Replies to '03/30 Is This Normal?'

We had a family friend with a dog that did the same sort of injury on their two year old( It is more common then you think) It took them 6 months and lots of pressure from family and friends to re-home that dog to a childless couple.  During that time both the child and dog suffered.  The dog confined to the side yard of the house with little or no attention or exercise (not too much of a change from his life previous).  The child living in extreme fear of the creature that resided there. 

The dog became a problem when the husband spend less and less time exercising him and training him.  Dogs that don't get daily walks and don't have regular interaction with people are never safe around kids.  Any kind of dog.  It is the father's fault that the dog attacked the child and the father does not deserve to own a dog or to be a father.  He clearly has no understanding of the responsibilities of either.

To have a dog around kids it needs to be well cared for both physically and emotional.  Dogs have needs far beyond food, water and shelter.  They take an hour at least a day to socialize and exercise.  If you don't meet the needs to the family dog then you should not have one, especially around small children.  For everyone’s sake have them spayed or neutered so they are calmer and more predictable around people.