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Tuesday, November 09, 2010

IT'S AS PLAIN AS THE NOSE ON MY FACE

Why can't anyone else see it? I have several pieces in here dealing with dogs and kids and each piece says essentially the same thing.

I really don't know how to put it another way.

In this instance, a Border Collie, not typical of the breed of dog that bites, bit a 3 year old on its cheek, just below the eye reportedly. The child approached the dog while it was "eating a sausage". Mistake # 1
A vegetable knows not to get between a dog and its food. I can with my two; I'd expect most owners can with their respective dogs, and even then it's with a little caution.
But a stranger? Add to that the age of this particular stranger and the fact that at 3 years, ignorance replaces fear or caution - with quite often disastrous consequences.

In this case nearly the loss of an eye.

The dog undoubtedly will now be destroyed. This is no rabid pitbull I should add (owned by an equally rabid, or at least wannabe, meathead). This is a Border Collie. Classically intelligent (for a dog - which puts it head and shoulders above the average rugby league player), friendly, calm, the epitome of man's best friend. Now to be destroyed or at the very least labelled as a dangerous dog.
This innocent animal to pay the price for the incompetence of others. Nothing was reported concerning the whereabouts of the owner or the parents for that matter. The incident was just a quick soundbite at the behest of the station managers who are concerned with the truth and facts as much as the average lawyer. "Quick - another dog attack - get it out there; who cares how it happened, just report that a kid was bitten, that'll get the handwringers going"


And so the (becoming) old-age question remains: Where were the parents? Those who are ultimately responsible for the brat, who at 3 years of age should never be more than an arm's length from them. Mistake # 2

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Long time no hear Mutters.

I agree that children should be very closely supervised but having had two myself--one of whom was a holy terror--it only takes a moment for them to stray with disastrous consequences.

I hope the border collie was given a reprieve as I own one. They are highly intelligent and patient animals but to come between a dog and his food is asking for trouble.

I also hope the child recovered from this episode.

mutters said...

I think that it may be prudent for children 5 years and younger be "leashed" to their parents, much like I'm forced to put my dogs on a leash (an obligation I frequently violate).
But in this case, Gladiola, the parents in question were at a coffee shop - out in public. And so...what...they just let this baby wander around unsupervised???
No, I don't accept that. I understand one can't supervise them 24/7 bit if ever there was a time they SHOULD, it is surely in this scenario. What happens if while they enjoyed their lattes the kid strayed onto the road? Would that then be my fault as a car driver?
No Gladiola, there is only one person to blame here - two persons in fact - the parents.
KEEP YOUR BRATS AWAY FROM MY DOG!!!!!

Peggy said...

with this I agree with you, after what I had seen on my last hike