I personally think most children if told not to touch would not touch I walk my dog she wears a muzzle and when told not to touch I have had no problems children under 4 are usually unable to understand that a dog could be dangerous and could bite and there for it is the dog owner who should insure that the child is not put in any danger yes children under 4 should be under controll too but at the end of the day a dog can inflict terrible injuries and should be under even tighter controll when round children

It would be nice, is a perfect world, if more schools now a days would teach children about safety and animals (dogs included) I attended an open show a few weeks ago and was very impressed that a local school was doing a day out to see the dog show. EVERY child asked first before touching any of my 3 dogs I had at the show, many were very polite and you could tell that alot of effort on behalf of the teachers had went into making this day a very happy event.
I just wish there were more schools that would teach children how to behave around "unfamiliar" dogs. I think this would help immensley, those children who do not grow up with dogs.
I do a twice yearly visit with our dogs to our childrens local school, talking about safety around dogs and rules and behaviours. I hope that it will help prevent some of these behaviours this post has spoken of... but again this on only my opinion.
Sue

Well, as a parent and dog owner too who also believes that children come first I think it it would be a sad day when we don't see dogs waiting for their children outside the school gates and I believe this is one of the best ways to socialise a puppy. However any dog with a dodgy temperament just shouldnt be there. 
In my opinion a dog roaming free that injures a person should be instantly removed and a massive fine imposed on the owner as well as a ban on keeping dogs. Severe I know, but the same irrisponsible people do it time and again.
A sensible session in schools is a brilliant idea.
Part of responsible dog ownership is realising that some people (especialy children) are cruel and horrible to dogs and we must protect our dogs from them and we must take responsibility ourselves if we do not manage it and our dogs either get injured or hurt somebody in response. Blaming a 2 1/2 year old is rediculous.
Amos 

Amos

My dogs are never loose in public & never not under control & I eould never own a dog that did not have an excellent temperament

My dogs have never been involved in any biting incident except the one I outlined & even then the child(aged 15 & 6 foot tall)was not injured(I was I had two broken ribs & three breaks in my arm)

I give in Children come first in everything period no wonder there are shops in cities terrorized by the small humans & nothing can be done, an elderly lady attacked & robbed by small humans all under 11 so not criminals of course just not reared right by adults so go scot free, cars stolen & wrecked no redress as the thieves under 11, dogs/cats terrorized by small humans with air rifles, head teacher killed by gang leader under 16 etc etc etc All this is acceptable because children come first

Glad I live miles away from the local city & the small innocent humans that live there, otherwise my dogs lives would be hell anyway must get back to teaching my dogs to get used to pain & violence from innocent children

Children Rule OK with that parents of the only perfect humans on earth ie those under 16.

I think that you will find Moonmaiden that most of the general public will not prioritise a dogs welfare over that of a child and our legal system reflects this. Those of us  who love dogs have a duty of care to ensure that we continue to have the freedom to own large working breeds and to walk them freely. This means being very aware of potential problems particularly in situations involving young children and acting responsibly.

The two year old who was attacked by a doberman cannot be held responsible and neither can they be labelled a 'brat' for approaching the dog. I'm afraid when it comes to responsibility it is not a two way deal - the dog owner is always responsible, if you have ANY doubts about your dogs temperament then DON'T put them in vulnerable situations !

Yvonne

I got the impression the 2 1/2 year-old was referred to as a brat for using such vile language, which he obviously hears regularly to have learned! I don't know anyone who would use language like that to anyone, let alone in front of a child.

The facts are that children who are cruel to animals grow up on the whole to be violent adults Not me just saying this but a government funded research study instigated by the murder of the little boy in Liverpool by two "troubled"boys aged under 16 who both had histories of animal abuse.