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Husky mauls child

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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 584 ✭✭✭ravendude


    I wonder is the dog warden and media asking questions like "when was the dog last walked or taken out for a run"

    These dogs in particular need an abundance of exercise, - and are not happy creatures if they don't get it.

    But I'm sure the assumption is that this was a "bad dog" and the question of whether it received appropriate care is irrelevant?

    Its interesting, - having lived in Australia where dogs in general are much (much!) better cared for than here, - I'd rarely be apprehensive approaching any dog. However, here the opposite is true.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,000 ✭✭✭andreac


    Cubed wrote: »
    So little miss holier than thou walks her dangerous dogs in public without a muzzle, shocking... at least they are fenced in though eh :cool:

    I hope this kid recovers and the finer details of the story are brought out, sad sad sad

    How do you know my dogs are dangerous? Please refrain from the accusations. You know nothing about my dogs so keep your comments to yourself.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,429 ✭✭✭✭star-pants


    Two users infracted... suggest we stick to the topic at hand. Any issues with a post, use the report post button and don't reply to them.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,002 ✭✭✭SillyMangoX


    I really would love to know the whole history behind what happened here, according to the article they got the dog for Christmas. What I would wonder is this another Christmas puppy who was thrown out the back on Stephen's day, never properly socialised or even walked, then the child decides to go out the back and play with his Christmas present, who then sees him as another puppy and decides to play as he would with a puppy by biting and wrestling. Or did the child pull the dog's ears or tail and the dog snapped. Or was it a genuine case of a dog 'flipping' for whatever reason (something like rage syndrome) and going besirk on the poor child. A quote from the owner in the paper said ''I can't understand it. He wasn't growling or looking angry'', maybe he wasn't angry, maybe he really was trying to play. I guess we'll never know, but I doubt the media will cover all aspects of the attack. Personally I would be more inclined to buy a paper which had 'Dog attacks child because of poor ownership and never being socialised' than 'toddler mauled by devil husky' but I guess that isn't the kind of sensationalist headline that sells. At least the child walked away with his life.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    I think people mauling husky's outweighs husky's mauling people. Its a sad story but there is more to this story about how the dog is treated.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,208 ✭✭✭fatmammycat


    I really would love to know the whole history behind what happened here, according to the article they got the dog for Christmas. What I would wonder is this another Christmas puppy who was thrown out the back on Stephen's day, never properly socialised or even walked, then the child decides to go out the back and play with his Christmas present, who then sees him as another puppy and decides to play as he would with a puppy by biting and wrestling. Or did the child pull the dog's ears or tail and the dog snapped. Or was it a genuine case of a dog 'flipping' for whatever reason (something like rage syndrome) and going besirk on the poor child. A quote from the owner in the paper said ''I can't understand it. He wasn't growling or looking angry'', maybe he wasn't angry, maybe he really was trying to play. I guess we'll never know, but I doubt the media will cover all aspects of the attack. Personally I would be more inclined to buy a paper which had 'Dog attacks child because of poor ownership and never being socialised' than 'toddler mauled by devil husky' but I guess that isn't the kind of sensationalist headline that sells. At least the child walked away with his life.

    Totally agree, and could you link to the article that says they got the dog for christmas please?


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,002 ✭✭✭SillyMangoX


    I only read it in the actual newspaper, I can't seem to find it online anywhere, sorry!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,208 ✭✭✭fatmammycat


    I only read it in the actual newspaper, I can't seem to find it online anywhere, sorry!

    Oh no worries, so the dog was a christmas pup, hmm, that is hardly a good sign.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    So that would make the Husky 6 months old if even ? ? A 6 month old husky flipping a 2 year old in the air i find hard to believe. Anybody think this might just be a 6 month old husky mouthing and playing ?


  • Registered Users Posts: 996 ✭✭✭Léan


    Very sad story. Hope the little boy gets better asap.

    I feel very sorry for the dog too though. It's my belief these things happen from poor ownership. Unfortunately it's all too common that dogs are just seen as another novelty gift and then thrown out the back when the novelty wears off. People overlook the huge responsibility that goes into owning an animal, which leads to stories like this one. Very sad.

    The obvious question this raised for me however was why on earth a young child was left unsupervised with a dog. :confused:


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  • Registered Users Posts: 304 ✭✭mickmcl09


    ravendude wrote: »
    I wonder is the dog warden and media asking questions like "when was the dog last walked or taken out for a run"

    These dogs in particular need an abundance of exercise, - and are not happy creatures if they don't get it.

    But I'm sure the assumption is that this was a "bad dog" and the question of whether it received appropriate care is irrelevant?

    Good point, spot on. I'm not excusing the dog but I'd be asking questions of the owner as well.

    These dogs are a working dog breed. Because most of us don't have sleds or rigs on wheels to work/exercise them, it means they need
    - at least one walk daily.
    - a normal run area is not adequate
    - run area needs to be at least half an acre IMO.
    - they need supervised leash free time in a suitable area, incorporated into their walks preferably
    - alot of human contact, alot means if you're at home, it suits them much better if they're alowed to hang around your presence. Ie if you're inside the dog should have the option of being inside too, instead of being left outside on his own. They get bored very easily and for them just to be able to sit on your toes in the sitting room or nuzzle your hand as you go about your business around the house. I just couldn't under estimate the benefits of this preventing boredom/depression.

    I'm not a behaviourist but it's my belief that this group of dogs are very highly susceptible to depression if they have inadequate exercise and human contact, which will have an impact on their temperament.


  • Registered Users Posts: 304 ✭✭mickmcl09


    So that would make the Husky 6 months old if even ? ? A 6 month old husky flipping a 2 year old in the air i find hard to believe. Anybody think this might just be a 6 month old husky mouthing and playing ?

    They're well capable of flipping a 2year old at that age. Most likely, knock them first, then grab them.
    I don't think it matters whether the dog was mouthing or playing. Ya maybe the child antagonised him, which I also think doesn't really matter at this point. What's done is done.

    The question is 'what was a 2 year old doing at 8pm at night on their own in a back garden alone with a dog, no matter what kind of dog he was?

    Most kids that age are in bed by 8 never mind being outside!
    My heart goes out to the family, there's no winners here, but I think the parents have a lot of questions to answer to the relevant social authorities in this case, if in fact the above details are correct that is.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,524 ✭✭✭Zapperzy


    You own a husky yet you wonder are they on the restricted breeds list. Their not and should never be, no breed should be on that list. The comments under the article are unbelievable written by hysterical people who clearly know nothing about dogs, someone even calling this dog a pit bull! A tragic accident is what it is but the breed as a whole should not be blamed. We don't know the circumstances surrounding the accident so can't comment on whether the child was left alone with the dog or what environment the dog was kept in.


  • Registered Users Posts: 304 ✭✭mickmcl09


    Zapperzy wrote: »
    You own a husky yet you wonder are they on the restricted breeds list.
    I assume you're referring to me, if not apologies in advance, but I have no doubt that Samoyeds of which I own 2, shouldn't be on the RB list. I couldnt read where you got that impression.
    There's an underlying risk with all dogs where young kids are concerned, doesn't mean they should be on a R.B. list though.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,441 ✭✭✭planetX


    If the parents left a 2 year old alone in the garden with a dog they should be prosecuted for negligence. All the media attention on the dog lets them off the hook. It's no different from saying 'vicious car runs over toddler'. A 2 yr old should be playing with a stuffed dog not a real one.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,099 ✭✭✭maggiepip


    I just heard a dog trainer on the radio discussing this and she said the dog in question had an ear infection, so therefore he/she was in pain.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,277 ✭✭✭DamagedTrax


    mickmcl09 wrote: »
    Good point, spot on. I'm not excusing the dog but I'd be asking questions of the owner as well.

    These dogs are a working dog breed. Because most of us don't have sleds or rigs on wheels to work/exercise them, it means they need
    - at least one walk daily.
    - a normal run area is not adequate
    - run area needs to be at least half an acre IMO.
    - they need supervised leash free time in a suitable area, incorporated into their walks preferably
    - alot of human contact, alot means if you're at home, it suits them much better if they're alowed to hang around your presence. Ie if you're inside the dog should have the option of being inside too, instead of being left outside on his own. They get bored very easily and for them just to be able to sit on your toes in the sitting room or nuzzle your hand as you go about your business around the house. I just couldn't under estimate the benefits of this preventing boredom/depression.

    I'm not a behaviourist but it's my belief that this group of dogs are very highly susceptible to depression if they have inadequate exercise and human contact, which will have an impact on their temperament.

    agree 100% - getting a working dog is a whole lot different to getting a smaller toy dog. their physical and mental excercise needs are huge and without stimulation they get very frustrated.

    unfortunatly i can see husky type dogs added to the rb list soon. they're becoming more and more common and eventually some incidents have to happen.

    working dog without proper stimulation = disaster waiting to happen.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,010 ✭✭✭marley123


    Does anyone know the extent of the Childs Injuries? The fact that the dog may have gone for him a number of times is quite disturbing.

    Now I am a massive animal lover & like many posters I would not leave an unsupervised toddler with many of my dogs however I would be in kitchen & have back door open where I can see everything & would of course let the dogs & kids run around together - unless you are prepared to keep dogs separate from kids 100% of the time there is always the small risk of something happening.

    If child provoked Dog , & dog gave warning & child kept doing what he was doing and dog attacked, would not expect the dog to go and keep attacking meaning business.

    Am sure the parents feel awful but there is the other side that perhaps the child hadn't provoked the dog as can happen in small amount of cases...

    Blaming the parents without knowing the full extent of what happened isn't fair imo.. & believe me am the first to defend a dogs actions ..


  • Registered Users Posts: 10,965 ✭✭✭✭Zulu


    Yeah, when I heard the neighbour beat the dog with a shovel, got the kid inside & then needed to beat the dog again...
    ...and this was a dog bought at christmas...
    ...I dunno, I just dunno.


  • Registered Users Posts: 620 ✭✭✭mosi


    marley123 wrote: »

    Am sure the parents feel awful but there is the other side that perhaps the child hadn't provoked the dog as can happen in small amount of cases...

    Blaming the parents without knowing the full extent of what happened isn't fair imo.. & believe me am the first to defend a dogs actions ..

    The problem is that we will never know as the parents weren't present to see what happened. Also, the media always go down the devil dog route in these situations and never question the actions of the humans involved. It is terrible that both the dog and the child had to pay for the irresponsibilty of adults here. I'm sure the parents are feeling terrible but the circumstances behind the incident should be fully investigated rather than being swept under the carpet.

    I'm sadly not surprised to hear of an attack involving a husky (or malamute). Here in Dublin, I see them all the time with the same sort of idiots that have given other breeds a bad reputation. They are being kept in small houses and flats and only get out when their idiot owners want to parade their "wolf" around the place.

    Perhaps if the adults involved were properly scrutinised in the media - and by the relevant authorities, then maybe people would be less inclined to go down the route of devil dog hysteria, and start to consider the consequences of irresponsible dog ownership.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,524 ✭✭✭Zapperzy


    mickmcl09 wrote: »
    Zapperzy wrote: »
    You own a husky yet you wonder are they on the restricted breeds list.
    I assume you're referring to me, if not apologies in advance, but I have no doubt that Samoyeds of which I own 2, shouldn't be on the RB list. I couldnt read where you got that impression.
    There's an underlying risk with all dogs where young kids are concerned, doesn't mean they should be on a R.B. list though.

    Apologies I meant the OP, started writing my reply while running to work so didn't get to finish it and post til later so it looks a bit out of place now. Sorry.

    Interesting that we were talking about this today at work and while most were of the opinion that the owner was probably at fault a lot also said they'd not trust huskys or akitas (their worlds not mine, presumably meant any husky type inc. malamutes and akitas), bit sad really as these are vets and nurses. Have also had another nurse tell me not to trust akitas.

    Afraid to say I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see huskys and malamutes being added to the RB list. It would be a predictable stereotypical backward step.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    anybody notice the details of this attack ? They know the child was thrown in the air several times and that it was dragged around. I am yet to hear were this child was mauled .

    The more i am reading this i am thinking this was a large pup at play with a toddler unsupervised by the parents.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/boy-3-savaged-by-pet-husky-189490.html


    This has a bit more info on what happened. Going by this it sounds like the child was supervised !


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,819 ✭✭✭✭g'em


    I read about this story this morning and it crossed my mind to see if it was just being discussed in here, only getting around to it now.

    I'm coming at this as a bog-standard dog lover, I know nothing much about any dog other than cockers as that's what we've had in my family. I know that's an entirely different breed but I - from my own personal experience - would never have a cocker and a young child in the same house, none of our dogs ever seemed to like kids much.

    With the dog breed that's in question here, are they known to be good family pets? I'm just curious. And don't get me wrong, I think it's a very unfortunate incident and the blame most certainly lies with the parents for the lack of supervision. But then you hear about how some breeds are notoriously great with kids and babies can practically hang out of them without fear of danger.

    I guess I'm just trying to say that reading about this kind of thing from an outside point of view can be very confusing.

    I take it that once a dog has attacked someone, as in this case, it's quite an automatic decision to have them PTS? Is there ever the option to rehome?


  • Registered Users Posts: 10,965 ✭✭✭✭Zulu


    No, they wouldn't be considered (at least I wouldn't consider them) good family pets. They're a strong working dog. That's not to say they can't make good family pets, but they'd take far more time & effort to make a good family pet.

    You'd need to be a dedicated dog owner.

    You "hear" about certain breeds being bullet proof with children, but thats 99.999999% down to the owner & the individual dog, not the breed.


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,515 ✭✭✭Outkast_IRE


    g'em wrote: »

    With the dog breed that's in question here, are they known to be good family pets? I'm just curious. And don't get me wrong, I think it's a very unfortunate incident and the blame most certainly lies with the parents for the lack of supervision. But then you hear about how some breeds are notoriously great with kids and babies can practically hang out of them without fear of danger.
    Yes some dogs have a good reputation with kids, but i wouldnt not take one bit of heed of that crap. I wouldnt care if i had a dog that was brilliant with kids i would not leave them unsupervised at that age, even if they were supervised i dont think its good enough, kids at that age have a tendancy to pull or hang onto the dog, and if the dog is sick or doesnt like it theres a good chance he will snap especially in a back yard when the dog cant get away from the kid etc.


    Huskys are a working dog they are bred to be physically active all day long in tough conditions. Here in Ireland people who dont know **** about dogs just think they look cute, i will get one he will be fine in the garden.
    This kind of mental boredom is what will drive a dog nuts and create severe temperment and mental issues.

    Personally a kid that young should nearly be held hand in hand when rubbing the dog as they are too young to know what will happen if you hurt the dog by accident etc.


  • Registered Users Posts: 304 ✭✭mickmcl09


    Picture of the child on page 4 of the Star. It's bad but could have been way way worse! From what I can remember, he has a good bit of damage around the nose and upper mouth area. Hard to tell from the picture but it didn't look like there was much flesh type damage, ie it looks like it's mostly on the surface so hopefully only minor scars at most.

    What galled me most about the article was a picture of an Akita, described as an Akita Husky in the article and I would safely assume that it is a sample picture ( which I find completely unacceptable journalism) as they don't say it's the actual dog. The picture is especially inappropriate if it's a case that the dog was in fact a malamute for example.

    The article can't even put a correct breed name with the picture. If it turns out that the culprit dog is not an Akita, I hope a representative of the Akita breeders in Ireland take them to task.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,277 ✭✭✭DamagedTrax


    mickmcl09 wrote: »

    What galled me most about the article was a picture of an Akita, described as an Akita Husky in the article and I would safely assume that it is a sample picture ( which I find completely unacceptable journalism) as they don't say it's the actual dog. The picture is especially inappropriate if it's a case that the dog was in fact a malamute for example.

    not surprising. every 'pitbull' incident uses the same picture. they even used it on what turned out to be lab attack a few months back. obviously they never corrected their mistake or apologised for breed discrimination.

    red top journos are (generally) heartless scum who care very little about the impact their stories have... good or bad, as long as sells copy.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    mickmcl09 wrote: »
    What galled me most about the article was a picture of an Akita, described as an Akita Husky in the article and I would safely assume that it is a sample picture ( which I find completely unacceptable journalism) as they don't say it's the actual dog. The picture is especially inappropriate if it's a case that the dog was in fact a malamute for example.

    Funny enough, i posted this the other day ........

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=77923449&postcount=14


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  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Politics Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 81,310 CMod ✭✭✭✭coffee_cake


    poor child

    and poor dog getting beaten with a shovel as a result of neglect

    bad parents


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