Mother chooses family pet over her own child’s safety

The mother of a little boy who was mauled by the family’s 50kg mastiff-staffordshire cross has said she won’t be getting rid of the family pet.  Alicia Cottier told the media she blamed her two year old son, Noah Newbold for the attack.  Pardon me for being so blunt, but this woman is a complete moron.  How can she possibly consider keeping the dog after the animal attacked her young child?

Two year old Noah Newbold (pictured) has a permanent reminder of the day the beloved family pet bit him for pulling on her ears–a scar on his left eyelid.  Paramedics who attended the scene said the little boy was lucky he didn’t lose the sight in his left eye.  But despite this, his mother is adamant she won’t be getting rid of the mastiff-staffordshire cross.

Surely the safety and well being of a child is more important than the family pet?  I love my dog but if he bit a young child, he’d be packed off to the pound immediately. 

I recall when my oldest child was born, I asked my brother to surrender my cat to the pound after I found her sitting on my newborn’s head.  As much as I loved the cat, I loved my son more and I wasn’t prepared to take the risk that she would inadvertently suffocate him whilst my back was turned.  I know she didn’t mean him any harm.  But I had to do what was necessary to protect my child.  So it is hard for me to understand Alicia Cottier’s decision to choose the family pet over the safety of her own child.

Managing Director of Bark Busters Australia, Bryan Edwards says children and the family dog can live in harmony if dog owners have a better understanding of man’s best friend.  In a statement released to the media today Mr Edwards said:

“Firstly, you have to remember that a dog is a dog. The greatest misconception many dog owners have is to assume their dogs communicate the way humans do. Dogs live by the same pack rules and exhibit many of the same behavioural patterns as their wild ancestors. To effectively train your dog, you must first understand its instinctual pack behaviour.”

“Ultimately nothing beats a parent’s vigilance. For example, NEVER leave a baby unattended. Even though you might think your dog is a little human on four legs, dogs are still wild creatures that have just been domesticated. If given the right circumstances they can still behave in the same way as a creature in the wild. Don’t take anything for granted. Always ensure that you watch the baby when your dog is around.”

What concerns most of us who oppose the mother’s decision, is what will the dog do next time little Noah annoys her?  The toddler was very lucky this time.  But will he be so lucky next time around when the dog attacks?  You have to wonder where this mother’s priorities are if she is willing to take such an unacceptable risk.  Let us hope we never have to tell Alicia Cottier, ‘I told you so’ in the not too distant future.