition.
I think you were treated unfairely and the judge made a unlawful decison. It is possible for judges to make mistakes.
Maybe a noble lawyer will see your case do some pro bono work for you. Like I said, I question the legality of this. Looks to me like your dog didn't attack anyone and in fact protected a child from harm. Why the judge ordered the doberman be put to sleep make no sense to me what so ever.
I'm sure if your were a millionaire the judge would have made a different decision.
Did you get the message I sent you about Heidi the doberman in Royal Oak? It's sort of the same situation as yours. Strange that it happened so close to your case.
Hang in there brother, your luck change for the better. BTW, thank you for the comments on Fletch.
I am so sorry to hear this Tess! I hope you and your family can move on with his memories in your hearts and mind! I believe just like all the others! I too live in Mi, In Berrien County and I do say that for Mi we have some pretty stupid judges here! I hope you and your family can get through this in time! So sorry!
Hoag judged the case on my friend's Pitty... A chihuahua attacked him and he used his PAW to put the chi on the ground so he could get away. Her neighbors security cam got it all on tape, the chi wasn't red listed, wasn't labeled a dangerous dog, and wasn't taken away from his irresponsible owner. But Bubby was labeled vicious and put down all because the chi had a "irretated area on his stomach" from Bubby's nail. Bubby's eye was swollen shut cuz the chi bit right into it and he had two stitches in his nose.
I'm so sorry you had to deal with this guy. People like him make it even more difficult to have our lovelies.
Sounds to me like the judge is abusing his position.
Since Judges are elected, maybe he will be voted out. I know he will never get my vote. Thanks for supporting me and good luck with the adorable puppy. When we get a new puppy, and we will be getting a doberman, Ill post pics. I cant wait for the day. I miss Diesel so much. I miss his energy and his personality. He had such a commanding prescence and now its gone. Im hoping another doberman might be able to capture his energy. Now Im rambling, so Ill say goodbye. Again, Thanks.
So sorry for what happened to Diesel. It is a tragedy that should have never happened. As for you getting another Doberman if you are ready go for it! But just make sure you are not trying to fill Diesels spot as each Doberman is his or her own and shouldn't be used to fill the spot of one lost. Either way I am sure you will love your new Dobie with all of your heart <3
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Welcome to the forum.
I hadn't have this whole story happen to me to a doberman, but we had similar happen to our GSD... A kid was teasing our GSD through our gate, and since our GSD was quite young and capable at the time, he jumped over the fence and attacked the kid. Thank God the city didn't enforce him to be put down, just to be chained at all times (i don't know which is worse). He's the sweetest, most considerate dog when he's calm. He loves jumping when he's excited and loves being around his people whenever he can. I love my Chiefie so much and I'm glad we still have him.
I hope you can cope with your tragic loss, Tess. Don't shy away from getting another Doberman, just take your time and sort out your choices and, when you do get another wonderful Dobe, train him to know his boundries. Just take him out to the perimeter of the property every day; walk him around there, get him super familiar with it, and after a long time (I mean, a LONG TIME as in about a year or so), he'll get that that is his territory and he has to protect that territory. That's what we did with our Chow-chow mix as she was a runner when she was young. We just held her at the gate (we have a huge driveway, so we put a gate to keep the dog(s) inside) every day for years, played with her afterward as a reward for staying there as the gate opened. As a result, she would stay within the property even though the gates were wide open.
Anyway, I hope you do decide to get another Doberman, whether it be now or later!
♥Erika