[Jespah]

It is very hard when you are dealing with very young children and with parents who don't understand that pets are our family - not some kind of accessory without feelings both emotional and physical. Unfortunately, if Rupe had reacted by biting or being agressive to the kid - Rupe could have been subject to a muzzle order and have a "strike" against him. Three "strikes" and he's put down. I can't even imagine having to go through that because of some stupid kid/parent - when a child is that young, they need to be supervised when out in the neighbourhood. But, if the family has no respect or understanding for animals, there's not much you can do. There seems to be more and more people in my neighbourhood who do not tolerate dogs as for them it is a cultural or religious issue.

We dog owners have such a responsibility in that we must keep our dogs safe, but we seem to have become responsible for the behavior of other people's kids somewhere along the way.