Girl loved the family dog who killed her. Lessons to be learned.

This as you might guess is an entirely fictional depiction of a child in a loving relationship with the family dog.

The newspapers today say that a 10 year old girl had a "close, loving relationship" with her family's dog before it killed her. That's according to the police report and it is in some ways shocking to read that because in millions of homes across the UK and other countries there are loved family dogs in good relationships with children who, it seems to me, can unknowingly present a hidden and potentially fatal danger to the family.

Update: From the BBC: "A pet dog which fatally injured a 10-year-old girl was an XL bully, police have confirmed. North Yorkshire Police said the animal had been euthanised after it killed Savannah Bentham at her family home near Malton in North Yorkshire on Friday."

We don't know the exact reasons why this particular dog killed this girl but below I have addressed some possibilities and also addressed the obvious conclusion which is that families need to be educated about dog behaviour to a high standard to minimise the possibility of this kind of tragedy happening.

And these tragedies do happen all too often. My research indicates that in 2023, fatal dog attacks in the UK reached an unusually high level, with a total of 10 fatalities reported across England and Wales. This was a sharp increase from previous years during which dog attacks averaged around three annually. The rise has been put down to an increase in the dog population and behavioural issues linked to insufficient training or socialisation of the dogs.

There is a point there. The dog to be a family dog must be fully and completely socialised i.e. domesticated. The same applies to cats of course. Dogs are predators. They have to totally accept the humans they live with and the humans, I believe, need to be adequate leaders i.e. alpha dogs in the eyes of the family dog.

It seems also to me that sometimes children are not properly educated about dog behaviour and how to handle dogs. They can inadvertently stimulate instinctive, defensive behaviour in dogs. The child can be transformed in the eyes of the dog from a friendly pack member to a hostile intruder and be attacked by the dog as a defensive measure.

In this instance, the girl was bitten at home and died at the scene, North Yorkshire police said. The police were called to Malton by ambulance crews at 4:15 PM on Friday last. The dog will be destroyed after it was seized.

They said: "Officers are conducting detailed enquiries covering all aspects of the incident. One of the lines of the enquiry relates to the behaviour of the dog to help explain, as far as possible, why it attacked the girl. All indications so far suggest it was out of character, with the girl and dog having a close, loving relationship."

After the attack a relative of the girl shut the dog inside a car before the emergency services arrived. The girl is not been identified publicly and a post-mortem examination was due to take place yesterday.

There is a lesson to be learned here. I hope it is learned. Young children particularly in family homes with dogs need to be protected and the parents need to take a very hard look at what they are doing to ensure that their protection is in place.

The tragic and confusing case of a beloved pet dog harming its owner, especially a child who loved it, often results from a complex mix of factors rather than the dog being inherently "bad." Here are a few possible explanations:

1. Unintentional Provocation or Startling

• Startling During Sleep or Rest: Dogs, especially older ones or those with vision or hearing impairments, can be startled more easily. If a child accidentally startled the dog by suddenly hugging, touching, or grabbing it while it was resting, the dog might have reacted instinctively in a way that it normally wouldn't when fully aware.
• Unintentional Rough Handling: Young children often don’t realize their own strength or may not recognize when a dog is uncomfortable. Grabbing fur, pulling on tails, or climbing on the dog—even with love—can be painful or overwhelming, triggering a defensive reaction.

2. Medical Issues or Pain

• Hidden Pain or Illness: Dogs in pain, even if mild, are more likely to react aggressively, especially if the pain is aggravated. Issues like arthritis, dental problems, or internal pain may not be obvious to owners. If a child inadvertently touched a sore area, the dog might have reacted with a "warning bite" that escalated.
• Neurological Conditions: Certain health issues, like brain tumors or neurological disorders, can impact a dog's behavior. These conditions can make the dog more irritable, unpredictable, or even aggressive, sometimes without any clear external provocation.

3. Protective or Territorial Instincts

• Guarding Behavior: Some dogs have a strong guarding instinct and might react aggressively if they feel their space, food, or toys are threatened. This is particularly common if the dog wasn’t well-socialized or trained to handle different situations. Even a loving dog might become defensive over its food or sleeping area.
• Redirected Aggression: Sometimes, if a dog is feeling agitated or frustrated, that energy can be "redirected" at whoever is nearby. For instance, if a dog saw something outside (like another animal) and became aroused or frustrated but couldn’t reach it, it might redirect that frustration onto the nearest person.

4. Resource Guarding

• Dogs may guard food, toys, or other resources instinctively, even from those they love. A child might not recognize signs of resource guarding (growling, stiffening, or lip curling), which could escalate if the dog felt the child was infringing on its possessions.

5. High-Prey Drive or Play Escalation

• Some dogs, especially certain breeds, have high-prey drives, where fast or jerky movements can trigger a chasing or biting response. This doesn’t mean they intend harm, but if play becomes too rough, the dog might unintentionally injure the child.
• Overstimulation: In a playful state, dogs can get overstimulated and bite harder than intended, especially if they haven’t been trained to control their bite force or if they are young and energetic.

6. Stress and Anxiety

• Environmental Stress: Dogs are sensitive to their environment. Loud noises, disruptions in routine, or even underlying tension in the home can increase stress. A dog under stress may react more aggressively than usual.
• Lack of Socialization: Dogs that weren’t well-socialized as puppies may struggle to feel comfortable or safe in situations involving close human interaction. Even a dog that seems friendly most of the time may not have been exposed to enough situations that involve children’s unpredictability.

7. Misinterpreted Signals and Boundaries

• Dogs have subtle ways of communicating discomfort, like turning their heads away, licking their lips, or yawning. These signals are often missed by children, who might not understand that the dog is stressed. If the dog feels it has no escape, it might escalate to biting to enforce its boundaries.

While incidents like this are heartbreaking, understanding the reasons behind such behavior can shed light on how to prevent similar tragedies. Training dogs, teaching children respectful pet interactions, and monitoring pet health closely can help reduce the likelihood of such situations.

Tragic incidents like these serve as powerful reminders of the importance of understanding dog behavior, particularly when children are involved. Many people assume that a dog’s loving nature guarantees it will always be safe around children, but the reality is that dogs are still animals with instincts and boundaries that can be misunderstood or inadvertently crossed. Here are some proactive steps that all dog owners with children should consider:

1. Education on Canine Body Language

• Recognize Subtle Warnings: Many dogs display warning signs like yawning, lip licking, looking away, or tensing up when they’re uncomfortable. Teaching children to recognize these signals can prevent a dog from feeling the need to escalate to a bite.
• Teach “No-Go Zones”: It’s helpful for children to know when and where it’s not safe to interact with a dog—such as when the dog is eating, sleeping, or in its bed or crate.

2. Training for the Dog

• Basic Obedience and Bite Inhibition: Training dogs in basic commands and bite inhibition from a young age is essential. Obedience commands like “leave it” or “stay” can help manage unexpected situations, and bite inhibition training teaches dogs to control their mouth pressure.
• Socialization: Socializing dogs from a young age to various environments, people (including children), and situations helps reduce anxiety and reactivity, making them more tolerant of different behaviors.

3. Supervised Interactions

• Direct Supervision: Interactions between dogs and young children should always be closely supervised. Children may unintentionally hurt or provoke a dog, and even the most tolerant dogs can react if they feel overwhelmed.
• Limit Rough Play: Games like tug-of-war or chase can overstimulate some dogs, especially high-energy breeds, leading to accidental bites. Encouraging calm interactions like petting or fetch can help avoid rough play that might escalate.

4. Teach Children Respectful Behavior

• Boundaries and Respect: Children should be taught to respect a dog’s space and boundaries. They need to understand that dogs, like people, sometimes need alone time and may not want to be hugged or crowded.
• Gentle Touch and Approach: Teaching kids how to pet and approach a dog calmly and gently can help prevent accidental discomfort for the dog. No grabbing, pulling, or startling.

5. Routine Veterinary Care

• Regular Check-Ups: Since dogs in pain are more likely to react defensively, routine veterinary check-ups can help catch health issues before they lead to discomfort or aggression.
• Address Behavioral Changes: If a dog’s behavior changes, especially if it becomes more irritable or withdrawn, this can be a sign of underlying health issues. Consulting a vet or behaviorist can help address the root cause before it escalates.

6. Understanding Individual Dog Temperaments

• Every Dog is Different: Some dogs are naturally more tolerant, while others have lower thresholds for certain behaviors. Understanding the unique personality and tolerances of your pet can guide you in managing interactions and setting appropriate boundaries.

7. Enlisting Professional Help When Needed

• Behaviorists and Trainers: If a dog has a history of resource guarding, reactivity, or anxiety, working with a professional trainer or behaviorist can make a significant difference. These professionals can teach specialized techniques to manage and reduce potential triggers.

8. Empowering Kids with “Safe” Behaviors Around Dogs

• Teach children to “be a tree” if a dog is too excited or seems uncomfortable. Standing still, looking away, and keeping their arms close can help prevent escalation.
• Empower kids to alert an adult if a dog displays concerning behavior or if they’re unsure about how to approach it.

While heart-breaking, cases like this do raise awareness and reinforce the need for educating both children and adults on safe, respectful dog interactions. It’s about respecting the needs and boundaries of both the dog and the child to create a safe, loving environment for everyone involved.

P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.