I am sick of seeing pictures like this all over social media AIBU?

I saw that picture and had exactly the same thoughts as the OP.

How can parents be so stupid?

Blondiscot
I had never seen the dog who bit me. I was just standing talking.

Kate1949
2 labs killed my friends goat. It was a pet that she walked on a lead. The labs were off their leads and just attacked.

One of my cats whacked ( and it really was a whack) around the face once. I couldn’t believe it.

Lathyrus

Blondiescot

Kate1949

Yes sago it can happen. We had a friend years ago who had a Labrador she had had for years. It was placid. She then had a little girl. Our friend was putting washing out one day when she heard a terrific scream. The dog had severely bitten the child's face. She was scarred for life.

But you don't know what led up to that - the child could have done something to provoke the dog.

Well, that’s the point isn’t it? It’s a lethal mix.

Since neither can be held entirely responsible for their actions, it’s up to the adults to be sensible.

Exactly, hence why I've always said you should never leave a baby or young child alone with any dog. If anything does happen, it's the dog which ends up paying the ultimate price for it, when in fact, it should be the supposedly 'responsible' adult who should be held to account.

When my DDiL was about 38 weeks pregnant, there was a scrap between their 2 spaniels. My son unwisely intervened to separate them. One of the dogs sank his teeth into my son’s hands, we think aiming for the other dog. I shall never forget the sound coming from my son. He needed his finger amputating. The dog was no more dangerous than he had ever been. But a timely reminder that any dog is potentially very dangerous.

My heart sinks every time I hear about a dog attacking a child. There are too many irresponsible people owning dogs now.

I wondered when the 'dog must have been provoked' line would come along. How can a baby provoke a dog? Owners assume they can trust their dogs. They can't. They are animals.

I have seen this sort of photo on social media and I’ve been horrified. It’s just one second and snap by those jaws. I don’t think it’s safe leaving animals alone with babies/children under any circumstances.

I agree. The persuaders are everywhere doing harm.

I also dislike posed or photoshopped photos of dogs and horses doing dangerous actions as if the animal did the acts voluntarily.

Yes, I’ve seen these photos on Facebook. Liked and loved and aw-ed at by many. I’d started to think it was just me, because they make my skin crawl.

Kate1949

I wondered when the 'dog must have been provoked' line would come along. How can a baby provoke a dog? Owners assume they can trust their dogs. They can't. They are animals.

The thing is dogs don’t differentiate unless they are specifically trained. A small animal is a small animal. The dogs instinct might be to protect or play with or attack a small animal. That can vary from moment to moment. Just like it will throw its toy around and then settle down to cuddle.

Too many people out there with dogs who just don’t understand them.

Yes, senseless. Growing up we had the most placid spaniel you could ever imagine but absolutely no way would a young child, never mind a baby, have been left with him. Totally unfair on the child and the dog.

I am always tempted to leave a scathing comment on these postings but there are so many it would take too long. I am a dog lover but adults need to be responsible parents and dog owners.

That baby seems to have a very long body- or a low-slung nappy?

Or maybe I'm out of touch?
Just wondering...

I agree with other posters. A dog may be mainly placid but we can all have our off days. Animals are no exception. Some kid torments it or pulls its ears and it snaps. We have to remember that these creatures, although domesticated, are descended from wolves and instinctlvely defend themselves.

A simple sneeze or whimper from that little baby could be enough for it to end in tragedy. Whoever took that photo is utterly reckless. And that’s me being polite. If I said what I’m really thinking I’d be suspended.

Kate1949

I wondered when the 'dog must have been provoked' line would come along. How can a baby provoke a dog? Owners assume they can trust their dogs. They can't. They are animals.

I know your comment was aimed at me, Kate - so let me make it clear. I wasn't talking about a baby - I was talking about parents who let their children pull a dog's ears or tail or treat it like one of their toys. But even a squeal or loud noise from a baby could be enough to startle a dog - hence why, and I will say this again, I would not leave a dog unattended with a baby or young child, as much for the sake of the dog as the child.

It’s worth knowing that if you are ever embroiled in a dog attack the best and safest way to stop it is to lift the aggressors two back legs off the ground.
All power is gone from the jaw and the dog cannot physically bite anymore.

My grandmother's dog bit my face when I was a toddler. No idea what I had done to provoke it but I have been wary of animals ever since.

Being bitten as a child needn't necessarily make you afraid of animals. I was bitten by my mum's friend's poodle and it was made abundantly clear to me that it had been my own fault, not the dog's. I learned a lesson, but it certainly didn't make me afraid in the slightest. I'm far more wary of people than any animals.

Sago

It’s worth knowing that if you are ever embroiled in a dog attack the best and safest way to stop it is to lift the aggressors two back legs off the ground.
All power is gone from the jaw and the dog cannot physically bite anymore.

Brilliant piece of info, thank you.

i cannot agree with saying that if an accident happens it is the poor dog who pays the price.
anyone who is bitten, esp a child, risks serious infection, disfigurement and ongoing trauma.
some people seem more concerned about the dog than the child. that is cockeyed to me.

welbeck

i cannot agree with saying that if an accident happens it is the poor dog who pays the price.
anyone who is bitten, esp a child, risks serious infection, disfigurement and ongoing trauma.
some people seem more concerned about the dog than the child. that is cockeyed to me.

It was me who said that. And if the dog is put down, then it has paid the ultimate price. It is dead. The child - while possibly injured - is still alive. I'm not condoning it or anything, simply stating the facts.
Hypothetical situation here. Let's say an older child or teenager decides to torment a dog and it eventually retaliates by biting said child. That dog could end up being put to sleep simply for trying to defend itself.

I agree with you Grannynannywanny.

I can’t bear to look at that photo. I’ve always had dogs but I’m under no illusion about what any one of them would be capable of, given certain circumstances. Disaster could be a split second away, in as little time as it takes to put your camera down.

I agree. Another point, I dont agree with putting children over social media full stop.

We have always had cats but when one of them scratched my son in his cot, Bubbles was re-homed the same day. I rang a friend who worked at the local Vet and she found a new owner in hours.