Protection or Pets?

I think it is in their nature to 'attack' especially when their guard is down. We have 2 dogs and we dont keep them inside. When we had the female we used to keep her inside to protect her from the males especially when it was her 'cycle'. Now that we have 2 males. The big one's home is in the garage. He's quite used to it and is happy with his living arrangements. We give him free reign to go about the neighborhood and he knows what times he should be leashed up. The smaller dog is kept outside in his doghouse. He just never learned to keep his surroundings clean. I mean, he'd do his 'business' anywhere he likes. The big dog has a place he goes to to do his daily business. So with that we have to keep him outside. Anyway, I got attacked by their fleas. Not their fault of course. I was playing with them and forgot to wash up. So I had bites all over my arms and legs the next morning. Thank god its healing nicely. My cousin was nipped by her dog near the lip. The dog was sleeping by her side and she(my cousin) unconsciously touched the side which surprised him. So in defense, the dog nipped the closest thing which was her face. I guess it would be old age, jealousy, among other factors that could make a dog turn on its owner..

Labs are usually only aggressive when they need to be. I have a lab that barks when she's scared, but has never bitten ANYONE. The lab was probably only trying to protect the little girl, and attacked her by mistake. Labs aren't usually the smartest, but they'll protect you if they need to.

I believe you read (or saw) what you said. However, after having 3 Labs, I think there was more to the story than was told. None of my 3 are aggressive. My males have always been barkers who looked mean enough nobody would mess with them. However, if you walked in my yard, they ran. More than likely the Lab was attacking the Pitbull & the child just happened to be between them at the time. My male lab was miserable inside & begged to go out all the time. After a while he refused to come back in. When I got the second one, she wanted to stay with him all the time. So, they both stay outside of their own will...NOT because I make them. I've tried getting them to come in when it's cold in the winter or when it real hot in the summer. They won't have any part of it. Separating them would drive them crazy. I have no children to worry about & I don't fear for my life when I'm out with them. The worst that they do is jump on me to give me a kiss!!! I sometimes feel dogs are blamed for things that are seen from the human perspective.

I think the point in the story is that the dogs were provoking each other and the child just happened to be in the way of that which may have set it off. I don't think the dog intentionally chewed up the kid as much as trying to tell him/her to get out of the way! I have a boxer who sometimes gets mistaken for a pitbull (I don't see how) but he has never even tempted to attack anyone and he is 7. I have 2 kids that are 9 & 10 and he loves them bunches. You can take food from him, he lets you... he only barks if someone is at the door or if you ask him if he wants to box....lol, oh or a car ride! I think a nice family dog has to be provoked to attack. Also, my dog is never left outside, well maybe an hour but I can see him. He doesn't like it outside alone and he has very short fur so he gets cold if its rainy, snowy or windy...lol