Over the weekend, we went to a BBQ at our local park. My preschooler had the best day with her friends, sliding, jumping, running, swinging and rolling in the sandpit. Unfortunately, we had to leave our two Dobermanns at home as dogs were not allowed at the park.
However, we did have a four-legged intruder - a beautiful Husky without a collar and ID tag. He sniffed around the food, the kids and then ran into a nearby field where a group of young people were playing ball. He seemed to be harmless as he raced around - like he was having the best day of its life.
And then I saw what I have been warning to my family and friends about - a simple act that can end in tragedy! A woman walked up to the Husky with her wobbly toddler and extended the child's hands out to pet the dog. I held my breath and made a silent prayer that this dog would not bite out of fear or self defence. I mean come on, a tall stranger and a clumsy little person suddenly appears out of nowhere and attempts to touch its head! Wouldn't you be taken by surprise? For dogs that have not been raised around kids, this confrontation can be a very scary experience and its first reaction can be a nasty snarl and a bite.
And then we blame the dog and ban the breed! That's a real tragedy.
And the woman? Because officials have blamed the dog and ignored her actions, she would continue to pet dogs on the street and teach her child to do the same. The cycle continues...
Mar 3, 2008
Potential tragedy
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3 comments:
jwcI agree. All dogs need to be properly trained. However some dogs are prone more to bite than others: fighting dogs for example. It makes me cringe with anger about the irresponsible dog owners who don't clean up after their dogs in public, who let them roam the streets...and what really makes me mad is people who DON'T SOCIALISE THEIR DOGS!!! My poor darling little Cavoodle and i were walking to the local shop. She was on a lead and is extremely well behaved. A nasty, scrappy bitza (it was restrained thankfully) strated to snarl and bark at us. My dog just ignored it. I was very upset and angry after that.
I agree as well. I have owned 2 dogs in the past - a Rottie that grew up with my kids, used to be part of the family, but sadly had to be put down due to Injury. My kelpie was a "permanent Puppy" and we trusted him around our kids, but still never left him unsupervised as kids can do things unintentionally and the dogs react with a nip or bite.
Our new Ridgeback puppy is getting all the attention he can handle, as well as a lot of different socialisation with dogs, kids both young and old, as well as adults. A few barking dogs in the area just get a "hmph" as she passes along on the lead.
It's funny though - the dogs that bark all the time, and seem savage are also the ones you never see being walked by the owners...
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