Friend's dog bit a child, whose fault?

No everything has to be someone's fault, and sometimes accidents just happen. If neither child or dog had ever behaved like this before, it's fair enough that their responsible adults didn't plan ahead for it and take adequate precautions.

Going forwards, parents need to keep a closer eye on their child and dog needs to be on a shorter lead in busy public places - also consider one of those warning vests for him if you want to be doubly sure.

The girl's family sound aggressive, but I guess they will have read a lot of stories about kids being killed by dogs, and I suppose the event scared them. They probably aren't evil people.

This is on the parents. If you approach any dog then it's down to you. Under these circumstances it's quite possible that the parents are encouraging the child to be traumatised unnecessarily. My dog is super friendly and approachable but I don't think that any child has petted without the parents asking permission first.

Absolutely this. You treat animals with respect or they will react. It’s their only way of defending themselves.
My beautiful gentle lab has never been vicious (apart from knocking things over with his waggy tail). But if someone smacked him or poked him in the eye or similar I would have little sympathy for them if he snarled at them.

I was well into my fifties when a very nice dog owner with a bad Labrador told me never to pat the top of the dog's head and explained that the dog might perceive it as a threat. I had never been told that in all my years of patting dogs so I wouldn't blame the little girl's parents for not knowing that. Maybe this situation is just why it is always a good idea to teach little chlldren not to pat dogs they don't know without asking the owner first? The owner should maybe have a shorter lead if they are walking on narrow footpaths. The family were overly aggressive.

My view is fault on both sides, more so on the child’s parents’ side.

But ultimately, if you own a dog you need to be prepared to encounter stupid people. If you choose to own an animal capable of causing serious injury, it’s up to you to prevent that happening - even if other people are being reckless.

You stated “we were quite close already” in you OP. Either way my opinion stands of there being fault on both sides

If you choose to keep pet dogs as a hobby then you are responsible for anything the dog does.

The dog wasnt off the lead, totally the child's fault, and the parents for not telling her she shouldn't run up to strange dogs,especially then to wack it on the head. Poor dog

Parents fault but then again adults are no better.I had my tiny dog in my coat once when we were on holiday as she didnt want to walk anymore(diva)
A woman walking past reached out to her and I said "no! Sorry she will nip you if shes not on the ground"
Woman looked very put out but that was better than the alternative.

Gosh some people are so entitled!

Children are expected to be taught not to touch dogs but dogs often run up to, jump up at, sniff, lick etc children and they are expected to put up with it as the dog is being ‘friendly’.

Youre both at fault here - child can’t be trusted around dogs and dog can’t be trusted around children so both should be kept apart. No harm done so you can just move on from it.

Everyone is at fault. Idiot parents and entitled dog owner

The parents fault.

Saying that, I always position myself between my dogs and other people because people think hey can just touch dogs without asking.

The family of the child who was bitten. Children should be taught from the day they can walk that they never approach a dog without asking the owner and even then they need to be calm and slow.

I’ve always told children that dogs don’t have a voice so the only way they can communicate is with their mouths so if they’re scared that’s how they’ll warn you.

Dog should have been closer to the owners - kids aren’t that quick. If the dog had been closer owner could have controlled it

Yes kid shouldn’t have touched the dog but if dog bit for something so minor as kid putting their hand out then it should have been closer to the owner

It’s the fault of the family of the girl who touched the dogs head.

In a court of law, if it came to it, this is 100% on the dog owner. Because the dog is their responsibility in a public space. Including ANY harm it causes to a human or property, regardless of perceived provocation. There is no scope in law for the conclusion "the person may have been bitten but they brought that on themselves".

I wish dog owners would inform themselves of the law on this rather than endlessly blameshifting because they don't fully realise the notion of accountability as a pet owner.

Under the recently ammended Dangerous Dogs Act the dog is legally considered to have been "dangerously out of control". This is a criminal offence. If reported to the police they will investigate. Dog owners need to be aware the law has changed. Foe an owner to commit an offence the dog doesn't have to bite anyone, someone thinking the dog would is enough. A growl or a lunge is all it takes. Be careful out there.

How were the dog owners entitled in this situation?

Both.
Dog owner should call dog them when they see kids approaching the same as they would with an off lead dog.

Parents should teach children to always approach owners before animals.

Parent/child's fault, they need to teach their children not to touch animals or they might get bitten.

YABU. I would absolutely be reporting you and your dog to the police 🤷‍♀️

Thankfully I’ve taught my children not to go near any dogs so this isn’t a situation I would encounter, but I still think you should be reported for having a nasty dog.

A dog's actions are always the responsibility of its owner.

It’s always the dog’s fault

Neither the girl or dog were at fault. The parents and your friend were, for not anticipating that both children and dogs can be unpredictable. They should have taught their child not to approach unless invited and prevented her from doing so, but your friend should have seen them coming and positioned herself between the dog and child. That keeps the dog safe as much as the child.