Posted on 03/12/2010 10:42:03 AM PST by solosmoke
SEMMES, Alabama - Three dogs are in quarantine at the Mobile Animal Shelter. The two labs and blue heeler look harmless, but Mobile County Animal Control says they’re responsible for a vicious attack.
“The child was rushed to the hospital is doing fine the last thing we got it was about 160 stitches,” says Animal Control Officer Carmelo Miranda. The family says three-year-old Madison Shelton was playing in the front yard Wednesday when the dogs started attacking her. She's at USA Children's & Women’s Hospital with her family. “If you allow your dogs to run out and they get into packs these are things that can happen out there,” says Miranda. Madison's father says the little girl may leave the hospital in a few days.
(Excerpt) Read more at wkrg.com ...
Yep. Dogs running in packs are dangerous. I don’t care what breed they are.
Poor kid; I hope she recovers quickly.
And put those animals to sleep!
How much responsibility and accountability should the dog owners have when something like this happens on someone else’s property? Jail time maybe?
“How much responsibility and accountability should the dog owners have when something like this happens on someone else’s property? Jail time maybe?”<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The key is preventing it from happening with responsible ownership laws, but I do believe the dog owner should be held responsible when his or her dog attacks, especially off the property, where the dogs should not be allowed anyways.
If the local ac says the dogs have a history of escaping or otherwise have been called to that residence, then I think jail time may be in order because that shows a dangerous situation was not remedied. If the dogs run out the door and the owners can’t catch them in time, you still have to wonder why they are attacking in the first place. What is the cause? No socialization? Health problems? Pack behavior?
Either way, dog owners need to be aware that any dog can do this if not properly cared for, and they should educate themselves on the signs of aggression, as well as proper containment and training. Additionally, I believe that schools should teach children how to behave around dogs, especially strays, so that they can understand what is acceptable on the dog’s level. So many times children are bitten in the face because they try to hug the dog, for example, which of course is totally preventable with a little education. Some areas are now hiring behaviorists to come into the schools to do this, and I am hoping to see more follow suit.
re: Jail time maybe?
Yes. Not a lot, but enough to make an impression on them. There is absolutely no way to justify having a dog that runs loose and attacks someone in their own yard.
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