![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/i-put-my-st-bernard-down-when-he-became-aggressive/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/0_SWNS_PUT_DOWN_07.jpg&description=Heartbroken Sharon Herrington was forced to put her beloved ten and a half stone St Bernard Bear down over fears he would one day launch a fatal attack and has warned others to be vigilant A heartbroken dog owner who was forced to put down her "ticking time bomb" St Bernard is urging other buyers to be vigilant. Sharon Herrington, 53, says she had to take action over fears Bear - who weighed 10st - would launch a fatal attack. The dog had already bitten two strangers and she was worried about the safety of her family. Sharon and husband Cyril Herrington, 65, got Bear when he was one, after his previous owners gave him up due to ill health. They say he wasn't showing signs of aggression then but, within six weeks, had started lunging at people. The couple - who are experienced dog owners and have had two St Bernards previously - spent more than a year trying to 'fix' Bear. But they decided he couldn't be saved and the best thing to do was to put him down. Sharon thinks bad breeding is behind the aggressive behaviour - and is warning others to check the bloodlines before they buy. She said: "He was like a ticking time bomb - we were scared he would launch a full-blown attack on someone. I couldn't trust him enough to have the grandchildren in the house. "It's horrendous without him. We're heartbroken to have had to do this, but it felt like the only responsible thing to do. There's a huge hole in our lives without our massive bounding dog. "But we'll only be able to eradicate genetic aggression if people who can trace back a bad bloodline do the same. They need to do routine checks on breeders more frequently and take away licences if things like this are happening. "Anyone can apply for a licence but they should be checked more thoroughly - there should be more regulations. Plus we have far too many dogs in the UK. We should concentrate on all those dogs needing a home rather than breeding more." The couple, who have four kids, chose the breed because they are usuall){kind=link}
Heartbroken Sharon Herrington was forced to put her beloved ten and a half stone St Bernard Bear down over fears he would one day launch a fatal attack and has warned others to be vigilant
A heartbroken dog owner who was forced to put down her “ticking time bomb” St Bernard is urging other buyers to be vigilant. Sharon Herrington, 53, says she had to take action over fears Bear – who weighed 10st – would launch a fatal attack.
The dog had already bitten two strangers and she was worried about the safety of her family. Sharon and husband Cyril Herrington, 65, got Bear when he was one, after his previous owners gave him up due to ill health.
They say he wasn’t showing signs of aggression then but, within six weeks, had started lunging at people. The couple – who are experienced dog owners and have had two St Bernards previously – spent more than a year trying to ‘fix’ Bear.
But they decided he couldn’t be saved and the best thing to do was to put him down. Sharon thinks bad breeding is behind the aggressive behaviour – and is warning others to check the bloodlines before they buy.