Dogs and kids II

13 August bright warm, cool after sunset

So! Another child - another dog, and another one chalked up for 'man versus dog'. A nine year old boy and a staffy/labrador cross. (one chalked up for the staffy/labrador). Fair's fair! and for this to be a true and accurate account, all views must be considered therefore completely impartial, in the name of research.

Isn't it obvious to everyone, that the persons most innocent in this tradgedy are the ones most affected. I was of a mind that below 4 years of age was of an age beyond understanding. With that most wonderful of retrospective, that may be, in fact, too low. The reported facts, having heard the last 4 or 5 radio broadcasts are even more scarse this time. But, essentially, the animal was freely running around the surrounding area and intercepted the boy in a public (presumably) park (also freely running around; remember, impartially, name of research).

What happened next was reported as 'mauled', with a reference to 'ripped his face off'. These are the facts as reported on a popular radio station.

So we either have - a/ an agressive medium to large dog biting and attacking anyone (actually, this may be the first time THIS animal HAS actually bitten), or a normal dog, agitated by the boy to the point of snapping. This does from one angle appear to be unlikely - that the 9 year old would be foolish enough to do such a thing. Nine year olds generally have been taught (and learned themselves through near misses) by that age not to approach a stray animal. This writer was told that very thing some thirty years ago.
If this is the case, then the owner of the animal is ultimately responsible. Dog isn't; child isn't. The child at nine, seems to be likely to frequent a park and thus the possibility of a potential victim should an animal attack. Therefore the owner should never have allowed the opportunity to arise. The 'staffy' in the animal carries obvious suggestions as a breed prone to attack, however, just as smoking tobacco may kill you, but cannot be guaranteed, nor can the espousement 'all staffies are prone to attack' be justified beyond doubt.
But nevertheless, a young boy was mauled and the opinion that it must never happen again has understandable voice. Unfortunately, until the reason for this is addressed instead of the result, such an opinion will never be realised.