Cincinnati Animal CARE is urging parents to prioritize dog and child safety following a tragic incident in Roselawn in which police say a 3-year-old girl was fatally attacked by dogs.
The Cincinnati Police Department is still investigating the attack, which occurred on Friday, and has not yet released any details about it.
Cincinnati Animal CARE says it currently has three dogs in custody related to the case, though their exact involvement in the attack remains unclear.
Beth Ward, Hamilton County’s Chief Dog Warden, says they have some reminders for parents who also own pets.
“Do not leave your children unsupervised with your dog no matter how long you’ve known the dog.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dogs bite children more than adults.
Meaghan Colville, Director of Cincinnati Animal CARE, advises that even a trusted family dog should be closely monitored.
“It can go wrong really quickly with any dog, even a dog that’s been in the home for, since it’s a puppy, for eight years,” Colville told me.
Ward explained that children are at risk because they are often unable to understand a dog’s body language.
“One of the biggest things that can happen is that a child approaches a dog inappropriately,” she said. “They’re right at that face level; they’re staring at the dog. The dog might take that as a challenge or they may be afraid themselves, so they’re going to protect themselves, and you end up with a bite.”
Ward encourages parents to teach their children the WAIT acronym for interacting with dogs:
- W- Watch the dog to see if it is with its owner and appears friendly;
- A- Ask if you can pet the dog
- I- Invite the dog to come to you
- T- Touch the dog on its side or back.
She also stated that a growl is a clear indication that a dog is unhappy, and that other signs of discomfort include a dog leaning away, averting its gaze, or licking its lips, which can indicate anxiety.
Ward recommends that families considering adding a dog to their household ask these questions.
“Am I ready to take an animal into my home? Am I prepared to manage that situation in my house so I can keep the dog comfortable as well as the children comfortable and safe?”
The three dogs involved in the Roselawn case are currently undergoing a 10-day bite quarantine at Cincinnati Animal CARE.
Police are still deciding whether charges will be filed. According to Cincinnati Animal CARE staff, euthanasia is usually recommended for severe bite cases that result in death.
