Sled dogs are not the same as house pets

To the editor:

This business with a sled dog biting a child is a sad one all the way around, and I feel badly for all concerned.

However, I believe the responsibility for the situation should be shared equally between the adults concerned. If the dogs can break free from their tethers, then there needs to be a secondary restraint in the form of a fence around the dog lot. This will aid in keeping dogs in and people out.

There should be a warning sign on the gate explaining that anyone who opens the gate and enters assumes full responsibility for anything that may happen. (Have the latch up high enough that a young child cannot reach it.)

The mother needs to accept her full share of responsibility for what happened to her child. Everyone with children knows that you cannot take your eyes of a young child for an instant! Most people also know better than to approach someone else’s animals (even those of a friend) without first asking permission of the animal’s owner.

Sled dogs are not the same as house pets. Most are good-natured, but it is never safe to assume it is safe to approach any animal.

Had the mother been following proper human to animal protocol, she would have first asked Mr. Berkowitz’s permission to approach the dog(s). Then, she should have held the hand of the child and approached the dog(s) in the company of Mr. Berkowitz, who would then “introduce” the mom and her child to the animals. The mother initiated this tragedy and she needs to accept the responsibility for this.

I’m half for, half against the dog being euthanized. I hate that this possibility exists, but I honestly can’t say for sure that euthanasia is an appropriate action to take in this situation. I do, however, believe that if the dog is euthanized that the mother of the child — since she precipitated this situation by not properly supervising her child — should be made to reimburse Mr. Berkowitz for the value of the dog. Again, it is a very sad situation, and I pray the little girl recovers completely and is not now forever afraid of dogs.

Karen Kirkpatrick

Willow