Babies and Bullies
Well, it looks like another week has come and gone and I’m faced with coming up with a coherent ControverSunday post. This time around, we can pick our own topic, which proved to be difficult for me until I looked at my dog, Ellie.
This is Ellie with my son, Colin. Ellie is a rescue dog. She was found by my good friend and we fell in love with her instantly. She is kind, gentle, and intelligent. She lets Colin hit her belly and pull her feet. She’s a lazy, big lug who enjoys cleaning the area around the high chair after feedings. She is a pit bull mix.
I’ve been a “mom” to dogs a lot longer than I’ve been a baby momma. Of course, it’s a hugely different job..the dogs can stay home alone and don’t wear diapers. However, my dogs have taught me a great deal about discipline, patience, and love. When we moved to Atlanta, I gave up a well paying job to do something I actually enjoy for a change. I’ve been working with and around dogs ever since. I’ve met a lot of amazing dogs – some incredible pit bulls and some a-hole weimerieners. I’ve been around just about every breed of dog possible. Although my job now involves being in an office 99% of the time, I have dog know how, dog savvy. So when I see this headline in our local newspaper, I find my dog side meeting my baby momma side in a very uncomfortable way.
Oh. God. Any time I hear about the death of a small child, it tears me to pieces. Before baby, I would have felt badly and all, but it is so different now. It kills me to hear these things because I can’t even begin to imagine how that mother must feel. It has to be the worst feeling in the world. Ever.
But, at the same time, this headline made me a little angry. If you read the article, you’ll find that the sheriff states that this was not a mean or aggressive bite, that this could have happened with any dog. It wasn’t a case of neglect on the mom’s part, but a case of a dog responding the way many dogs would respond, but ending very, very tragically.
(Can I also point out that it was not relevant to the story to point out that the dog was a pit bull? If it had been a Greyhound, would that have been made obvious?)
This headline wasn’t the only “pit bull attacks” headline that the AJC decided to pick up on. There seemed to be a rush of them all at once. There was also an additional headline from a local surgeon deeming pit bulls and rotties have no place around children. So, I suppose I should ask Ellie to leave the room where Colin and I are sleeping (well, I’m typing) – but not because she’s terribly gassy.
When I brought Colin into our home, I was very careful around my dogs because, although I know my dogs, I didn’t know how they would react to my child. I did not, and still do not, leave him unattended around the dogs while he is sleeping. Mostly, I don’t want their constant licking and tag-jangling to wake him. But, I also know that accidents can happen. They can happen around my pit bull mix, but they can happen around my beagle mix and my sheltie mix. (I have three dogs, I know it’s insane).
I am certainly not suggesting that there isn’t a real problem with pit bulls. The problem doesn’t lie with just the pit bulls. Simply, our community needs more education and awareness. I’m not a proponent of dog breeding at any level, and I certainly do not agree with breeding dogs to fight or to use as weapons. There are at least 2-3 pit bulls that live down the street from me and I know they are used for security. I know this is wrong. I have seen these emaciated, sad-looking dogs roaming the street after getting loose from their chains. It’s so wrong, it’s sick. If I were out walking my dogs or my child, I would be worried if I approached them. I understand dog behavior and can see when a dog means harm. However, most people do not, some may react poorly, and some may be bitten. This is awful all around. This is how bad things happen. It is irresponsible dog ownership. Period.
So, I guess the controversy is this: should pit bulls be trusted around children? My stand? All dogs, regardless of their breed, should be closely monitored around children. No dog can be completely trusted. Dogs are animals first. They have instincts, prey drives. It’s that simple. That being said, I trust my pit bull mix about as much as I’d trust any of my other dogs. I do not feel I am being irresponsible by keeping her in our home and I think Colin will have a wonderful relationship with a truly loving and gentle dog for years to come.
In general, if you have a dog in your home, it would be best to consult a trainer or dog behaviorist before, and after, bringing home a baby. I’ve seen many labs with “baby issues”, but you never read about that in the news. Here’s a great article (that followed the two previously mentioned articles) about bringing baby home to pets.
That story is just heartbreaking. I almost wish it were a case of neglect (child left alone for hours with dog or something), but it’s just a horrible accident. Not that “neglect” would make it any better…but…E’s first fall came because I fell asleep while holding him. It’s so easy to make those mistakes. Does that make sense?
Anyway, this is a great post. The point isn’t so much the breed as that you need to be watchful when your kids and your animals are together. I want to get a dog within the next few years, because I think it’s best for kids to learn how to be around them when they’re young. The only people I know who are afraid of dogs were never exposed to them as kids.
And for the record, the only dog bite I ever got was from a puny little terrier. Ha!
I totally see what you mean about neglect. I read an article about a pit bull that chewed a baby’s toes off (?!) while the parents slept. They claimed they didn’t hear the baby crying! Now that’s neglect! Something totally random and awful like the baby in the bassinet is just hard to compute.
I was afraid of dogs for most of my childhood. It wasn’t until I was 15 that we had a dog and it’s been downhill ever since. If you get a dog one day, let me suggest stopping at one…2 is pushing it and 3 is insane!
We just got a second lab (our first is a lab/pointer mix- can we say H-Y-P-E-R) puppy, and I worry when they start wrestling about Kellen getting in the way. I will have to say that I am terrified of Pit Bulls and Rotties and I love dogs. We had a Rottie that lived at the end of our street growing up and was left to roam, and he held me hostage one day, unable to get past to go home (and my mom was SO MAD at ME!). But I also know that responsible pet ownership trumps breed, and I don’t think your dog is any more of a danger than ours are.
Brooke, I totally understand about the dog wrestling. My little man likes to crawl around and try to join in, not realizing that dog play can hurt babies! I’ll pick him up and he thinks it’s just hilarious.
I can also totally see how people can be afraid of pit bulls and rotties. I’m not about to approach a stray one on the street, either because, unfortunately, you just never can tell! I’m 5ft tall and I have encountered a few rotties that would clear me if they jumped up on their hind legs. That’s scary!
Thanks for the kind comment