Five-Year-Old Girl Was Bitten By Dog Inside Bunnings Store

[Bjelkier]

For those of you who are saying you wouldn't take your dogs to Bunnings or see why others should, you don't live out of town do you?

Some of us do however and sometimes we have our dogs with us and it gets bloody hot. So yes, I will take my very well trained dog into Bunnings so it doesn't die in the heat and yes I also expect parents to control their children the way I control my dogs. Fair is fair.

[Willem]

....Willem if you go to the chemist you can buy Chill Pills I suggest you buy a jumbo sized container. Clearly the kid on leash comments were jokes, although I actually think it's a good idea given that most of our dogs are better behaved than the average 5 year old

ah, I get it now...it is ok to make jokes about kids getting bitten, but 'poor little bird' stories have to be taken seriously...

[JulesP]

For those of you who are saying you wouldn't take your dogs to Bunnings or see why others should, you don't live out of town do you?

Some of us do however and sometimes we have our dogs with us and it gets bloody hot. So yes, I will take my very well trained dog into Bunnings so it doesn't die in the heat and yes I also expect parents to control their children the way I control my dogs. Fair is fair.

Yes I lived out of town. The only shop I used to wish I would take them into was takeaway shops if we had been out and I wanted to get dinner. Stopped me buying takeaway a lot of times so I guess that is good.

[The Spotted Devil]

I do a lot of road trips with my dogs - often on my own - so I've had lockable crates built into the rear of the X-trail - I can safely leave the dogs in the car with the rear door open. I also drape the car in silver shade (attached by magnets) if I can't find shade and the dogs stay cool. I know that few would bother with that set up but gee it makes things easier.

[Acacia]

Bjelkier, that's a bit risky isn't it? Relying on the kids being under control at all times like a dog? Is a puppy under control at all times? Humans take longer to mature than a dog and they are also, erm, not dogs?

If someone takes their dog into a shop, especially a place like bunnings on a weekend (!) they should be near perfect in stressful situations. Especially being touched from behind when not expected, people rushing past etc. It's a place for humans to shop, it's not a dog playground and it's much harder to avoid these situations in a shopping aisle! There may be kids with disabilities etc that can't be "under control" at all times etc.

Edited November 9, 2015 by Acacia

[Salukifan]

For those of you who are saying you wouldn't take your dogs to Bunnings or see why others should, you don't live out of town do you?

Some of us do however and sometimes we have our dogs with us and it gets bloody hot. So yes, I will take my very well trained dog into Bunnings so it doesn't die in the heat and yes I also expect parents to control their children the way I control my dogs. Fair is fair.

I do.

I'd leave the Bunnings trips for a day I had no dogs with me.

It's not that I don't trust my dogs. I don't trust people to behave appropriately, and to supervise their kids. Bunnings makes for distraction.

It's for my dogs' safety that I leave them at home.

Edited November 10, 2015 by Haredown Whippets

[Bjelkier]

My dogs are fine and I know they're safe with children however yes, I do expect people to have their children under control because that's the responsible thing to do.

And yes, it's true that children take longer to mature but their parents are mature and if they aren't able to keep an eye on their children then the same argument can be used for the dogs. Why are they there?

It's a two hour round trip for me to go anywhere so I won't apologise for needing to combine a few errands when I need too.

This thread just reminds me of why I am so desperate to move away from this backwards country....

Edited November 10, 2015 by Bjelkier

[Guest donatella]

Why are people blaming the victim? Seriously if your dog does not like being approached by children who want to pat it, don't take it to Bunnings. It is not adequately socialised. Note in the last link how the owner claims the dog had never been aggressive before but both dogs kept barking as they were leaving the store. How many times do we hear on here that some idiot claimed that their dog was friendly before it attacked their dog, and posters are up in arms about the stupidity of the attacking (friendly?) dog's owner but when it is a child that is attacked it is the child's fault. Children do silly things. That is their nature. However they should be safe from a dog attack in Bunnings.

I agree with this. The parent of the child has enough to deal with taking children with her and shopping at bunnings, now she's got biting dogs in the mix too. If people want to take their dogs to bunnings, or anywhere else, then they need to be watchful for situations like small children approaching and muzzle their dogs if they're likely to bite.

...to make it worse and what really puzzles me: I recall a recent thread where a little bird was caught and killed by a dog in a garden and posters gave their 'poor little bird' comments - here a kid was bitten and a poster who showed so much affection for this 'unfortunate' little bird in the recent thread suggested here that 'the kids should go in leashed as well'...on the one side it is 'poor little bird' and on the other 'stupid kids...their fault...' attitude. I don't get it!

Can someone please report this post? I'm on my phone and can't work it out. Clearly a personal attack

[Salukifan]

The Bunnings story is playing loudly on social media.

Smartest thing I've heard on it was this - it SHOULDN'T be a dogs v kids argument. It's about knowledge and supervision.

So making it into a tribal war means that an opportunity is lost to educate and encourage dog owners and parents to do the right thing. Surely that's what, as dog lovers, we all want?

Edited November 10, 2015 by Haredown Whippets

[SkySoaringMagpie]

The Bunnings story is playing loudly on social media.

Smartest thing I've heard on it was this - it SHOULDN'T be a dogs v kids argument. It's about knowledge and supervision.

So making it into a tribal war means that an opportunity is lost to educate and encourage dog owners and parents to do the right thing. Surely that's what, as dog lovers, we all want?

[Alibi]

This would have been great when my girl was a tiny 10wk old puppy! She was able to jump over the compost panels we bought to contain her and I was by myself needing to get a baby gate for her (at the end of my tether with a crazy hyper peeing everywhere puppy. It was the middle of summer (couldn't lock her in the bathroom as it is windowless a stinking hot), took her to bunnings with me, a 700gm puppy under my arm and was refused entry, I was almost in tears as I was so desperate for that baby gate for her and knew where they were and told the lady I was just going to get it and come straight out, but no she wouldn't budge.

[Scottsmum]

...to make it worse and what really puzzles me: I recall a recent thread where a little bird was caught and killed by a dog in a garden and posters gave their 'poor little bird' comments - here a kid was bitten and a poster who showed so much affection for this 'unfortunate' little bird in the recent thread suggested here that 'the kids should go in leashed as well'...on the one side it is 'poor little bird' and on the other 'stupid kids...their fault...' attitude. I don't get it!

Hrm...

Well...

Ah...

As the owner of the dog who killed the bird... Where do I start?

1. The bird was extremely unfortunate. He ended up dead.

2. I'm pretty sure the bird didn't make any kind of un-invited advance towards the dog. I could be wrong.

3. Actually...come to think of it the bird didn't ask me before patting the dog. Stupid bird. Got what was coming to him.

3. It's possible the birdy parents just had a momentary lapse in attention - which is how the bird got bitten...

/sarcasm.

You're right. You totally don't get it.

These two incidents are totally different. Unsupervised dog, off lead, private space Vs On leash, public space.

It's entirely up to the parents of the child to keep their eyes on their children out in public. What if the kid had fallen into a display spa or pool and drowned? What if she'd pulled a display down on herself and been crushed. Both horrible situations - but a risk - we've become a culture where people like to blame anyone other then themselves. And a nanny state.

100% the parents should have had their kid under better supervision.

Same applies to the owner of the dog. If you can't trust your dog, or you're going to be struggling with 40 kilo bags of potting mix or something - maybe leave the dog at home. I think it's great that you can pop into the hardware shop and grab a few supplies if you need to, but if you think there is a chance you can't pay full attention to your dog - don't take it. I often leave Scottie at home - even when I pop out to petbarn specifically to buy something for him.

I really agree with the comments above where they say it shouldn't be dogs Vs Kids. Both parties are responsible for very strict supervision of their dependents - 2 and 4 legged and if you cant supervise or trust them - try to make other arrangements.

[JulesP]

What is this popping into Bunnings thing? I can't remember ever getting out of there within an hour :laugh:

[Rebanne]

...'Madelyn had attempted to pat the dog before she was told not to, and it is when she walked away from the Jack Russell that it bit her, Ms Hungerford explained....'

...that's a quote from here My link ...

and what's with this? from the same link

"Ms Hungerford said her daughter is at home recovering from the bite today.

'She can't go to kinder so she's is a little upset,' she told 3AW."

of course she could have gone to kinder, she has a sore knee, nothing more.

[Rebanne]

What is this popping into Bunnings thing? I can't remember ever getting out of there within an hour :laugh:

I was there this morning and was only in there for 5 minutes max! :laugh: No dogs with me.

[BarbedWire]

My dogs are fine and I know they're safe with children however yes, I do expect people to have their children under control because that's the responsible thing to do.

And yes, it's true that children take longer to mature but their parents are mature and if they aren't able to keep an eye on their children then the same argument can be used for the dogs. Why are they there?

It's a two hour round trip for me to go anywhere so I won't apologise for needing to combine a few errands when I need too.

This thread just reminds me of why I am so desperate to move away from this backwards country....

It's illegal to leave your children home alone but not your dog.

[JulesP]

What is this popping into Bunnings thing? I can't remember ever getting out of there within an hour :laugh:

I was there this morning and was only in there for 5 minutes max! :laugh: No dogs with me.

I pretty much walk down every isle as I get distracted by sparkly things.

[Scottsmum]

What is this popping into Bunnings thing? I can't remember ever getting out of there within an hour :laugh:

I was there this morning and was only in there for 5 minutes max! :laugh: No dogs with me.

ha ha ha - usually I'd agree with you - but my last few trips have been quick as a flash.

[YippeeGirl]

Kids are unpredictable. I was a fairly well behaved child, but I was a bolter. My mum could turn her back for a second and I'd be gone. She actually used to threaten to put me on a leash like a dog if I didn't behave :laugh:

The dog didn't just snap or growl at the girl. It bit her.

Even if the parents should have had better control over their daughter, I still think that people shouldn't be bringing dogs into stores that have such weak nerves that they will bite a stranger or child if approached.

Unfortunately, I do think many dog owners are blind to the limitations of their dogs.

Edited November 10, 2015 by YippeeGirl

[BarbedWire]

The Bunnings story is playing loudly on social media.

Smartest thing I've heard on it was this - it SHOULDN'T be a dogs v kids argument. It's about knowledge and supervision.

So making it into a tribal war means that an opportunity is lost to educate and encourage dog owners and parents to do the right thing. Surely that's what, as dog lovers, we all want?

Some children have special needs and are difficult to supervise. I love my dogs but I have no desire to take them to Bunnings because I know that something untoward might happen. At home they have a secure yard where they can be left safely.