Not a pit bull attack this time ~ South of Boston MA

Family dog attacks 6-day-old baby girl in Hull: Infant in stable condition; DSS says no evidence of abuse

By JOHN ZAREMBA
The Patriot Ledger

HULL - A week-old baby girl is in stable condition after being mauled by the family dog, authorities said.

The Labrador-bloodhound mix attacked the newborn about 4:30 a.m. yesterday at the family's house on Nantasket Avenue.

The state Department of Social Services is investigating, but spokeswoman Denise Monteiro said there is no evidence of neglect or abuse.

‘‘It's the couple's first child. They're in their 20s. They have no history with us,'' Monteiro said. ‘‘At first glance, it just looked like the dog got to the infant and attacked her.''

Monteiro would not say where the baby was in the home when the dog attacked her.

The baby was taken to South Shore Hospital, then transferred to Children's Hospital in Boston.

Monteiro said she could not describe the baby's injuries.

‘‘Obviously, it's enough to put the child in critical condition,'' she said. This morning, Monteiro said the infant had been upgraded to stable condition.

Monteiro said it is up to local authorities to decide what to do with the dog. Ranking officers authorized to speak to reporters could not be reached, and Hull animal control officer Megan Hanrahan declined to comment.

Monteiro said the case should be a reminder to new parents that even friendly dogs can turn jealous when newborns are brought into the home.

‘‘Our advice is to slowly introduce the family pet, and always stay very guarded,'' she said. ‘‘Even if you have the friendliest dog and the lovingest dog, it's just bizarre how it can turn.''
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Follow Up Story:

Official: No plans to destroy dog that attacked Hull baby

By JOHN ZAREMBA
The Patriot Ledger

HULL - The family dog that attacked a newborn in her parents' Nantasket Avenue home should not be destroyed, the town's animal control officer said yesterday.

‘‘I have no intention of putting that dog down,'' Animal Control Officer Megan Hanrahan said of the Labrador retriever-bloodhound mix that critically injured a 6-day-old baby early Sunday.

Hanrahan would not say why she thinks the dog should be spared.

The infant was taken to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth with what Hull Fire Chief Frank Lyons described as abdominal injuries. Doctors had her transferred to Children's Hospital in Boston.

Children's Hospital officials declined to release the condition of the baby yesterday, at her parents' request. But a spokeswoman for the state agency investigating the case said the child remained in fragile health.

‘‘I asked if there was any chance she was getting out of the ICU (intensive care unit) today, and they said no,'' said Denise Monteiro, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Social Services.

The department is investigating the attack, but Monteiro said there is no evidence of abuse or negligence. She described the couple as new parents in their 20s who have no history with the agency.

‘‘We have to do a full investigation before we can wrap it up and say it's an accident,'' Monteiro said.

No one answered the door at the family's home yesterday.

The dog has been placed in 10-day quarantine. It is under the owner's supervision but not in the house, Monteiro said.

The quarantine order specifies that the dog should not be around other animals and can go outside only on a leash and under the supervision of someone at least 18 years old.

Under state law, selectmen can decide the dog's fate at a hearing, which can be requested by anyone. Selectmen Chairman John Reilly said yesterday that he had not seen the police report on the dog attack and that a hearing had not been requested.

Hull selectmen last held a dog hearing in 2002. They banished a pit bull from town after it bit a 6-year-old girl and a police officer.

 

wont put the dog down huh.. wow.. if only a Pit can get that kinda judgment.. i thought dogs that dog attack should be put down.. if they attacked with no probable cause that is

 

Personal feeling aside on this but if it was a Pit or Pit mix the dog would already be dead

 

This certainly illustrates that a dog, any dog, and an infant should not be left unsupervised. It's entirely possible this wasn't an attack, in the truest sense of the word, and jealousy wasn't the motivating factor. The dog simply could have thought the infant was a wonderful new squeeky toy.

 

Article: Is my dog a jealous dog?

Jealousy and dogs - Is my dog a jealous dog?

Despite the fact that jealousy is a human emotion, many dog owners can attest to the fact that their dogs seem to exhibit jealousy related behaviours. Usually this occurs when a new person enters a dog's household and spends time with the dog's owner. Classic examples are new boyfriends or girlfriends and of course the arrival of a new baby. These new 'intruders' take away the precious alone time that the dog had with its owner(s) and subsequently they can feel neglected. These intruders are also invading what the dog feels is the family's territory.

Dogs that feel jealous can exhibit behaviours that were previously unseen by their owner. Depressive behaviours such as social withdrawal, inactivity and loss of appetite are common. Occasionally a jealous dog can exhibit previously unseen signs of aggression.

It is important to spend extra time with your dog during this period of transition. Give the dog some extra treats, extra petting and maybe some extra exercise.
ROUTINE is extremely important during these periods of transition. Walking, playing, and feeding your dog at the same time each day is a great stress reliever. If it is a boyfriend or girlfriend that is making your dog jealous then occasionally, under your supervision, have THEM give the dog a treat or play fetch. Include the dog in normal daily activities. If you're watching TV for example, call the dog over and pet the dog while the new person is around. Don't force the issue though, if the dog doesn't want to, let the dog be. He/she should come around eventually.

A new baby is a more delicate matter. At the beginning don't allow the baby to use the dog's toys or sit where the dog usually sits. Get your dog a crate or kennel and allow the dog to have a safe space away from the baby that is accessible at all times. Once the baby starts crawling and moving in a jagged manner it may be seen as prey by the dog so be on the lookout for any aggressive behaviour. Most importantly NEVER leave the 2 of them alone. Even when it seems the dog has accepted the baby, all the baby has to do is take one of the dog's toys or food, or pull its tail and the dog will use its body language to tell the baby to back off. Since the baby cannot understand 'dog speak' the dog can lash out.

You are the best judge of your dog's behaviour so eventually under your direct supervision, allow the two to meet. Get on the floor with your dog and pet the dog in the baby's presence. It goes without saying that you need to be extra aware of the dog's body language. Any aggressive behaviour such as growling should be met with immediate withdrawal of attention. If you are in any doubt whatsoever, talk with your vet or ask for a referral with a trainer or canine behaviourist.
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Guess I was very lucky when my children were young. I had a doberman/shepherd dog as a puppy when my children were babies. Then all got along great and "Champ" adored my children.