Killer dogs and irresponsible child carers

I certainly agree you can't blame the dogs in these cases.

It is an unusual occurence (statistically speaking) for a dog to maul a human, especially a child, and I think if a child strayed into it's garden, most dogs still would not do it. So partly huge bad luck.

But I think once a dog has shown it will do this kind of thing there is little option but to put it down.

It's just so awful to think of the effect on the child, his family and the dog owner.

OK - I will be controversial - I do not think anyone should keep a dog that is capable of doing such a thing and I am glad it has been put down.

To say that the carer should not have let the child out of his/her sight is reasonable (the child might have been run over) - but the fact that the neighbour should have a dog that could maul a child is the real crux of the matter.

I do not think anyone should have a dog that is not safe around children - it should be possible for any child to be near any dog and be safe. Why would anyone want to keep a dog that is unreliable around children? - beats me I have to say. The idea that "no child should be left alone with any dog" is completely outrageous in my book - it is incumbent on people not to keep dogs if they cannot safely be left with a child around.

Why do people make excuses for the wretched animals? - they are a darned nuisance when they are not human-friendly or trustworthy.

Dogs are pack animals who defend their territory - if that has not been bred out of them then they should not be in the vicinity of human beings.

I have many friends with dogs and they are properly trained and entirely reliable. There are absolutely no excuses for keeping dogs like this.

I have three greyhounds (all rescue) who are faithful, gentle and loving pets but I would never ever leave my 3 DGC alone with them in a room or outside in the garden. Children must learn to respect dogs and other pets but often have no role model to follow.

Many people follow trends with dogs never giving a thought as to whether a certain breed of dog will fit in with their lifestyle. Reputable re-homing dog rescues charities will always (excuse the pun) vet possible owners first.

I always feel devastated to hear of horrible incidents where a child has been badly mauled by a dog and absolutely b****y furious with the irresponsible adults who are involved. I agree with petallus that sadly there is no other option but to have the dog destroyed.

Agree wholeheartedly , think once they have attacked a human , can"t be trusted

Poor child. Let down by parents, carer and neighbour. Some dogs suffer nervous agression which doesn't show up until the dog is put in an unfamiliar situation. A well behaved, confident dog probably wouldn't bat an eyelid if a child wandered into its territory but an agressive dog is a tragedy waiting to happen.

Careful, mishap,I have felt the force of the dog lobby on an expat forum!

All the years we have homed rescued dogs we have never ever left them with any of our children or DGCs,I have had dogs and cats with my DCs since they where tiny babies and they have all been taught to respect animals,never go near a dog or cat that is eating or feeding babies this has always worked in our households throughout the years and my family are never tempted to go near dogs whose temperments they do not know.My old bassett Henry was the most placid of dogs and I knew he would never never harm any of the children but my own common sence would not let me leave him alone with a child.I feel so sorry for the injuries that has become this baby and hope that he recovers well and in time forgets this trumatic incident.I do believe in having a licience for dogs and for owners to be passed as a fully responsible person to own a dog.

Possibly as well something to do with a child being smaller and more at eye level with a dog [isn't staring at a dog a sign of aggression to another dog?] and that a child might squeal in a way that a dog's prey might? Agree though that once a dog has attacked someone it will do so again [bit like a sheep worrier].

Yes greatnan - I understand that! I am ready to duck! But not everyone is besotted with them. I put humans first every time!

Having been a SW for many years and done hundreds of home visits I can honestly say that I had my fill of dogs and a bit more besides. It was interesting how the aggressive owners had the aggressive dogs.

It is hard for a non-dog-lover to see the point of keeping a dog that is unreliable around humans of any size - perhaps someone can enlighten me!! I think I am missing something! I have an open mind and am ready to listen to the reasons that currently elude me!

I don't go with the 'guard dog' excuse, either Mishap. Agressive guard dogs are a menace when they are kept in domestic situations. Our Rhodesian Ridgeback (now sadly gone to a happier hunting ground) was a real softie and utterly reliable but I felt confident she would protect me should the need arise.

I love dogs and I don't believe there is any such thing as a bad dog until it's made that way by a dangerous owner. Sadly, once that has happened I agree there is no alternative but to have the dog put down as it can never be relied upon again. The type of owner that does that to a dog is usually the type of person who is dangerous around children as well.

'The type of owner that does that to a dog is usually the type of person who is dangerous around children as well.' Well said nightowl, thank you. Not applicable in every case I guess, but well worth bearing in mind. I think re-homing agencies must also bear some responsibility. 'Best as the only pet/with older children/experienced dog owners' are phrases all too often seen. I haven't had dogs for years - DH is a cat lover - but had a horrible experience with a rescued Old English Sheepdog which had been ill-treated in a previous life. Not his fault I suppose, but not my daughter's either, and wouldn't have happened at all if the hard decision to euthanise him had been taken.
Um. I do like animals really!!!

Does anybody know what breed of dog it was that mauled the child?

Mishap I don't think you need to duck. Lots of people don't like dogs. I am very fond of the critters but I'd never blame someone who wasn't.

Petallus - that's what I like about gransnet - open minds. I will come out from under the table then!!

I agree with the comments about bad owners. People should not be allowed to have a dog if they don't understand the responsibilities.

My lovely basset Nell is fabulous wth children, obeys instructions from them and is very patient and tolerant, having been trained with a dog behaviourist who mixes adult dogs with boisterous puppies to teach them to be gentle, and not object to having her food removed by anyone. Still, I woud never leave her alone with a child because there's always that one exception when there could be a tragedy. There's some photos of her on my profile.

Dog owner and person i/c small child have to take responsibility but the dog needed to be destroyed I am sad to say.

Pet dogs can be trained to bark at intruders without needing to maul. If a dog has been trained to attack it should not be left alone on domestic premises. It is then a working dog not a pet and needs to be housed securely.

I have one DGC very nervous of dogs and 2 who are sometimes over confident. They have all been told never to approach a dog or touch them unless they have asked the owner first if the dog likes to make friends with children. Of course in the sad case that started the thread I think the child was quite a young child so maybe too young to understand.

May I come back into this one ? I have always had dogs - a variety of breeds -- some large some small . I have also had 3 children , 7 grandchildren and now 2 greats . They have all been taught to respect the dogs for what they are - dogs . They have also been taught never to approach a strange dog without permission and then slowly from the front with an open hand . Never once has a child been left alone with any of my dogs , placid as they have all been .Who knows one day a dog may have a headache ( or some other minor ailment ) and may not want an unpredictable toddler around him . As for the case we have been discussing I am desperately sorry for the child -- he has been let down by his carer and also the dog owner for not having a child proof garden to keep his dog secure . Maybe it is time to bring back licences !!!

PS - sorry about the lines where did they come from ???

because you put - in front and after the words or phrases! see below!!

Hi all, I agree with riclorian maybe it is time to bring back licences, but how would you enforce it? only the law abiding dog owners (you know the ones who train their dogs to behave, and always pick up after their dogs) will be the only ones to conform, the aggressive dogs are almost always, owned by those who dont give a fig for the law

My son has just been savaged by his wife's staffie,head to have microsurgery to repair damage ....as his wife has cystic fibrosis her dog is her baby..already a rescue dog with issues the dog is 8 years old...she and her family supporting her refused to have dog put down,,their marriage albeit shaky has ended over this,the dog has already almost killed another dog and bitten several others.
My son has brought his dog to live with us for the tiisme being...a staffie cross,but he is muzzled when out and always kept on a lead....I know this sounds nasty but I am hoping that DIL dog bites her or a member of her family before it bites someone else it should have been put down...it also. BIt me last year when they stayed with us after going for my dog over food and I got in the middle and came off worse fortunately although nasty not as bad as my sons injury...this dog has the taste now of human blood.

It's hard enough work looking after a sweet tempered dog, let alone a viscious one. I can't understand why some people get their sentiments so jumbled. Why do so many people choose to rescue Staffies? I know the kennels are full of them but doesn't that tell you something? I have a friend who is a competent and experienced dog owner who rescued a Staffie two years ago. We went to a barbecue at their house last year and it ate my mobile phone

Littlenellie I think I wrote in support of the dog when you first told us about your son - only because I know that when dogs are fighting they sometimes bite whoever gets in the way. With the detail you have now given it is obvious that this dog is dangerous and I agree with you that it should have been put down. It sounds like a tragedy waiting to happen (as if your son's injuries weren't enough).

I hope you son is continuing to recover - how sad that his relationship should have ended over this.

Lord above littlenellie! Who needs this grim creature? - get rid of it!!
This is exactly my concern - people's love of dogs overrides common sense. Why keep a vicious creature like this? Is it making anyone happy? Is it having a happy life? I don't think so.