Tragic story - baby mauled by family dog

[OakLeaf]

Hear, hear.

I don't think the response to stories like these should be "keep your child away from dogs" any more than the response to stories about bicycle injuries should be "keep your child away from bicycles."

[Eden]

Hear, hear.

I don't think the response to stories like these should be "keep your child away from dogs" any more than the response to stories about bicycle injuries should be "keep your child away from bicycles."

hmmmmmm, I think that there is one major difference here...... a child is unlikely to sustain an unprovoked bicycle attack..... with a kid and a bike there is one set of judgment - the child's and yes if they do something they can fall and get hurt (and yes, a child judgment is not always sound, nor perhaps are their physical capabilities), but with a dog there is the dog's judgment and sensibilities as well. The child can be doing nothing and still be attacked. (I don't know about you, but I've been lunged at by people's dogs before when they've just been walking by me on the street....)

The lesson definitely should be don't leave your small child unsupervised with a dog, even your own dog (would you allow them to ride a bike unsupervised?) Don't allow them around dogs that you don't know at all - who knows how they've been trained or how tolerable of kids they are.

I know it would be impossible to shield a person from all dangers - you wouldn't want to raise your kids in a bubble. That wouldn't be very good for them either, but it seems reasonable to me to take precautions. Being careful around dogs is like putting a helmet on them when they ride a bike or putting a seat belt on them in the car.

[northstar]

Not to start an attack on huskies in general, but a local family (similar to this one) recently lost their newborn when their husky attacked it in its crib. I know, it's not the breed, but ugh... How heartbreaking!

I have a toddler, and I have too many friends who have scars from being bitten by dogs. Dogs they knew and dogs they didn't know. So we don't let DD hang out with dogs unsupervised. And when there is a dog around, we're super vigilant. You never know what a baby or an animal will do.

[Biciclista]

hmmmmmm, I think that there is one major difference here...... a child is unlikely to sustain an unprovoked bicycle attack..... with a kid and a bike there is one set of judgment - the child's and yes if they do something they can fall and get hurt (and yes, a child judgment is not always sound, nor perhaps are their physical capabilities), but with a dog there is the dog's judgment and sensibilities as well. The child can be doing nothing and still be attacked. (I don't know about you, but I've been lunged at by people's dogs before when they've just been walking by me on the street....)

The lesson definitely should be don't leave your small child unsupervised with a dog, even your own dog (would you allow them to ride a bike unsupervised?) Don't allow them around dogs that you don't know at all - who knows how they've been trained or how tolerable of kids they are.

I know it would be impossible to shield a person from all dangers - you wouldn't want to raise your kids in a bubble. That wouldn't be very good for them either, but it seems reasonable to me to take precautions. Being careful around dogs is like putting a helmet on them when they ride a bike or putting a seat belt on them in the car.

Certainly, I agree with you Eden. People have to use their brains with babies...

[Rollinlucky]

I have raised Akitas for over 18 years now, each with it's own personality. The one and only one we have now (we used to have 5), ironically hates bikes. One of my biggest fears has been that she will get out and maul a child. We are all very cautious of leaving any doors or gates open. I have 4 boys of my own and the thought of that happening is just unimaginable. As it has been stated several times, supervision is a must. We never leave our sons, 5 and 11, alone with Chancy. I honestly don't think she would ever do them harm, but all it takes is a spilt second. Another thing I have learned over the years is to learn to "read" your dogs. They really do give subtle warnings. I feel so bad for the young mom. Can't imagine how she must feel when just thinking of it makes my stomach turn to say the least. God bless her.

[alimey]

I have a dog & she is the sweetest & gentlest thing. I have put hours & hours of training into her & she meets new, sometimes very young children almost every day. She has never shown any sign of aggression or fear around children. HOWEVER - I would never leave her along w/ a child. Really there are a couple of reasons for this - firstly I want to protect her from the child - who knows how the child might provoke the dog - it's just not fair on the dog. Also, whilst I trust her, she isn't human and I would not be able to live with myself if anything happened - even a tiny nip. Plus, I would feel extremely embarrassed in front of the parents. Plus, I could never feel quite the same about her again. So I think very little is to be gained by leaving her alone with a child, and there is a great deal to be lost. I want her to be an ambassador for dog-kind and help fearful kids be better around dogs - I don't need to test her in an uncontrollable situation. My trainer says 'always set the dog up for success' - so I want to make sure I am there whenever she is exposed to kids.