I think you'll see personality clashes in pets just as much as in people. But when you add a dog with a prey drive to the mix, and you're too busy to provide exercise and play, then you're asking for trouble. You have a LOT of pets already. Now the dog knows that it can attack a cat-whether you punish it or not-it won't be able to connect any punishment with its attack-your cats are in danger. Do the cats a favour and get that poor dog into a foster home where it's given the care it needs without endangering other pets. You can't be responsible for every homeless animal, let someone else have a turn. Good luck.

Thank you harebell for your input. I am so not neglecting this dog. I actually chose a house for my pets because I can't live without them and I am not a hoarder. I bought a big farmhouse on 5 acres and I am moving next week. It is hard right now because I am packing, once over there I will have time. I am retired and have all the time in the world for my animals, I don't travel. All my money goes to the welfare of my animals.

As for my cats, I was fostering them and was not able to find good homes so I kept them. My intention is not to get more cats or dogs. Murdoch was my brother's dog and he was to bring him at the SPCA at the worst time ever in the year in July when the shelters are overcrowded. I am not trying to defend myself but wanted to clarify some points.

Anicee

Here are some things you need to consider. I have 5 acres also but even with the one cat and one dog I can't let them out to run free.
I have neighbors close enough that I don't want the dog being an unwanted visitor plus, if my dog was caught chasing their livestock they have the right to shoot him. I also have coyotes....some large as wolves so I know my dog, not to mention the cat, don't stand a chance if they came across a coyote.
With a sight/scent hound such as your dog, you're going to need to keep control of him on your property. If you have the means to fence the property, then that's great, but if you can only fence the yard, then you're back to square one with a dog not getting the exercise he needs.

Another thought is how are you going to house them in the dead of winter? Will the dogs be able to get out and will you be able to get out with them for the exercise?

At the moment, I wouldn't trust him with your cats.
You've stated he's not the dog for you and I feel you're trying to convince yourself otherwise. You need to find a no-kill humane society and work with them or track down the rescue for the breed.
And IMO, the perfect owner would be someone that uses him for what he's bred for.

Those are all very good points to make. However......just because a dog is bred for the hunt, it does not make him necessarily aggressive toward smaller animals like cats. Pointing and retrieving are not the same as bred to fight or kill. My son's labradors and daughter's beagles are all very cat friendly. My little lurcher, however has come from a line of dogs with both sight-hound and terrier instincts. I'll never trust him around cats if I am not present and when I had adult cats, had to put them in another part of the house if we were not right there with him just to be sure.

We don't know what other interactions you have seen between the cats and Murdoch. Both of these sound like you are drawing conclusions. You are not for sure Sushi nailed Murdoch in the eye, and you didn't witness the cat being injured. Were there other instances you've had with him where you have seen him express aggression with your cats? It sounds like there may have been. A dog who has not been around cats will usually test the waters to see where he fits in socially and often a swipe or two by an indignant cat will resolve the pecking order.

All that being said, if this dog really does have aggressive tendencies he may never be safe to be around a cat. Some dogs are just not cat friendly....period whether it's breed related or not. Until you have resolved that question beyond any doubt, the dog should be crated if you are not in attendance and you've got to be really honest with yourself if you're putting your other animals in danger. There are good home situations for dogs like Murdoch and he'd fit in well. Given his unusual breed you may not have as hard a time as you think finding him a good fit with a responsible family. If you took him to spare him from a possible euthansia and give him a chance........he's not getting a fair shake if you put him in circumstances where he can't control his actions. When push comes to shove, if he does maim or kill another of your pets it won't be his fault........do you see what I mean? You put him in that situation as well as all your other pets and safety is just as important as food, shelter and love.

Yes I am privileged enough to have the means to fence 2 acres of field and some workers are already building the fence so it will be up when I get there. I also registered to have him start agility classes and this will start in October.
My cats will have their own outside enclosure too. Like I was saying I'm retired and am always at home with them. My pets don't sleep outside.
I was talking to a friend tonight who told me her dog bit one of her cats 3 years ago (she never told me) and it never happened again. I want to give the dog and myself a chance, it's too easy to just give the dog away to a hunter who might not be satisfied with him and the dog will end up tied up to a tree for the rest of his life.

Anicee

That's why I asked if you'd witnessed other acts of aggression. What happened may not have even involved sushi or murdoch. Being retired and at home doesn't always translate to being 'there' though does it because you didn't witness either incident happen. It can happen right under your nose as well. It only takes a few shakes of a powerful dog to break a cat's neck. It's over before you can even intercede.

The nervousness and excitement of the move might be upsetting him. It's hard to tell but I don't see how fencing and enclosures are going to ensure anything other than giving them all exercise and I don't know if that is the issue or not. I've done musical animals before and it's exhausting keeping certain ones apart. It's your call if you don't mind doing that.

I really feel for you because I know you're trying to do the right thing. You know that you don't have to necessarily find a home for him for hunting purposes, just because he's a hunting dog. I don't use my hunting dog to hunt. Neither do my kids use theirs for hunting. They're pets.

I don't think you want opinions either, just want to get it out of your system, maybe. The outcome is all going to hinge on your making the right choices, and I certainly hope you are and all works out well. I would be very concerned however if a cat received enough of a wound to be seen by a vet. If it was dog bite, it wasn't a warning nip.

OK, I was just going to read this and not comment, but I have to.

I have a mini schnauzer that just one time snapped at my cat because he thought the cat was going to take a bone he was chewing on. I gave him a serious hollering at and he completely understood that he was in the wrong. He has not bothered that cat again - even though the cat will sometimes annoy him. He knows better now.

I think your new place sounds ideal and you should give it a try. You are probably anxious about this move, with good reason, and maybe the animals are picking that up. It will all be over soon. Don't make any permanent decisions until you have moved and you can assess the situation. Because you are retired, they all have your full attention, even when you are busy. Give it a little time.

I hope Sushi is ok. They will both have learned from this.

Your best bet is to teach the dog basic training ASAP, and know once you get to the farm house you will need to leash walk your dog every day at least an hour a day. In the mean time keep them seperated and if you can not do that easily while in the house - Leash your dog to you. That will help in a number of ways.

Murraysmom and Mazer, thank you so much for your replies. I was almost afraid to look at the posts and regretted posting in the first place. People thinking I was ignorant or without a heart.

Sushi is doing o.k. but she did require stitches and some antibiotics. I explained to the vet I always had cats and dogs and it's the first time this happens to me and he told me: "see it as an accident, you have many pets, these things happen but keep an eye on them and he also told me to try to live in the present like them, not to anticipate anything bad, that it was a stressful period for all of us, that move etc...

My cats are all old..Sushi is the youngest at 6 but after that they range from 10 to 17. I realize 11 cats are a lot of cats and as they die, I will not be rescuing more or fostering more. Very hard to find good homes for older cats.

Thanks again...I shall be vigilent, more ascertive with Murdoch and of course he will get plenty of exercise and discipline.

Anicee

Atta girl!! I'm sure things will work out for you. Your heart is in the right place!! Hopefully Murdoch has learned that this is a very bad thing and won't do it again.

I understand you rescue your animals and want to love and help them so they have a home, but please trust me having 2 or 5 acres of land isn't going to solve any animals behavioral issues.

I rescue and pet sit animals myself. October 3,2010 I rescued a chihuahua which thank god he has survived and living a happy life as my service dog now. May 2011 I rescued a 8 month old chow which the dog owner said he was pet and human friendly so my husband and I said ok. At the time of rescuing him we had 3 chihuahuas, 2 adult dogs and a puppy not including the chow. First few days the chow was great with the other animals.

Fourth day came a bunch of older kids walked by our fence and was teasing our animals. I decided to let out my chow/boxer puppy so he could bark them away from the fence. My chihuahua ran out with him barking and running towards them instead the 8 month old chow grabbed him, threw him to the ground, and just kept attacking him and the noise from the kids kept getting louder and they were laughing and saying the most cruel comments. My husband ran outside had to kick the dog off so my chihuahua could get loose. When he did get loose the dog kept going at him so my husband kept trying to keep him away until we got inside.

My chihuahua and I sat on the floor he laid in my lap my mother in law came over. Carefully she took care of his wounds and made sure he was wrapped up warm in my lap since he doesn't go to anyone else.

Called the shelter spoke with them we had to immediately put down the chow because he kept attacking everyone after he attacked him. Got him in the van took him to the shelter and he tried to bite them as well. They do use the gas chamber and Euthanizing shot, but since he kept biting we got him in the chamber. When opening the door it didn't work on him until the 3rd try.

If my husband hadn't got him off my chihuahua in time he would've killed him his tooth was very close to the rib.

Having a huge yard is great and fun, but unless if you plan to train and socialize every animal with the ones you have you will end up with a problem just like I did.

My chihuahua has survived, but since being attacked he's not the same dog and he only allows and feels safe around my Anatolian shepherd that we have which protects him from everything. We do have two cats they will play with him, but I'm very cautious about what happens outside and inside.

If you believe your dog bit your cat you need to work with him one on one and I'm sorry, but at this time I'm moving as well and having furniture packed and boxes around doesn't make a dog attack another animal. I recently, just pet sit 4 dogs that weren't my own and two were aggressive towards mine, but it had nothing to do with me moving.

I'm sure even with moving you could take the dog on a short walk twice a day, play with him inside for a bit, give him attention.

If your going to rescue then you have to do it right not just build up a yard or house with a bunch of pets. It's unfair to them and truthfully I would consider you neglecting them.

I am a cancer patient I at least take my dogs on one walk a day no matter if it's short long or even in the yard. My cats I spend at least a few minutes during the day several times petting them, hugging them, even talking to them so they know their important and loved.

If you had a child would it only be sitting in front of a tv all day? Animals are just like our children maybe with four legs, but they deserve the same treatment love, patience, good health, and support always.

Your right finding homes for older pets is the hardest thing ever and not knowing what to do is even worse.
At this my husband and I are moving in with my mother in law which I have four old pets which all have health issues from being neglected and abused. My older dog were not able to find her a home and all rescues and shelters turned her down because she's injured and old. My Sadie is 10 years old almost, but the energy she has is like a 2 year old puppy. My vet has agreed to euthanize her peacefully and bury her on her farm land. I couldn't do cremation I feel putting my pet in a stove makes it as if I'm putting her threw hell when she hasn't done anything wrong.

I tried so hard to find a home that would allow me to keep her, but it's hard with a low income since my husbands losing his job, and no vehicle.

I rescued Sadie from a family who rescued her from a shelter at 4 months old, during the time of having her they placed her in a fenced yard and kept her there while they had another large dog that lived inside the home and went on trips with them. Once they had a child they felt Sadie wouldn't be safe around the child.

Sadie, knew not one command, jumped on people immediately, would try to escape on leash, overweight, hip dysplasia, and arthritis in her legs at 5 years old.

Since my husband worked day after day with her she has learned commands, no longer jumps on people, walks on leash like a perfect dog, protects little animals in the home, and takes medication like a big baby so she's not in pain. What she loves most of all is she lives in the home, sleeps wherever she wants, and goes on all trips with us.

I was expecting to live with her until she decided to go not having to put her down because I can't find her a home that will love her.

So I know your pain and after this I'm done rescuing as well because I can't handle the pain of putting down a pet that is loving and deserves a family.