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If you come on this forum and post a question where you're allowing a dog or cat to get even potentially harmed or threatened, you'll be torn to a bloody shred. #Fact

My nephew had 2 mastiffs for years. Even before he got married and had a daughter. They were sweet and loving, albeit slobbering and could easily knock a person over, never mind a 70 lb elder. Recently, the one dog starting viciously attacking the other dog, unprovoked, causing serious bite wounds that needed vet attention. My nephew thought it was a fluke, a one off. It wasn't. It happened again, right in front of his very young daughter where these 2 mastiffs nearly killed one another. They both had to be put down right away.

Your ex MIL sounds like she can indeed be going down the dementia highway. Her doctor needs to give her a full medical and cognitive workup. But she may be afraid of your large dogs and trying to protect herself from them. They CAN severely hurt or even kill her if they were to attack her after she provokes them with shears in the face. #Fact
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Reply to lealonnie1
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This sounds like an MTV reality show.
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Reply to ZippyZee
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EX-MIL needs to get to the doctor and get tested. If she used to be sweet and kind, something has changed her and it's time to find out what. A good friend of mine caught her mom, on the nanny cam, hitting her little doggie, so it was time to move mom out. What does your ex/not ex have to say about this? Is he willing to do the work to get to the bottom of this? If not, you've got some thinking to do, IMHO.
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Reply to againx100
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Separate the dogs and the ex-MIL.

If they are not separated, the consequences could be horrific. Ex-MIL in fear of the dogs (brought into her home) lashes out, dog attacks her.

What then?
Injured woman. Possible charges laid on the dog owner? Dog ordered to be put down?

Who owns the house? The ex-MIL?

Whether this is your home for 4 years or more, consider moving out asap.
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AlvaDeer May 17, 2024
This is the ex MIL's house the OP tells us. And the OP's ex husband, who she has recently reconciled with, lives with his mother. Now the DIL and her dogs have moved in as well. Since MIL gives to many animal charities it seems unlikely she doesn't like dogs. But at 70 pounds I would be very surprised if a barking mastiff at her own sliding door would not be intimidating when the barking is directed at her.

I wouldn't be surprised if MIL is frightened both of the dogs and the ex DIL, but who can know. The OP admits to yelling at and swearing at her.
I always say that these things cannot be made up, but I am beginning to wonder if in fact they can be.
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For anyone curious about the traits of a French Mastiff, here they are according to yourpurebredpuppy.com:

If you want a dog who…

• Is massive and powerful

• Has a sleek easy-care coat

• Is calm and quiet indoors (as an adult)

• Needs only moderate exercise

• Makes an imposing watchdog, being serious and self-assured around strangers, yet generally mild mannered unless aroused

This dog may not be right for you if you don’t want to deal with…

• A huge dog who takes up a lot of space in your house and car

• A heavy dog who wants to sit on your feet and lean on your leg

• Rowdiness and exuberant jumping when young

• Destructiveness when bored or left alone for too much

• Aggression or fearfulness against some people in some lines, or when not socialized enough

• Aggression towards other animals

• Strong willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge

• Snuffling, wheezing, grunting and loud snoring

• Slobbering and drooling

• Gassiness (flatulence)

• Serious health problems and a short life span

• Legal liabilities (public perception, future breed bans, insurance problems, increased chance of lawsuits)

I can’t post information on the bulldog because there are different kinds and she doesn’t specify which one it is. If she has an American bulldog, they also have legal liability issues.

The bite force of the French Mastiff is three times more forceful than the average dog.

They have been in France for 600 years. They have been used as guardians, hunters and fighters. They were especially good at baiting bulls, bears and jaguars.

They were introduced to America in 1959 but didn’t become popular until 1989 due to the movie, Turner and Hooch.

The AKC recognized the breed in 2008.
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Reply to NeedHelpWithMom
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Skye, as long as there’s a 70 pound lady forced to live with 100 pound plus dogs who threaten her the law, the humane society and society will side with her, not you.
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Reply to PeggySue2020
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NeedHelpWithMom May 17, 2024
Peggy,

I just posted the traits of the French mastiff.

This is not the type of dog that should be in a home with an elderly person.

If you research breeds of dogs suitable for seniors, a French mastiff isn’t on the list.

When I was researching French mastiff dogs, several law firm sites popped up in my google search.

I took the time to read a few incidents where French mastiffs have attacked others.

These dogs are able to cause serious injuries.

You are correct, the owner of the dog is held accountable for the damage caused by the dog. The dogs are ordered to be put down.
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I read your followups. May not be Moms house but its still not your house either. I see you are starting to look for a place.

Not sure how she could be nice the whole time you dated and during your marriage and hide she was nothing like this afterca period of time. My MIL was a sweet lady and after we married found out she liked havingvher own way. No, she did not get it. Why did ur ex allow her to move in, to help him. Has he seen changes in personality? If so, time for a full physical with cognitive testing.

Maybe she wants her son to herself and then you came back into the picture. How was she before u moved in. Maybe she is afraid she will be asked to leave. I think you are smart to move out if ex is not willing to find a place for Mom. I am 5 ft tall and would not feel comfortable around these two dogs.
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ElizabethAR37 May 17, 2024
FWIW, I am also 5 ft. tall (100 lbs.,87 Y/O), and would not be comfortable around such large dogs unless they were very well socialized and trained (I'd still be cautious).
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You don’t leave bully breed dogs around old people for the same reason you don’t around toddlers. Like Alva said, this is how people get killed.

They need to be at doggy daycare whenever you’re at work. Staff will walk them for an additional fee. And at home, they’re confined to your room while mil is up and about.

Mil’s safety must absolutely come first. And frankly, if my fiancée came to me and said, “it’s Mom or MY PETS” the engagement would be over.
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Reply to PeggySue2020
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Yesterday I re-visited a friend who had a knee replacement 10 days ago. Two days ago, she tripped over her visiting daughter’s small nice dog, sniffing just behind her. She was terrified that the fall could have messed up the knee or the rest of her, and she would need a second operation. It seems OK, but it makes me think that a dog doesn’t need to be big and difficult to be a big issue for older people - just because it's unpredictable.
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waytomisery May 17, 2024
The elderly trip over small dogs and cats all the time. I’ve tripped over my own cat. ( No falls yet) . She will most likely be our last pet . My cat is only 4 years old . If she should live to say 15 , I’ll be 70 then . I don’t want to take in another cat and maybe have to rehome it because I get too old to care for it , or I trip over it and break a hip !
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She needs to move to an assisted living facility. My mom lives in one and it works well for our family
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