Labradoodle accused of biting a 9 year old boy at dog park

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

This was just on our local news. Not really sure what they expected the owners to do because the family left the park right away to take the boy to the hospital. I guess I'm just sad to hear it was a labradoodle. I don't often hear stories of them ever being aggressive. So wierd.

http://www.kpho.com/valleynews/26190665/detail.html

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I have to agree that the information is pretty limited and there are sooo many circumstances that could have triggered it - or if it possibly wasn't in agression but in play with the football.  The worst dog park experience I had was because of KIDS not another dog.  You can't immediately judge the owner of the dog without all of the circumstances.  I wonder if there will be a follow up article - it would be interesting to read.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

One more thing I wonder - did the family of the boy even have a dog at the dog park?  Something just seems off with the entire article and situation. I am sure someone could have called 911 from the park as soon as it happened instead of just leaving and assuming the family would stick around until who knows when. 

[19h0vkycd9osh]

I live just down the street from this park. It's not just a dog park. It has a lake, amphitheater, sidewalks, ramadas and a playground. The article doesn't say where they were playing football but I can't imagine they would be playing in the fenced off dog area. And if they weren't in the dog area, that dog should've been on a leash. So many unanswered questions! Poor kid, 15 stitches!

[Leigh & Allie]

I am glad you explained this because I was thinking........do they have this child in the dog park to keep HIM "fenced in"? It is aweful however it happened.

[Kyoko]

This was my thoughts, too. The article only stated "Park", so if this happened in the area rather than the dog park, he should have been leashed. It is unfortunate for the dog...... We - humans - have to behave more responsively, both as dog owners and as someone who may be near them.....

[Lynn D.]

I am not sure if this is still the case, as things are always changing in healthcare/medicine, but as recently as 5 years ago we would never stich a bite closed (Dog/Human/or otherwise). That made me wonder that the father might not be completely truthful about the events.

Maybe the other nurses on board here can chime in.

 

+1 on the letting kids roll around at the dog park. YUCK!!!!!  Hello Mom/Dad, I'll know why your kid has the runs in a few days.

 

 

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Two years ago my now deceased Cole' (chow mix) who had an eye infection ripped my hand open when I was medicating his eye.  At the E.R. they told me they do not stitch animal bites at all and proceeded to tape the wound closed. ( It did heal with minimal scarring which was unbelievable to me as it went completely across the top of my hand.)

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

You know I hadn't realized that but when my daughter was bit by a dalmation mix over the summer and the ER doctor wouldn't stick it because of the infection issue. My husband was also bit by a person (guy he was trying to handcuff - he is a policeman)  TOTALLY GROSS I KNOW and they would not stitch it either and they said it was due to the huge chance of infection with any bite.  Unfortunately his did get infection and they had to drain it several times and he would have been in trouble if it had been stitched.  

 

I wonder how truthful the whole story is now.........Sad that people do exaggerate about such things but they do.

[L.M.]

This really is sad.  We, too, gave up dog parks, but during one of the few times we went, there were 2 children running around.  I actually said something to them because when kids run, our Seamus (a 70 pounder) will chase them!  It's called a "dog park" for a reason.  At the same time, of course no child "deserves" this, but it seems like another case of irresponsible parenting (which, as a teacher, is no surprise to me.)  Things also get so exaggerated by the media...I think it will be really difficult to get all the facts on this story.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

STORY WAS UPDATED THIS AFTERNOON ---  THIS WAS ADDED:

 

GILBERT, Ariz. -- The owner of a white lab-poodle mix dog that bit a boy in the Gilbert dog park came forward Monday to let the boy's family know the dog is healthy.Teddy Jacobson said he and his wife tried to reach out to the family when their dog bit the boy, but the family left immediately to get help. Jacobson called CBS 5 News to say he and his dog, Virgil, are available.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks for renewing our faith in doodle owners.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

This was just posted on the TV blog page by the dog owner. This does explain it a little more and certainly does make me feel better that a doodle owner would not just leave abruptly.



"I am the dog owner. My dog was hit by a ball thrown by the dad and reacted badly. My wife and I tried to talk to the father but he left abruptly with his son. I saw the news report and because there was no phone number to get in touch with the dad we called the news station today. I have since been in touch with the boys father and everything is fine. Thanks for all the articles posted here. I agree it is a dog park, not a kid park and it does amaze how many kids are unsupervised there. This however was not the case with this father. I dont think he should have been playing ball with his son but his son was in his sight. He understands that both my wife and I did try to reach out to him at the park, however his only concern at that time was getting his son to medical help. When I spoke with him this evening he did tell me that his son is doing fine and will recover with no problems"