I think both sides have perhaps read a bit too much into the "opposing side's" viewpoints. I think Julie's anger and outrage was directed at the parents of this child, who were not only allowing the child to torment the dogs, but allowed him to be in danger of being bitten due to his provoking behavior. It seems to me they had no care for either the dogs or their own child in this instance, disturbing on both accounts.

I was surprised when I saw the "kid-hater" comment, it seemed to me people were complaining about badly behaved children, the same way I have seen threads here before about badly behaved dogs, and I saw nothing to indicate that anyone hated children or felt there were no well behaved children.

On the other hand, I don't think anyone stated that people who choose not to have children are bad people. I think anyone would agree if a person does not wish to have and raise children, then it is best that they don't. I don't think, or at least I would hope, that someone would judge someone else in a poor light just because they prefer not to have children. I know personally my husband and I have no desire to have children, for many reasons. That does not mean I hate children or don't appreciate them. Like Denyce mentioned, young kids actually often seem drawn to me, which has always puzzled me because I never coo and coddle them the way a lot of other adults seem to, but maybe that is exactly why they feel drawn to me, because I treat them with respect and don't talk down to them.

As far as projecting dislike to a child who is acting bratty, I think it is human nature, the same way a person would feel dislike towards an obnoxious, aggressive, trouble-causing dog rather than the owner, even if the owner is really to blame. It isn't always fair which way the anger or dislike is directed but that it is human nature to be repelled by the actual source of unpleasantness.

When I was growing up, my Mom's best friend had a West Highland white terrier that was indeed a terror. She jumped all over guests, snarled and snapped at your toes if you got near her eating area in the kitchen, even bit at my toes under the table while we were eating dinner once because her owner, who was a wonderfully nice lady, spoiled her rotten and gave into her every whim. There was no question that Button was alpha there. She fed her scraps while she ate and cooked, and did not enforce herself as pack leader. The dog was a misery to be around. I really came to dislike the dog, even though it really wasn't the dog's fault, I couldn't help it. Not only that but, being younger and less knowledgable, I came to feel dislike for the breed even, she was so unpleasant to be around. Of course I later learned that my prejudice was misplaced. I imagine though if I had come to a pet board and expressed my distaste and dislike for that dog, some might have jumped to the conclusion that I was a dog hater, which couldn't have been farther from the truth.

Honestly, that seems to me to be what has happened here.