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