After a Serious Dog-to-Dog Incident

A guide to help keep everyone safe while you consider your next steps

Firstly, I'm so sorry you're going through this.

While every situation is different, the information below may help you keep everyone safe while you decide on the best path forward.

1. Make safety your number one priority

Until you have a better understanding of why the incident occurred, it's safest to assume it could happen again.

If there are other dogs, cats, livestock, children or vulnerable people in the home—or who may visit—put management measures in place immediately.

Try to use at least two layers of safety wherever possible. This means if one safety measure fails, there's another one already in place.

For example:

A closed door and a baby gate.
Two closed doors with an "airlock" space between them, so if someone accidentally opens one door, there's still another secure barrier.
A crate inside a closed room.
A securely fenced run behind a locked gate.

The aim is to make accidental mistakes much less likely to result in another incident.

Everyone in the household should understand the plan and know exactly how the dog is to be managed.

2. Have your dog checked by your veterinarian

Pain, illness or other underlying medical conditions can sometimes influence behaviour. If your dog hasn't had a recent health check, it's a good idea to arrange one as soon as possible.

3. Take time to understand what happened

A tragic outcome doesn't always tell us why an incident occurred.

A behavioural assessment looks at many different factors, including:

Your dog's medical history.
Previous behaviour around people and other animals.
The events leading up to the incident.
The home environment.
The practical management options available.
The safety and welfare of everyone involved.

Understanding the bigger picture helps guide the most appropriate recommendations.

4. Possible pathways

Every family and every dog is different. Depending on the individual circumstances, possible options may include:

Management changes.
Behaviour modification training.
Further veterinary or veterinary behaviourist involvement.
Rehoming, where it can be done safely and ethically.
Behavioural euthanasia.

These are difficult conversations, but there is no single answer that suits every case.

5. Questions to think about

You may find it helpful to consider:

Has anything like this happened before?
Were there any warning signs?
Has your dog's behaviour changed recently?
Was food, space, toys or another resource involved?
Can everyone in the household consistently follow a long-term management plan?
Could children, visitors or other animals be placed at risk?

6. Be kind to yourself

These situations are incredibly emotional, and it's normal to feel shock, grief, guilt and uncertainty.

Whatever decision you eventually make should prioritise:

The safety of people.
The safety of other animals.
Your dog's welfare and quality of life.
What your family can realistically manage over the long term.

There is no benefit in rushing a decision if everyone can be kept safe in the meantime. Take the time to gather information, ask questions, and seek professional guidance if you're able.