Did I do the right thing?

Question

I have 2 dogs outside that are really curious and ready to attack anything that comes into the yard, 2 days ago the smaller of my two dogs found a copperhead snake that had made it under my back porch the dog was barking unrelenting and the snake was striking at him, when I got out there with my flash light and I tried to get my dog away from the snake so I could draw its attention to me so I could kill it, but he wouldn't so the only thing I knew to do was to throw my flashlight at the dog it hit him pretty hard, but it did get him to leave the snake alone long enough for me to kill it.

I knew that if he were to have gotten bitten he would have died that same night, we live about 15 miles from the highway and the closest 24 hour vet was 4 hours away which would be impossible to make with the dog still alive. The venom would have already spread too much to save him.

Did I do the right thing by hitting him like that? I just did whatever I could to make sure he stayed alive even if that meant hitting him like that, but I feel bad since I have lost some of his trust.

He is a 13 pound Yorkie-poo with a sweet, energetic personality.

This isn't a joke question, I am serious about this.

mokrie · Accepted Answer

It was an emergency and you did what was necessary. Now you have to heap on affection and gentle touches to slowly get the dog to feel relaxed with you again. It will take a little time but will happen.

Earleen · Answer

You have to do what you have to do and in a good relationship things return to normal.  If your dog is back to normal, all is forgiven.  You might explain to the dog that he did the right thing by finding the snake, but that snakes are dangerous.  As for your dog, the copperhead would probably not have killed her.  The main danger to a dog is if she is bit in the throat and the swelling shuts off her air supply.  You would never get to the vet in time.  Other than that, it probably would not have killed her.  There would probably be some effect that only you would know about her. Like her muzzle would always be a litter fatter than before or that she favors a leg.  She would be sick for a few days.   But there is not much that a vet can do.  Most vets don't even have a oxygen supply.  You might pay a visit to your vet and just take a look at his emergency/operating room and see what equipment he can provide.  It is not like a human hospital.

GllntKnight · Answer

No.  It was your responsibility to keep your dog safe from harm at all times, which means not leaving it outside unsupervised as well as securely containing it in a safe area indoors when you can't supervise, then this could have been prevented.

In addition you're required by law to provide vet care as needed in a timely fashion, instead of making excuses, such as distance, or you may charged with a felony, punishable by fines/jail time as well it remaining on your record for the remainder of your life.

Tarkarri · Answer

Training would teach your dogs to come when called.
Copperheads are protected as are all native animals in Australia.
By attacking the snake you taught your dogs they should attack them and put your own life at risk. About 80% of snake bites occur when people try to kill snakes.
Next time just attach a leash to your mutt and train it better.

? · Answer

Who in their right mind has and leaves a YORKIE outside.

Yorkies are NOT outside dogs and so either this story isn't true or if it is then you are abusing this little thing anyay by leaving it to live outside.

dennis · Answer

They will be alright I'm sure. I'd much rather get hit on the head than die. You did the right thing

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Did I do the right thing?

6 Answers