Posted on 01/25/2006 10:45:07 AM PST by iPod Shuffle
Cops: Girl Died While Playing With Family Dog
(AP) MANORVILLE A six-year-old girl playing with her dog in the backyard was strangled - when the pet apparently grabbed her scarf and playfully pulled her down to the ground and dragged her around the yard. Suffolk County Homicide Detective Lieutenant John Fitzpatrick calls it "an absolutely tragic story."
Police say the accident happened in the backyard of little Kaitlyn Hassard at 4:30 Tuesday afternoon. The girl came home from school wearing the scarf and the dog began pulling on it. The girl's mother put the dog in the backyard and a few minutes later Kaitlyn asked to go out and play with the dog, which weighs about 70 pounds.
The one-and-a-half Golden Retriever named Jessie, again began playing with the 40-pound girl tugging on her scarf.
Lieutenant Fitzpatrick says the girl was in the yard for no more than ten minutes, because the family was going to run an errand at the Post Office. When her eleven-year-old brother went to the backyard to get his sister, he found her lying on the ground.
The boy called his mother who called 9-1-1 and began CPR. The girl was pronounced dead at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital. Lieutenant Fitzpatrick says "there were no injuries inflicted by the dog." He adds "I don't believe the dog's actions were intentionally malicious."
The dog has been brought to the Brookhaven Animal Shelter.
Sounds like an innocent accident. Hope the dog finds another home....
Actually, he didn't; he completely ignored the facts in this article and went off halfcocked, making accusations he cannot possibly back up.
And why does it bother me? Because it makes the rest of us here at FR look like the very hard hearted, cold psychos that half the world thinks we are.
well, for those of you who suspect some kind of foul play the first thing to look for is a new insurance policy being taken out on the kid
Exactly. With my grandson, there were two adults and three other kids (under 5 of course) standing within six feet of him the entire time; nobody say him pick it up and swallow it.
You've summed it up perfectly, UCANSEE2. I'm shocked at the attitude of some posters on this thread. Howlin has been the voice of reason on this thread, so I'll leave it in her capable hands. :)
I don't think the parents should be charged with manslaughter, they had no idea their dog would do something like this I'm sure. My parents have 3 big dogs and my kids and their cousins are all playing with each other with them all the time. I can't imagine something like this happening, but it does make you aware that freka things do happen.
Whoa,
I care NOT what the world thinks of me, especially the liberal world.
Since you are so sensative to what others think, maybe you should not be here?
Just a thought.
BTW. And OPINION needs no facts. Its an OPINION.
It can be right or wrong.
But maybe english is not your primary language?
Girl dies after dog grabs her scarf
25/01/2006 - 17:50:58
A six-year-old girl may have been strangled when her family’s golden retriever playfully grabbed her scarf and dragged her around the yard, authorities in Manorville, New York, said today.
When Kaitlyn Hassard came home from school yesterday afternoon, the dog, Jessie, a 70-pound retriever mix, began tugging at her scarf.
The little girl and the dog went into the garden, and when her 11-year-old brother went to get her about 10 minutes later, he found her lying on the ground.
Their mother called for an ambulance and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but Kaitlyn was pronounced dead at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital.
Kaitlyn was wearing the scarf, wet with dog saliva, when she was found; it was not clear whether any further evidence indicated that she had been dragged.
“I don’t believe the dog’s actions were intentionally malicious,” said Detective Lieutenant John Fitzpatrick, a Suffolk County homicide detective, who called the incident “an absolutely tragic story.” The 18-month-old dog was taken to the Brookhaven Animal Shelter.
"When my 5 year old niece visits and I am with her, I watch her like a hawk....A child is dead, and a dog that is innocent is going to die, because of STUPID parents. Damn stupid people like this."
Gee. Could you BE any more judgemental about parents, kids and dogs? I note you're not a parent.
I raised three boys to adulthood. Some of the stunts they pulled could've easily landed me in jail had they actually maimed themselves in the process. I'm not stupid, and I'm not a bad parent. I was incredibly LUCKY.
Your Bad Karma flung at all "stupid" parents everywhere is gonna come back and bite you in the butt. ;)
This may come as a great shock to you, but there are quite a few people here on FR who actually care about this web site and aren't particularly happy when ERRONEOUS, UNFOUNDED claims are made right on this site.
Now that may not matter to you, and maybe YOU are the one who shouldn't be here.
Just a thought.
LOL Three boys? And you are still able to function?
God Bless you!
Got it.
She wasn't home alone, she was out with her dog, mom and brother were inside getting ready to run errands. BTW, are you bragging about not having to wear scarves? ;)
A 6 year old with a golden retriever is quite safe normally. Acually, really, really safe.
The dog didn't know what it was doing.
My prayers go out for the family.
"You don`t have any idea of who I am, my history, or what I even do or have done for a living. Your remark was simply uncalled for."
I don't need to know anything about you. Your remarks about this are what was uncalled for.
Unless there is physical evidence on the scene which makes it obvious that there is further investigation required, then it doesn't need to go any further.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.