PSA: Dogs with children

This is not meant to start drama or spark a debate over dogs. It is a reminder. I debated posting about this but truly feel it is necessary.

I know many people have dogs & that some of you have said that your dog is fine to be left alone with your child and I truly hope that you're right.

I would never want anyone to be put in a situation like the one I heard yesterday.

A woman I know (and several members of the site know)'s 10 month old nephew was attacked by the family dog last Sunday. There are two old dogs in the family - a St. Bernard & a pit bull mix. They were always cautious about the pit bull since he had bitten friends in the past.

The nephew crawled over to the St. Bernard, reached out to pet him & the dog grabbed him by the head. He shook him around like a rag doll.

The mom & grandmother tried to pry apart the jaws, hitting the dog to get him to drop the baby. The pitbull bit the St. Bernard on the ear, which made him drop the baby.

They rushed the baby to the hospital. He was stitched up on both sides of his head. On Wednesday he was back in the hospital for a staph infection. Thank G-d, ultimately, he should be fine.

When I heard the story, I immediately thought of the posts were everyone said their dog was great with the baby, that they wouldn't think twice about leaving their dog alone for a few minutes, & the pictures of the dogs in the baby's things, etc.

In this case the mom & grandmother were IN THE ROOM. While some people would say it's a freak accident, the ER doctors told them that it's very common during the hotter months and with older dogs. The St. Bernard was 13 years old. They thought they needed to worry about the younger, more energetic dog. The St. Bernard was always docile. While they thought the pitbull was protecting their baby, the doctors said they're very lucky that the dogs didn't get into a territorial match over what was essentially a piece of meat/toy to them.

I know there are many dog lovers on this site. I love dogs too. Please be careful. Dogs are animals...animals with instincts. Watch your babies - both human & fur.

Re: PSA: Dogs with children

OMG how awful. We do want to get a dog when we get a house, but I think I want to wait until DC are older (and can help take care of the doggie too.)

Re: PSA: Dogs with children

How awful!! That poor little baby

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That is awful. Its a great reminder of why we have to always be careful w/ pets around the kids.

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That poor baby! I never trust animals around kids alone, you just never know......

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OMG this is so scary...you just NEVER know and as a future parent I think this is one area that I am going to be overprotective and very scared about...we have a 75 lbs. Boxer who is the sweetest thing in the world and is currently the baby in the family...we're very concerned and will be extra cautious when the baby arrives. My husband and I agreed that there should never occur a situation where he should have easy access to the baby without our supervision...there's no room for error here...at least not for us.

Re: PSA: Dogs with children

Thanks for posting this

and that the child is ok

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Thanks for posting...how sad. I know my dog will NOT hurt the boys, but i will NEVER leave them unattended...because you never know what a dog is capable of doing

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Oh my gosh....that is terrible.

I never leave my dog alone with the baby -- nor does he play with ANY of her stuff. It's all off limits.

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I feel like super nut mom everytime we are in a house with a dog. I am uneasy the whole time.

Thanks for posting this, I read it to Leo, who doesn't share in my dog uneasiness.

Re: PSA: Dogs with children

I agree with you 110%. Animals are unpredictable, especially when they are older. My cousins had a Cocker Spaniel that attacked the youngest (she was an older dog).

I had a Golden retriever mix when I was a child that bit a boys face (he had actually shoved his hand down the dogs throat when no one was looking.

And even now...if my rottie does not want to be bothered...she'll let out a low growl and even without that, we discourage Alyson from climbing over her.

Re: PSA: Dogs with children

How scary!
Dogs are wonderful animals - but even the most docile dog can strike without warning - my neighbor has the scars on her face to prove it! Her sweet, loving dog attacked her one day, and wouold have killed her if her husband had not been around!

Re: PSA: Dogs with children

I have been worried about Molly with DS lately. And, I also just heard another horror story recently where a dog attacked a little girl. I never leave them in the room together where she can get to him. My only peace of mind is that Molly is only 12lbs and even with her strongest of bites she can barely break skin.

It really is so scary though bc you just never know what an animal can do or what can set it off.

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how awfu, that proor baby. I think sometimes ppl forget that animals are just that, animals (with animal tendencies)...no matter how much we love our "furry babies" we should always be careful

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ITA.

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So scary!

Ya know- we think we know our pets, however they are just animals... COMPLETELY UNPREDICTABLE at all times!

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OMG horrible. I'm glad he is going to be okay. I am nervous with just my cats lately!

Re: PSA: Dogs with children

I have three dogs that I love as if they were my own children. They are my babies. However, I would never trust any of them anywhere near my grandson. When he is here, they are, either, behind a gate or in another room. I have never had an incident with any of the dogs I've had biting any one, adult or child. I still wouldn't trust them. Dogs act on instinct and it can take something small that makes them bite. In the summertime, they can be more on edge and, if they are older, it's just an accident waiting to happen. Animals are a wonderful thing for children to grow up with, but, it takes responsible owners to make sure that both interact properly.

Re: PSA: Dogs with children

How tragic. Thanks for posting this. I needed a reminder to always keep an eye on my dog with DD. Too often I don't have my eye on the two of them together. DD is constantly climbing over the dog, pulling her hair, poking her in the eyes. Our dog is an angel and extremely tolerant, but you can never be too careful.