[News] Dog fatally mauls baby in Bourbonnais

[Jacklynn]

While I see both sides to the issue, I find it hard to blame the mother (entirely) for the death. Yes she should have been more careful and not allowed two newborns to be left alone on her bed, and I'm sure she will be haunted by that the rest of her life.

Maybe she was laying in her bed playing with the two babies when they both fell asleep, maybe she saw it as her FIRST opportunity to go make dinner for her family since the babies were born because with two of them odds are one of them was typically up during dinner making time. Maybe she didn't want to move them because she knew they would wake up. Maybe she piled tons of pillows around them to ensure they would be fine, not thinking that the dog would jump up there on the bed and bring one to her.

Who knows what was going through her mind? Sure, she may have known the dangers and just did it anyways simply because she wanted to get away, in which case the child ended up paying the price.

I just like to give the opposite view sometimes. Not to stir the pot at all, but to give a different view.

A few years ago a lady in our town dropped her cell phone in her car and reached to grab it, in the split second that she looked down to grab it, she crashed killing a man in a truck. How horrible of that woman!! That was the first thought by the town. But soon in the papers the family of the guy who was killed made a statement that she herself had glanced down before to find her cell phone or looked at her car radio to change the channel, just when she did it she got lucky and didn't crash. But that it could have easily had happened to her. She could have easily blamed the lady and sued and she probably would have won. But instead she knew that wouldn't bring him back and instead forgave her saying it could have been her because she had done the same thing before. She used the opportunity to make people aware of what can happen in an instant while driving. People tend to assume bad things won't happen, I mean how many of you have looked down at your radio while driving? I have... I'm just lucky that nothing has ever happened in that split second it takes to change the channel.

The point was that we all make split second decisions that could change our lives, it just doesn't typically end in such a horrible event. I just hope something good comes of the situation and maybe now the mother will be a big advocate for teaching mothers the importance of not leaving their baby alone for even a second.

Of course, I do think the mother should have been more careful and I'm sure she wishes she hadn't left them in there, but she did and it happened, so now all that can be done is letting other mothers know that every second does count and that especially when they are that age, anything could happen in even just a second.

Again not trying to stir the pot or cause any arguments at all, but instead just kinda as a reminder that we should all take life a little more slowly and to know that a split second decision could change our lives so to be extra careful.

[Jacklynn]

Goodness, I didn't realize how much I wrote! Sorry lol, I just like to see both sides to an issue I guess my government and Econs teacher and high school did that to me... he would always argue against the issue that he was FOR just to help us see two sides to an issue. It was amazing how well he could argue and issue that he was against lol

[keylargolady100]

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

What brought you to YT?? It seems you are just here to stir up trouble. You say you are connected this situation in Illinois - go use your time comforting this family or reaching out to the shelter where this dog is. Stop inflaming evryone's comments. You are taking this thread way off topic.

And to answer your questions above, YES! A mother is responsible for their child you do not leave a child in harms way to answer the phone or do anything else. Care of th child is 1st. Cribs are made to keep sleeping child safe from a whole range of things.

Infants should never be left on a parents bed unattended. On the couch while you answer the phone, etc, to all your what ifs. The mother is there to mother - it's that simple.

This is tragic either way. I feel for this family and the blame & grief they will carry.

I highly doubt this dog purposely acted to harm the baby. I am more likely to believe the dog was trying to take the baby to the mother. But we will never know.

But, I do question whether the mother is telling the entire truth. I pray she is, but so many post-depression women have created unbelievable situations and then tried to cast the blame elsewhere.

the saddest parts, a precious life has been lost. One twin will grow up without their sister. And a dog will loose its life with no proof it was aggressive

Such a tragedy all around

[Lou]

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

What brought you to YT?? It seems you are just here to stir up trouble. You say you are connected this situation in Illinois

This really is the way it seems to me. When individuals join this site with one topic in mind it tends to irritate the rest of us because most often it is to cause trouble and "stir the pot." Most of us are respectful of each other's opinions and if we disagree we do so respectfully. Having said that, I would ask doglvrfrombirth for full disclosure.
Exactly what is your connection to this family? Why should any of us believe what you say?

We older members know each other pretty well from reading thousands of posts and pm's. I can tell you pretty much how members that I know will react to a topic and what the feelings are behind the statements. Please don't continue to criticize me or my friends for discussing this issue. As the OP, I will continue to post news articles (which are published as fact) and interested members will continue to post no matter what else you have to say. And to answer one of your questions about what I would do if I were the mother....I wouldn't (couldn't) care less about what members of a dog-oriented message board have to say about me. I would be too emersed in my grief to even think about going on line to scout out that type of thing.

So, I am respectfully asking you to back off the issue and leave us to our own opinions.

Thank you.
A mother of 2 and owner of a very large dog.

[Lexi Rae]

thank you lou.

[keylargolady100]

Yes Lou, thank you

[vainchick5]

Wow what a sad and tragic loss for everyone involved. Just stating my opinion but as much as I love my yorkies and they are the most gentle in the world, I would NEVER leave even two 5lbs yorkies with a baby unattended. How hard is it to move your babies into the kitchen or living room area where you can cook and keep an eye on them? Is it really THAT much more work to put them in a playpen in the kitchen with you or in a swing? I'm not trying to be judgemental but sometimes you have to take an extra step to be cautious so you never look back and think about how you could've handled it differently. Sometimes when I feel myself saying "oh it will be fine or it will be ok like this" I stop myself and say "No let me take that extra step so I don't regret it later". If more people did that there would be less of these stories RIP little girl

[KimberlySRN]

How very sad.

[5 Yorkies Mom]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

Another tragedy that could have been prevented! People just don't think.
That baby should have been in a crib where it would have been safe.
Sorry but who leaves a 4wk old laying in the middle of the bed alone?

I agree 1000%, pets (our furbabies are still animals).........precautions have to be taken.........I am so sorry for the family

[Godislove]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

There is no blaming game here and don't get this thread turned around
into one.
Yes, this poor family has years ahead of prue torture in watching one
child grow up and knowing what happened to the other. Very sad.
I stick by what I first said.

I've just started on this site and came across this sad tragedy. These parents will hurt the rest of their lives. No one could put more blame on this than what the parents are putting on themselves. I know what's going through hearts right now. What if, if only, why, how, my God why. They will need special help and long term therapy to move on and even then, each birthday from this day forward will have some pain in it. My person opinion? The puppy had something to jump and play with. If the swing was moving, more so. Puppies like to play. Many will comment how could they let this happen. It's obvious they felt the child was safe. Puppies are only puppies. I never would have thought my puppy would do this. Then again, I would always have kept mine in eye shot. Those parents really need all the prayer and support they can get. "Bad things happen to good people." I know. It happened to me, yet in much different circumstances. She was almost 16, I left her at home for an hour, and came home to find her brutally stabbed to death. I went through hell, literally. The what ifs, if only, why, how, and most importantly, WHO! My heart goes out to these very young children and the life they will live because of this. There is no blame. Things happen. God rest his little soul.

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Godislove

It happened to me, yet in much different circumstances. She was almost 16, I left her at home for an hour, and came home to find her brutally stabbed to death. I went through hell, literally. The what ifs, if only, why, how, and most importantly, WHO! My heart goes out to these very young children and the life they will live because of this. There is no blame. Things happen. God rest his little soul.

Oh my gosh! I am so very sorry for your loss.

[Godislove]

Originally Posted by Lou

Oh my gosh! I am so very sorry for your loss.

Thank you Lou. This happened in 1992 and they did find him. He was a neighbor and I was told I could not have kept it from happening. I went into a cloud for almost 10 years. Finally, through a man who specialized in Post Traumatic Shock Disorder, was I able to learn to live without her.

I am so much better and think on the sweet memories now instead of the night I found her. These children will need help! I pray they get it.

Oh, the man? Life without the possibility of parole. The judge tacked on an extra year. He lost his one appeal. I also believe I will see her spirit again someday.

I pray these young one can get to this part in their lives. I said this not for me, but for them. "Bad things happen to good people." Those of you who pray, no matter what your beliefs are, "Please" pray for them. Others, please send positive thought and energy to them. They need it.

[doglvrfrombirth]

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

What brought you to YT?? It seems you are just here to stir up trouble. You say you are connected this situation in Illinois - go use your time comforting this family or reaching out to the shelter where this dog is. Stop inflaming evryone's comments. You are taking this thread way off topic.

And to answer your questions above, YES! A mother is responsible for their child you do not leave a child in harms way to answer the phone or do anything else. Care of th child is 1st. Cribs are made to keep sleeping child safe from a whole range of things.

Infants should never be left on a parents bed unattended. On the couch while you answer the phone, etc, to all your what ifs. The mother is there to mother - it's that simple.

This is tragic either way. I feel for this family and the blame & grief they will carry.

I highly doubt this dog purposely acted to harm the baby. I am more likely to believe the dog was trying to take the baby to the mother. But we will never know.

But, I do question whether the mother is telling the entire truth. I pray she is, but so many post-depression women have created unbelievable situations and then tried to cast the blame elsewhere.

the saddest parts, a precious life has been lost. One twin will grow up without their sister. And a dog will loose its life with no proof it was aggressive

What brought me to YT? Google.com....I googled the story and this was one of the links. When I noticed the inflammatory statements being made, I felt the need to say something.

I re-read my statement....and nowhere did I ask if a mother was responsible. All mother's are responsible for their children, that's a given. I asked if mothers are supposed to never leave their children out of sight, even for a second and if they are supposed to hover over their children, at EVERY moment of their lives. That's not practical, nor does it happen.

I'm sorry that you feel I'm here to only stir up trouble, as I've stated numerous times already, I'm honestly not trying to offend anyone.

[doglvrfrombirth]

Originally Posted by Lou

This really is the way it seems to me. When individuals join this site with one topic in mind it tends to irritate the rest of us because most often it is to cause trouble and "stir the pot." Most of us are respectful of each other's opinions and if we disagree we do so respectfully. Having said that, I would ask doglvrfrombirth for full disclosure.
Exactly what is your connection to this family? Why should any of us believe what you say?

We older members know each other pretty well from reading thousands of posts and pm's. I can tell you pretty much how members that I know will react to a topic and what the feelings are behind the statements. Please don't continue to criticize me or my friends for discussing this issue. As the OP, I will continue to post news articles (which are published as fact) and interested members will continue to post no matter what else you have to say. And to answer one of your questions about what I would do if I were the mother....I wouldn't (couldn't) care less about what members of a dog-oriented message board have to say about me. I would be too emersed in my grief to even think about going on line to scout out that type of thing.

So, I am respectfully asking you to back off the issue and leave us to our own opinions.

Thank you.
A mother of 2 and owner of a very large dog.

The mother and father are long time friends of mine. I've been friends with the mother for 21 years and the father for 13. This is a tragedy that we ALL are dealing with. I have not once been disrespectful to anyone here. I also haven't criticized "your friends" for discussing the issue, but I guess it's OK for "your friends" to criticize my friend for a situation that they know nothing about, right? Hypocracy at it's best. I won't be back. Thanks for flagging me. I'll leave you with this....when you point a finger at someone, just remember, you have three fingers pointing back at you. And, continue to criticize and say mean, hurtful, hateful things because karma.....she rears her ugly head when you least expect it. Have great lives and pray that you are never the victims of such harsh, unwarranted words.

[mscat]

Originally Posted by doglvrfrombirth

The mother and father are long time friends of mine. I've been friends with the mother for 21 years and the father for 13. This is a tragedy that we ALL are dealing with. I have not once been disrespectful to anyone here. I also haven't criticized "your friends" for discussing the issue, but I guess it's OK for "your friends" to criticize my friend for a situation that they know nothing about, right? Hypocracy at it's best. I won't be back. Thanks for flagging me. I'll leave you with this....when you point a finger at someone, just remember, you have three fingers pointing back at you. And, continue to criticize and say mean, hurtful, hateful things because karma.....she rears her ugly head when you least expect it. Have great lives and pray that you are never the victims of such harsh, unwarranted words.

Please remember that this is the way people feel and are opinions. Nobody was mean or harsh. I understand that you would rather have people feel bad for the family and show compassion in every post. That is not going to happen. I am sorry that you are hurt. However, coming onto YT and attacking everybody for their opinions is not what this site is all about.
I totally agree that this is a tragedy for the family. It is heartbreaking beyond words to lose a infant . I love little ones and know how things can change in a blink of an eye in a parents life.
I will still stand by my opinion though , however, I honestly feel great sorrow for the family. I am a parent and use to teach, for 20 years other people's little babies and young children.
I am an advocate for children and it never ceases to amaze me what can happen to our precious babies .
Not everyone is going to agree about this tragedy. It did not need to happen, and I do feel like it was preventable. Even if I knew the family or if it was family, I'd still feel the same way.
Not trying to be mean or disrespectful . I know a parent can never be to cautious especially with newborns.
It must be hard for you to see it from other people's perspectives, but trying to argue about it to everyone who does not agree is pointless.
May the family find peace and comfort at this time of sorrow.