Anonymous wrote:We have friends who adopted a young adult dog (2 years old?) earlier this fall that was formerly a stray. Over the weekend, the dog bit their child on the face and it required stitches and a trip to the ER. This is the third time the dog has nipped at or bitten a child since they got the dog a few months ago. We are not pet owners, but, always advise our children 6 and 9, to ask before petting a dog, leave a dog alone if it seems upset or is eating, to pay attention if the dog doesn't seem like it wants to be pet, etc etc. Our concern is that this is the third time this has happened. We asked one of the parents last night when we saw them what they thought they would do moving forward, and they explained the situation saying that their dog is a stray and had been "raped" which is why it had puppies and had come into the shelter and basically suggesting the dog had street tendencies and trauma.
I think that reaction is imposing human like qualities onto a dog--stray dogs mate and reproduce! survival of the species!- and the parent basically said that they had never been bitten because they learned how to act around dogs starting when they were a child themself.
In my mind as a home that has children who are elementary age, there will likely be a number of children around for the foreseeable future who may or may not be dog savvy. I plan to strongly advise my children to stay away from the dog during future visits to their house, but, kids are idiot sometimes. Anything else I should be thinking of or doing? Thanks!
DO NOT allow your kid to go to their house, OP.
Do not socialize with them elsewhere where the dog may be present.
I'd actually step back from the relationship. If they will allow their own child to be bitten and perhaps scarred for life, they will not be protective of your child. That is YOUR job. Don't be all about being superior to the owner, step up and protect your kids effectively by not allowing them around the dangerous dog.
I assume the ER would have to report the dog bite so maybe animal control will step in at some point. Until then, I'd avoid the family or have them to your home without the dog.