http://www.thecoastguard.ca/News/20...-after-attack-on-four-year-old-in-Shelburne/1
Seriously? That's just messed up.
Seriously? That's just messed up.
This pisses me off!
- Thread starter Fran27
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The mother says the owner should have notified neighbours that the dog was pregnant?? Really? I shouldn't have to notify my neighbours of anything that doesn't concern them. (I'm not an awful neighbour btw, at least I hope - I'm always asking if they hear Abby barking because too much is a nuisance and that does concern them and myself)
How ridiculous. Sorry, I'd be fighting for my dog too. I feel very sorry for the four year though, not a nice thing to happen. I do hope he is not badly scarred from the experience.
One of my fears as a dog owner is a child coming into my yard (even though I have two fences to get through before they could reach my dogs). One of mine is practically bombproof and highly unlikely to bite to be honest. The other one is, quite simply, not comfortable with kids. I do my best to ensure safety for everyone, and I'd be devastated if my dogs bit someone regardless of the circumstances. But if someone comes into my yard and then into my enclosure whilst I'm not there to supervise or manage the situation, without my permission?? Sorry, there is no way that I'd be putting my dog down without a fight.
I think it is pretty reasonable that people should stay off my property other than to get access to my front door (common law) and parents should be ensuring their children don't wander unsupervised. I understand accidents happen, but I would be so angry at myself for allowing that to happen. I wouldn't be blaming the dog.
How ridiculous. Sorry, I'd be fighting for my dog too. I feel very sorry for the four year though, not a nice thing to happen. I do hope he is not badly scarred from the experience.
One of my fears as a dog owner is a child coming into my yard (even though I have two fences to get through before they could reach my dogs). One of mine is practically bombproof and highly unlikely to bite to be honest. The other one is, quite simply, not comfortable with kids. I do my best to ensure safety for everyone, and I'd be devastated if my dogs bit someone regardless of the circumstances. But if someone comes into my yard and then into my enclosure whilst I'm not there to supervise or manage the situation, without my permission?? Sorry, there is no way that I'd be putting my dog down without a fight.
I think it is pretty reasonable that people should stay off my property other than to get access to my front door (common law) and parents should be ensuring their children don't wander unsupervised. I understand accidents happen, but I would be so angry at myself for allowing that to happen. I wouldn't be blaming the dog.
And this is part of the reason why I have a 6' privacy fence and always padlock the gates these days, and even then I don't go more than 10 minutes or so without checking on them back there if I'm not with them.
Just once I'd like to see someone say "yea I should have been watching my four year old and not let him wander two yards away" or even "yea I shouldn't have left my dog tied out alone."
Just once I'd like to see someone say "yea I should have been watching my four year old and not let him wander two yards away" or even "yea I shouldn't have left my dog tied out alone."
So many factors counting against each party, it's not likely to turn out well for anyone unfortunately.
While I am not the biggest fan of keeping a dog tethered outside unsupervised, I'm also not a fan of having a child that young outside unsupervised (I know she said she "lost sight" of him indicating some sort of supervision, but he managed to travel 2 houses down and get into their yard, so I'm wondering the length of time).
The child looks like he will make a full recovery - it could have been a lot worse. Ideally, both parties will learn from the incident and prevent such from happening in the future.
While I am not the biggest fan of keeping a dog tethered outside unsupervised, I'm also not a fan of having a child that young outside unsupervised (I know she said she "lost sight" of him indicating some sort of supervision, but he managed to travel 2 houses down and get into their yard, so I'm wondering the length of time).
The child looks like he will make a full recovery - it could have been a lot worse. Ideally, both parties will learn from the incident and prevent such from happening in the future.
The dog was tethered in her own backyard when she was approached by a strange child. She probably felt backed up into a corner and couldn't escape. Leo might have nipped in that situation too.
It always drives me crazy when people are so lackadaisical about their child visiting with strange dogs they don't even know. People, not all dogs are child friendly!
I was walking Leo on leash in a park just a week ago, when a toddler started running up to us. The mother saw us, and was totally encouraging her child! "Look at the doggie. Go see the doggie!".
Luckily the toddler was slow moving and still pretty far away, so I had enough time to say "I prefer that she didn't. Leo is a little scared of small kids"
At this point, the mother snatches the child up in horror, and walks away talking about the "mean doggie", which I was pretty annoyed about. I am fairly confident even if the child had approached all the way, Leo would have shied away but been fine. But that doesn't mean that parents should just encourage their child to start running at any dog like that! If it had been Leo tethered when that child approached, particularly on a short line, I think he probably would have just tried to get as far away and would have been miserable. But if he at all got tangled in his leash and felt completely trapped, I do believe he would have nipped.
I honestly don't believe the dog should be responsible or euthanized since she was in the safety of her own home and should have the right to be undisturbed there.
It always drives me crazy when people are so lackadaisical about their child visiting with strange dogs they don't even know. People, not all dogs are child friendly!
I was walking Leo on leash in a park just a week ago, when a toddler started running up to us. The mother saw us, and was totally encouraging her child! "Look at the doggie. Go see the doggie!".
Luckily the toddler was slow moving and still pretty far away, so I had enough time to say "I prefer that she didn't. Leo is a little scared of small kids"
At this point, the mother snatches the child up in horror, and walks away talking about the "mean doggie", which I was pretty annoyed about. I am fairly confident even if the child had approached all the way, Leo would have shied away but been fine. But that doesn't mean that parents should just encourage their child to start running at any dog like that! If it had been Leo tethered when that child approached, particularly on a short line, I think he probably would have just tried to get as far away and would have been miserable. But if he at all got tangled in his leash and felt completely trapped, I do believe he would have nipped.
I honestly don't believe the dog should be responsible or euthanized since she was in the safety of her own home and should have the right to be undisturbed there.
This story/thread reminded me -- I recently learned a bit more about the dog attack that my husband suffered when he was ~3.
It was a pretty severe attack. He had his face ripped open and his cheek was punctured by a medium/large dog. The dog was euthed afterwards. He doesn't have much memory of it, but has a serious lingering unease of dogs, especially ones showing anxiety/arousal/excitement.
What I found out recently was that he was over at a family friend's house during a party and my husband had been laying on the floor and hugging the dog while it was eating.
So, due to childish stupidity, crappy management and lack of supervision a dog was destroyed and a child was left with a lifelong mistrust of dogs. And, now, his issues with dogs are constantly at odds with my desire to make them a significant part of my life. So frustrating.
It was a pretty severe attack. He had his face ripped open and his cheek was punctured by a medium/large dog. The dog was euthed afterwards. He doesn't have much memory of it, but has a serious lingering unease of dogs, especially ones showing anxiety/arousal/excitement.
What I found out recently was that he was over at a family friend's house during a party and my husband had been laying on the floor and hugging the dog while it was eating.
So, due to childish stupidity, crappy management and lack of supervision a dog was destroyed and a child was left with a lifelong mistrust of dogs. And, now, his issues with dogs are constantly at odds with my desire to make them a significant part of my life. So frustrating.
After reading the article, I think this is just a crummy situation all around. It sounded like the dog was not kept in the best of conditions, and I am highly doubtful her owners are the most responsible people.
I also highly doubt the dog is "aggressive", and she would likely do just fine in a home who actually managed her situations and worked with her.
A chained dog approached by a loose, young child is a recipe for disaster if the dog is anything other than bombproof - and let's face it, most average pet dogs, IMO, are not what I would consider bombproof. But just because a dog isn't bomb proof doesn't make them a dog that needs to be euthanized, it just means they need an owner that gives a crap and doesn't set their dog up for failure.
People also need to realize not all dogs are bomb proof, and nd I think it is ridiculously stupid that the mother of the child said their neighbor needed to tell her they had a potential bite risk dog. Um, no. You need to keep your child away from strange dogs, or better yet, TEACH your child to avoid strange dogs, until you have gotten permission to approach them.
I also highly doubt the dog is "aggressive", and she would likely do just fine in a home who actually managed her situations and worked with her.
A chained dog approached by a loose, young child is a recipe for disaster if the dog is anything other than bombproof - and let's face it, most average pet dogs, IMO, are not what I would consider bombproof. But just because a dog isn't bomb proof doesn't make them a dog that needs to be euthanized, it just means they need an owner that gives a crap and doesn't set their dog up for failure.
People also need to realize not all dogs are bomb proof, and nd I think it is ridiculously stupid that the mother of the child said their neighbor needed to tell her they had a potential bite risk dog. Um, no. You need to keep your child away from strange dogs, or better yet, TEACH your child to avoid strange dogs, until you have gotten permission to approach them.
I am not a fan of dogs biting kids. I have a very low tolerance for it, especially one that age. that said, it sounds like it was a "back off" type bite and not an attack. At least thats the impression I get. A bite to the face by any dog on a kid that age is going to do damage like was described, anything more than a snap is going to do a lot more. Especially when no parents are around.
If this was a "dangerous" dog, I think it would have ended much more badly for the child. This is why I wouldn't tie my dogs outside and leave them, but I don't think it's unreasonable for people to be able to do so. When I grew up, that was the norm and the dogs were as loved back then as they are now.
I think the mother of the 4 year old is out of line. 4 year olds do take off, they do stupid stuff because they don't know any better, but you should be blaming yourself woman.
Kids are always coming into my yard to retrieve their balls and frisbees and whatever else they throw over. I also watch my dogs when they're out there if i'm not out there myself. This fence has made me lazy because I can sit inside and watch now
oh well, kids do stuff, then they learn. I was a bit older, 4th grade and visiting my aunt and uncle in WY. I kicked a soccer ball over the 6 foot wooden privacy fence that bordered everyone's back yard. I went to climb over the fence and when I went to jump down the other side, 2 GSD's came running out. No barking, no nothing and just ran to the fence. I was pretty scared of them back then and I quickly jumped back to the other side. No harm, no foul and hell if I ever tried to jump a fence like that again without going to the front door and asking
If this was a "dangerous" dog, I think it would have ended much more badly for the child. This is why I wouldn't tie my dogs outside and leave them, but I don't think it's unreasonable for people to be able to do so. When I grew up, that was the norm and the dogs were as loved back then as they are now.
I think the mother of the 4 year old is out of line. 4 year olds do take off, they do stupid stuff because they don't know any better, but you should be blaming yourself woman.
Kids are always coming into my yard to retrieve their balls and frisbees and whatever else they throw over. I also watch my dogs when they're out there if i'm not out there myself. This fence has made me lazy because I can sit inside and watch now
oh well, kids do stuff, then they learn. I was a bit older, 4th grade and visiting my aunt and uncle in WY. I kicked a soccer ball over the 6 foot wooden privacy fence that bordered everyone's back yard. I went to climb over the fence and when I went to jump down the other side, 2 GSD's came running out. No barking, no nothing and just ran to the fence. I was pretty scared of them back then and I quickly jumped back to the other side. No harm, no foul and hell if I ever tried to jump a fence like that again without going to the front door and asking
Agreed. This isn't a terrible bite. In an ideal world there would be no bite, but the child came on to someone else's property and approached a tied dog.
I moved to Texas at one point and rented a house where the fence wasn't finished yet, and tied the dogs out for (short) periods to potty. I was always right there to bring them in, could see them through the screen door, but I suppose it was possible for someone to wander into the yard in a split second.
I moved to Texas at one point and rented a house where the fence wasn't finished yet, and tied the dogs out for (short) periods to potty. I was always right there to bring them in, could see them through the screen door, but I suppose it was possible for someone to wander into the yard in a split second.
I had a friend years ago who had to have their dog pts because a strange dog came onto their fenced property and their dog killed it, fenced property and the other dog was loose, same excuse, should have told the neighbours their dog might hurt another dog...stupid.
This story is all kinds of sad, the poor dog sounds like she has a crappy home, the kid should have been watched better, all adds up to what is likely going to be either a dead dog after she weans her pups or her and the pups going back to a crappy home, and a child possibly scarred mentally for life, loose, loose and loose situation.
This story is all kinds of sad, the poor dog sounds like she has a crappy home, the kid should have been watched better, all adds up to what is likely going to be either a dead dog after she weans her pups or her and the pups going back to a crappy home, and a child possibly scarred mentally for life, loose, loose and loose situation.
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Quite honestly, my opinion in that case is the dog should have stayed with the owner and the poor child should have been taken away from it's inadequate mother.
Ok, that's a bit extreme. But I do think this is 100% the parent's fault, and I believe to some extent, what your dog does on your property isn't something you should be liable for (barring inviting someone over or leading them to believe a potentially aggressive dog isn't). And that a social worker needs to explain to that parent that letting your 4 year old wander or even play that far away is unacceptable.
Ok, that's a bit extreme. But I do think this is 100% the parent's fault, and I believe to some extent, what your dog does on your property isn't something you should be liable for (barring inviting someone over or leading them to believe a potentially aggressive dog isn't). And that a social worker needs to explain to that parent that letting your 4 year old wander or even play that far away is unacceptable.
Hyperbole doesn't help. Obviously you're aware of it, but your message struck a chord with me. This isn't directed at you, so please pardon me quoting your post.
So many people look at these situations in a black/white manner. Truths are exaggerated and facts are made up. As has already been stated, no one is without blame. It's an unfortunate accident. Now the law has to take over.
So many people look at these situations in a black/white manner. Truths are exaggerated and facts are made up. As has already been stated, no one is without blame. It's an unfortunate accident. Now the law has to take over.
I've got to agree on the "bad situation all around" front - but I must disagree on the "everyone was at fault" mentality.
I feel bad for the kid and feel bad for the kid's family for the guilt they are probably dealing with over the consequences of having let their kid out of sight for a matter of seconds. That said, it upsets me that the dog owners are being blamed at all in this situation considering that the dog was on its own property and had no history of aggression and considering that no one has a clue what exactly transpired before the child was bitten.
The dog was restrained on its own property. It was not known to be "dangerous." While I think leaving a dog tethered unattended is not the world's smartest decision, I don't think that it is grounds for the family to have their dog (legally their property) destroyed. If I have a grill and the neighbor kid comes into my yard and turns the thing on and then climbs on top of it and suffers serious burns, is that my fault? Even if the child was too young to know better?
Or if I had a pond in my backyard and your kid wandered onto my property and drowned, I would be hard-pressed to field the guilt. I understand that in our "sue happy" legal system, people DO try (and succeed) to place blame on the third party on account of their own actions, but I believe that this mentality is approaching a very slippery slope towards an immoral justice system.
I have other issues with the situation and the dog owners hardly sound like exemplary owners, but in this situation, I think that the parents of the child were at fault. If the scenario involved a purebred, normally friendly, pregnant dog with amazing owners who left it for five minutes alone in their fully fenced yard while they ran inside to use the bathroom...... then the story transpires as it started (except with the toddler letting himself in through the gate and then grabbing the dog's tail)... do your opinions change? I don't think that any of the adjustments are relevant to the actual situation at hand, so I tend to believe that in both situations, the child's parent was at fault.
If my dog were to run into a neighbor's yard and get taunted/hurt by the neighbor child who was too young to know better (or dog), that would be MY fault. I would be pissed, no doubt, but the bottom line is that I didn't have control over my dog and he was on somebody else's property. The situation would be different of course if the harm was enacted by a human with malicious intent, but I think that most would agree that neither dogs nor very young children have true "malicious" intent in the way that we tend to think of the word.
I feel bad for the kid and feel bad for the kid's family for the guilt they are probably dealing with over the consequences of having let their kid out of sight for a matter of seconds. That said, it upsets me that the dog owners are being blamed at all in this situation considering that the dog was on its own property and had no history of aggression and considering that no one has a clue what exactly transpired before the child was bitten.
The dog was restrained on its own property. It was not known to be "dangerous." While I think leaving a dog tethered unattended is not the world's smartest decision, I don't think that it is grounds for the family to have their dog (legally their property) destroyed. If I have a grill and the neighbor kid comes into my yard and turns the thing on and then climbs on top of it and suffers serious burns, is that my fault? Even if the child was too young to know better?
Or if I had a pond in my backyard and your kid wandered onto my property and drowned, I would be hard-pressed to field the guilt. I understand that in our "sue happy" legal system, people DO try (and succeed) to place blame on the third party on account of their own actions, but I believe that this mentality is approaching a very slippery slope towards an immoral justice system.
I have other issues with the situation and the dog owners hardly sound like exemplary owners, but in this situation, I think that the parents of the child were at fault. If the scenario involved a purebred, normally friendly, pregnant dog with amazing owners who left it for five minutes alone in their fully fenced yard while they ran inside to use the bathroom...... then the story transpires as it started (except with the toddler letting himself in through the gate and then grabbing the dog's tail)... do your opinions change? I don't think that any of the adjustments are relevant to the actual situation at hand, so I tend to believe that in both situations, the child's parent was at fault.
If my dog were to run into a neighbor's yard and get taunted/hurt by the neighbor child who was too young to know better (or dog), that would be MY fault. I would be pissed, no doubt, but the bottom line is that I didn't have control over my dog and he was on somebody else's property. The situation would be different of course if the harm was enacted by a human with malicious intent, but I think that most would agree that neither dogs nor very young children have true "malicious" intent in the way that we tend to think of the word.
I agree with pretty much everything GoingNowhere said.
Any bite sucks, but that bite really doesn't look very bad. It doesn't look like Stormy mauled him or anything even close to that. When I was a kid, I was bitten in the face by my best friend's Dachshund. It was one single bite that sliced through my upper lip, resulted in a lot of blood and required a trip to the ER and stitches - I was lucky it didn't go all the way through my lip. 13 years later, I still have a visible scar.
As a dog-loving kid, I too was "devastated that an animal would hurt me" because I trusted the dog totally. But Chloe was not a "dangerous dog." Our parents were right around the corner - I was in their dining room and they were in the kitchen. My memories are hazy because I was 10, but I think that legally the dog had to be quarantined since we had to get the hospital involved. Then she was returned to her family. Had it not been required, I don't think we would've reported it, and we certainly didn't sue, demand the dog be put down, any of that garbage. I felt horrible she was taken away from my friend's family for that quarantine period at all. “It’s a safety measure any parent would take", my ass.
Who knows what that kid did to that dog on HER property? Obviously he didn't do anything out of malice, but kids are stupid. At 4 years old I'm sure he didn't know how to properly interact with animals without being carefully supervised. The boy is only 4. Who lets their 4 year old get that far away out of their sight?
I don't think that the dog's owners did anything wrong except maybe leaving the dog tethered unattended, but again, that was in their own yard. While I wouldn't do it, I can't really bring myself to fault them too heavily for it.
Sad situation.
Any bite sucks, but that bite really doesn't look very bad. It doesn't look like Stormy mauled him or anything even close to that. When I was a kid, I was bitten in the face by my best friend's Dachshund. It was one single bite that sliced through my upper lip, resulted in a lot of blood and required a trip to the ER and stitches - I was lucky it didn't go all the way through my lip. 13 years later, I still have a visible scar.
As a dog-loving kid, I too was "devastated that an animal would hurt me" because I trusted the dog totally. But Chloe was not a "dangerous dog." Our parents were right around the corner - I was in their dining room and they were in the kitchen. My memories are hazy because I was 10, but I think that legally the dog had to be quarantined since we had to get the hospital involved. Then she was returned to her family. Had it not been required, I don't think we would've reported it, and we certainly didn't sue, demand the dog be put down, any of that garbage. I felt horrible she was taken away from my friend's family for that quarantine period at all. “It’s a safety measure any parent would take", my ass.
Who knows what that kid did to that dog on HER property? Obviously he didn't do anything out of malice, but kids are stupid. At 4 years old I'm sure he didn't know how to properly interact with animals without being carefully supervised. The boy is only 4. Who lets their 4 year old get that far away out of their sight?
I don't think that the dog's owners did anything wrong except maybe leaving the dog tethered unattended, but again, that was in their own yard. While I wouldn't do it, I can't really bring myself to fault them too heavily for it.
Sad situation.