Rottweiler and kids?

Mrs7ones

Hi,
I'm looking for a bit of advice re my DD and a recent incedent with a Rottweiler.
the family of a school friend have a Rottweiler, and the 11 yo daughter often walks it alone. the other day, DD bumper into the daughter and dog whilst out playing.
The dog got a bit 'nasty' over another dog, and DD and the girl tried to restrain it, and the dog 'nipped' DD on the calf.
Now, it didn't draw blood, but left a very small bruise and made her cry.....
I was quite alarmed by the situation, and made me wonder about the law re Rottweilers....
Any advice??
Thanks

UKTigerlily

Mrs7ones wrote: »

Hi,
I'm looking for a bit of advice re my DD and a recent incedent with a Rottweiler.
the family of a school friend have a Rottweiler, and the 11 yo daughter often walks it alone. the other day, DD bumper into the daughter and dog whilst out playing.
The dog got a bit 'nasty' over another dog, and DD and the girl tried to restrain it, and the dog 'nipped' DD on the calf.
Now, it didn't draw blood, but left a very small bruise and made her cry.....
I was quite alarmed by the situation, and made me wonder about the law re Rottweilers....
Any advice??
Thanks

They come under the Dangerous Dogs Act in the same way as any other breed except the four banned ones ie dog dangerously out of control in a public place. I'd 'hope' if this dog is genuinely nasty the Owners wouldn't let their 11yr old walk it, but I also know many don't give a !!!! about all that. I'm no expert but as far as I know, if your Daughter was hurt or feared she would be, the dog can be classed as dangerously out of control in a public place. Personally i'd call the Dog Warden & have a chat & get their advice, they will know the laws inside out & can let you know.

I'd be concerned about an 11yr old walking a dog of that size, even a friendly one, because let's say he decides oo that's a nice cat/rabbit/piece of litter over the road & decides to go & see, there's no way an 11yr old could hold him. I know some dogs of that size are 100% trained, but in this case that doesn't seem to apply, your Daughter got the bruise somehow!

But I don't mean to say the dog is viscious too, when I was about your Daughters age I was at my friends Sisters house waiting for my Mum to collect me & they had a Rottweiler, when I left the guy made him sit & held his collar & I sorta put my hand over his head to stroke his head & he bit the underside of my forearm resulting in a huge bruise but no broken skin & it was so minor the Owners didn't even realise! He definitely wasn't viscious.

Have you met this dog? Maybe speak to the Owners & explain & say you're concerned that their Daughter might be dragged into a road or bitten herself because she can't restrain it, that may be enough? If not maybe chat to the DW & get their opinion.

Sorry to waffle I don't even know much about all this lol hope your DD is ok though x

UKTigerlily

Sorry, me again! I've just had a think about this & think the first step is to definitely speak to the dogs Owners. They'll either be all defensive & not bothered, or they'll be horrified. Also, the dog could be a young, full grown dog that hates others, but it might be a well trained, old dog that doesn't ever pull & this could be the first incident & they might have no idea.

You never know, if they're decent Owners they'll be horrified & maybe muzzle it in future or have someone walk with their Daughter & the dog.

If you get no luck with the Owners (Don't go all guns blazing saying your dog attacked my Daughter, which i'm sure you wouldn't, but more out of concern) then try the Dog Warden for advice. Take a pic of your Daughters leg maybe? It could well be a one off & they might decide to prevent it happening again, but I think they should be made aware so they have the opportunity to prevent it happening again & only if they ignore it should you go to the DW for advice.

Mrs7ones

Thanks for the replies, but here's where it starts to get a bit complecated...
(i didn't want to post this because I don't want my post to sound like I was just being vindictive towards the family...)
BUT....
I don't feel comfortable with approaching the family cos there's been a bit of bother in the past... DD had a run-in with their other (older) daughter a while back and the mother told DD that she was going to come and 'sort' me out about DD!!:eek: (she never did though - phew!)
I really really don't feel I can speak to the falimy (too scared!!), but don't feel like this situation can be left either!!
I've told DD many many times not to assiciate with this family, but kids will be kids!!
I just don't know what to do

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I agree with the above, but I would also suggest a gentle word with your DD not to put herself in the situation again. It wasn't her dog and it's very, very easy for a child (or an adult) wading into squabbling animals to get hurt accidentally. Explain to her that sometimes other people's pets are treated differently and they might think she was going to hurt them. It doesn't take away that a Rottie is a big beastie for 4 stone of child to control, but it reinforces with your DD that her safety is most important.

Mrs7ones

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

I agree with the above, but I would also suggest a gentle word with your DD not to put herself in the situation again. It wasn't her dog and it's very, very easy for a child (or an adult) wading into squabbling animals to get hurt accidentally. Explain to her that sometimes other people's pets are treated differently and they might think she was going to hurt them. It doesn't take away that a Rottie is a big beastie for 4 stone of child to control, but it reinforces with your DD that her safety is most important.

sound advice - Ithink i'm going to have a serious word with DD rather than go poking my nose in eslewhere - this might be burying my head in the sand a bit, but MY DD's safety comes first

Kimberley

How on earth can the parents let an 11 year old walk a Rottie on her own, they are very powerful :eek:

UKTigerlily

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

I agree with the above, but I would also suggest a gentle word with your DD not to put herself in the situation again. It wasn't her dog and it's very, very easy for a child (or an adult) wading into squabbling animals to get hurt accidentally. Explain to her that sometimes other people's pets are treated differently and they might think she was going to hurt them. It doesn't take away that a Rottie is a big beastie for 4 stone of child to control, but it reinforces with your DD that her safety is most important.

Good advice, didn't think of that! Yeah maybe best not to speak to the family if there's been issues before, I understand that.

Liney_2

I love rotties, my flatmate had one for years, he was a big softy - however I am 5'7" and no weakling and he pulled me over chasing a cat once. Also he bit a lady that called at our door once - totally out of character I and his owner were so shocked as he was always a gentle giant - I guess I am saying don't under-estimate the power of these dogs, lovely though they are. There is no way an 11 year old of mine would be walking one - just in case...

pboae

I wouldn't let a child walk any dog alone. Regardless of how small, well behaved or predicatible the dog concerned was, you have no way of knowing of controlling the other people and dogs they might meet on a walk. A dog can get spooked and run into the road, or another dog could just run up and attack it, either way they child suddenly finds itself in the middle of a dangerous situation, it's not worth the risk.

If you aren't willing to speak to the family, all you can do is speak to your daughter about it. Typically the police wouldn't be interested anyway, as humans getting bitten during a dog fight is not usually considered to be serious, (whereas a dog on human attack is more likely to be followed up). If you did want to take it further you could contact the dog warden. I suppose you could write and do it anonymously and just say a child walks the dog regularly and doesn't have adequate control of it, but it's hard to know whether they would follow a complaint like that up if it was anonymous.

UKTigerlily

Maybe the OP could give their info cause I think the DW would keep who reported it quiet like the RSPCA won't say who reported the animals?