I think that all the blame lies solely on the grandmother.
She sounds very irresponsible in regards to both her grandchild and her pets. A 9 year old child is really not that old when you think about it. What is she in maybe 3rd or 4th grade? She should have never been left alone in a car, with or without the responsibility of the puppies. In this day and age with all the really scary and horrilble crap that goes on---how could anyone leave a child alone in a car, is beyond me. I am also very against someone leaving a pet alone in a car. But a leaving a child alone in a car is totally nuts.
I agree a 9 yo can read, however at which reading level is questionable. As a former long time elementary teacher, I can tell you without a doubt--the reading level in a 3rd or 4th grade class can go from pre-k to high school. Also even if the girl is reading at an appropriate reading level, many 9 yr old kids are not fully capable of thinking through the whole cause and effect process. The kid is 9 yrs old, the puppies pooped and it smelled. She grabbed something that she thought would eliminate the smell. She was not thinking about the possible disastrous effects--she is 9 yrs old!!
Sorry, but I think some of the comments made about this child are totally uncalled for. I highly doubt this child did this as a premediated act to hurt the puppies.
It is a shame and the blame lies on the grandmother. I sincerely hope she does not continue to breed her dogs and I also sincerely hope she is more careful when she has her granddaughter in her care.
As far as returing the people's deposits that should not even be a question. She should have returned those deposits the day this tragic even happened. |