Parents for Dog Bite Awareness

Your dog is your best friend, but could some dogs be a foe?

You worry about hot car deaths, strangulation from blind cords, drowning in backyard pools, and controversial subjects such as when to consent to a c-section or whether to circumcise your baby.

But it’s time to talk about an escalating risk that sits in many of our homes unassumingly.

It’s time to talk about pets that have the capacity, and even innate genetic tendency, to kill your child.

Right about now is when some of you begin shaking your head, ready to defend your most precious pet doggo.

“She’s the cuddliest and kindest pet I’ve ever had in my life!”

“My dog would never hurt my baby!”

“We know all about this. We taught our child to be a tree and we are introducing our dog to the baby properly! Nothing can happen!”

As parents, your priority to safeguard your children comes first. That means identifying your own cognitive defense mechanisms and learning how to rise above them to protect your children. It means setting aside your personal offense for the good of your children. It means knowing you never say never.

This parent, Colby Bennard, said never. He owned two bloodsport dogs for over 8 years before they snapped one day and killed his toddler and baby. They had never acted violently before.

Maybe some of you are paying attention now. Or maybe you’re asking, “Is this really an issue? Isn’t this super rare?”

Like many preventable child deaths, being killed by dogs can appear statistically rare. Unfortunately, non-fatal dog bites and fatal dog attacks are rapidly escalating in our country and worldwide. And young children are the ones most likely to experience both. Due to many different factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in remote work, cases have ballooned out of control. This isn’t a rare topic for parents or anyone in charge of protecting children; it should actually be one of the most relevant topics on your parenting radar.

“What now?”

Now is the time to begin working through your cognitive defense mechanisms. Let go of previously held myths or outdated facts and ideas regarding dog safety. Look in your own home, your relatives’ homes, your neighborhood, and beyond. Begin to dive beneath the surface. What you thought was a non issue could quite possibly be a direct and serious risk to your family depending on the choices you’ve made or are about to make. Learn about the rescue industry and lack of regulations. Learn about what really happens after a dog attack and the scant legal recourse you hold as a parent.

Speak up: bring up the topic and spread the word to others, especially those who are preparing to adopt a dog.

Look beyond politically correct soundbites that try to rebrand the rescue industry and dog ownership.

Challenge yourself to read about genetics, canine behavior, and to learn about the innate capacity of domesticated animals.

Take it one step at a time. Slow down and remind yourself that you deserve informed consent when deciding on which animals to bring into your home or around your children. Say no to the F.O.G. It stands for Fear, Obligation, and Guilt. Check out the website here to learn more about F.O.G.

Start to question who benefits when you choose a certain dog. Follow the money. Like many topics that involve your children, ask yourself: is this in the best interest of your family, or does this benefit a company or industry at the expense of your loved ones?

Share your stories. If you’ve been manipulated by a dog flipper or animal shelter, had a close call, experienced a dog bite, or endured the nightmare of loss from a dog attack, please share your story with others when you are ready.

You’ve been trained to think this topic is rare. You’ve been primed to defend all dogs and to believe that any dog can bite but no dog is really going to hurt your child. Today, I’m pleading with you to step out of your comfort zone and to see things in a new light. As parents, seeing our children severely injured or killed is our worst possible nightmare in life. Let’s set aside our differences and work together. Until every child is safe.