Has anyone seen this on the news? Had to happen I suppose, this hot weather and all. Child playing in his garden kicking a ball around, lands near fence between gardens but in the childs garden, child bends down to pick it up, dog jumps up at fence and bites childs face. Dog PTS, child has face full of stitches. What I cant understand is why the fence between the gardens was so low, it was just that link wire stuff and only looked about 4ft high as the presenter stood by it. I would want a good, solid, high fence myself between my garden and the next if I had dogs running free, especially with children living next door. The dog was supposed to have bitten before, not substantiated however as the owner wouldnt be interviewed. They showed a GSD as an example of the breed that bit the child, now why oh why does it have to be one barking? not one happily sat by its owner, or being handled/fussed etc by people, adults or children, but barking and showing its teeth because of that. Even Lassie could look 'vicious' in that pose. As if whats happened isnt bad enough, this sort of sensational news reporting just adds fuel to the fire to the anti dog people. I feel sad for both the child and the dog.

Rant over :D

It was all so preventable too wasn't it?  Very sad for both parties concerned. Some dog owners just have no common sense or insight into prevention, as you suggested I would have had a suitable fence.

I am sure the newspapers will make a sensationalised story of it. GSD's haven't had a good 'killer dogs' story for ages so they will no doubt make the most of it.

Poor child, and poor dog. A little adult supervision on both sides would have prevented it from happening all together.

Sad all the way around :(