Another baby killed

I read today from a usually reliable dog breeder and trainer that research links low educational, low social economic owners to dogs that bite or attack. I’ll consult Google.
My childminder had 2 staffies, my children were at school with hers, all aged 3 and 5. I knew foster families with staffed, German shepherd, spaniels, dobies and more. The staffordshire terriers were true staffs not mixed with other bull breeds. That’s a major problem, back street breeders, crossing bull breeds, bitches having multiple litters , breeding from dogs with poor or aggressive temperament

I adore dogs. I've always had dogs. I'd not be without dogs. They are very important in my life.

I've also had 5 babies growing. up alongside dogs. And now 6 grandchildren who have always known and loved our dogs

Nobody has ever been bitten. However I would never leave a young child or baby anywhere near a dog. Mine have always been placid dogs but one never knows.

Terribly sad for this family. Lovely little girl.

I can see little difference between them and a parent who kills a child with a blow.

... except that a blow is a deliberate act of violence against a child. I'm critical of the parents, but I'm sure they are not in the same category.

An horrific thing to happen. Poor child, poor family. To lose a child is hard enough but if a parent thinks they may be responsible for enabling the situation..how hard to live with.

There are many breeds that are definitely not suitable as family pets. Dogs also become jealous of new arrivals, whether they be another pet or children. I have seen this for myself. I don't know the circumstances of the situation. Children should never be left unattended with ANY dog. A terrible tragedy and sadly there are just too many people who own dogs, who are clueless about the breed and the animal. I also think certain breeds are bought for status. Lockdown saw a massive increase in dog ownership, because the dog was a must have. In my opinion there are way too many dogs now and people don't seem content with one, it's two, three and more.

Pepper59, I’ve always had two, occasionally 3 dogs. We rescued and fostered for a breed charity for years. My current two are different breeds but both pedigrees from reputable breeders. 4 young grandchildren, along with our dog shelters being full of bull dog crosses, elderly German shepherds and various of those breeds that look like wolves, stopped me getting a rescue. The charity I volunteer for has, like others, an influx of lockdown dogs, poorly socialised, untrained, resource guarding, not toilet trained and so on.

I don’t want to sound hypocritical given I have two dogs., I agree there are too many dogs, too many untrained out of control dogs. They aren’t fur babies, they’re dogs and need boundaries, routines and training. Training isn’t a 6 week puppy course, it’s life long

It has been said that it is a Staffordshire whatever dog and tests are being undertaken to check whether it is one of the banned breeds.

Many of these animals are bred to be fierce to attack other animals and people. I once had to visit someone who had three huge dogs, breed I cannot remember, they were locked in a small yard and throughout the visit were launching themselves at the French windows barking and snarling. It was very very scary and I kept wondering what would happen to me if the doors had come open. When I reported back, it was agreed that no one would be sent to the house again because of the danger.

As a dog lover and owner of several rescue dogs I am horrified by this fatal attack.
It is irresponsible in the extreme to bring an adult dog with no known history into a home with a young child. As someone said earlier rescue centres are very careful who they rehome their dogs with. It's a tragedy but one which could and should have been avoided.

I agree with your last paragraph entirely Iam64

Horrific should not have happened.. Dogs get jealous of new babies, sometimes. Even sweet little dogs, so I'd never leave a baby unattended, even for a minute.
In this case they brought a full grown powerful dog into their home, nature unknown. So wrong. Poor baby.

Total stupidity and ignorance on behalf of the parents to buy the dog in the first place and then let it anywhere near a toddler.

Kate1949
Many years ago my friend had a pet goat, always walked on a lead. One morning 2 Labs ( not on leads) attacked the goat so badly it had to be put down.
I have a scar from a dachshund.
What I’m saying is: no dog is 100% safe

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.

Dog ownership has grown significantly over the years with dogs becoming a fashionable accessory to have . No real thought seems to have gone into the impact of owning a dog on daily life. Real dog lovers that I know are responsible and undrstand that a dog is not a toy or a fashion item or a substitute baby/ human family member.
New neighbours, a young couple, got a puppy during lockdown, & I have heard them struggle to train this attractive bouncy animal. It pulls and jumps up on the lead and the young woman struggles with it as she goes out with him. The young nan gas regular tantrums when said " for baby" destroys another trainer or phone!

I would never leave a dog anywhere near a small child even though we have always had a dog in our home I feel so sorry for that little one it must have been horrific.
Monday was a very warm day and I think maybe the dog was hot and irritable when it made for the attack we will sadly never know for sure.

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

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.

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

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.

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 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 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 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.

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

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?