Another baby killed

Germanshepherdsmum

The rescue kennels I have obtained dogs from have insisted on seeing my home as well as asking detailed questions. It would be difficult to pretend I didn’t have a young child, the evidence would be there.
It’s a shame you have had such negative experiences with dogs Kate. Properly trained and looked after, you couldn’t ask for a better friend.

Absolutely, GSM. I actually feel sorry for kids who will never know the joy of growing up with a dog. But it all comes down to owners being responsible and training the dog properly - and children being taught how to behave around animals too. Far too often you see kids being allowed to pull a dog's ear or tail - 'oh, they're only playing' - then when the dog's patience finally wears thin, it's the poor animal which gets the blame. Dogs enrich our lives, they can teach children so much about responsibility, caring for another living creature etc etc - give me dogs over people any day of the week. And hand on heart, if I had to choose between any dog and a human (outwith my immediate family), then I'd choose the dog every time.

The rescue kennels I have obtained dogs from have insisted on seeing my home as well as asking detailed questions. It would be difficult to pretend I didn’t have a young child, the evidence would be there.
It’s a shame you have had such negative experiences with dogs Kate. Properly trained and looked after, you couldn’t ask for a better friend.

Yes sodapop it was probably scared
My brother should have brought a carrier along.

I think it's time that animals were treated with the respect they deserve, rather than as accessories.
I can't think why a rescue would let a dog go to a home with a toddler, or why someone with a toddler would want to risk taking on a dog at that time.

Saying that, I have known someone rehome a dog, and lie about their set up.
A few years down the line the dog had to be put to sleep as dangerous.

It really winds me up.

I also know a very unstable couple with multiple pets that they don't look after properly, and they have the police and rspca running around, fetching the animals back to them after each crisis.

Puppies are invariably sick in the car on the way to their new home. The breeder should have warned you about that. If you have a guest in your house you shouldn’t let your dog run around in an uncontrolled way. A young girl shouldn’t be out walking alone with a dog as powerful as a Rottweiler. When walking your dog it should be under control at all times and the owner shouldn’t let it run up to people. A dog shouldn’t be running round the streets loose. All of these cases are the fault of the humans, not dogs. I’m sick of people letting their dogs run up to my on lead dog because all of my dogs have been attacked over the years so, as a dog lover I’m as appalled by dog owners as non dog lovers are and I do sympathise because we panic when a dog runs towards us. My SIL and grandson have a dog of their own now but are still scared of other dogs. I do think there should be some kind of dog ownership education programme. Maybe children should have the occasional lesson in schools on how to behave around dogs. I do think however (I know I’m biased) that dogs, under the right circumstances and with the right owners, are the most amazing creatures and they contribute greatly to society. Sniffer dogs, police dogs, guide dogs, companion dogs. Our dog has been our world throughout the pandemic and, as a terrible worrier, just having her sit next to me and stroking her relaxes me. And we speak to fellow dog owners when out walking that we would never normally have conversations with.

Oh dear Kate1949 you have had some unfortunate experiences with dogs. I feel for the poor puppy who vomited, he was probably scared out of his wits.
Sadly there are a lot of thoughtless owners who do not train or keep their dogs under control. The owners should bear the blame not the dogs.

Thinking about it, my only encounters with dogs have been negative which has coloured my view.

Going to collect a puppy with my brother. He was driving so I had the pup on my lap as he hadn't brought anything to put it in. It vomited all over me
Going to lunch at a friend's with a dog hovering looking for food. I was holding a cup of coffee. The dog nudged the cup, hot coffee all over me.
Out walking one day. A teenage girl was coming towards me with a Rottweiler. I didn't give it a thought. As I passed it leapt up and got its teeth into my sleeve. The girl couldn't prise it off.
Out on a wet day I passed a lady with a Labrador which leapt up to it's full height with both muddy paws on my chest. I was so shocked I couldn't speak. It's claws had made a hole in my coat. The lady laughed and told the dog it was naughty.
Then a couple of years ago I was very near having to go to court, regarding a dog that had got loose and was running around the streets terrorising people. It went for my face when I tried to help those trying to pacify it. A police officer told me if it had got my face its jaws would have locked.
What's to like?

I know that I'm biased because my father bred German Shepherds and I was brought up surrounded by dogs.
They were all well trained and I never came to any harm whatsoever.
I believe that when I was really small, i was never left unattended.
I've always had dogs too, with children!

For me the whole issue is a mix of bad breeding and people not being aware of the time and effort required to properly socialise and train their dogs.
I've also said this before too that it's also important to teach children how to behave around animals as they get a little older and more aware.
I had a beautiful Rottweiler...he was huge. Walking him in the park one day, I sat down on a bench, he was sitting quietly by my side.
A little girl of around 5/6 came running over and tried to grab him for a cuddle, now he was totally fine but what if he wasn't?
I'd have been blamed and he'd have suffered a potential loss of life.
When I challenged her mother, she couldn't or wouldn't acknowledge the potential risk of her child behaving like that.

There have been several threads on this matter, unfortunately because it happens far too often. And I’m going to repeat what I’ve have said previously. Dogs are animals and unpredictable, they shouldn’t be kept as pets and especially in homes where there are children. Any dog can get overwhelmed by active children. I was attached by a standard poodle as a child !

I think dogs should be muzzled when out and kept away from small children in the home.

I take your points. I suppose as a non dog lover I can't see the point but obviously people love their dogs.

I feel I need to point out that my children and grandchildren all have great fun with our dogs. And they do stroke them!

Kate1949

I just wouldn't have a dog with children. Any dog. It's not fair to a small child to be told not to go near it or stroke it etc. They are children.

Dogs and children can be great friends and having a dog can help children develop kindness, understanding and respect for living things. Dog companionship can improve a child¿s social skills with people and caring for a pet can encourage responsibility. Because of this many families have dogs.

The above from the RSPCA

As for saying it's cruel and they're children, what do you mean?

I am talking about approaching an unknown dog.

I don't feel remotely cruel telling children not to touch.

Kate1949

I just wouldn't have a dog with children. Any dog. It's not fair to a small child to be told not to go near it or stroke it etc. They are children.

I wouldn’t have a dog either that the children were told not to go near either. But most family dogs are fine and a great joy and protector of the small family members. I was watching my 4 year old granddaughter share her breakfast yesterday with their rottie the dog adores her and has been brought up with her She knows how to behave around him although he is a big softie and she knows which pet to watch out for as he has a habit of reacting and that’s the ruddy cat

I can respect your views Kate1949 but we had our dog for 5 years before our granddaughter was born. He was our 3rd rescue, all had horrendous pasts. It beggars belief what people do yo animals but that is a different discussion.
We were not about to get rid of our beloved dog, where was he supposed to go, pts?
We take every care with him, he is walked 3 tines a day, mixes with his dog friends. I just won't allow uninvited pats or strokes from people he doesn't know.

Zoejory

*Let’s Hope a lesson has been learnt and people will think twice before rehoming a dog , very sad*

It would indeed be very sad if people stop rehoming dogs. I've had so many dogs over the years. All from rescue centres. Also with brand new babies, toddlers, children, grandchildren

I've not known many people who have received a bite from a dog apart from a woman living in our village who was bitten by her super duper Pergree Kennel Club dog. A Labrador.

So I'd be devastated if unwanted dogs were just put to sleep.

Care and responsibility. That's what is needed.

I couldn’t agree more. Rescue kennels ask a lot of questions before rehoming dogs and they won’t let a dog go to a family with a young child. This dog was reportedly bought - maybe from a bloke down the pub, who knows. Totally irresponsible of the parents to introduce a dog of unknown temperament, and possibly with ‘dangerous dog’ genes, into their home. They should face criminal charges. I also feel sorry for the dog in all this. Why do people never learn?

They are animals. Animals are unpredictable. I get so sick of hearing people say their dog would never attack anyone. Sorry but they might, they are dogs not humans.

The thought flashed through my mind that we see on the News as many instances of small children attacked and killed by Humans as we see killed or maimed by dogs

I just wouldn't have a dog with children. Any dog. It's not fair to a small child to be told not to go near it or stroke it etc. They are children.

I feel that it really shouldn't have happened. I don't understand why they would buy a powerful breed, when they have small children. It truly is heartbreaking.
I am not trying to be judgemental as l have a rescue border collie myself. We adopted him when was a year old and he had been abused by adults and children.He is now almost 11. It has taken us almost all of this time to get him to except people and children in general. I still prefer that only people that he knows stroke him though as he can be anxious.
We have a 5 year granddaughter, she knows that she can only stroke him with an adult present and she is never left alone with him.

I make no apologies for being judgemental. These people must be off their heads to buy a dog like this when they have a little baby - they should be charged with manslaughter.

I am constantly sickened by these incidents and how often they happen. There is no excuse. Parents should be protecting their children.

I am totally incapable of imagining what is going on in their minds when they do this. I know they have paid a terrible price in the loss of their child but they should also receive the approbation of society through the legal system, if only to deter others. We cannot keep having these dreadful incidents.

I don’t think it’s just a dog problem. I think it’s a social problem in that people feel the need to have such potentially dangerous dogs. The case with the Husky does sound like a complete fluke of an accident but these Staffie/Staffie cross tragedies all seem to follow a pattern.

I agree nanna8. It makes me cross when owners say their dog won't hurt anyone. I feel like asking them when the dog actually told them that. Ridiculous.

A child/toddler will reach out with hands to “Pat “ a dog.

Big no to this. I would never allow a child or toddler to do this. Most parents have taught their children not to lunge at a dog. Ever

Let’s Hope a lesson has been learnt and people will think twice before rehoming a dog , very sad

It would indeed be very sad if people stop rehoming dogs. I've had so many dogs over the years. All from rescue centres. Also with brand new babies, toddlers, children, grandchildren

I've not known many people who have received a bite from a dog apart from a woman living in our village who was bitten by her super duper Pergree Kennel Club dog. A Labrador.

So I'd be devastated if unwanted dogs were just put to sleep.

Care and responsibility. That's what is needed.

A child/toddler will reach out with hands to “Pat “ a dog. It doesn’t know it might be dangerous and that a dog if it doesn’t want to be patted or stroked or have it’s ears pulled will react, so a child must never be left alone with any dog. Especially the likes of staffies , it’s just so horrific. Poor baby , and the parents will live with it forever, Let’s Hope a lesson has been learnt and people will think twice before rehoming a dog , very sad