A boy in Gloucestershire will be left disfigured for the rest of his life after a pet dog mauled him on the face.
According to a BBC report, two-year-old Joshua was stroking their sheepdog Rossie when it jumped up and latched onto his face.
“Rossie pulled him to the ground and wouldn’t release him,” said Joshua’s mother Lisa Mann. “His dad and others ran over and started punching the dog to get him to let go.”
Photo credit: Mirror
“You could see right through his cheek to his teeth, the cut went through to the inside of his mouth.”
The boy was rushed to the hospital where he received two operations to reconstruct his face.
Later, he went in for a third operation; in total, Joshua received 200 stitches.
“All I wanted to do was pick him up and hold him, but I wasn’t allowed,” she said. “It was the worst feeling ever.”
Photo credit: Mirror
At first Lisa though his son wasn’t going to make it.
“He also has wounds to his neck that were millimetres from the main artery carrying blood to the brain,” she said. “He has scars all over his back, the back of his head and behind his ear.”
Thankfully, the boy survived and will live a healthy child. But his scars he will have to carry for the rest of his life.
Dogs and babies
Having pets in the household does have significant effects in the baby, both physically (reduces the risk of allergies) and emotionally (pets develop empathy in children), but parents have to take extra precaution before they are introduced to a child.
Before the baby arrives, take some time to evaluate your dog, says Fit Pregnancy. Your new baby may not be safe if your dog exhibits aggressive, territorial or other unwanted behaviors.
When the dog first meets the baby, make sure the dog is exercised well.
“Inside your home (the baby’s turf), one parent should confidently hold the baby while the dog is several feet away,” the article said.
“After a few days, invite the dog closer. Look for healthy body language—sitting calmly, wagging tail, a curious nose, head lowered.”
“If a dog turns her back and avoids the baby, take this as a red flag,” says dog whisperer Caesar Millan.
It is also important to note that babies should not be left alone with dogs, especially if they’re on the floor.
Practice displaying calm, assertive energy, says Caesar. It’s good dog psychology and great for future parent traps like setting boundaries and dealing with tantrums and power struggles.
READ: The Rottweiler: A Safe Bet for Family Pet?
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