[Marion Shore]

Originally posted by Mike Slippkauskas:


One takes a risk owning any dog but proper care can reduce the risk to virtually nil. Infants and toddlers require constant supervision (don't they anyway?). Dogs should always be leashed (in urban areas) except for prescribed dog runs...

...But dogs are bred for certain characteristics and inherent traits will remain. But spaying/neutering, early socialization, proper training, scope for excercize, play and other doggy behavior will hugely countervail any dangerous aggressivity (if such even exists).

In an ideal world, maybe.

What if the infant or toddler isn't properly cared for? Or runs off the minute a frazzled Mom's back is turned? (How many of us caring for more than one child can say that's never happened?) So it's the baby's fault? The Mom's? Seems to me a classic case of blaming the victim.

BTW, in the fatal San Francisco dog attack, didn't the owners say the victim provoked the attack because of the perfume she was wearing?

As for "breeding, and spaying/neutering, early socialization, proper training, scope for excercize, play and other doggy behavior" -- Unfortunately, there will always be people who ignore these measures. And why not?-- with no legal intervention in place--until, off course, it's too late.

Originally posted by Tim Murphy

They say, "Never look an aggressive dog in the eye." I raise both arms five feet above their heads, looking right at them and scream "Sit!" Works every time. For those of you who are threatened by an attack dog and have not my experience, I recommend the grizzly defense: curl into a ball and use your arms to protect your face and neck."

Good advice. Tell that to a two-year old.