I am just sick about this....

[CajunsMom]

I am in tears. I don't know what to do, I feel like I should apologize to everyone here. I found out the following story is about my niece's dogs. I knew she wasn't the best Rott owner but you never dream it will happen this close to home. I'm sorry everyone :( :( :( . I am just sick. I hope that the boy will be OK, an I can only hope that my niece will never own another dog.


Dogs Maul Mid-Michigan Boy

A young boy was in critical condition Sunday night, after rottweilers mauled him. Fox 47 was the first to tell you about this story Saturday. Now his neighbors say it was just a matter of time.
Chuck DeYoung lives next door to 8-year-old Brandon Galey's dad. He said it's sad this happened, but he's glad the dogs have been taken away. He said he was afraid for his family's safety because the dogs are not kept in a fenced-in yard.
Saturday Brandon was playing in the backyard when he was almost mauled to death by 3 rottweilers. Dewitt Township police officer, Zackary Szakacs said he was shocked to find out the dogs are the family's pets. Officer Szackacs said Brandon's father's girlfriend looked out the back window and saw the dogs attacking him. She told police she ran out and got the dogs away from him and took him into the house. Officer Szackacs said the one thing that may have helped save Brandon's life is that he was wearing a bulky jacket that the dogs pulled off, along with some of his other clothing.
Officer Szackacs said the bites were the worst he's seen in his career. He had bites on his back, shoulders, legs, and chin. He said Brandon just kept yelling out the name Max, which is one of the dogs. But, they're not sure if one or all three attacked him.
I talked with some of Brandon's family members. They did not want to be interviewed, but said he is doing better. Police said Brandon is at Sparrow Hospital in the Pediatric Unit, Intensive Care. They also said the family signed the dogs over to Clinton County Animal Shelter to be destroyed.
DeYoung said he's glad someone is finally taking control of the dogs, so he and his kids can feel safe in their yard again.

[Judi W]

The appology should only apply if you:
Gave her the dogs or
Encouraged them in ownership of the dogs, or
Saw how they were raising the dogs and remained silent about the danger of the situation

[CajunsMom]

but knew they were doing the BYB thing. I did try to talk to them about that. As a matter of fact they were angry with me when I had Cajun neutered. They said they wanted to breed to him, and when I asked them why, they said for the money :(.

I didn't give them the dogs, I didn't encourage their ownership, just tried to keep them from breeding which did absolutely no good. It didn't matter what I said.

It just makes me sick that they didn't listen.......

[KatMc]

CajunsMom,

This is so tragic and I'm so sorry it was someone related to you. I think a lot of us have family members that we know don't take care of their animals the way we do, or think they should be taken care of. I know I have.

I've made comments and preached about my feelings about this and that, but for peace in the family that's as far as it goes.

It's not your fault all you can do now is pray that she will never have another animal.

Kathy

[Sampson's Mom]

Cajun's Mom,
You shouldn't be the one apologizing. It sounds like you tried, but some people just never listen. Hopefully something will be done and she won't be able to own any more dogs in her lifetime. I'm sorry that you and the child's family have to go through this. I hope he is doing better today.

Lisa

[shybird]

Old saying..."You can chose your friends, but not your relatives" You tried to get them to do the right thing, but you can't make them. Please don't beat yourself up over this.

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

It's definitely not your fault and it sounds like you did everything you could. Some people just do not deserve to have dogs.

I have a sister who is like an accident waiting to happen. She has a six month old GSD mix who is nearly 100% untrained.
She also has a three year old human child, one of the most adorable (but bratty) kids I've ever seen. She lets the little boy torment the dog - hit him, pull his tail, etc. She never makes any attempt to keep the two separated and the most she will do is ask my nephew, "do you want a time out?" Apparently that is supposed to be enough to discourage a three year old boy.
The dog hasn't retaliated - yet - more than nipping. My mother visited my sister over Christmas and was totally appalled. She said the dog was also nipping everyone else - you would sit on the couch, he would come up and you'd pet him, and soon he would start nipping you. We have all tried to discuss this with my sister but she just says, "Yes, I know" and then never does anything. This is the same sister who installed an electronic fence but hasn't done the training of the dog yet and wonders why the dog is still getting out and bothering the neighbor's horses. Everyone in her family refers to the puppy as "annoying".

When my sister got the GSD mix puppy, I gave her this website and told her how much it helped me after I got Buddy, and forwarded her a few articles on aggression, but of course it's fallen on deaf ears. I'm sure she's never checked it once.

I hope I will not be posting here in a few months "GSD mix attacks three year old." :( :( :(

[RSQRottweiler]

CM -

As others have already said, don't blame yourself for this. It sounds like you tried to steer them towards being responsible owners, and they chose to be otherwise.

My family is in the same situation. . .one of my aunts had a BC mix that bit a couple of people (including a child). She gave it to my grandparents, where it bit the mail carrier twice. It's still alive. The excuse is that "it's a herding breed. . .they're supposed to bite." Then, my other aunt has a half-blind, intact male Yorkie. The little dog is carbon-based organism-aggressive. I'm serious. . .it is a nasty little dog. It's "okay," though -- it's just a little dog (note sarcasm).

Don't be too hard on yourself. . .you did what you could. :(

Audrey

[rottnvegas]

Can anyone say lawsuit?????

[Gryphon]

Originally posted by rottnvegas
Can anyone say lawsuit?????

Who is there to sue? The way I read the article, it was the families own dog(s)

[rottnvegas]

Gryphon, I re-read the article and stand corrected. OH GOSH that is even worse

[moondog]

It certainly isn't your fault, but I'll bet that doesn't make you feel a whole lot better about it. :( The poor kid, he must have been terrified. There's always someone in every family whose skull is just too thick....not much you can do about it except say, "See that? That's how not to do it". You can bring a horse to water...........:(

[Elijah's Mom]

Cajun's Mom, I am so sorry you are going through this mental torment. You can advise all day and night but people are often not listening.....I just hope they never have any more dogs. Don't blame yourself....

I sure hope Brandon will be ok....what a horrible experience for him.

We will forever be defending our Rotties because of irresponsible owners..........I came on to this topic to post a local story when I happened on your post.

Remember, this was not your fault.