05/06/2026
POST COPIED by Friend of the Rottweiler Rescue & Re-home South Africa
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BAqyQe8vg/
Simple Truths of Dogs Who Bite
We recently spoke with News24 about a devastating dog attack on a woman who may lose her arm.
This was not a dog from Rottie Rescue. But.
Tragically, one of our adopters suffered a severe bite from a dog some years ago, they adopted from us just 11 months earlier. The injury was so serious that amputation was required.
This is something I carry with me every single day.
The dog involved was not aggressive or known problem dogs. The bite was triggered by pain, and it happened to strike at the worst possible place — the main artery.
This can happen with any breed. The bigger the dog, the bigger the potential damage, and the greater the risk.
Rottweilers are not inherently aggressive. Labradors bite. Yorkies bite. We all know this. But because we specialise in Rottweilers, we must speak plainly about this strong, black-and-tan breed that we love and know to be truly wonderful.
The Hard Reality
There are already very few suitable homes for friendly, balanced, stable dogs.
If your dog has bitten someone, it is now a significant risk to bite again. Changing homes or owners does not erase that risk.
Rehoming a dog that bites is like paying with a counterfeit note. Someone else will eventually bear the real cost — and it may not be you.
It is unethical.
It is dishonest.
And you should be held legally liable.
If your dog has bitten you, your family, your staff, or people it knows in familiar surroundings, imagine what it could do to a stranger.
Rehoming a biter is selfish.
It is irresponsible.
It is weak.
You have two responsible choices:
1. Commit fully to working with a qualified behaviourist. This means micromanaging the dog’s environment, interactions, and training for the rest of its life. This is often what you expect strangers to do.
2. Or, you send the dog to heaven — a dignified, peaceful end.
You do not get to play Russian roulette with other people’s safety.
You do not get to pass on a loaded gun without consequences.
If you are unwilling to take full responsibility, then you are the problem for not choosing euthanasia.
Imagine losing your arm.
Imagine losing your livelihood and income — all because someone else refused to take responsibility for their dog.
Imagine a volunteer being bitten in their own car with no escape.
Imagine the multiple surgeries they endure in silence, and the lasting fear they live with — because of your dog.
Imagine an entire breed rescue having to close its doors because one dog’s actions injured staff and destroyed public trust.
In 2026, as humans fight for the right to euthanasia with dignity, surely we can extend the same compassionate, responsible recognition to dogs who are simply not safe around people?
Some dogs can not live alongside people.
Pretending otherwise doesn’t make it kinder — it only creates more victims.
