Posted on 09/10/2010 12:01:58 PM PDT by LongElegantLegs
A TERRITORY girl is lucky to be alive after she was mauled by a savage dog.
Seven-year-old Meg Croton and her brother Connor, 9, had been feeding their family's dog - an eight-year-old mastiff cross - in their Humpty Doo back yard when the girl was attacked by the vicious hound.
"I tripped on a rock and fell, and I think I kicked his leg," Meg recalled the attack. "And then it hurt very badly and he was on top of me and ripped on my head. "But my brother saved my life."
(Excerpt) Read more at ntnews.com.au ...
I am glad I clicked on here because I want to learn more about a place named Humpdy Doo.
Well, if you’re going to get a hippo you had darned well better get it as a puppy!
In addition, the general public and *journaists* and animal control are very bad at choosing the breed, so I’m skeptical anyway. It could be a boxer mix, pit pix, mastiff mix or any short nosed breed mix.
Our first golden was an adult. She had issues but biting people was not one of them. She DID get dog aggressive as she got older. Part of the problem with adopting an adult dog has to do with your average dog owner (which you likely are not). Average dog owner + small children + some large adult adopted dogs = crap shoot. But, there are many many MANY nice dogs in shelters, adult and otherwise who make excellent pets. I wish there was more help out there to help those average owners learn to train them (and that more people would do the real basics like not leaving them chained or leaving small children alone with large dogs they don’t know well). Ah, but I’m a dreamer! :)
I think the really salient fact is, the dog was chained.
There is a simple solution for you....
She’s right. Molly was seven months old when she showed up and from what I have told you, she does have issues. So, I’m going to go wake her up right now and kick her can out the door. I’ll tell the kids it’s for their own good. /sarc
You’re a dreamer, but you’re not the only one! Eventually, people will learn.
I should probably point out that I have nothing against people that go out and buy/adopt puppies...I think it’s great that we have the choice.
I, personally, have no desire to go through the whole teething-potty training-more teething-puberty aspect of a dog’s life, so I prefer adults. It has nothing to do with any notion of ‘rescue’ or ‘giving a home to the unwanted’.
I just find grown dogs more convenient. :-)
Therein lies the problem. Had you NOT responded so, and had you shown serious debate, and not been acting out the affront, we would have been, then, where we are now, with your more appropriate tone and then debate would have proceeded from THAT point.
That point being, now, clearly, that we AGREE that behavior of the owner/trainer is significant. That we disagree on if it is or if it is not Primary.
Now, do we agree or disagree that the AGE, that is the time for said training, from an adult point of that of a puppy provides a significant mitigation of the risks from an animal incident? Of course I submit that it does and further that this is Primary.
Further adding that an untrained and undisciplined animal, raised as a puppy around the same children, posses LESS of a risk than an unknown animal who is introduced into the child's environment at an adult age.
I further site, this very article which conforms to this situation, as the proof of my claim and of this context in particular, making it clear that the attack was more likely the result of the unknowns and the age of the animal and the fact that it was introduced to the situation only a year ago, as the majority contributing factors.
Lastly, I offer the advice that to reduce that risk, one should take more care in avoiding the introduction of unknown adult animals to the environment of children, and suggest that the puppy stage is superior point of introduction, for those reasons.
I also, add the disclaimer that the nurture element, while not primary, is not significantly less. And will for this closing, suggest a mathematical approximation of 60/40: Nature/Nurture.
Now, without prejudice, State you opinion. Agree, disagree, even argue if you must. But, you do not need sarcasm, attacks, strawmen, stories, or even proof. Reasonable discourse is all that is required.
Look girl, you know nothing about dogs and only speak from feelings. You cannot cite any studies to back up what you say. Nothing.
Your opinions are meaningless and your advice is worthless. Is that plain enough for you or is this card trick above your comprehension too? It is impossible for anyone to use facts to refute your superstitions and nonsense.
Until you have something more too offer than old wives tales understand that pet owners will simply ignore or belittle you.
I think there is a place for both (and I too like to get adult dogs, I feel up to the task of evaluating them as an experienced dog owner/breeder—my problem is with the average person with little experience who looks and goes, oh, he’s pretty lets get him who has no clue how to evaluate temperament on a dog he knows nothing else about). Throwing kids into the mix just makes the problem bigger. That’s all I’m saying. Some breeds are less of a problem. Goldens are less likely to bite, for instance, small dogs are less likely to do damage if they do. Altho I was nailed by two small dogs this summer at relatives houses totally out of nowhere, and I still have no clue why. I must have smelled funny! LOL
At the risk of coming across pejoratively, would that not be the very problem? People are too lazy? Training a puppy, a horse, both of which I have done, takes an exceptional level of commitment. Nearly as much as a child.
The result is a dog who knows where her yard is and where she does not go. Who is welcome and who is a threat. When to bark and when to be silent. What spot in the rooms belong to her and what do not. The result is a horse anyone can ride even if they have never ridden before without spooking her. One which will eat a cube of sugar from a small child's hand without biting. One which you can stand behind without getting kicked.
If you have an unknown adult animal, you do not even have Los Vegas odds. Maybe it won't be BAD... But it will NOT be exceptional. That only comes from a lifetime of work.
If you have children, which are also a lifetime of work, they are WORTH the effort to avoid becoming the subject of a story all too common, like this one.
I agree with you. It’s just good common sense.
I have heard that about Mstiff’s too. I owned a labrador that I had to put down because it turned mean and tried to bite people. Labs arent known for that. Got her as a pup too.
Right... I know nothing about Dogs... or any animals. Of course. How silly of me to think that I have ever had any such experience. I am just a dumb city girl...
Do you write this stuff or have a random phrase generator? How the **** do you know what I know or what my experience are? You obviously haven’t even read THIS thread or you’d see I have already posted SOME of that information.
How about this? I was raised on farm, built by my great great grandfather? My aunt is a past chairman of the board of the Animal Rescue League? How about my 4H awards, letters and trophies for horse and dog showmanship? And how dare you assail the memory of my beloved Princess Sacsha who passed on just the other year and was MY puppy since I was 10! You don’t know JACK....***!
“Pet” owners???? .... sheesh!!
PS: That doesn’t even include what grandma used to call our “40-11” cat herd. Google ME and you may even find stories of my CAT “Muffin” I’ve posted those before on other forums. She swims. Well, not so much any more, but she used to every summer, when she was younger.
Thanks... I like your tagline too by the way.
= )
This is a public forum and people add their 2cents worth. Where do you get off telling another freeper here that their opinions are 'meaningless' and 'worthless'. Lay off!!
We’ve already established that I disagree with the notion that the age at which a dog enters a home has anything to do with how likely he is to attack.
What I would like to know is what you’re basing your opinion(that age is a primary indicator) on. Since you’ve discounted my opinion as useless and probably false since it’s based on my own personal experience, what do you base yours on?
Ever. You do not know what behaviors, triggers, emotional baggage the animal carries. Or if it will turn at something totally off the mark.
If you want a pet: get a baby animal. A puppy, kitten, chick, whatever. Raise it, train it, care for and nurture it. And do NOT have a pet BEFORE you have children.
It is sad, but I think you are absolutely right. Excellent advice.
Thank you.
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