4th December 2009

Dog Attack Tragedy - Liverpool:

A young child has tragically died due to being attacked by his uncle's dog shortly after midnight on Monday morning (30th November) in Wavertree, Liverpool. Four-year-old John Paul Massey suffered serious injuries and died in the home.  His uncle was not present during the attack, sixty-three-year-old grandmother, Helen Foulkes, was injured as she tried to intervene, she was taken to hospital for treatment.

Police arrived at the scene and following assessment of the situation, the dog was shot dead at the premises in the front garden of the property.

The dog is thought to have been owned by John Paul’s uncle, 21-yr-old Christian Foulkes who had been away for three weeks. He was later arrested by detectives on suspicion of manslaughter, questioned and released on police bail.

Following police appointed examination and a post mortem on the dog, an independent expert has confirmed that, in his opinion, the dog was a pit bull terrier type dog which is classified as a dangerous dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991).

Merseyside police investigations into the attack are ongoing at this time.
 
The full circumstances of this tragic and fatal attack are not fully known, what is clear, is that many people are deeply saddened and shocked to learn that a young child has lost his life.

Media attention has predictably focused in many areas on the breed or ‘type’ of dog involved, rather than the fact that all breeds and types of dog are largely a product of their upbringing, their training and their environment. All types of dogs need to be properly socialised, trained, cared for and responsible owned.

It is extremely regrettable that once again whilst much of the ensuing debate is about 'devil dogs' and the attention is on demonising dog breeds, the focus is shifted away from the FACTS - what will ever be truly known about why this attack took place and a life was so devastatingly lost? If we don't investigate every aspect of serious and fatal dog attacks we lose the opportunity to uncover causes. Education is the way forward but how will vital information be made more public and available to both adults and children to help prevent future dangerous situations from occurring?

News coverage can be extremely upsetting and misleading for some parents and dog owners. EDDR advises you to remain calm and not to panic; the law on prohibited types of dogs and dangerous dogs has not altered, your own family dog and faithful friend has not suddenly changed due to what you have read or heard.

If you have any concerns regarding your dog’s behaviour always seek the advice of a professional canine behavioural consultant. Contact EDDR for further advice and information.

Fatal dog attacks are extremely rare in this country and millions of people and dogs happily share their lives together. For example a greater danger to children which goes on two legs and not four is that;

every ten days in England and Wales one child is killed at the hands of their parent. In half (52%) of all cases of children killed at the hands of another person, the parent is the principal suspect (source-NSPCC).

Any moves to alter the existing legislation or introduce new legislation will be posted up on this web site to help keep you informed at all times.

If you believe that it is owners and breeders who should be the focus of laws, rather than types and breeds of dog, then contact DDA Watch for details on the campaign to have it changed and make society a safer place for people and dogs together.

Please remember that children and dogs should never be left alone unattended-no matter how well behaved you think either or both dog and child are. Always make sure a competent adult (not an older child) is in charge and supervision is given.

Please visit EDDR’s Children and Dogs Section where you can find out more about why dogs can bite and learn more on essential child and dog safety.

Further Reading:

Fatal Dogs Attacks: What Can We Learn from K9 Magazine.

Barking up the wrong tree about dangerous dogs - By Peter Wedderburn in the Telegraph online.

Dangerous dogs law is a mess, warn campaigners - The Guardian

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