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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To think there may be something more to this recent dog mauling?

81 replies

curiousgeorgie · 19/02/2014 15:11

Horrifically sad story about the 6 day old baby killed by an Alaskan Malamute in Wales.

But it seems a little bit odd... The death hasn't been listed as a dog attack, the police will not comment and say they're still investigating, also, the dog hasn't been destroyed?

In other cases like this I don't think there was such a delay?

Or maybe I'm reading too much into a DM article...

Awful anyway. Poor little baby Sad

OP posts:
Joules68 · 19/02/2014 16:55

You'd think it would be obvious.... From the distraught mums description it sounds clear there has been an attack

But the dog was seen afterwards and didn't look like it had just attacked anyone. He's grey and white in colour in places, so would think it would be obvious

NeonMuffin · 19/02/2014 16:55

If the dog had flipped and attacked the child then surely it would have been covered in blood and aggressive? Yet a neighbours was able to approach it and catch it quite easily....

I don't want to speculate but it's bloody fishy as far as I'm concerned.

falulahthecat · 19/02/2014 16:59

"Police said that a post-mortem examination would need to be held to investigate the cause of death before they could confirm it was a dog attack"

Even if someone has clearly been stabbed, they have to do a post mortem to check it definitely was the cause of death.

I think it's the wording that makes it sound fishy, not the fact there is going to be a post mortem.

scottishmummy · 19/02/2014 16:59

What's point in idle speculation gleaned from quotes?police will release statement when appropriate

Stinklebell · 19/02/2014 16:59

If the dog had flipped and attacked the child then surely it would have been covered in blood and aggressive? Yet a neighbours was able to approach it and catch it quite easily....

This is where I think the confusion lies, I read this yesterday and the neighbour claimed they'd handed the dog to a police officer, but someone up thread has posted that the neighbour has since clarified that she was talking about a different, earlier incident where the dog had escaped

falulahthecat · 19/02/2014 17:00

Not to say I have an opinion either way, but I always assumed it was standard procedure not to say anything was 'definite' until a post mortem had been performed.

Cravey · 19/02/2014 17:27

Nobody saw the dog after the attack apart from the family and police and animal handlers. It was an earlier incident in which the dog was seen. And as someone else said no matter what's happened the police cannot state the cause of death until there has been a post mortem. I simply don't understand the speculation. This is a family who are devastated.

Cravey · 19/02/2014 17:29

And solo, yes I do know a lot as fact I'm afraid.

Sparklingbrook · 19/02/2014 17:31

How come Cravey?

Joules68 · 19/02/2014 17:33

People always say they know the facts....

Cravey · 19/02/2014 17:35

How come what ? That I know a lot as fact ? I would rather not go into details. But what I can say is that the media are reporting stuff that isn't right. I don't know is the baby was left alone with the dog. I do know the dog wasn't out. The incident the media reported happened days ago. Yes the dog did seem lovely. But who knows what makes an animal turn ?

Cravey · 19/02/2014 17:35

Joules 68. You really are rather rude you know. I don't need to say I know facts. I do.

Cravey · 19/02/2014 17:37

Also joules maybe if you had an ounce of empathy you would understand that what has happened is horrific. For all concerned.

Sparklingbrook · 19/02/2014 17:37

I just wanted to know how you knew so much Cravey that's all. But if you can't/won't explain then how can we possibly know that it's fact?

Cravey · 19/02/2014 17:40

Sparkling I know a lot as fact as I know a member of the family. I'm telling you what I have been told as fact. Without going into too much detail. I am simply making you all aware that a lot of the media print isn't quite the truth. If that makes sense.

Cravey · 19/02/2014 17:43

Although I should clarify that I wasn't there so only know what the family have told me. I won't speculate however as that's not me. I just fond it distasteful that certain people are insinuating that something else has maybe happened. From what I have been told it wasn't pleasant.

fragola · 19/02/2014 17:52

I think this is a very unreasonable thread. A baby has died and no one knows the whole story yet. To imply that more is involved is unnecessary and cruel.

scottishmummy · 19/02/2014 17:57

Yes but this is a mn and online norm.speculation and insinuation
Only have to read a McCann thread to see how ghoulish people can be
I suppose it's human nature to fill in the what-ifs and gossip

Alisvolatpropiis · 19/02/2014 18:00

There's nothing odd about there being a post mortem.

They are a legal requirement for all people who either are dead on arrival at a hospital or die within 24 hours of admission.

Joules68 · 19/02/2014 18:02

Cravey you could be anyone.... Who knows?

oldgrandmama · 19/02/2014 18:03

A near neighbour phoned me in tears this morning. She has a malamute and when she walked it today, people glared, and some made a point of crossing to the other side of the road rather than pass her. I know the dog well - it's the gentlest, most affectionate soul, loves everyone. I did think it was odd that a dog of that breed would hurt a child.

Having said that, I agree that dogs and children should never be left unsupervised. Hell, I don't even let my grandkids and the cat be together - cat is very nervous (due to a horrific start in life when she was tortured by an eight year old child in her first 'home', before being sent to Cats Protection for rehoming). She is unpredictable and can lash out if frightened. So I keep her and the kids apart always.

One of my granddaughters was attacked by a 'lovely' golden retriever belonging to a family member. It was old, crotchety, she was cuddling it and it suddenly grabbed her head. Luckily my daughter was nearby and rescued the toddler. Taught her, and the rest of us, a lesson.

I get worried when I see those photos of 'cute dogs protecting tiny babies' beloved of the Dail Wail etc. Trouble just waiting to happen.

KungFuBustle · 19/02/2014 18:07

Why on earth would the police suggest a statement from the family?! Like they haven't got enough to deal with.

thedogwakesuptoodamnearly · 19/02/2014 18:12

It's the same when people die in awful road crashes, KungFu. It's hoped the media will then go away and leave the family in peace.

KungFuBustle · 19/02/2014 18:23

I never knew that the dog. . I just can't imagine having to deal with the pain of losing a child and feeling I had to share my private thoughts about them with the world. Should the police even ask them at such a difficult time, surely their decision making is impaired.

Iarebaboon · 19/02/2014 18:28

I guess people raise an eyebrow as tiny babies, so young are rarely left along, unsupervised, especially not long enough for something like this to happen

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