I don't think I'd go so far as to call anyone here bad parents. It's an accident. An accident that a lot of people would not have seen coming.

Tess, along with all the good advice given here, your friend might consider purchasing a muzzle for Cookie and use it when they are going to be in crowded areas where there are a lot of excited children running around, and your friend may be distracted from watching Cookie. At least while the retraining is going on.
It seems to me that what happened was truly an unfortunate accident, the toddler's parents should never have let the child roam around unattended, but your friend also did not sufficiently guard Cookie to keep her from being grabbed from behind while she was sleeping. The poor dog probably thought she was under attack. It's your friend's duty to keep Cookie safe, and she did not do that. Probably because she was watching the ball game, not her immediate surroundings.
(et me clarify that last statement, I don't mean to sound as if I am blaming your friend, it's just so easy to get distracted in a busy ball park.)


Edited by Janice Jarman (06/21/2007 01:47 PM)
Edit reason: clarify statement

Steve, you don't have to say it; I did!

That's my whole point. People *need to start* seeing these things before they happen. Like Natalya said; when did dogs stop being animals and become walking teddy bears?

Society as a whole has really gotten lax in taking personal responsibility; everything is someone else's fault...like that darn hot coffee at McDonald's.

While no child would get that close to my dogs w/out me noticing (because I understand that it's imperative to watch them!!!), I maintain that the responsibility lies with the parents of the unfortunately injured child first and foremost...and THEN with Cookie's owner for not noticing the approaching child.

I have a two year old and I would blame myself ( or if I could figure out a way, my wife) but we all have our moments when we are looking the other way. I agree about dogs being dogs. But a two year old touching something she should'nt doesnt make you a bad parent.

Ok, maybe there are worse parents... , BUT-I think that it's beyond "looking the other way" if a toddler who cannot even walk yet is able to get far enough away that the parents are unable to intervene before an incident like this occurs. We're not talking (I don't think) about a child whose parents were standing right there and say, lost it's balance and fell on the dog while the parents had their eyes averted. I don't think this is the same thing as a child who touches a stove. There are times when you can't pay 100% attention; IMO, baby vs. ANY dog is not ever one of those times.

Keep in mind, my perspective is based on my experience as the single owner of 4 dogs, who has time and again, had to return an obnoxious child just begging to be bitten to their respective (bad) parents, who consistently complain amongst themselves that my dogs "scare" them, while their children are frolicking, screaming, and swinging things at my dogs (who are frolicking in their own yard, under their owner's supervision). If they're really so afraid, why don't they keep their kids where they can see them? It's like complaining to the zookeeper that the lions are dangerous after you've allowed your child to climb into the lions' den for a better look. I realize I sound extreme, but the dogs and kids are paying for the adults' sins of omission.

Where did you get the Idea a 2yr old can't walk? I should post some pictures of my daughter running around at 9 months. My 2yr old follows my 7 year old all over anything they climb. My perspective is a father of 3 who's owned 5 dogs during that time is that people, kids included have the right to do anything lawful without having to worry about my dog. If I choose to have my dog in a public place ( which I do ) it is 100 percent my responsibility to be in control of the entire situation and supervise all kids that approach us. I'm not talking about kids tormenting a dog in it's own yard. After saying all that I just accept that a lot of people that own dogs are not going to think their dog would do something like that. I teach my kids to ask me before they pet anyone elses dog and I tell kids that ask to pet mine they have to ask they're parents.

It was stated in the original post that the child "crawled" up to the dog ("a little girl, 2 yrs old, crawled up to Cookie.") That's where I got the not walking part from.

I am fully aware that 2 yr olds can walk; no need to send pictures . That wasn't the point, anyhow. I was speaking in broad terms, not necessarily about this particular incident in my recent posts.

As a general idiot-proof rule, I'd say that if a child is crawling, it's too young to be wandering around a ballpark alone. JMO.

Sorry to the OP, this kind of went off the tracks and became a little bit of an argument.

Ugh, timed me out before I could say that we're getting off-topic. It's easy to rant and speculate, but this was about the dog and what to do now. Hopefully, for Cookie's sake, the owner will be more aware in the future, and will keep her out of situations where she could get herself in trouble. She needs to watch the dog like a hawk, as if no one else in the world has a functioning brain or any common sense, because in this litigious society, it'll be the dog who goes down, regardless of who's really at fault.

Additionally, I'd be careful assuming anyone can do anything "lawful" around your dog, Steve. Maybe that's not how you meant that statement, but that kind of mentality can get you in trouble. I treat all my dogs as if they're child-eaters. Life is much safer (for them) that way. Please clarify if I misunderstood you; it seems as if you're saying that your dog is that "safe"...???

Steve, just saw your post...didn't realize it was an argument.

I meant it's up to me to remove my dog, the people should'nt have to avoid him or worry that he's there. The part about legal was me being sarcastic which didnt translate well into type.