Dog play no fun

By Yvette d'Entremont - The Weekly News
KINGSWOOD - When Paula Green took her 4-year-old daughter sledding outside Kingswood Elementary School last week, leaving in an ambulance was likely the furthest thing from her mind.
But what started out as a fun winter romp turned into a nightmare after a large, exuberant golden retriever jumped on young Stephanie as she was happily making snow angels.
The result was a great deal of blood and a lot of panic. Green is now on a mission to remind dog owners that even the friendliest of dogs can do a great deal of unintentional damage to a young child.
"He's 80 pounds, and it's almost like he punched her and his claws went under her eye and across her nose," Green said. "That's 80 pounds versus 40 pounds. It wasn't a play that we wanted."
The incident happened so quickly Green didn't immediately know what had happened.
"We were at the top of the hill. Stephanie was rolling, I was next to her. In a second there was a dog up to her and I yelled
'There's a dog on my child!'" The woman (owner) looked confused," Green recalled.
"Then Stephanie looked at me and her face was completely covered in blood. She started to cry. I pushed the dog off, grabbed her and ran into the school and said a dog has hurt my child."
Someone called 911. Bystanders inside the school where a Sparks meeting was taking place leapt into action. Paramedics took Stephanie to the Cobequid Community Health Centre where she was sedated and received a couple of stitches in her face.
"Luckily there were no scratches on her cornea. We saw a plastic surgeon (last week) at the Cobequid and he figures there will be a small scar," Green said. "There's a whole gamut of emotions you go through when this kind of thing happens to your child. I'm not angry, I'm sad."
The dog's owner was devastated by the incident. She has been in touch with Green via telephone and said her 10-year-old golden retriever rarely leaves her side. She was stunned that her off-leash senior dog would take off like that. Green described the owner as "amazing," saying she didn't excuse the behaviour and has shown great concern for Stephanie.
"He (the dog) saw a little girl having fun and thought 'I want to be a part of that.' I don't think the dog was malicious at all in its intent. I just think everybody makes bad choices sometimes," Green said. "I'm not angry with dog owners, but I want to say please keep your dog on a leash."
Green's hoping her cautionary tale will prompt dog owners to keep their dogs leashed in all areas not designated off leash. She also believes it's worth telling if it prevents any similar incidents.
"I believe it's leash only everywhere in HRM unless designated. The principal (of Kingswood Elementary) said she'd like to get signs (outside the school) to remind people to keep dogs on leash there," Green said.
"That doesn't excuse it, because the bylaw is in place everywhere, but maybe it will make a difference. I think there needs to be an awareness."
While parents are actively encouraged to teach their children how to behave around dogs, Green said many dog owners allow their dogs to approach small children with the words "it's OK, my dog is very friendly."
"You saying your dog is friendly doesn't help a child who's afraid," Green said. "Stephanie was always wary around dogs, especially big dogs. I am worried about what this will do to her."
Although the golden retriever who hurt her daughter was "only being friendly in his 80 pound way," Green said her family's experience should serve as a wake-up call to dog owners.
She hopes it impresses upon them the fact that even the friendliest dog can cause a great deal of damage to a child. She's asking dog owners to be vigilant, respect leash laws, and keep a watchful eye on their dogs, especially in areas where children play.
"People need to call animal control if they see a dog off leash in a non-designated area because it's not acceptable at all," Green said. "I've written that number down and I will call."
ydentremont@hfxnews.ca