As a parent it’s physically and emotionally impossible to convey the gut-wrenching emotions you feel when your vulnerable child is in any sort of danger.
My heart bled when I heard news of little Kamillah’s passing over the weekend due to a dog attack and like any parent, I couldn’t help but ask the question; what if that was my child?
Research by Flinders University shows that in 2013-14, nearly 4,000 people in Australia were hospitalised as a result of dog-related injuries and the problem is far from being fixed.
The study found that dog-related injuries were most common among children, with 689 children aged zero to nine hospitalised in that year alone.
It’s a conversation that truly polarises the public. In Australia, we love our pets but how dangerous is it to love them at the risk of your children’s safety?
One only needs to look as far as the news in the past week to realise it’s time action is taken to protect children and adults alike from dog attacks. This needs to happen now to help prevent further injuries and tragedies taking place across our nation.
It’s rare that a dog will act out randomly and animals tend to have a history of being menaces in the local area before any attack takes place.
As a mother, I’m now extra vigilant when walking the streets, keeping one eye on any new dog to the neighbourhood and assessing its temperament.
Of course my little one wants to stroke the cute doggie, and the smile it puts on her face is always a picture, but it’s reached the point where apprehension clouds my enjoyment of her smile.
I know in the back of my mind that not all dogs are bad, the vast majority are mild-mannered and are more likely to lick than bite – but it only takes a second for normality to turn to tragedy.
I want to speak directly to every pet owner in Australia. Please take seriously the responsibility that comes with owning a dog. Take care of the basics. It’s our civil duty to one another.
Dog safety is the responsibility of the owner and they should all take proactive steps to ensure this is the case; from making sure their pet is secured, through to obedience classes if necessary. These simple steps could help avert further tragedies and a potential law suit.
I never want to be in a position where I’m fearing for the safety of my child and I know all parents are the same.
Dogs make tremendous family pets, but when they are mistreated or abused, that ugly nature becomes a way of life for them and they know no better. We, as humans, do, however.
Dogs are impressionable and we need to make sure we’re treating them in the right way.
When did we start treating dogs like our children? The Mamamia Out Loud team discuss. Post continues after audio.
In the end, a dog owner needs to take full responsibility for their pet and its actions, and people should know that they may be liable for damage done to a person or property.
Residents concerned by the actions of a dog living nearby or in the local area should contact their local council and/or police.
If the dog’s deemed dangerous, certain orders can be made to ensure the ongoing control of the animal. In reporting a dangerous dog, you could actually be saving a human’s life as well as the dog’s.
In every case, prevention is better than the cure.
No mother can bear the thought of their child viciously mauled to death. Nor can our consciences bear the thought that we had the knowledge and the tools to prevent tragedy.
Act promptly. You may be saving a life in the process… your child, or someone else’s.
You can support Kamillah’s family by donating to their GoFundMe page.
Wendy Nixson is Shine Lawyers’ General Manager for Brisbane and South West.
Top Comments
On the surface, I would agree.
I confess that in terms of dogs I am sexually prejudiced.
I try to understand dogs from the basis of a wolf-pack.
The pack is a family. Not ruled by an 'alpha male', but is a civilised family unit. The Dog and the Bitch rule the pack with LOVING discipline. The Dog looks after protection of the pack, and the Bitch raises the family.
The parallel with human kind is extraordinary, and some believe that eons ago, a bunch of wolves, co-operating with a bunch of apes, somehow taught the apes how to behave as a co-operative pack.
Wolves have been with us since before we were human. Indeed, our humanity probably does come from the wolves.
Now, back to the subject.
I am wary of male dogs, since they do not have the motherly instincts of bitches. They are also more likely to interpret undisciplined behaviour of pups, whether canine, or human, as a threat.
As for a bitch, I have never experienced one to attack a child. I have been attacked by a bitch who thought I was going to discipline a child, indeed, my first bitch gave me a powerful warning when I raised my voice to my wife. The bitch was not taught this behaviour, it is HARD WIRED.
The problem with dog owners is that they do not have their dog coming home pregnant, so are quite happy to let it roam and get up to mischief.
With a bitch, even a spayed bitch, there is special care to be taken, and this works both ways.
Basic rules are simple.
Keep the pack small.
Do not allow you dog, preferably, bitch to freely associate with other dogs, except those from associated packs. That is members of family and friends packs.
Treat the dog as a member of your family, and it will treat you as a member of its pack.
Do your duty of protecting, and provisioning, and you will be recognised as pack leader.
Always prefer the carrot to the stick.
Shouting, and hitting should be avoided at all costs, being for emergency only, and then only for getting attention. Once you have attention talk quietly, and hold gently.
My personal opinion is that male dogs should be licensed only dog workers.
Police, army, shepherds, etc. I strongly doubt the ability of a female human to properly control a male dog. The problem is that this is against nature, and working against nature is like sweeping water uphill with a bald brush.
So much for dogs. Now, what about cats?
Whereas a dog will give repeated warning before taking any direct action, a cat will strike out without warning.
Dogs, given the chance, will toilet off the beaten track, or in a prominent position, where it will not be trodden on. They do not like walking in it any more than we do. A cat will toilet anywhere, and hide it where you will put your hands in it.
Dogs are blamed for toxicaria, but cats are a more general carrier of that vile worm than dogs, indeed, most cases of dog infection, are caused by the cat related worm. Indeed, the dog related worm is very rare, as normal worming of dogs comes close to eliminating it. Cat owners in general allow their vermin to wander wild, and only bother the vet when something is seriously wrong.
OK, I've said my bit.
Caring for a dog is a serious responsibility.
Thinking that a MALE dog will be less trouble, is like keeping a cat, an 'easy way out', but in the long run, it is stoking up trouble.
So many things here. I will focus on two.
1. Female dogs snap as much as males, especially if a child is inadvertently bothering it.
2. Seriously, what is your problem with cats? Sure, cats can swipe but there is usually warning especially if you are familiar with the cat.. Plus children rarely are seriously injured via cat 'attacks'. Toxoplasmosis is just as likely to be caused by cured or undercooked meat.
Child-dog safety is a joint venture. Dog owners must take responsibility for their dogs and must minimise the risk to others. Conversely, parents must teach their children to respect animals, handle them gently and not to touch a strange dogs without permission from the owner.
This past week has been very hard on my family for many reasons. The death of my cousin has left a void in us that will not be filled. Your article is the first one i've read this week that hasn't made me feel angry or upset. Your humane approach to Karmillah's death has truely touched my heart. I have finally read an article about her that paints her as a human being and not as a statistic. I've always enjoyed reading the news stories featured on Mamamia. Thank you.
Lots of love and deep breaths to you and your family during this horrible time Chele xx
I’m so sorry for your loss 😥