I don't think it is acceptable for your dog to attack anyone who doesn't pose a threat. Shouldn't a dog of sound mind be able to tell that a ten year old boy is not "threatening" their environment?? Sadly, if this happened w/ my dog (which it NEVER would); I would make the choice to euthanize her
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Mauling a child is NEVER acceptable in my book .
Now; IF the child was taunting the dogs, abusing them, or making them truly feel threatened that would be a different story.
I would find it VERY unlikely to believe my dog would attack a child who just "hopped over to get a ball". Yes, the boy SHOULD have gone to the door, but as we all know...boys will be boys.
I feel that this is another story of ignorant and lazy owners. Poor dogs for having to live with them, for not being properly socialized, and for not being bred with temperament in mind. ~~~Poor owners for being born with no brains.