[sarasmom]

Even a small dog, say a cocker spaniel, could also kill a five year old, given enough provocation to the animal's mind.

I've owned seemingly placid house cats (untrained in security) who suddenly attacked random humans they perceived as a threat, or just intensely disliked on sight.

People forget that their beloved pets are also potentially dangerous animals capable of inflicting lethal harm.

Unlike an inert weapon, they do have minds of their own, and are capable of suddenly performing irrational acts.

Prayers sent for all involved.

[sandboxshooter]

Worst dog bite I ever saw was a Cocker Spaniel that put about 50 stitches in a little girls head. Horrible...

[presently no screen name]

I agree. It happened to me at 15, walking on a road with houses down from road to our right. As we approached a driveway we could see a dog sitting on the step in front of the front door and then came high shrubs at the edge of their property.

Just as we approached the next driveway - still yakking away, I felt a bite on the back of my leg - we then turned around and the dog was there just looking at me/us. We walked home and I was taken to the ER and then the owner of the dog was located to find out if the dog was up to date on his shots. Thankfully, he was.

No one bothered the dog, we weren't on their property - just walking on the street up from that house. So capable of suddenly performing irrational acts is a definite.

Amazingly, I just read where someone that this didn't happen to - wouldn't understand and might think there is more to this story and could consider this one of the most ignorant comments they read on FR in years.