Also, I know that the victim usually isn't at fault when attacked by a dog. But PARENTS need to teach their kids how to approach strange dogs. I was walking my lab/shep mix one night, a big 95 lb white loveable polar bear
, and a kid, no older than 3/4 y/o (I don't know with kids, dont have them) comes running up and jumps on Max to give him a hug. Lucky for the kid Max was such a friendly giant, as that could have been a tragedy if the child ran up to the wrong dog. And I'm not saying a "pit bull" per say would have attacked the kid, but he could have run up to a yorkie and got bit...
Parents definelty need to take charge and teach their kids to stay away from strange dogs, and if the dog is with the owner to ask if its friendly and if they can pet it. Then the owner of the large/small dog can say yes/no. I'd probably almost always say no, just because if the dog, lab mix/boxer/rottie/yorkie/shih tzu/pug/etc. were to have a moment of stupidity and nip the kid, then I'm liable for it. And most likely would have to put my beloved pet down.
Just sayin...I wish parents would really get more involved in teaching their kids respect of people and animals. I know there are many many many instances where the dogs were out running wild and then attacked because the kid/adult were at the wrong place wrong time, but for those cases where kids put their hands through a fence and don't expect to get bit...those ones really peeve me because now that dog has to be put down for "defending its territory".
Sorry...ranting done.