Another child killed in dog attack

My Dh almost came a cropper recently with a dog that was on a lead. We went to a supermarket one late afternoon when it was getting dark. There was a dog outside but what my Dh didn’t see was that it had been tied up on an extending lead and Dh almost went flying over what was effectively a trip wire!

If anyone is interested in education, The Dogs Trust will come into school and talk about dogs within the family and in general. They also offer workshops for the children in school and provide free learning resources about responsible dog ownership and safe behaviour around dogs. Sometimes it is better for the children to hear it from the experts.

I don't mean to demonise dogs because I don't like them I totally understand that people love their dogs. However, some owners are completely unable to see the other point of view. I am not 'the poorer' for not liking dogs.

Mr Dog was nearly knocked over by a dog today, funnily enough. It was a large dog - he said it could have been a german shepherd/retriever cross, and was on a lead with its owner. Mr D was on his way to the bottle bank, and wllked towards them to pass them, and the dog growled and put its paw on Mr D's shoulder, so they were literally face to face. He is well used to dogs and is not scared of them but it gave him a real start.

The owner was most embarrassed and couldn't believe what had happened. Mr Dog was unhurt, but understandably shocked, and anyone less steady on his feet could have been knocked over.

A child made a sudden movement. Exactly what young children do and why you don’t allow young children to be close to dogs. You can never move more quickly than the dog. How is a dog supposed to understand that a child means it no harm? It may well have been a dog that had never bitten anyone. It paid for that entirely preventable mistake with its life, as ultimately did its owner.

In your opinion Kate, but you will never know. Like you I have suffered badly with depression for many years and still do. Always will. The unconditional love and acceptance of a dog is, in my experience, a great comfort when humans don’t understand - which, no matter how close they may be to you, they don’t if they don’t have similar difficulties.

Dogs often react to children squealing: something to do with it being a high pitched sound. I think it brings out their prey drive. At least, that’s a theory I have.

Both dog-lovers and those who would be quite happy never to see/hear another dog again agree that "something must be done" - we cannot ignore these recent deaths. Legal intervention and controls need to be discussed.

Part of the problem is the "aah" factor. Dogs are seen as cute and loveable, which is fine as far as it goes, but there are those owners who forget that these are animals, not humans or stuffed toys.

I referenced above the photo on facebook of a new born baby and a small puppy pictured together - the baby was lying on a blanket and the puppy was sitting by his head, its jaws just inches away from his face. Until we recognise this for what it is - a tragedy waiting to happen - rather than a cute picture, we will go on having these dreadful incidents.

I appreciate you love your dog GSM. It comes across in your posts. I'm glad it helps you. We have depression in common. Some days it's hell. Most days actually. I'm glad your dog helps. I agree people can't understand who don't suffer.

💐*Kate*. Ironic that it’s called the black dog.

I would never describe any dog as cute, Lucky. Those who do just don’t understand that they are capable of killing in order to survive, should the need arise. I love my girl and she is gentle with visitors, but I have no illusions as to her strength and capabilities. The wolf is just below the surface.

Germanshepherdsmum

💐*Kate*. Ironic that it’s called the black dog.

I would never describe any dog as cute, Lucky. Those who do just don’t understand that they are capable of killing in order to survive, should the need arise. I love my girl and she is gentle with visitors, but I have no illusions as to her strength and capabilities. The wolf is just below the surface.

I’ve never heard the “prey drive” expression before but it certainly described my terrier when she saw a squirrel. Most owners don’t have a clue how a dogs nature can change unexpectedly.

Germanshepherdsmum

A child made a sudden movement. Exactly what young children do and why you don’t allow young children to be close to dogs. You can never move more quickly than the dog. How is a dog supposed to understand that a child means it no harm? It may well have been a dog that had never bitten anyone. It paid for that entirely preventable mistake with its life, as ultimately did its owner.

A friend of mine rescued her cocker spaniel from a family with young children who had literally tortured the poor dog as a puppy. As a result, he is now a nervous, very reactive dog who is especially wary around children - and who could blame him? She is a very responsible owner and has put hours into training and socialising him, but still has to warn off children who would run up to him. It's not always the dog's fault.

The DM on line has an interactive map showing where most dog attacks leading to death have taken place. There’s a steady increase which goes up from 2020. The north west and Birmingham seem to have more incidents, with London and now Suffolk after the woman was killed by the 8 dogs she was walking.

When she was about 15 minths, my huge gentle labradoodle brought me a young rabbit she’d caught, I told her ‘drop it;, she snapped it’s neck and dropped it at my feet, chest out, hugely proud of herself. I’d never had a dog with such a high prey urge. We live on the edge of moorland, so deer and sheep ever present. I learned a lot about teaching recall and having her walk at my side off lead, she was a very intelligent, trainable dog. Doodles often have a high prey urge, it’s one of the many reasons they end up in rescue. Her background was working lab x standard poodle. Two highly intelligent dogs from working backgrounds. She was a beauty - but cute/a fur baby -never.

Germanshepherdsmum

💐*Kate*. Ironic that it’s called the black dog.

I would never describe any dog as cute, Lucky. Those who do just don’t understand that they are capable of killing in order to survive, should the need arise. I love my girl and she is gentle with visitors, but I have no illusions as to her strength and capabilities. The wolf is just below the surface.

Help me here .... I agree with what you have written, which for me begs the question: why have such a creature in your home? Just why? What is the point/purpose/reason/logic?

I guess we have a dog for company, comfort, fun, exercise etc. They bring pleasure to some, no real logic involved, as for me I don't need to assess everything for its point or purpose.
(For 20 years mine came to work with me too!)

Why? Because she’s a wonderful friend and companion, incredibly intelligent, loves people and delights in meeting them. I’m sure you will have seen programmes about German shepherd police dogs and the lifelong bond their handlers form with them.

Joseanne

I guess we have a dog for company, comfort, fun, exercise etc. They bring pleasure to some, no real logic involved, as for me I don't need to assess everything for its point or purpose.
(For 20 years mine came to work with me too!)

Oh wow! Came to work!!! For me that is an unbelievably unacceptable idea - unless of course you are a shepherdess!

For me, home just wouldn't be 'home' without a dog. They are the most wonderful creatures - they give such unconditional love and yet ask for so little in return. They are loyal, loving, empathetic, wonderful companions...I could go on and on. Growing up with a dog teaches a child a great deal too - about respecting other creatures, taking responsibility for another living being. Apart from my very immediate family, my dog is the most important thing in my life and if I had to, I would choose him over any other human on the planet. In fact, I would choose most dogs (and other animals) over most humans any day of the week.

Luckygirl3

Joseanne

I guess we have a dog for company, comfort, fun, exercise etc. They bring pleasure to some, no real logic involved, as for me I don't need to assess everything for its point or purpose.
(For 20 years mine came to work with me too!)

Oh wow! Came to work!!! For me that is an unbelievably unacceptable idea - unless of course you are a shepherdess!

There are far more working dogs than just sheepdogs! Dogs play a vital role in many jobs.

Indeed - it was one example.

Luckygirl3

Joseanne

I guess we have a dog for company, comfort, fun, exercise etc. They bring pleasure to some, no real logic involved, as for me I don't need to assess everything for its point or purpose.
(For 20 years mine came to work with me too!)

Oh wow! Came to work!!! For me that is an unbelievably unacceptable idea - unless of course you are a shepherdess!

Yes, a shepherdess of children (far more difficult to herd than sheep). Also a rural holiday complex host where visitors x 30 felt relaxed.
PS the dog featured in all our advertising and brochures, so no one who thought it unacceptable was forced to come. However, we were over subscribed and fully booked!

You sum it up perfectly Blondiescot.

It’s not ‘unbelievably unacceptable’ to have a dog in the workplace. It’s not uncommon. They are not vicious, filthy beasts to be avoided at all costs. What about assistance dogs who accompany their owners everywhere, and without whom the owner would be housebound and existing on benefits? When I travelled into the City for work, a blind lady got on the train every day with her guide dog. He was perfectly behaved and gave her the ability, courage and confidence to carry on with her life and navigate the busy streets. After a day in the office he brought her safely home again. Don’t say ‘that’s different’. It isn’t.

We can only read news reports about this appalling tragedy but from what I have read so far I can’t help thinking oh dear.
Neighbours report this dog was from a rescue but most rescues would not rehome in these conditions. I have rehomed and the rescue has been very stringent with a home visit and checking the ages of any children and the suitability of the breed with its prospect home.
The dog was never seen out dogs need excercise and training.
They had had the dog for only a few weeks so all time spent with the dog should be supervised and its real character was unknown.

I wonder if it came from abroad? I have no experience of the rescue centres which bring dogs in from, for instance, Spain and Romania, whether they apply the usual stringent standards. No responsible rescue would place a dog in a home with such a young child either resident or visiting. They would also ask about the amount of exercise the dog would be given. We will find out more in time. I imagine the police haven’t divulged any information because they are still investigating.

In a lot of cases, I don't think it is really the dog's fault it is the owner's. Some people who buy dogs have not got a clue how to train or look after them. The dogs are often far too big for the houses they are expected to live in with small gardens and only get two short walks a day to and from the child's school.
Many years ago a neighbour bought a dog a mongrel crossed with a border collie. It often escaped and got onto the dual carriageway causing havoc trying to round up cars, it's natural instinct. Surely it was the owner's fault, not the dogs.
It has to be asked why did a family with a young boisterous child buy such a large dog which is now being tested by the police as it might be the illegal crossing of illegal breeds.
Yes, I feel sorry for the family and the dog But more so for the poor child who lost her life because of her parent's mistakes.