[russell]

We have to acknowledge the tragedy of the event. That is without question. However when you look at the circumstances, surrounding the event?

1. A relatively new dog in an unsecure environment
2. An un-educated minor in terms of dog behaviour(7 years old) taking a baby into the unsecured area.
3. How well did the dog know the 7 year old?
4. How well did the baby sitter know the dog
5. How did the baby sitter leave the area unsecure. ( In Australia, if this had been a pool area that was unsecured the owners of the house would be charged with culpable homicide. Indicative that dog enclosures should be likewise defined.)

All of the above point a very blunt finger back at the owners of the dog.

A good friend of mine who is a dog trainer and handler quoted me the other day that as long as human beings interface with animals (not just dogs) then there will always be injuries, and there will always be fatalities. As responsible breeders we should ensure that all new owners, and for that matter previous owners are in posession of a behavioural manual which educates them and the people around them, what to expect and what to accept and likewise what not to accept.

I have not been into breeding for as long as my wife has( some 20 years now), however whenever we sell a puppy to a new home, the process is somewhat like a job interview. Potential owners are 'vetted and screened' for suitability and compatability. We have a 'puppy book' that gives a guidelines on diet training and behaviour and we insist that the dog is obedience trained to a minimum standard.Basically one step away from a license to operate a dog.

Don't ban the dog. Ban the owners or make them have a license to operate.

You can't drive a car without a license or insurance or an MOT/ roadworthy certificate?