Friend's dog bit a child, whose fault?

And OP’s friend needs to learn how to walk her dog on a short lead

Both parties are at fault. Unfortunately, the dog now requires a muzzle on all walks. I know it’s upsetting, especially as it seems like it was partly the other party’s fault, but once a dog bites once it’s what must be done. They can now no longer truthfully say their dog has never bitten anyone, and once that’s the case, the dog needs to be acknowledged as a biter and precautions need to be put in place going forward.

Our lives are ruled by dogs now. It is so depressing.

This dog should be properly controlled and/or muzzled on walks. Dog owners are forever telling me & my kids that their dogs are friendly and please pet them. Whilst we don't, most kids do, and it's now the norm to see kids round here petting dogs they don't know. If a dog isn't happy with that the owner needs to put him on a shorter leash or have him wear a muzzle on public paths because other dog owners are encouraging this behaviour in kids and your dog can't react like that & bite them.

If a dog bites a human it should be put to sleep. It’s not acceptable for a trained animal to bite a human, especially a child. I agree child shouldn’t have touched dog but, dog owner should be in control of dog in all situations, as a responsible owner. The owner was not paying attention this time.
Child and its parents - not great behaviour but it’s a child/human being
Dog owner- not paying attention - not acceptable when around small children
Dog (on lead) - bit small child - completely unacceptable
Too many dog owners think their dogs are humans when they’re not. Dogs are not trained and are spoiled. I have always had dogs, but it’s getting out of hand with lazy dog owners.

In the case where a child has serious injuries from a dog bite you think that ultimately it’s the dog and owner ‘paying the price’?

The child’s parents should teach them to ALWAYS ask if it’s okay to pet a dog. If the answer is yes, the child should offer their open palm for the dog sniff before petting the dog. My children knew this by the time they were 4 even though we didn’t own a dog. I understand that the child and parents were shocked, but as OP said, it was a warning nip, not full on chomping on her hand drawing blood and crushing bones.

I would say dog owner at fault, 1.5M too long for a path with oncoming people, also peoples estimations are generally in their favour so I’d guess it was longer than this. A dog with no muzzle should be able to accept people, children and adults sometimes will pat a dog and if a dog bit my dc I would be upset. Best for your friend to muzzle dog now, sometimes as dogs get old they get cranky.

I do tell my dc to ask before stroking a strange dog, but either way a pet in public should always be safe so question.

It's not a bite if it didn't break the skin