dog bit my sons face, how would you react

brohymn2 · #1 03-22-2015, 10:13 PM

was visiting my in laws who breed shelties, they have one old dog that's deaf and as my father inlaw says "does not like children". anyways over the past year ive visited multiple times with my son and have always done my best to keep my son away from the dog as my son is only 3, the dog in turn has always been good with my son and over the past year has warmed up to him allowing him to pet it. anyways was in the washroom and my inlaws were watching my son in the livingroom, as I walked out of the bathroom I rounded the corner just in time to see my son going in to give the dog a kiss(apparently hes done this before) before I could yell at my son to stop him from doing what he was doing the dog lashed at him and bit his face leaving scratches on his forehead and a bleeding lip.

I quickly grabbed my son with my mother in law and we checked him over as my father inlaw locked the dog in the bedroom,

anyways when I returned home, my wife obviously asked what happened to his face and when I told her she flew off the handle and basically got ****ed I didn't kill the dog, now shes in a big argument with her mother about putting it down.

just wondering how other people might of reacted or handled this situation.

either way im chalking this up as a life lesson for my son to be weary with dogs

KBF · #2 03-22-2015, 10:23 PM

Sounds like he got lucky with minor damage.i guess it can be easy for someone to say what to do that's not in the position for themselves. But for me if you have grandkids and a dog with a reputation, then it should be obvious what to do.

brohymn2 · #3 03-22-2015, 10:25 PM

that's what I was thinking, don't really wanna push the issue though being that I have a really good relationship with my inlaws. luckily I have my wife to push the issue for me

Selkirk · #4 03-22-2015, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brohymn2

that's what I was thinking, don't really wanna push the issue though being that I have a really good relationship with my inlaws. luckily I have my wife to push the issue for me

Personally, I think that old dog did your son a huge favor in teaching him that lesson, even though some minor injury was done.

Maybe explain it to your wife this way ... Imagine if, your young son, in a different place and time, while you weren't looking and unknown to you, tried to kiss a stranger's pitbull.

Someone ought to give that old dog an extra treat tonight!

Mac

brohymn2 · #5 03-22-2015, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacLeod

Personally, I think that old dog did your son a huge favor in teaching him that lesson ... even though some minor injury was done.

Maybe explain it to your wife this way ... Imagine if, your young son, in a different place and time, while you weren't looking and unknown to you, tried to kiss a stranger's pitbull.

Someone ought to give that old dog an extra treat tonight!

Mac

this is very true

dgrimard · #6 03-23-2015, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brohymn2

this is very true

I don't think it has to be a pit bull, there are many other breeds that have way more reports of biting.
We had a miniture pincher that was the most dangerous dog I have ever seen and he was 12 lbs.
I think teaching kids and every one how to respect dogs and how to read their actions is the best bet. Body language goes along way in the animal world.
I know adults that the first time they meet a dog will give it there face and try to kiss them , or want to pet a dog in a truck with the window open. If the dog even if it is a pit bull was to bite them would the dog be in the wrong. I don't think so.
As for Open Post, I would have to say when visiting keep the 2 apart at the very least, and would agree with locking the dog up and starting to teach the child of how to interact with animals be it dog cat or anything else.

Immigrant · #7 03-22-2015, 11:33 PM

My son got bit in the face at a baseball game. The dog was on a leash. The owner was minding his own business. My son got in to their "personal space" and the dog lunged forward telling my son "close enough". Some scratches and a bruised lip. In my house dogs are part of the family, so my kids assume all dogs are friendly. We have to remind them often that not all dogs let you in their personal space. I could not blame the owner or the dog for what happened.
Even though my dogs are awesome with my kids, i lock them up in their run when visitors come.

bessiedog · #8 03-23-2015, 12:07 AM

A dog has bitten kids on the face twice.

And this is ok with people?

Do some here have secret PETA meetings as well?

To the OP. The dog has bitten people twice. Your wife has an excellent reason to fly off the handle. Your child got lucky. What would your tune be if your kid lost an eye?
Please carefully consider what you are exposing your child to.

What is going to happen when that dog gets older, more irrational, and cranky?
What's more important here?

Think hard please. Other peoples well being might very much be in your hands.
Fatherhood is tough. Sorry.

Red Bullets · #9 03-23-2015, 12:48 AM

If the dog, no matter what size or breed, was a known threat it should have been muzzled when company with kids or anyone came over.

Your son was fortunate but now the dilemma with the dog. Muzzle and/or segregation of the dog when kids are around is the only way to avoid more incidents without having to destroy the dog.

IMO...Dogs that are not good around kids shouldn't even get a chance to be around kids. Diligence of the owner must be part of the dogs routine.

Years ago my cousins 3 year old boy was bit on the face by by his uncles dog. He unfortunately was badly damaged. He had to fly from Edmonton to Toronto Childrens hospital that day for major reconstructive surgery and for several surgerys as he grew up. Changed his life in a big way because he had to be home schooled to accomodate surgeries and recoveries as he grew up. His face is disfigured now in his adult life. That dog was destroyed promptly. It was an older dog that had never bitten anyone before. The parents and uncle were all present in the yard and right there when the dog bit the boys face. If they hadn't been there the boy probably would have died. It happened in a blink. I think the uncle and his farm insurance were sued for damages.

Selkirk · #10 03-23-2015, 12:57 AM

Unfortunately, I see that there's a few nut-bar posters here who would have their children/grandchildren 'sanitised' and 'bubble-wrapped' against the possibility that some animals, if provoked and tormented enough, will rightly defend themselves.

As in my previous posts here on this thread, I will always stand against you.

Mac

Knownonscents · #11 03-23-2015, 08:33 AM

First off. That sucks that happened. Good thing it was minor. It does sound like a few lessons were learned and can be avoided with proper planning in the future. Some dogs are dangerous and when not climatized properly in their upbringing shouldn't be left unsupervised with children or even other dogs for that matter.

With that being said, Mac. Pit bulls really? I think just "dog" is far more appropriate. You coulda said Shepard, husky, chihuahua or any other for that matter. Like pit bulls need an uneducated bad rap any further then they already have. And yes. We have 2 pitbulls. Neither one of them would ever consider biting. Not ever. The way they are raised.

Sorry for the derailment but that was an ignorant stereotype that gets my blood boiling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacLeod

Personally, I think that old dog did your son a huge favor in teaching him that lesson, even though some minor injury was done.

Maybe explain it to your wife this way ... Imagine if, your young son, in a different place and time, while you weren't looking and unknown to you, tried to kiss a stranger's pitbull.

Someone ought to give that old dog an extra treat tonight!

Mac

CK Angler · #12 03-24-2015, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knownonscents

First off. That sucks that happened. Good thing it was minor. It does sound like a few lessons were learned and can be avoided with proper planning in the future. Some dogs are dangerous and when not climatized properly in their upbringing shouldn't be left unsupervised with children or even other dogs for that matter.

With that being said, Mac. Pit bulls really? I think just "dog" is far more appropriate. You coulda said Shepard, husky, chihuahua or any other for that matter. Like pit bulls need an uneducated bad rap any further then they already have. And yes. We have 2 pitbulls. Neither one of them would ever consider biting. Not ever. The way they are raised.

Sorry for the derailment but that was an ignorant stereotype that gets my blood boiling.

I didn't want to stir the pot, but I noticed the pit bull comment as well. no need for this, any dog can be dangerous, get educated and stop picking on pitbulls! I've grown up with dogs my whole life, my lab/collie mix used to nip our ankles when we rode bikes as kids and our pure bread rotti was dog selective and ripped into our beagle pretty good. Best/smartest dog I've had was a rotti's/Shepard cross but my pitty is by far the biggest sucks of all the dogs I've ever owned!

FishingMOM · #13 03-22-2015, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brohymn2

was visiting my in laws who breed shelties, they have one old dog that's deaf and as my father inlaw says "does not like children". anyways over the past year ive visited multiple times with my son and have always done my best to keep my son away from the dog as my son is only 3, the dog in turn has always been good with my son and over the past year has warmed up to him allowing him to pet it. anyways was in the washroom and my inlaws were watching my son in the livingroom, as I walked out of the bathroom I rounded the corner just in time to see my son going in to give the dog a kiss(apparently hes done this before) before I could yell at my son to stop him from doing what he was doing the dog lashed at him and bit his face leaving scratches on his forehead and a bleeding lip.

I quickly grabbed my son with my mother in law and we checked him over as my father inlaw locked the dog in the bedroom,

anyways when I returned home, my wife obviously asked what happened to his face and when I told her she flew off the handle and basically got ****ed I didn't kill the dog, now shes in a big argument with her mother about putting it down.

just wondering how other people might of reacted or handled this situation.

either way im chalking this up as a life lesson for my son to be weary with dogs

Dead dog!

Mackinaw · #14 03-22-2015, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishingMOM

Dead dog!

Why would you blame the dog for the fault of the humans...ridiculous responce......dogs should be outside anyway

Mack

raab · #15 03-22-2015, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mackinaw

Why would you blame the dog for the fault of the humans...ridiculous responce......dogs should be outside anyway

Mack

And when he's outside, takes off to the neighbours and bites their little toddler then what? If it was a first time thing sure give the dog the benefit of the doubt. But this dog has already responded twice with biting at the face of children. That is not acceptable behaviour, and will be repeated if the dog comes into contact with another child. I agree it's the owners fault as he didn't train the dog properly to begin with. Absolutely unacceptable to be biting kids.

Mackinaw · #16 03-23-2015, 08:55 AM

[QUOTE=raab;2774576]And when he's outside, takes off to the neighbours and bites their little toddler then what? If it was a first time thing sure give the dog the benefit of the doubt. But this dog has already responded twice with biting at the face of children. That is not acceptable behaviour, and will be repeated if the dog comes into contact with another child. I agree it's the owners fault as he didn't train the dog properly to begin with. Absolutely unacceptable to be biting

Any animal will defend itself if tormented.
And where does it say he would go to the neighbour's?

Mack

elkdump · #17 03-23-2015, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishingMOM

Dead dog!

Yes, no question about it ! DEAD DOG.

Bite 1 child , earn 1 bullet .

No repeat performance, no disfigured or traumatized kids

Selkirk · #18 03-22-2015, 10:24 PM

If I read it correctly, it was a 'known' risk, and your son wasn't hurt too badly ... and he also learned an important life's lesson.

Let the ol' dog live, and let you and your son be the wiser.

Mac

wasteland.soldier · #19 03-22-2015, 10:31 PM

Sorry to hear about what happened to your son.

Interesting turn that your wife's on the unexpected side of the fence on this. Personally I don't know what I'd do. There's just something awful sad about

if it can be avoided. And as mentioned, it's not like it was an unknown risk. I think your biggest concern should be that your son doesn't develop a complex around dogs. Maybe have him play with a friendly dog, and then talk to him about not putting his face near a dog.

Plus, look on the bright side, if your wife's this upset with her folks, maybe you won't have to deal with the in-laws for a while

edmhunter · #20 03-23-2015, 06:20 AM

Was attacked by a dog once that I tried to pet when I was 11 years old. The dog was on a leash and tied to a building in an industrial park, ended up getting away after I was bitten a few times and bleeding. We had 4 hunting dogs at home at that time and none of the dogs were aggressive, so I was completely unaware that this could happen.

I had a pellet rifle at home that I used to hunt starlings and squirrels with. I got back on my bike went home and got some money out of my piggy bank and went to the local store and bought a canister of 500 pellets.

Went back to where the dog was which happen to be about 20 yards away from the railroad tracks. I emptied the canister of pellets into that, rather large German Shepard. When I left the dog didn't look so good, in fact when I went back the next day the dog was not there and I never saw it again, so I am assuming it died from acute lead poisoning.

To me a dog is a pet, and I love dogs and treat them like family, but when a dog turns on people, especially family members or children it gets dead. If the dog is worth any money it gets sold immediately.

I am happy I learned that lesson, never tried to pet another person's dog again. Oh and when I hunt bears, I do not try to hug them either

Sooner · #21 03-22-2015, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacLeod

If I read it correctly, it was a 'known' risk, and your son wasn't hurt too badly ... and he also learned an important life's lesson.

Let the ol' dog live, and let you and your son be the wiser.

Mac

Agree. Got lucky with a scratch and a bleeding lip. Will always remember it when he see's a dog. Cant really blame the dog, seems like everyone knew he was cranky.

Kanonfodder · #22 03-23-2015, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacLeod

If I read it correctly, it was a 'known' risk, and your son wasn't hurt too badly ... and he also learned an important life's lesson.

Let the ol' dog live, and let you and your son be the wiser.

Mac

This

58thecat · #23 03-23-2015, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacLeod

If I read it correctly, it was a 'known' risk, and your son wasn't hurt too badly ... and he also learned an important life's lesson.

Let the ol' dog live, and let you and your son be the wiser.

Mac

Yes it is a life lesson for all involved. Every adult new the dog was cranky, little guy running around and nothing was done to prevent this

Next time all involve smarten up an don't let this happen again.

dgl1948 · #24 03-23-2015, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Personally, I think that old dog did your son a huge favor in teaching him that lesson, even though some minor injury was done.

I cannot believe I read this statement. Is this how we teach our kids a lesson???

58thecat · #25 03-23-2015, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgl1948

I cannot believe I read this statement. Is this how we teach our kids a lesson???

Hard lesson, I was bit or more a less attacked by a dog at a young age and 40 years later I still remember it and still approach dogs with a well deserved respect learned as a life lesson....trust, strangers whether two or four legged all have a bite!

Sporty · #26 03-23-2015, 06:47 AM

I see a lot of blame directed towards the dogs in many situations but how about parents teach their kids how to interact around animals? A viscous dog is a viscous dog and it's pretty apparent who they are when you encounter one. There are also dogs who aren't accustomed to children who have never been taught animal etiquette. Not saying that's what happened in this case but it does happen where kids provoke a dog, get bit and it's automatically the dog's fault. There is a responsibility on the parents part to teach their children how to behave around animals.

Hell, some kids I want to bite them myself, can't imagine how my dog would feel.

http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/ki...ract-with-dogs

taz1977 · #27 03-23-2015, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacLeod

If I read it correctly, it was a 'known' risk, and your son wasn't hurt too badly ... and he also learned an important life's lesson.

Let the ol' dog live, and let you and your son be the wiser.

Mac

I agree that's what I would do

phased1 · #28 03-24-2015, 10:02 AM

I agree with the quote below:

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacLeod

If I read it correctly, it was a 'known' risk, and your son wasn't hurt too badly ... and he also learned an important life's lesson.

Let the ol' dog live, and let you and your son be the wiser.

Mac

Hydro1 · #29 03-22-2015, 10:26 PM

No offense inteded with my following statement.
Dog reacted the only way it knows how. Chances are it showed several signs of un-ease prior to biting that the parents in law missed.
Its up to you guys to prevent everything that happened.
Dont blame the dog, dont blame the kid, prevent it from happening again.
Thats it.

Edit, Glad your kid is relatively un-harmed.

brohymn2 · #30 03-22-2015, 10:28 PM

this is true, had I been in the room my son would have not been near the dog irregardless of how well he has behaved(cant think of a better word for it) in the past, thanks for the responses