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

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sad story. I hope the dog owners do turn up voluntarily. But they may be fearful of liability or that the dog will be taken away, etc. I don't like dog parks for many reasons. This is the second dog park incident reported tonight.

[Melissa]

It is very unfortunate, but keep in mind we don't know how the owners treated that dog.  If he is not raised in a loving environment, then that might explain the uncharacteristic behavior.  I sure hope they come forward!

[Camilla and Darwin]

This is unfortunate, as it is when any dog bites someone. I am sort of confused about him being mad that they left the park though. He just left without saying anything to them, right? Why would he assume the LD owners would stay at the dog park? Unless he specifically asked them to. Did he just expect them to wait around for 1-2 hours? It doesn't even sound like he told them he would be back...

 

Either way though, the owners should come forward, find the guy, and pay for the hospital bills, prove that their dog is vaccinated, etc.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is so sad. From the information in the article once can't really tell where the fault lies.  What in the heck is a kid doing playing with a football in a dog park - like is it fun to play in poo? Was the dog 'playing?' Was the dog aggressive - growling, barking, warning and biting? If I were the parent I would be furious at the dog. If I were the dog owner, I would try to evaluate what happened and why. Was my dog  being aggressive?  As hard as it would be to do, and knowing that I could be liable, I would turn my dog in.  That child should not have to go through the rabies shots...

[Melissa & Porter]

Ditto what you said about the football playing in a dog park.  Maybe there is not other park anywhere in town, but I doubt it.  The dog park I sometimes go to has a no kids under 8 rule....so when I break that rule, I make sure my kids sit on a bench or hang out near the fence.  IMO it would be asking for trouble if I let them run around.  Of course, no one asks to be bitten by a dog, I'm not saying that.

 

[Adina P]

You'd be surprised Nancy!!!  I've seen tons of kids (not all at once) playing at our dog park.  4-5 y.o.s---one got knocked down pretty hard by my friend's great dane.  Others I've seen rolling down the hill while playing together.  Ya gotta wonder...WHAT are these parents thinking?  Or people with babies in car seat carriers/strollers. Clark got pretty peeved once with a teenager coming down the dog park hill on a unicycle and almost (or maybe he did hit) Cass.  WTD?

[Linda and Murphy]

I am so with you on this. WHY were they playing football at a dog park????

 

I do not take Murphy to dog parks, but it is my understanding that balls and toys are not allowed there because of the potential for dog fights.

 

I am very sorry the boy was bitten, even sorrier it was a labradoodle.  I, however, blame the father for placing the child in the situation.

[Adina P]

Our dog park allows balls and toys. For me the main purpose of a dog park is to be able to let your dog off leash so you can play games like fetch and your dog can play with other dogs. So not bringing any balls seems like 'what's the point of going?' and YET they can pose a problem. There's just no winning.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I think it is fun to have balls and toys for those dogs who love to fetch and chase. I think 'toys' should be focused on dog play and not kid play at dog parks.  We have been at dog parks with dogs who were protective of their ball and as long as the owner is vigilant, I don't see a problem. I can also see the parent scooping their child up and running to emergency - I am sure there was lots of blood.  I think it was unrealistic to assume that the dog owner would wait around in case the parent returned.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I'm pretty sure most of the parks around here have a sign that says no food and no toys.  I have any time I've been there seen the odd old ball laying around!  We don't go anymore as the girls have no interest, but that's the way I remember it.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I'm not sure why the story had to make the owner out to be scum ..... did anyone check with the park office or the police to see if they reported the incident?  Why would the guy expect them to just sit there?  It can take hours to get through an emergency room.  And, why were they playing football in a dog park .......all our dog parks around here prohibit toys being brought in.  I think the story should have just been ..... this happened, we didn't have time to exchange information, please contact us so we know the dogs shot records!  Please don't make this little boy go through rabies shots as well!  Enough said!

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

Said perfectly.  Watching the video, the boy's father said his first concern was quickly getting his son care.  It's very possible he left the park without anyone, but he and his son, being aware there even was an issue----including the owner of the labradoodle!  I think the media took a sensational route with this story and  portrayed the owners of the labradoodle in a light that potentially wasn't the case.  The resonsible route by the media (and the family) would clearly be that they are reporting this story as a means to gather information on the dog's health rather than to cast blame.