re: Non-Pit Bull Thread: infant killed by family dog

quote:

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Don't trust the family pet with young children. Period.

They are animals. It doesn't matter sweet or well trained they are. Leaving your kid unattended with a dog is asking for trouble.

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This is a correct response.

Babies and small children can act out in ways that trigger behavior in dogs that would not likely to be seen with larger children or adults.

The other issue is a simple size issue. If a baby is bitten it will be a potentially serious bite even if the dog is very small. If a toddler or small child is bitten they are at the right height to take a bite to the face or neck that can be disfiguring or life threatening.

Dogs aren't bad, but you should take the same types of care you would with them that you would with a stranger. And presumably you would never leave your child unattended with a stranger.