Wyoming boy survives attack from Great Dane and Lab

[ramanth]

News Link

Wyoming boy survives dog attack

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) - A 12-year-old boy survived an attack by two dogs after he climbed into a fenced-in yard to retrieve a ball, police said.


The boy, whose name was not released, was treated for bites to his neck, arms and the back of his head, but none of the injuries was serious, Campbell County Sheriff Bill Pownall said. Both dogs were current on their shots.


The attack occurred Saturday when the boy climbed the fence and was initially approached by the black and white Great Dane and a brown Labrador retriever mix in what appeared to be a friendly manner, Pownall said. But the dogs soon started attacking, knocking the boy down.


The boy curled into a fetal position and began to scream, Pownall said. A neighbor responded and fended off the dogs with a stick until police arrived and contained the dogs.


The dogs' owners were not home at the time. The dogs have been quarantined, Pownall said.

Gee.... wonder what all those "experts" about Pit Bull attacks say about this?

I hope the dogs are not put down. They were only defending their property.

And I'm feel bad that the boy was never taught not to go into a strangers yard.

[Cheshirekatt]

Yet another reason parents need to start teaching their kids 'dog safety'. I totally remember my mom telling me to NEVER approach a strange dog and NEVER pet a dog without asking his owner first, etc. She was very emphatic about it and I never had a severe bite as a child.

Why aren't parents teaching their kids this anymore?

Heck, you could even teach it in schools? It's the little kids especially that need to learn it.

[Shelteez2]

I agree that the boy shouldn't have gone into the neighbor's yard. And I agree that kids need to be taught to ask before petting dogs. I meet a lot of kids that do ask to pet my dogs and I meet a lot that just pet without asking. I always thank the ones who ask and I always tell the ones that don't that they should always ask and tell them the reasons why. There's always an opportunity to learn. One thing I've noticed though is that more adults tend to just pet my dogs without asking than kids. Perhaps because I have smaller fluffy dogs? Anyways I am drifting far from the topic at hand.
I also think that basic dog language should be taught in school.
The article states:

The attack occurred Saturday when the boy climbed the fence and was initially approached by the black and white Great Dane and a brown Labrador retriever mix in what appeared to be a friendly manner

the key word though is "appeared". To so many people just a wagging tail makes a dog appear to be friendly. But those who have dogs know that they wag their tails in many different ways for many different emotions.
Our animal control has a Paws for Safety School Program where animal control officers go to classrooms of elementary school kids and teach them how to act around dogs. A very wise program to my way of thinking.

It's so sad to know that this was easily prevented. I hope the dogs do not pay the price.

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Test your knowledge on doggy body language:

http://www.behaviour-problems.freese...dylangquiz.htm

[Kfamr]

My parents always told me to ask before petting/approaching someones dog. I have never been bit by a dog.

I also remember knocking on my neighbor's doors numerous times with my brother, asking them to retrieve our football/tennis ball/frisbee that had flown into their yard, or allowing us the permission to do so. If they were not home, we waited until they came home. Often at times they'd throw it over, if they were away and came home and saw it.

If these dogs are put to sleep it's simply outrageous.


I feel bad for the boy, one for not being taught and another for being attacked. The dogs were simply protecting their territory.


I'm sure a human would freak out too if all of the sudden a little boy comes hopping over your fence.

[G.P.girl]

well i think it's his own fault! e shouldn't have climbed the fence! the dogs did nothing wrong! for all they know it could be a burgler!

[lovemyshiba]

I can't even imagine what my dogs would do if someone came over our fence

I'm glad that the bites weren't serious, and the kid will be alright.
I have to ask though--where were the parents? And why didn't that kid know any better? If he didn't know how to act around a dog he didn't know, he sure as heck should have known not to climb the fence onto someone else's property

[cocker_luva]

i agree with you ramanth!