Girl Mauled, Dog Faces Death Row

[Maxiewolf]

Surgery For Dog Bite Girl

A THREE-year-old Tannum Sands girl has had to undergo facial surgery after being bitten by a border collie on Sunday.

The 12-year-old dog bit the girl on the left side of her face.

Constable Scott Sloan said that the victim was transferred to Rockhampton, where she had surgery to repair her lip and cheek.

He said that the girl and her older brother, 7, were playing in the front yard of their home when the unrestrained dog approached.

The owner of the border collie was following about 10 metres behind.

The seven-year-old began to pat the dog, and when his sister followed suit, giving it a hug, she was bitten.

Constable Sloan said it was quite unusual for border collies to behave in this manner.

He referred to the breed as generally "very timid".

He added that the details of the dog's owner had been passed on to council, who would investigate the matter further.

Council was unable to provide any comment while the investigation was pending.

My thoughts: Speaking as a dog groomer, of the 3 Border Collies I groomed last month - two of them tried to attack me, both of them would have succeeded if they were not wearing a muzzle - Both dogs "Oh he's never done anything like that before" "oh that's so strange" type owners. So needless to say Im a little collie paranoid at the moment, mind you the 3rd one was an absolute buddy of a dog and was awesome.

Lots of things here concern me - Another unrestrained frikking dog allowed to wander into someone's yard, owner too far away to do a darn thing about it.

Unsupervised children (yes okay they where in their front yard but I hardly think a 12 year old is good supervision for a 3 year old) who obviously have never been taught any dog safety by their parents - they patted a strange dog that approached them, got down face level and hugged a dog who must have felt crowded or threatened by such an action by a strange person. Didn't ask the owner if they could pat the dog etc.

Its being called a "mauling", to me the poor girls injury looks like a single fear "bite" unfortunately right on her face and right in the wrong spot, I was bitten hard and fast by a jack russell on my arm a few weeks ago.. the wound looked exactly like that but since I'm not a 3 year old and it was on my arm not my face...

That poor little girl is now probably going to have a very severe fear of dogs unless she is worked with caringly to help her through this, and if her parents didn't think to teach either child about the dangers of strange dogs before I hate to think how that's going to happen now.

All In all I don't believe this particular dog deserves death, due to its irresponsible owner the dog was obviously put in a situation that led to a fear bite, dog needs a behaviourist, owner needs a kick up the arse, and the poor girl needs some good dog therapy.

Edited - title went funny for some reason. Fixed.

Edited October 25, 2011 by Maxiewolf

[lovemymutts]

what's with the quite timid bit

The brother was 7yrs, but still should have been taught about how to approach dogs (even though it was the girl who hugged the dog) & dog was 12yrs, probably just old & cranky like most dogs & if the girl went straight up to the dog & grabbed/hugged it it probably got a fright... who knows

[KatrinaM]

I don't think there is anything else left to say - this attack could have potentially been avoided through education for children and parents, education of dog owners and enforcement of leash laws. The problem with the policemans comment about timid dogs is that they tend to bite when threatened or scared, sounds like this was the case here.

[experiencedfun]

timid = border collies ???? hardly

in my years judging I have only ever had two dogs have a go at me and both were border collies but i love borders and would have one in a heartbeat if I had the right property

[megan_]

I don't think there is anything else left to say - this attack could have potentially been avoided through education for children and parents, education of dog owners and enforcement of leash laws. The problem with the policemans comment about timid dogs is that they tend to bite when threatened or scared, sounds like this was the case here.

It could have been prevented by the owner taking responsibility for their dog and walking it on a leash - end of story.

[Clyde]

The seven-year-old began to pat the dog, and when his sister followed suit, giving it a hug, she was bitten.

Constable Sloan said it was quite unusual for border collies to behave in this manner.

He referred to the breed as generally "very timid".

I don't know where he's meeting these 'timid' Borders They are a breed that 90% of the time try to eat something while being groomed (me or the dryer) - same when I vet nursed.

My brothers Border bit me on the face a few years ago for doing exactly what that little girl did - I got in his face and he didn't like it. My fault completely but it's something common in the breed - they don't mind having a little nip here and there. Before the BC lovers start screaming I grew up with Borders as working dogs so feel entitled to have my opinion. When you get a good one they are the most awesome dogs, but they 'aint a dog I would ever let my child pat or that I don't treat with a healthy respect.

[aussielover]

I would hardly call that situation a "mauling"

The owner was totally irresponsible and the whole thing could have been prevented if the owner had actually obeyed the law. Its a shame the dog was put in the situation and is now facing euthanasia due to its owners stupid actions.

Many dogs won't tolerate being hugged by a stranger, I don't find it unusual that a dog would respond in this way, although I am sure many dogs would only give a warning nip not a full on bite

[jacqui835]

The seven-year-old began to pat the dog, and when his sister followed suit, giving it a hug, she was bitten.

Constable Sloan said it was quite unusual for border collies to behave in this manner.

He referred to the breed as generally "very timid".

I don't know where he's meeting these 'timid' Borders They are a breed that 90% of the time try to eat something while being groomed (me or the dryer) - same when I vet nursed.

My brothers Border bit me on the face a few years ago for doing exactly what that little girl did - I got in his face and he didn't like it. My fault completely but it's something common in the breed - they don't mind having a little nip here and there. Before the BC lovers start screaming I grew up with Borders as working dogs so feel entitled to have my opinion. When you get a good one they are the most awesome dogs, but they 'aint a dog I would ever let my child pat or that I don't treat with a healthy respect.

There's no breed I would advise anyone pat without knowing the dog and speaking to the owner. I've been attacked by 3 breeds - chihuahua's, boxers and labradors (all whilst I was a young child) and yet none of those breeds are ever targeted by bsl...

And yet when I was a kid, if I was bitten for approaching a strange dog, it was my fault and there was no talk of punishing the dog. I don't know why owners let their dogs get into uncomfortable and dangerous situations - which is what happened here.

[Maxiewolf]

The seven-year-old began to pat the dog, and when his sister followed suit, giving it a hug, she was bitten.

Constable Sloan said it was quite unusual for border collies to behave in this manner.

He referred to the breed as generally "very timid".

I don't know where he's meeting these 'timid' Borders They are a breed that 90% of the time try to eat something while being groomed (me or the dryer) - same when I vet nursed.

My brothers Border bit me on the face a few years ago for doing exactly what that little girl did - I got in his face and he didn't like it. My fault completely but it's something common in the breed - they don't mind having a little nip here and there. Before the BC lovers start screaming I grew up with Borders as working dogs so feel entitled to have my opinion. When you get a good one they are the most awesome dogs, but they 'aint a dog I would ever let my child pat or that I don't treat with a healthy respect.

There's no breed I would advise anyone pat without knowing the dog and speaking to the owner. I've been attacked by 3 breeds - chihuahua's, boxers and labradors (all whilst I was a young child) and yet none of those breeds are ever targeted by bsl...

And yet when I was a kid, if I was bitten for approaching a strange dog, it was my fault and there was no talk of punishing the dog. I don't know why owners let their dogs get into uncomfortable and dangerous situations - which is what happened here.

Here here... when ever I had a dog go at me when I was a kid It was always because I was not doing as my parents had said ie. dont touch strange dogs. And the first question that was always asked if ever i got into an incident with a dog or any animal for that matter was "what did you do to them?"

I know this child was 3, but clearly some where she "learned" to go up to dogs and hug them - either a family members dog or a friends dog has let her do this and she thought it was okay.

My dads neighbours little girl.. about the same age would do the same thing to Brutus, love him and hug him and pat him and lean agaisnt him etc.. and Brutus being a very tolerant child loving dog would just stand there and let her (She was never in danger of hurting him because she was never left al9one to do this of course). And I always always always stressed to the neighbour to tell his little girl to NEVER do that sort of thing to any dog she didn't know, because she loves dogs so much ... I could just see it happening with some other dog... and a girl that has no fear of a 40kilo dog like Brutus and getting down to his level... you could see where this could happen. Im not about to make her afraid of MY dog or any dog for that matter.. I just really hope the parents DO heed what I say that they must Teach their kids that not Every dog is friendly and wants you to hug them etc.

[KatrinaM]

I agree Megan, but the owners mistake could have had a different ending if the kids had been taught how to behave around strange dogs too!

[lovemyrottie]

a border collie did this? wow! thought it would've been another pittie story or something.

[Guest lavendergirl]

"Timid" was probably just the wrong choice of words - he probably meant "placid" or something similar. I must say I have been really impressed with the kids I have come across lately - all asking permission before patting.

[OSoSwift]

I was walking through our local Ag show one year with my Dobermann on the way to the Dog Club display.

Out of nowhere a young child - maybe 3 or 4, runs up and throws his arms around my Dobes neck and gives her a big bear hug.

The father following 6 foot behind, laughs and goes "Oh he loves dogs"

Me - well yes so it seems but what would have happened if my dog did not like being jumped on and having her face got in by a stranger??

Him 'Well she doesn't seem to care"

Me - No she doesn't, but do you know she actually has a neck condition which if aggravated is extremely painful, hence why she is wearing a harness. If your child hitting the side of her neck had of caused her extreme pain she may have lashed out and bitten his face, since it was in her face at the time.

Him - Oh

Me - So don't think it would be a good idea to teach your child to ask if he can pat the dog first??

Him - Yeh maybe

People are stupid and don't think and for some reason expect all dogs to be socialised with kids and think all dogs should be happy being mobbed. It really annoys me!

The dog should never have been of lead to get into the situation, and the child should have been taught better!

[OSoSwift]

.

Edited October 26, 2011 by OSoSwift

[lovemyrottie]

I was walking through our local Ag show one year with my Dobermann on the way to the Dog Club display.

Out of nowhere a young child - maybe 3 or 4, runs up and throws his arms around my Dobes neck and gives her a big bear hug.

The father following 6 foot behind, laughs and goes "Oh he loves dogs"

Me - well yes so it seems but what would have happened if my dog did not like being jumped on and having her face got in by a stranger??

Him 'Well she doesn't seem to care"

Me - No she doesn't, but do you know she actually has a neck condition which if aggravated is extremely painful, hence why she is wearing a harness. If your child hitting the side of her neck had of caused her extreme pain she may have lashed out and bitten his face, since it was in her face at the time.

Him - Oh

Me - So don't think it would be a good idea to teach your child to ask if he can pat the dog first??

Him - Yeh maybe

People are stupid and don't think and for some reason expect all dogs to be socialised with kids and think all dogs should be happy being mobbed. It really annoys me!

The dog should never have been of lead to get into the situation, and the child should have been taught better!

jesus...

[Tim'sMum]

I would hardly call that situation a "mauling"

What do you call a 3yr old girl having to have facial surgery....a nip or a 'love bite'? The definition of the word maul is: to injure or batter.

Her face would have been level with the dogs and one bite can do serious damage to young skin, poor little thing.

Stupid owner...allowing his dog to run into a yard where there are children playing.

[aussielover]

Mauling to me implies a repeated attack, rather than a one off bite (even if it has serious consequences).

I also think of a situation where the dog runs over the child and unprovoked, attacks the child repeatedly, where as in this case this is not what has happended at all.

Obviously a one bite alone to a young child is enough to cause serious injury.

Facial surgery could simply be debridement and suturing under GA.

Poor girl, and poor dog both victims of an irresponsible owner

[Crisovar]

It was not a mauling by any stretch of imagination, she was bitten on the face, requiring stitches.

The beat up concerning the injuries is more to do with the fact that the local hospital is suffering a shortage of doctors. Facial injuries are always dealt with in such a way as to reduce scarring, that was not possible locally so the child was sent to rockhampton. It all sounds so much worse than it actually was.

Should the dog have been off leash no, should the child have hugged it no, but it was not a mauling.

More

[Tim'sMum]

Mauling to me implies a repeated attack, rather than a one off bite (even if it has serious consequences).

I also think of a situation where the dog runs over the child and unprovoked, attacks the child repeatedly, where as in this case this is not what has happended at all.

Obviously a one bite alone to a young child is enough to cause serious injury.

Facial surgery could simply be debridement and suturing under GA.

Poor girl, and poor dog both victims of an irresponsible owner

It's semantics....but 'mauling' doesn't imply a repeated attack. The word 'maul' means to injure and the journo who wrote the article was grammatically correct in using the word 'maul'. eg: if someone is 'mauled' by a shark it can be one bite. No different with a dog.

I get the impression that you are brushing it off as not very serious....'simply debridement and suturing'....so therefore should not be described as mauling? :confused:

Any injury to the face, especially to a child, can leave lifelong scarring.

[Crisovar]

Mauling to me implies a repeated attack, rather than a one off bite (even if it has serious consequences).

I also think of a situation where the dog runs over the child and unprovoked, attacks the child repeatedly, where as in this case this is not what has happended at all.

Obviously a one bite alone to a young child is enough to cause serious injury.

Facial surgery could simply be debridement and suturing under GA.

Poor girl, and poor dog both victims of an irresponsible owner

It's semantics....but 'mauling' doesn't imply a repeated attack. The word 'maul' means to injure and the journo who wrote the article was grammatically correct in using the word 'maul'. eg: if someone is 'mauled' by a shark it can be one bite. No different with a dog.

I get the impression that you are brushing it off as not very serious....'simply debridement and suturing'....so therefore should not be described as mauling? :confused:

Any injury to the face, especially to a child, can leave lifelong scarring.

It wasn't a serious attack , it wasn't a mauling. The child was bitten.

Of course it could lead to scarring. But it wasn't a mauling, nor was it a dog attack. It was a dog bite. Some idiot who tried to separate 2 large dogs fighting was injured this week too, it also was not a dog attack or a mauling. It is ridiculous to call any incident an attack, a savaging or a mauling it is simply sensationalism.