3 month old baby killed by dogs

[norfolkdumpling]

Why was the baby left with in reach of the dogs? The parents trusted the dog owners to babysit, how dreadful for them and how irresponsible of the babysitters to have the dogs near the baby.



news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7876508.stm

[watchman]

Isn't it time people were given IQ tests before they are allowed to spawn kids?

[norfolkdumpling]

Good idea Watchman.

[takemebacktolondon]

Well here we go again after just having a similar incident and similar debate in Australia .
"It's the people you idiot" .
Thats not mean't to be rude but just to make the point .
A devastating situation that was completely unavoidable but will inevitably raise the question of "dangerous dogs".
In truth but with sadness the owners of the dogs should never have been allowed to own a dog .
Before anyone owns a dog they should be educated in their dogs behaviour . Not only that they should be trained to have total control over the animal . That does not intend cruelty as this is counter productive .
These dogs in question now had no leader .They reacted to nature but thats not to say they cant be controlled completely
A dog will use its dominance over another dog or a human if you let it . That goes for all dogs large or small , pedigree or cross or mix if you are American or breed.
In every instance you begin with an animal .
In short you must dominate your animal \ dog .
In every aspect of your relationship with your animal you must project dominance.
It will always submit no matter what the breed or size .
There are a multitude of problems that dogs have that make them unstable without dominance and this must be addressed by the owner .
What it does not need is recognition that something has to be done by politicians or council officers for public popularity that dogs must be banned on breed - danger - size or any othe irrational nonsense .
Back with more later ?
Mean while never ever leave a dog for reasons explained with small children.

[justmyopinion]

"Jack Russell and Staffordshire bull terrier " - not the two most gentle dogs known to man.

The fact is that babies and young children are not safe with any dog unless the dog is dead! The headline should read, "Yet another baby killed by dogs" - haven't there been enough examples of this?

I would not agree that it was the parents direct responsibility, that reats with the carer at the time - has to, otherwise no organisation operating in loco parentis can possibly exist

[Scooby Do]

I beg to differ JMOS

Staffords are among the best dogs to be with children, but never leave ANY dog unsupervised with kids.

Jack Russels generally are snappy little buggers

[justmyopinion]

Defer to you Scooby

[lawrence]

My yellow Lab would never harm a child. She would eat herself first.
I would be comfortable leaving an infant alone with her for any length of time.

[Scooby Do]

Feb 8, 2009 19:02:28 GMT lawrence said:

My yellow Lab would never harm a child. She would eat herself first.
I would be comfortable leaving an infant alone with her for any length of time.

Then you are crazy

[Muz]

Feb 8, 2009 19:08:48 GMT Scooby Do said:

Feb 8, 2009 19:02:28 GMT lawrence said:

My yellow Lab would never harm a child. She would eat herself first.
I would be comfortable leaving an infant alone with her for any length of time.

Then you are crazy

Seconded

[Victor Meldrew]

Years ago I owned a labrador. He was a beautiful, patient, docile dog who never hurt anyone, or ever looked as though he might. Certainly the most gentle, lovong animal you could ever meet.

We often had family visit us including very young children and he used to be a part of the gathering with all of us. Would I have left him alone with the youngsters while we went out of the room? Not bloody likely! He was never allowed to be left in that position.

However docile he was, I would never trust him that far.

www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=46922

Mrs White insists the dog should not be put to sleep because of the attack: "He is usually such a friendly dog. It must have been a one-off attack,"

And a one-off attack is all it takes.

[jules]

Even my 4 year old Westie I would never leave alone with any children. There is always that little bit of worry however well behaved your dog.

[sweet soul]

Dogs are jealous of a new baby? Thats what i reckon anyhow. Would never leave them alone together.

[Libby]

Feb 8, 2009 19:02:28 GMT lawrence said:

My yellow Lab would never harm a child. She would eat herself first.
I would be comfortable leaving an infant alone with her for any length of time.

Sorry lawrence but it is exactly this attitude and naivete that can cause these horrific attacks and ultimate deaths of babies and children by dogs. No breed is exempt from these attacks -dogs are animals, and by their very nature are capable of attacking. They all have wild instincts. I have owned many dogs over the years of differing breeds, but i have never left any of my three children anywhere near them alone. Even the gentlest Labrador or Border Collie can turn in the blink of an eye! It is not only the Staffy's, Rottweillers, or Dobermans that snap and attack.

My heart bleeds for the young couple of this dear baby. They went out for the night probably celebrating the baby making it through heart surgery weeks before, and then lose their infant in such horrific circumstances. My question would be to the grandmother - what the hell were you thinking of leaving the baby somewhere where the dogs could get to him?! Surely the dogs should have been locked away downstairs and the baby left safely sleeping upstairs?!

[lawrence]

Not my dog.

[Libby]

With the greatest respect lawrence you are wrong. It is precisely this attitude that makes dogs a threat.

[takemebacktolondon]

Sorry Libby but you almost got it right .
Begin here - Animal - dog -breed - name.
Most people at large who call themselves dog lovers here aside from the hater just do not understand .
How many of you that have posted know how to correct a dogs agression through dominance on human or animal .
It can be achieved in a very short time. For a start here I would like to know and I am willing to bet -none of you .
To construct it you have to understand animal behaviour and know how to live with that animal and whats required for it to live with you and your family .
Control comes first affection second although dressing up a dog or making it do tricks for fun is not being a dog lover .
A dog needs and wants to be treated like a dog as part of a pack and you have to become the pack leader .
No leader leads to dominance and instability of the animal .
You treat the animal first -dog second breed third and use its name last .
People can exite their animal without realising they are doing it because they are unstable ,insecure,weak willed or just ignorant.
Learn what is wrong with you and you can then go on to rehabilitate the animal and then become the dog lover by showing affection . Breed demands different techniques as some are working dogs some are pets and some are hunting dogs . They can all be corrected to intigrate into a household.
So can we start this thread again by posting constructive comments instead of anecdotes which do absoluely nothing to improve the reason for this thread being initiated .
Any thing from the rushing animal ,the biting animal ,the furniture destructor ,the timid ,the aggresive the totally unnerved animal - the car chaser - the possesive animal the feed time aggression or just plain walking without stress or fear .
Come on lets have the discussion and tell us what your dogs behaviour is and we will try to correct it .
If you dont want to do that here take it to a professional behaviourist for correction and I dont mean dog obediance classes . Your dog may be having problems there to as he disruptor.
The affects are not temporary they are lasting because you build on it from day to day .
It just takes effort and that the problem .
Most people who have dogs just do not want to take the time out to do it.
I wonder how many people who have dogs never get visitors because the dog is aggresive to visitors .
Some people go on like this for years without ciorrection .Its nuts and its dangerous.
More later ...

[Libby]

Very constructive remarks! Thanks "London"! ;D

[sushimo]

I was always brought up under the rule that you NEVER left a baby/child alone in the same room as a dog or a cat. It's pure common sense, yes, you may have the best, most docile dog in the world, but a sudden bang, or a flash of pain can alter them in a second to a fearful snapping demon. I've seen it happen - just don't do it.

[Libby]

Completely right there sushi! Anyone who owns a dog has a responsibility to ensure everyone's safety. No-one in their right mind would leave a baby anywhere near where a dog could gain access. It only takes a second for a dog to snap, something might scare it, and the rest is history all too often these days. It can happen with any breed, large or small!
Although these two dogs have been destroyed, this is no consolation to the poor parents who have already endured so much anxiety over their much loved baby. The granny has to live with the knowledge that her dogs killed her grandson who was in her care, i'm not sure i could live with that. A horrendous time for the entire family. Please God no more babies and children are killed at the hand of so-called family pets.