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My wife Cathy with our Newfoundland named Dolly. Dolly is as sweet as Nana in Peter Pan, and she descends from dogs that saved ship-wreck victims in Canada; but as with all dogs, we have an obligation to still manage her as if she could be dangerous.
The Seattle Times ran an educational article about dog bites today. I love dogs, and have never gone without one or two canines to keep me company. But this article explains how even the breeds with reputations for love and affection, like golden retrievers, have overturned lives with devastating face bites.
There are some good warnings here for all of us dog owners. Read the article here
P.S. As a footnote, if you have a dog, make sure you have very good liability insurance. Even the smallest dogs can devastate a child, and it is part of responsible animal ownership to carry good insurance.
It’s interesting that you mention that now. I was down at the downtown Renton Library today and someone had left two pitbulls tethered (with nylon leashes) to the bike rack right out front. There was a group of naturalists there educating the public about the salmon in the river, and they were warning parents to keep their children away, as the dogs were barking and lunging at people. When the librarians located the owner, she came outside and quite profanely told the onlookers that they were liars and that her dogs had never lunged at anyone. When someone showed her pictures as proof, she denied it and left with them. Altogether an unpleasant and frightening experience, for the volunteers, the library patrons, and the parents with their children heading to and from the park. So your comment that even if they’re not dangerous, owners must manage them as if they could be so is quite appreciated.
Call the Cops
Any time, and I mean ANY TIME, you feel uncomfortable, be it dogs or people, call 911. That’s what they are there for.
Re: Call the Cops
Thanks for your comment. And I agree with the above responder who suggests calling the cops in a similar situation in the future. Lunging pitbulls in front of the library definitely qualifies for the police to drop by. 🙂
Even if there were no arrests, the police can ensure the dogs are licensed, they have their shots, and that the owner gets some immediate instruction on how not to handle dogs so close to the library and playground.
Re: Call the Cops
Add to that… call 911 for any assaults at school.
If your child goes to their teacher -there’s a vested interest by the school to not persecute the problem. Train your children to call 911 and let the professionals take care of the situation. By going the 911 route, you’re also setting the playing-field to get a restraining order enforced.
Why parents tolerate their children getting mugged, hurt (and worse) at school and just let the school slap the offender on the wrist is beyond me.
What are the odds
In the last seven years I’ve owned a yellow lab. Never even come close to biting someone. I figured my odds of dying in an auto accident are greater than my dog ever biting a human. Some dogs are truly angels with fur. But tipping the scale at 100 lbs. he does give them concern. So I’m ever cautious. It’s funny though when they see him carrying his leash to greet them.