Child bitten by dog - WWYD?

[turquoise1988]

A few months ago my DS (6) was riding a bike along a walking/cycle trail, a short distance away from us. We always ask him to stop every so often to let us catch up, but he knows never to go out of our sight. At one point he was waiting, stood still, straddling his bike on the left hand side of the walking trail when a family approached on the right hand side.

Their dog, which was on a lead, jumped across and knocked DS off his bike and bit his arm. Thank goodness he was wearing a coat, which cushioned the blow a bit. We didn't actually realise the dog had bitten him until the family had made a half-arsed attempt at an apology and then scooted off.

Anyway, a few months on, understandably, DS and younger sibling (4) are now terrified of dogs.

We continue to take regular walks and pass dogs. We visit friends' houses who have calm, happy dogs. We've talked about how most dogs are friendly, but that there are few irresponsible owners who allow their dogs into other people's space or don't train them properly.

What else can we do? Is there anything? Is the fear likely to ease as they get older? FWIW, getting a dog isn't an option as we are expecting a new baby soon and it wouldn't be sensible or affordable.

It doesn’t matter.
Its the responsibility of the owner to ensure that said dog doesn’t ‘mouth’ a child.

And for the child it will STILL look like they have been been but en because their arm/hand/body part was in the mouth of the dog and the dog’s teeth were on their skin.

You might want to call that playing and ‘mouthing’ if that makes you feel better. It won’t change the fact the EXPERIENCE for the child is the same than being bitten.

Be aware! Yiu may need threphy. Inwas bit by a large dog at my father's house ( dog belonged to a freind) when I was 4. For years I was terrified by all dogs, by 14 just big dogs. 36 now, still dislike big dogs

It’s unfortunate that the police were not involved, as the dog really needs to be put down.

I think that you just need to keep being careful, and maybe if you know a family with a very friendly dog to see if he can get comfortable in a controlled environment with it.

My daughter was bitten by a large , adult dog when she was 3. She was wearing a coat which did not rip, but she had nasty bruising on her chest. She was terrified for years of all dogs, even cats as well. She did get past it, but it took about 5 years. She is now a huge dog lover, but is always cautious of dogs she doesn't know, which is sensible anyway.

Exactly. Had this happened to my ds I would have taken a photo of the owner and dog, reported it to the police and the local dog warden. Sadly we don't have a dog warden anymore. But the police will do something if a dog is dangerous. A dog which bites a child (or indeed another dog) IS dangerous and needs to be dealt with.

The owners are definitely dangerous

Avoid 'encounters', but much like introducing one dog to another walking alongside (not close, just in the same direction, and the dog stays on the lead) is less stressful for the dog and your son. Most kids have a degree of nervousness around dogs unless they're used to them. Don't force it, take your time.

Pmsl at someone who wasn’t there trying to tell OP that a fully grown dog was actually a pup and the bite wasn’t a bite. Bonkers.

I see the bloody dog apologists are at it again - your son was bitten, he may never be comfortable around dogs again, but he will grow up and it will get easier.

LMAO at a 'pup' 'exploring' - what blinkered idiots.

Sorry this happened.

You could have a look and see if there are any organisations or projects near you that offer sessions with therapy dogs to help people overcome dog phobias.

I think the main thing is not to avoid things because of fear - the minute you start doing that you are on a path to heightened anxiety. As a dog owner (and someone who has been bitten in the past quite badly), it was being around dogs that helped, since the vast majority are fine. Sounds like you are doing everything fine, but dog trainers are a good idea. I am mortified that some people act this way, gives everyone a bad name and causes such upset.

My DD has a similar experience. Age 6 and she was already nervous of dogs so we played in the area of park that was clearly signed as 'dogs on leads' when an out of control dog bounds up to her and made her fall. Owner didn't show up for another 5 mins. I was furious.

DD was understandably scared of dogs after that.

We kept things very low key around dogs for a long time. Letting her look for a lead and decide if the dog is OK. And letting her walk near her uncle's well behaved dog. Now she is 14 and tall enough to tower over dogs, she is no longer nervous of them. Not a great dog lover but not bothered either. It just takes time and not fussing.

I was bitten by a (big adult) dog when I was 11 or so......my best friends dog in fact. No major damage done and apart from a few shaky moments going back to her house after it happened, i was fine with dogs after. Your DS might be more resilient than you think! The more you tense up in any future dog encounters, the more he will...
But I do bloody hate it when people don't control their dogs - even if on the lead you have to be ultra vigilant. That dog shouldn't have been able to get within a metre of your DS.

No it’s a bite

a dog bit her child and left teeth marks

dont minimise this

Exactly this , not everyone thinks the sun shines out your dog's arse !

I personally hate every single one of the poxy things .

He probably fell near the dog which spooked him. To be honest, I think its more irresponsible to leave such a young child to go on ahead of you to the point where he needs to stop and let you catch up. Your also assuming only irresponsible dog owners dogs bite, which is not the case. They apologised, dog was on a lead, you didn't make a fuss because you didn't see through his coat, well neither could they! You obviously wasn't that impacted otherwise you'd have done more at that very moment. What song and dance were you expecting from them?

To be honest, I think its more irresponsible to leave such a young child to go on ahead of you to the point where he needs to stop and let you catch up. You might think this @MissMaple82 but I think you are talking rubbish, and the law does too - it is not against the law to let your child cycle a little ahead of you, and it is against the law to let your dog bite someone.

The dog bit a child. Shame on you for minimising the criminality of the owners for not having their dog under control.

Thank you @EvergreenForest to my family a bite equals A&eE, ICU, surgery evidently it is a different experience for you family.
PA?
DYMTBSR?

That’s outrageous 😡

What are you on about? So the bite I received (from a horse, not a dog) didn't tear the fabric of my coat but the bite was bad enough to require 8 stitches, I'm making this up am I? I didn't realise how bad it was until I took my coat off.
Just because you think something and haven't experienced it another way doesn't make you correct.

@MissMaple82 As I previously said, my son was clearly visible to us, just a short distance ahead. He never goes too far ahead, he knows to stop often. He was on the bike, we were walking. What are we supposed to do, ask him to cycle at walking pace the whole way? We clearly saw what happened - he didn't fall after he was spooked, the dog jumped up at him and pushed him off his bike. He had huge grazes all up his legs and was terrified! As anyone would be.

It's interesting how people who weren't even there have this amazing ability to interpret what happened?!

Anyhow, thanks to the majority of posters who have offered sympathy and kind advice. I will definitely take it all on board.

I’d have expected them to apologise, follow up to see that the child was OK, and to take their dog to the vet to be put to sleep.

A dog which has attacked a child is no longer safe.

What a bizarre thread. What’s with all the dog lovers trying to minimise this?! Victim blaming at its worst! The child was pushed off his bike left with grazes and bitten. L End off. Bloody dog should have been under control.

OP your approach is sounding sensible in terms of trying to ensure your DS can manage his fears. I am frightened of dogs being around my DC but try to hide this. I cannot stand dogs that bound up to them. Some are massive to tiny children. I don’t care if they are puppies, friendly adult dogs whatever keep them under control and away from my DC.

Some laughable minimising here from dog fanatics.

A shame you didn't get their name to report it to the police. The next child may not be as lucky.

I think you're taking exactly the right approach. Calm, considered, but don't avoid all your usual spots or routes.

Just a wee word of caution, you are probably transmitting more nerves than you think you are - which both dogs and kids will pick up on - so try to stay calm yourself. I know it's hard.

FWIW while of course I wouldn't have wished this on you or your DCs, I'd much rather a child was cautious and careful around dogs than the other way around.