Dog killed one of our kittens

[Animal _lover]

I could not believe what I saw happen as the kitten was rubbing against the lab and the lab struck out and bit the cat in the head and we had to put the kitten down for the injuries were too great she would not of survived.
The dog grew up with cats and I never saw this circumstance happen in my wildest dreams.I smacked the hell out of the dog as I saw it happen and was out of my chair and to the situation immediately.BUT I know the lab will not remember just what happened hours later.
I buried the kitten along with the ashes of another cat we lost to laryngeal paralysis earlier this year along with my favorite dog's ashes Brandy who we lost last year March 03,2010 ,she would of been seventeen in June.So the poor kitten is in good company.
My problem is what to do as the kitten had a sister,both were feral born in our woods and were the only two that survived and were inseparable since my wife rescued them while i was away sailing.
Do I get a muzzle for the old lab? I do not want this repeated with the surviving kitten.
Tonight I will put the lab upstairs and lock the kitten in the bedroom until I can acquire a muzzle for the dog.I know it may not be the correct choice ,but what other choice do I have?
My heart is broken and the wife is really taking the tragedy poorly.We have been supporters of the animal community forever and are softies ,each of our three dogs were trays and the kittens were strays actually all our animals have been strays.we seem to attract them here in our woods.
Any suggestions as I am at a total loss as this was never expected and yet it happened...
THANKS for any suggestions how to keep this family as a whole,putting the dog down is not the answer.

[Karen]

Sadly, a dog with a prey drive is not going to be trustworthy with the other kitten, so you'd have to be ever vigilant about never letting them be together. As you have seen, it only takes a second for tragedy to happen, so even if you are in the room, you likely would not be able to prevent it.

Maybe you should, sadly, consider rehoming the kitten? You've had the dog for a long time, but the kitten may adjust to a new home just because it is so young.

[luvofallhorses]

Agreed with Karen. You have to think what's best for your kitten... rehoming her may be best so the same thing doesn't happen as your dog obviously has quite a prey drive and you can't train or love it out. Sorry for your loss, but even if dogs are raised with cats there is still a chance prey drive could kick in.

[lizbud]

The dog grew up with cats and I never saw this circumstance happen in my wildest dreams.I smacked the hell out of the dog as I saw it happen and was out of my chair and to the situation immediately.BUT I know the lab will not remember just what happened hours later.

I'm glad you realize that "smacking the hell out of the dog" is not the
answer to any problem.