Husky mauls child

Julia London · 05-04-2012 8:32am #1

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/hero-neighbour-rescues-toddler-as-pet-dog-goes-beserk-3072116.html

God im shoocked I have a 6 year old samoyed husky myself.
Anyone know are they on the dangerous dogs list?

amber2 · 05-04-2012 8:49am

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1998/en/si/0442.html

calfmuscle · 05-04-2012 8:55am

That is horrendous I hope the child recovers quickly.

star-pants · 05-04-2012 9:06am

Julia London wrote: »

Anyone know are they on the dangerous dogs list?

No such thing in Ireland.

There's a restricted breeds list, outlined under the Control of Dogs which was linked to above.

It's horrible and god love the child I hope he heals quickly, but I won't be rushing out with torches & pitchforks against Husky dogs.

MarkR · 05-04-2012 9:08am

It's not, but they don't do anything about the other ones around Limerick anyway. I often see wannabe hardmen swggering around in a tank top and tracksuit, one hand down the pants, the other with a pit bull or rottweiler. Plain sight, walking past the garda staion and everything. The police won't do anything, passing in on to the dog warden. Dog warden won't do anything because of resources, if there even is one anymore.

andreac · 05-04-2012 9:11am

MarkR wrote: »

It's not, but they don't do anything about the other ones around Limerick anyway. I often see wannabe hardmen swggering around in a tank top and tracksuit, one hand down the pants, the other with a pit bull or rottweiler. Plain sight, walking past the garda staion and everything. The police won't do anything, passing in on to the dog warden. Dog warden won't do anything because of resources, if there even is one anymore.

What are these people doing wrong that warrants the dog warden or Gardai?? I dont understand?

Evac101 · 05-04-2012 9:14am

It's the one hand down the front of their trousers thing Andrea - it's criminally stupid looking.

MarkR · 05-04-2012 9:15am

andreac wrote: »

What are these people doing wrong that warrants the dog warden or Gardai?? I dont understand?

Sorry, forgot that part! They weren't muzzled.

andreac · 05-04-2012 9:17am

MarkR wrote: »

Sorry, forgot that part! They weren't muzzled.

Were the dogs doing anything to warrant your worry or warrant being complained about? I have rottweilers and dont muzzle them, they never bother anyone and are very well trained.

kylith · 05-04-2012 9:20am

Julia London wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/hero-neighbour-rescues-toddler-as-pet-dog-goes-beserk-3072116.html

God im shoocked I have a 6 year old samoyed husky myself.
Anyone know are they on the dangerous dogs list?

The list is meaningless. Any dog can bite, and will if they feel it necessary. Unfortunately this is unlikely to open people's eyes to the fact that any dog can attack, not just RBs, and we're more likely to see huskies added to the list.

I'm sure there's a lot we haven't heard about this, it was probably another case of the child left unsupervised with the dog.

My thoughts are with the family, I hope the kid recovers soon.

Cherry Blossom · 05-04-2012 9:21am

Would be very interested in finding out the full history of that dog pity this will never be possible. TBH I think dogs involved in incidents like this should have a full behaviour assessment as should it's owner.

btw a samoyed is not a husky, unless you mean your dog is a cross of the two breeds.

05-04-2012 9:50am

andreac wrote: »

What are these people doing wrong that warrants the dog warden or Gardai?? I dont understand?

I think its the hand down the pants could possibly warrant an arrest. I dont know what the dog warden would do.

ISDW · 05-04-2012 10:04am

The Clare dog warden said on the radio yesterday that it was an Alaskan Malamute, so it wasn't a husky. This enlightened individual also said that malamutes are dangerous, and that huskies shouldn't be pets.

Has been reported that the child - 2 years old - was in the garden alone with the dog at 8 o'clock at night. Draw your own conclusions.

Before anyone jumps on me, obviously I feel very sorry for the child, an awful thing to happen. But, he is a child, and so should be looked after by his parents, who are responsible for him and their family dog. As has been said on here many times before, dogs are animals and so can be unpredictable, never leave a child and a dog unsupervised together. The adults in this are fine, the child and the dog pay the price as always.

Of course the media love stories like this, front page of the Star this morning - Toddler mauled by devil husky:rolleyes::mad:

Zulu · 05-04-2012 10:14am

With the ever growing popularity of "wolf" looking dogs amongst a certain demographic, it's only a matter of time before malamutes get added to the RB list.

...and why? because "hard men" are cretins is why.

mickmcl09 · 05-04-2012 10:19am

Anybody have any idea what the exact breed was? Edit: Just saw ISDWs post, Alaskan Malamute.
Husky could mean Siberian Husky, Malamute, Elk Hound, Samoyed, Akita and so on. While they're all from the same group they all have different behavioural tendencies.
While nobody said it was a Samoyed, I wouldn't leave my fellas with any child under the age of 8, minimum. They're very friendly dogs, nonetheless if they cop that they can 'lord it' over a child they'll try it on.

It starts with a few playful nudges, moves onto jumping & knocking, onto licking/playing but keeping the child on the ground........ next thing you know, they could have an inappropriate grip of the child.....and all hell breaks loose.
I could see how it could happen very easily. My fellas used to try it on with my 5 year old Son, nudging him when they thought I wasn't looking, hoping to knock him. I nipped it in the bud straight away.

For the most part I trust my fellas, nonetheless, the kids are never outside with the dogs without one of us there with them. I just wouldn't entertain the risk no matter how slim it might be and for the most part, that applies for almost all dogs no matter how big/small and no matter what their percieved reputation is.

ppink · 05-04-2012 10:23am

Whether it was a Husky, Samoyed, Akita, snoopy or scooby doo I could lay fair bets that it was not exercised or socialised properly and the owner would not know a potential problem until it bit them in the ass.

hope the kid is ok.

ISDW · 05-04-2012 10:26am

mickmcl09 wrote: »

Anybody have any idea what the exact breed was?

ISDW wrote: »

The Clare dog warden said on the radio yesterday that it was an Alaskan Malamute,

It was this warden that took the dog to the pound to be pts.

MarkR · 05-04-2012 10:28am

andreac wrote: »

Were the dogs doing anything to warrant your worry or warrant being complained about? I have rottweilers and dont muzzle them, they never bother anyone and are very well trained.

Yes, they were being walked in public without a muzzle. You are breaking the law, I hope you don't live to regret it.

andreac · 05-04-2012 10:35am

MarkR wrote: »

Yes, they were being walked in public without a muzzle. You are breaking the law, I hope you don't live to regret it.

Dont worry i wont.

SillyMangoX · 05-04-2012 10:35am

According to the Star it was an Akita husky :rolleyes: at least they didn't show pictures of a snarling wolf!

Kash · 05-04-2012 10:36am

Tragic, really tragic.

Certainly tragic that the child has been mauled. That almost goes without saying.

Also, tragic that there is once again media frenzy over something that could have been avoided, once again reinforcing in the minds of the public the 'fact' that it is the dogs that are dangerous, and not the owners.

And finally, tragic that people do not know that they should, never mind how to, socialise and train their pets.

What is the point of a dog license if it is a) not enforced and b) does not require the owner to show that they are fit to own a dog?

ISDW · 05-04-2012 10:40am

SillyMangoX wrote: »

According to the Star it was an Akita husky :rolleyes: at least they didn't show pictures of a snarling wolf!

Can we please have a head banging a wall smiley for situations like this.

MarkR · 05-04-2012 10:55am

andreac wrote: »

Dont worry i wont.

So you know the future? Any chance I could get the lotto numbers from you?

Nearly every time there is a dog attack, we hear the same thing. The dog never showed any signs of aggression before, got on well with kids, never saw it coming etc.

You obviously have your mind made up, so I won't press the point, but you will bear the ultimate responsibility if your dog does attack someone while not wearing a muzzle.

I could go trawling the internet, to find specific cases were leashed dogs have attacked people, but we all know it happens.

You know your dog is on the dangerous dogs list. You know your dog is required to be muzzled in public, and you couldn't be arsed.

I hope it doesn't come back to bite you on the ass. Pun intended.

Zulu · 05-04-2012 10:59am

MarkR wrote: »

So you know the future? Any chance I could get the lotto numbers from you?

You obviously have your mind made up, so I won't press the point,...

Then don't. :rolleyes:

star-pants · 05-04-2012 11:01am

MarkR wrote: »

You know your dog is on the dangerous dogs list. You know your dog is required to be muzzled in public, and you couldn't be arsed.

Firstly, as has been said there is no such thing as a 'dangerous dogs' list in Ireland.

Secondly (modpost) keep this thread on topic, this is not about other peoples' dogs being walked without muzzles or leads. This is about a specific case of a child and a dog.

Tripp · 05-04-2012 11:03am

MarkR wrote: »

So you know the future? Any chance I could get the lotto numbers from you?

Nearly every time there is a dog attack, we hear the same thing. The dog never showed any signs of aggression before, got on well with kids, never saw it coming etc.

You obviously have your mind made up, so I won't press the point, but you will bear the ultimate responsibility if your dog does attack someone while not wearing a muzzle.

I could go trawling the internet, to find specific cases were leashed dogs have attacked people, but we all know it happens.

You know your dog is on the dangerous dogs list. You know your dog is required to be muzzled in public, and you couldn't be arsed.

I hope it doesn't come back to bite you on the ass. Pun intended.

The what list ? Never heard of this list existing in this country ...

Of course i feel sorry for the kid and this ever happening but Punish the owners not the dog. Poor dog will be PTS because of its owners stupidity

andreac · 05-04-2012 11:03am

MarkR wrote: »

So you know the future? Any chance I could get the lotto numbers from you?

You know your dog is on the dangerous dogs list. You know your dog is required to be muzzled in public, and you couldn't be arsed.

.

Wrong, there is no such thing as a Dangerous Dogs list in Ireland, please get your facts correct.:rolleyes:

SillyMangoX · 05-04-2012 11:06am

Can we sticky a thread just saying that there is NO DANGEROUS DOGS LIST IN IRELAND!!? Would make things so much easier than having to explain in every thread where a restricted breed it mentioned :P

MarkR · 05-04-2012 11:17am

andreac wrote: »

Wrong, there is no such thing as a Dangerous Dogs list in Ireland, please get your facts correct.:rolleyes:

Ok, I got the name of the act wrong. I'm not a lawyer. It doesn't change the fact that you're breaking the law.

SillyMangoX wrote: »

Can we sticky a thread just saying that there is NO DANGEROUS DOGS LIST IN IRELAND!!? Would make things so much easier than having to explain in every thread where a restricted breed it mentioned :P

No need to shout, nearly had to squint for a moment reading it. How about if I call it the "so called" dangerous dogs list? That way everyone will know what we're talking about.

I'm not arguing that all dogs on the restricted list are danger, I know bad owners are the cause, rather then a breed of dog. The law is the law, and those dogs must be muzzled.

star-pants · 05-04-2012 11:19am

Last warning - keep ON TOPIC

Cubed · 05-04-2012 11:21am

andreac wrote: »

Dont worry i wont.

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

ravendude · 05-04-2012 11:22am

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.

andreac · 05-04-2012 11:24am

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.

star-pants · 05-04-2012 11:26am

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.

SillyMangoX · 05-04-2012 11:36am

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.

05-04-2012 11:38am

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.

fatmammycat · 05-04-2012 11:40am

SillyMangoX wrote: »

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?

SillyMangoX · 05-04-2012 11:44am

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

fatmammycat · 05-04-2012 11:47am

SillyMangoX wrote: »

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.

05-04-2012 11:53am

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 ?

Léan · 05-04-2012 11:54am

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.

mickmcl09 · 05-04-2012 11:55am

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.

mickmcl09 · 05-04-2012 12:15pm

Deleted User wrote: »

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.

Zapperzy · 05-04-2012 12:23pm

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.

mickmcl09 · 05-04-2012 12:43pm

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.

planetX · 05-04-2012 12:47pm

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.

maggiepip · 05-04-2012 1:25pm

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.

DamagedTrax · 05-04-2012 2:04pm

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.

marley123 · 05-04-2012 2:13pm

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 ..

Zulu · 05-04-2012 2:40pm

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.

mosi · 05-04-2012 2:44pm

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.

Husky mauls child

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