I belatedly heard about the baby who died as a result of the family's Jack Russell biting it.
Note: it was not referred to in the media as a mauling. Note also that Jack Russells are very good at despatching small creatures.
Sad as this death is, I am more saddened and angered that the dog was put down. This death was a result of the owners not doing their jobs as pack leaders.
When will people realise that dogs are not just low-tech accessories?
A dog is as much a responsibility as a child (if not more so); though, let's face it, what babies and dogs do have in common is that all they do is eat and generate poo.
Any fekwit can own a dog; the problem is that these same fekwits spawn children as well.
There are certain simple protocols to follow when introducing a baby to a household with a dog and vice-versa; again, it can be more important when bringing the dog in: how it's done from day one will reflect itself in the dog's behaviour thereafter. At least with a child you've got a bit of time to train it.
Surely as part of the ante-natal instruction the parents should be asked if there is a dog in the household? Or even simply given some basic instructions regardless ("Daddy, can I have a puppy?").
Now, I realise that prosecuting the parents who have just lost their child isn't the answer, but nor is euthanising an animal that is just acting true to its nature!
If you're planning on sharing your home with a dog and a child then Cesar Milan's [the Dog Whisperer] rule applies to both children and dogs:
"Give them rules, boundaries and limitations. Without these the individual will be unbalanced."
