Yes.

I don't trust any dog...much less a large breed dog. I watch them around children like a hawk. Prayers for all involved. People treat their dogs like children these days instead of like the animals they are. They really think they understand when they talk to them. Sad state of affairs.

or maybe another breed did it and everyone blames pits, sorta like this thread and your post

prayers sent, i had several classes with the dad in auburn.

My best friend raised pits. He let his young son crawl around them, pulling ears and lips. Poking them. Never an issue. Unfortunately, my friend found out the only dangerous thing in that house was his wife.

I trust my lab. That said, I don’t let him around kids if he’s not with me. And I usually have him harnessed and leashed. It just takes one second for something to change.

Similar, an old high school friend raised high dollar pits and his kids grew ion amongst them. He vehemently defends pits. I’m still out on them being around kids though. Honestly there dogs of all breeds of size I’d watch closely around children. Something about a kids actions triggers some dogs.

Very true. My best guess. It was the bicycle.. It stimulates prey drive in dogs. That said, it's the dog owners responsibility to prepare his pet for potential stimulus or keep his dog away from such things.

That’s the question

How and what is secure
If someone comes into your yard, does it have to be fenced? Does the fence have to have the gate locked?

It’s no different than a gun and how securely it’s stored

Ask 10 people that question and you’ll eventually get 20 different answers


I’m not justifying anything. Just trying to figure out how to prevent these sickening tragedies while preserving freedoms.

Dogs are very loyal to their owners and are territorial animals. I would think that almost anything coming into a yard that the dog didn’t recognize would be at risk. I’m not defending the dog, owners or making light of the situation but that’s just how most dogs are. My heart goes out to these people. I just can’t imagine the void that’s in their life right now.

Me personally. I introduce my dog to as many situations as possible. It's a repetitive process. Most people don't have the time energy, energy and ability to do this. I figure out what the triggers are and help the dog cope with it. If I can't make the dog comfortable. I'm at least aware of it and keep the dog away from them situations. It basically boils down to sounds, movement or both (to a lesser degree smell, can as well). Unfortunately kids stimulate sound and movement, combined with the fact that the dog is unable to read the body language of them. This can cause fear for the dog. Violating their protective barrier, they then become a threat. It's an accident waiting to happen.

I think another temptation or trigger is that kids are small. The dogs are more froggy towards little people.
It can be any breed. I hate it for the parents and dog owner. Need a lock on the gate if your dog is..."bout it"

At the very least a clasp, like what's on the end of a leash.

Any dog needs to be socialized from a young age. I've had large breeds and always get them out of the house as puppies. My FIL has Chihuahuas that rarely leave the house and the worst behaved dogs I've ever been around.

Covid dogs

Never thought about til a good friend that’s a vet said that.
Lots of dogs haven’t been properly socialized since Covid and especially during their developmental years if pups at that time.