Police dog tries to eat toddler's face...

[CookMySock]

I told you, I'm sure the boy pulled the dog's genitals

Well he saw his mum doing it and thought it would be ok.

Steve

[Toaster]

I grew up in Trentham and we had dogs attacking people and other dogs all the time.

It was normal to ride your bike home at speed trying to avoid the neighbours pitbull. Stuff walking, that was just asking for trouble.

[T.W.R]

Haven't had a single dog charge me or my kids in Aramoho or Gonville so I don't see you have a point.

That's funny because I know a few residents of both neighbourhoods that won't let their kids be out by themselves due to some the other residents of the areas and their dogs

[T.W.R]

I grew up in Trentham and we had dogs attacking people and other dogs all the time.

You grew up in the Police dog training centre

[Toaster]

You grew up in the Police dog training centre

Hehe nice! Yeah that wasn't far away...

[Headbanger]

That's funny because I know a few residents of both neighbourhoods that won't let their kids be out by themselves due to some the other residents of the areas and their dogs

OK, I'm more then happy to believe that you know people who won't let their kids outside, what is your point?

or,if that is your point, what are you expecting me to take from it?

[T.W.R]

OK, I'm more then happy to believe that you know people who won't let their kids outside, what is your point?

or,if that is your point, what are you expecting me to take from it?

Well put it this way....

Myself I've been bitten three times by dogs, twice on the arm and still have the scars to prove it plus the third time I lost the top of my left ear which is quite noticable and of all those three times I bare no malice to any of the dogs involved, just the same as the father of the child that was bitten on this occassion he bares no malice towards the dog involved and doesn't want anything untoward to happen to said dog ie: doesn't want it put down. Basically because of the realisation that the incident had more to it than just a dog biting a child, it wasn't an attack
Have you ever seen or been involved in a dog attack??? most likely not
A dog the size of and with power of a German Shepard would do a shitload of damage in zero time.
Around areas like in your backyard there are dogs that don't need or want reason to attack people or children they'll just do it given half a chance, quite often it isn't the dogs fault it's like that it's the owners who intentionally train or mistreat their dogs into being what they are. To think this police dog did what it did out of share contempt for the kid is ill versed.

Jump down off your high horse and just think if the police had pitbulls as their dogs, how many crims wouldn't make it to court to face a justice though in some cases that wouldn't be a bad thing and would save tax payers a fair bit of coin......"criminal torn to shreds because police dog handler couldn't call off his dog" . Least with Shepards they understand obedience and 9/10 times don't make mistakes, this was a unfortunate incident and the old addage of there's two sides to every story and unfortunately the dog can't speak for itself so is easily targeted for discrimination.

[Headbanger]

Look, I'm seriously missing your point if you have one, apart from the fact the dog could have killed the kid which was never in dispute.

You can take the fact it was a police dog out of the equation, You can take the breed out of the equation, and your left with a dog taken into a children's environment where it then bit a child on the face seemingly without provocation.

And my (high horse) position is it will be interesting to see what happens to the dog, If its usual in these situations to shoot it then that is what should be done.

[kave]

Who is responsible for this?

The dog isn't responsible, it was trained as an attack dog and then placed in a kindergarten.

The child isn't responsible, a four year old was placed in close proximity to a trained attack dog and was either allowed to touch it or was inadequately supervised while in close proximity to the dog.

The cop may partially bear some responsibility for inadequate supervision of his dog, but although the officer is trained in how to deal with dogs it is unlikely he is trained in how to deal with four year olds.

Really this is poor policy. The handler was sent into this kindergarten, it was not a choice he made. It has always been a stupid idea. Police try to claim that the aim of these visits to kindergartens is to instruct children in dog safety but it would really be hard to find a less suitable dog to tour kindergartens than a police dog. The real aim is to install a positive perspective of police in the community. I think this is an admirable aim as distrust between the public and police is the cause of many serious problems, and when that trust completely breaks down the effect on society is terrible, I just believe that there are better ways to achieve this aim than taking an attack dog and surrounding it with children. I would support police going to kindergartens and talking about policing or road safety, and I would support animal behaviourists going to kindergartens and talking about how to behave around animals.

Unfortunately although they aren't completely responsible for this outcome I am sure that the dog and handler will have to bear the brunt of the punishment. I expect that the dog will officially be put through retraining but probably at the end of the training will be found "unsuitable" and "retired". I also have no doubt that the handler will be severely reprimanded, and that the punishment will be disproportionate, whether the real punishment is ever made public or not. The people who are actually responsible for the ongoing kindergarten visits by unsuitable dogs will walk away without a stain on their reputation, although changes to kindergarten visits will be made, not to protect children but to pevent another possible P.R disaster for the police.


(p.s I am posting this while incredibly inebriated, please forgive any poor grammar)

[blackdog]

(p.s I am posting this while incredibly inebriated, please forgive any poor grammar)

for someone who's pissed i would say you have a very good grasp of the whole situation, and present a well balanced argument.

we can only wish that many of the posters here were this sensible when they were sober.

[peasea]

Who is responsible for this?

The dog isn't responsible, it was trained as an attack dog and then placed in a kindergarten.

The child isn't responsible, a four year old was placed in close proximity to a trained attack dog and was either allowed to touch it or was inadequately supervised while in close proximity to the dog.

The cop may partially bear some responsibility for inadequate supervision of his dog, but although the officer is trained in how to deal with dogs it is unlikely he is trained in how to deal with four year olds.

Really this is poor policy. The handler was sent into this kindergarten, it was not a choice he made. It has always been a stupid idea. Police try to claim that the aim of these visits to kindergartens is to instruct children in dog safety but it would really be hard to find a less suitable dog to tour kindergartens than a police dog. The real aim is to install a positive perspective of police in the community. I think this is an admirable aim as distrust between the public and police is the cause of many serious problems, and when that trust completely breaks down the effect on society is terrible, I just believe that there are better ways to achieve this aim than taking an attack dog and surrounding it with children. I would support police going to kindergartens and talking about policing or road safety, and I would support animal behaviourists going to kindergartens and talking about how to behave around animals.

Unfortunately although they aren't completely responsible for this outcome I am sure that the dog and handler will have to bear the brunt of the punishment. I expect that the dog will officially be put through retraining but probably at the end of the training will be found "unsuitable" and "retired". I also have no doubt that the handler will be severely reprimanded, and that the punishment will be disproportionate, whether the real punishment is ever made public or not. The people who are actually responsible for the ongoing kindergarten visits by unsuitable dogs will walk away without a stain on their reputation, although changes to kindergarten visits will be made, not to protect children but to pevent another possible P.R disaster for the police.


(p.s I am posting this while incredibly inebriated, please forgive any poor grammar)

Excellent post. My initial reaction was; 'wtf is a dog doing anywhere near a kindy?' I don't care if it's someone's pet, a dog has no place in a kindy (or a school for that matter). I think that it's a stupid idea and whoever thought up the scheme needs rooting. The officer's time would be far better spent teaching the kids road safety, your suggestion is a good one. Road safety should be an on-going part of pre-school and primary education which could then be applied in practical terms with vehicles at secondary school. By the time the kids are old enough to sit their license so much more than the basics would be second nature.

With motor vehicles so much a part of modern society it is imperative our young know the rules and the dangers at an early age. Geez, there are computers in every class now, computers are a part of life, just like motor vehicles, but the kids get shitloads of computer training and sfa road safety training. That's just stupid; you're far more likely to get run over by a car than a computer.

Road safety training would be far more productive than getting your face bitten. The policy makers need a wake-up call, perhaps this is a good time to give it to them.

[Trouser]

Off topic, but I think it is sad that a three year old is in kindergarden at all. Seems too young to me

Really. My children will go and have gone at that age. 2 hours three times a week of playing, singing and dancing is hardly a cause to be sad. It's because it's German, right?

[peasea]

Really. My children will go and have gone at that age. 2 hours three times a week of playing, singing and dancing is hardly a cause to be sad. It's because it's German, right?

Yeah, my kids went to kindy, they had a ball. (They had other toys too...) My ex wasn't working at the time and was with them, we didn't use it as a baby-sitting service (not sure if you can) and later, when she went to Uni' I sold up my bizzo and played house-dad for a couple of years. It cost us big time financially but having a parent to walk them to school and be there when they get home for nibbles and homework is a biggie in my books. I thought kindy was great for them.

[Pegasus]

While I feel sad for all those involved, the dog (regrettably) needs to be put down. End of Story.

I say this as a dog lover/owner, who was also a victim of a dog bite as a kid.

Saddest of all is that the kid will now have a mistrust of unknown dogs (at the very least) for life.

[CookMySock]

Really this is poor policy. The handler was sent into this kindergarten, it was not a choice he made. It has always been a stupid idea. Police try to claim that the aim of these visits to kindergartens is to instruct children in dog safety but it would really be hard to find a less suitable dog to tour kindergartens than a police dog.

I agree with you and I don't.

The dog handler is the person who makes the final decision - not his employer. It is his and his alone decision to enter any situation - not any other persons'. If he makes the wrong call he must answer to his boss, and in this case the childs' parents and the media as well.

But yeah, as you say - the dog is a loaded weapon and it is meant to be, so wtf taking it into a preschool. But no, it is the handlers call - no one elses'. He is the trained expert and he makes the call.


Steve