Family fall out dog incident

[violashift]

I didn't see this happen but it has caused a massive extended family fall out on what was a lovely bank holiday.

At cousins house ;my sister and Bil are there with nephew age 5. He is playing in the hall with his brother.
The dog comes in initially wagging tail but within seconds the dog is having a go at my nephew who is about dog height.

My sis filmed all of this as she was filming the kids playing in the hall but dropped the phone when the dog went close to her son.

Pics attached. Brother in law kicked the dog in panic and pulled nephew away.

It all kicked off after that my cousin blaming the brother in law for kicking the dog and refusing to except anything was wrong saying the dog wouldn't hurt him.

Guess I am asking for advice on the next steps. Sis is shaking thinking the dog could have nicked an artery and cousin is annoyed the dog got kicked.

We have all left.

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edited by MNHQ - images removed by request

@Hangingwithmygnomies the dogs owners should have been around.

I would never let my dog wander out of my sight around a small child. It's dangerous. Children are unpredictable and dogs are well, animals and shouldn't be trusted 100%.

If I had a young child in my house, my dog would remain either alone in a separate room or tethered to me somehow.

Dogs and small kids don't mix well. Mine is sensible enough to stay in his bed and when dn visits, he allows dn to stroke him a couple of times and pushes off. You can see when a dog isn't comfortable. Dn has been taught that ddog likes to play ball but not to go near his bed. If you have a dog it's your responsibility but "owners" of toddlers need to train them too!

Cousin just kept saying the dog will be all right he wouldn't hurt a fly.

Cousin was in the other room. She ran in drunk screeching apparently

Cousin is texting calling brother in law all the names under the sun

Cousin sounds like a nightmare who doesn't care about the welfare of your kids very much. I'd just not go to their house again in the future. Doesn't sound like you'd be missing much anyway.

OP I am glad the BiL kicked the dog and pulled the child away.
Years ago, I was walking past a traveller's encampment and a terrier ran out and bit me on the leg twice. On the third attempt I managed to get the dog airborne with a good kick and then made a run for it, I wasn't hanging around for reprisals.
I had to have a visit to casualty and tetanus injection.
Dogs can and have killed plenty of children.

I can absolutely understand fight or flight kicking in if a child looks like they might be danger, he was probably acting on instinct when he kicked the dog as he recognised a threat and parent mode switched on to protect the child.

An unprovoked attack, going for the neck? Dog needs to be put down. The owner is an idiot - there is no such thing as a 'dog that won't hurt a fly'; they always need to be supervised around children. Now, thanks to his neglect, the dog will have to be PTS.

If I was the child's parents, I'd be contacting the police, if the cousin won't have the dog put down. The next time could leave a child permanently mutilated or even killed.

The parents need to watch their 5 year old child. If I were them I would not go to the cousins house again.
I cannot understand why

1. adults do not parent their children at all times.
2. projects think dogs are nice cuddly toys, they are animals and can and will behave as such.

Nephew wasn't leaping he was just waking. He had been laughing though watching his brother.

Report it. The dog isn’t safe.

I find it interesting on these threads how you always get a number of people blaming the child with "what were they doing?" type comments.

The Op says the dog "went for" them while he was playing with his brother. That's pretty clear it was unprovoked, but there are still these questions.

OP, if it's nicked the skin then he should get it checked out, not something you want to mess with.

That dog should be PTS.

I’d be with sis and bil on this. My cousins dog bit my other cousin, she had to go to hospital but still it’s ‘the friendliest dog’ Family are all certain it will go for the baby at some point but she doesn’t care.

Kicking a dog who may or may not be behaving aggressively is going to provoke it and make it more likely to bite.

Woodmillburns is right - it makes the dog feel it is under attack and it is more likely to respond aggressively.

However, I can totally understand the knee-jerk reaction that would cause someone to do this in this sort of situation.

It just emphasises the need to supervise dogs and children carefully.

FWIW, I don't think the dog was being aggressive - I think it was being playful, but it is rough play and a small child could easily be knocked over, or even nipped.

It looks like a staffie. Is that right?

In my experience (I've had four) it is one of the safest breeds to have around small children, as they are very tolerant dogs - however they are heavy, and they like to play rough and bounce about, and they can easily knock a child flying.

Be more vigilant in future and keep the dog away from children of any age. As others have said - dog may be old and becoming anxious - some do. It isn't fair on the dog or the child to let them mix.

Also- excellent post from Minxmumma

Cousin sounds like a nightmare who doesn't care about the welfare of your kids very much. I'd just not go to their house again in the future. Doesn't sound like you'd be missing much anyway.

I have definitely had my eyes opened to this.
Actually starting to realise she is a horrible person but have had to put up with their attitudes for years because ' they are family '

None of us will be going back.

Your poor DS. I’d be reporting this, the second picture shows that the dog isn’t playing, sod what the cousin says - you’re lucky the outcome for your DS is not a lot worse.

How was the poor kid not being 'parented', both parents were in the same room as him.

I virtually never suggest this, but I think this dog needs putting down.

I cannot understand why

1. adults do not parent their children at all times.

Both parents and my Dad were right with them the whole time stood in the hall. Sister was filming them playing. The dog just walked in. Thats how BiL acted so quickly.

I hate all that. The dog would never hurt anyone. They never do, do they until a child is maimed or heaven forbid worse!!!. How many families have been left gutted and torn apart over fatal maulings. No matter how lovely a dog maybe. They have all got it in them to turn. Yes the dog may have meant no Ill intent, but I wouldn’t be taking that chance.

Years ago, I was walking past a traveller's encampment and a terrier ran out and bit me on the leg twice

Travellers' dogs aren't pets- they are working dogs, and guarding is part of their job.

Friend's father was a GP many years ago (when home visits were common) and was called to a traveller site. He got there - there was no-one about that he could see, so he knocked on the door of the nearest van. No answer. He turned to leave and found that there was a semi-circle of assorted dogs surrounding him on the steps of the van. They had crept up on him totally silently. He sat down and waited for someone to come back.

When they did return (don't know why everyone had left - he didn't say) he was told that he was lucky. If he'd tried to get past them, they'd have had him.

Although I do agree kicking a dog will never help a dangerous situation

I’ve had lots of dogs and have four children.
I’m not a behaviourist but a snarl and snap at a small child while passing in a confined space would be a serious worry for me.

If the dog was sleeping, for e.g, and the toddler startled it, it would have no concerns about the dog’s behaviour around small children specifically.

kicking a dog will never help a dangerous situation
I’m sure bil just reacted without thinking but what should you do in that situation? In a confined space etc

What does your dad say?

Personally if a day just 'nips' a child's neck then massive alarm bells are ringing - completely unsafe - dog needs to be on a
Leash at all times around children, needs behaviourist to look into whether dog should be PTS really

I'd have kicked the dog too - to break contact and to ensure the dog was distracted away from the child to the person kicking - no brainer in that situation

Kicking the dog wasn't ideal but BIL was probably terrified and acted on instinct.

The dog has clearly gone for DN's neck and as this was unprovoked, the dog is dangerous and should really be pts.

I think you're all doing the right thing staying away from your cousin's house.