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Newborn Baby Hospitalized After Family Dog Drags Him From Crib
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by CJaye | July 22, 2009 at 04:06 am
3262 views | 10 Recommendations | 31 comments
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This is such a sad story for the famly dog but even worse for the infant. Dakota, the dog thought the infant was a toy and he wanted to play. Dragging the baby into the woods the infant suffered internal injuries along with a fractured skull and both lungs injuried. Dakota is in the hands of Animal control now the family doesn't want Dakota back.
LEXINGTON, Ky. — A newborn baby was hospitalized in critical condition after being taken from his crib and carried outside his central Kentucky home by a family dog, authorities said Tuesday.
The infant, Alexander James Smith, is just a few days old and had been put in his crib for a nap Monday afternoon. When his parents looked outside later, they saw their pet, a 4-year-old mixed breed called a Native American Indian dog, holding the baby in his mouth, said Jessamine County chief deputy sheriff Allen Peel.
The baby's father, Michael Smith, rushed outside and chased the dog into a wooded area behind the home near Nicholasville, just south of Lexington. It took the father about 10 minutes to recover his son about 200 yards behind the home, Peel said.
"It's unreal," Peel said.
The baby was taken to the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington, where he was listed in critical condition early Tuesday. Peel said the baby suffered multiple punctures and bruises.
The dog, named Dakota, was taken by local animal control officials and was being quarantined.
No charges have been filed, and the case remains under investigation, Peel said.
link to other story: http://my.nowpublic.com/...entucky-hides-it-woods
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (31)
at 05:44 on July 22nd, 2009
I don't understand this, the parents put the baby down for a nap, then they look outside and see the family dog with the baby. Was the dog in the house? And how did it get outside with the baby? "You never leave a new born or a toddler with a family pet alone!" It does not matter what kind of pet, because there is always a risk.
This type of breed should have been kept outside permanetly.
at 08:08 on July 22nd, 2009
Ok well just cause that dog was bad and did some thing wrong doesn't mean that all the dogs in the same breed need to be kept outside.
at 06:38 on July 22nd, 2009
I have a malamute and I didn't want kids around him. Whenever kids visited I tied the dog. Although the dog is a big teddy bear, they are strong (120 lbs). Those types of dogs are intended to be used as sled dogs and even a friendly dog can cause a lot of damage to a child even if he only holds them down.
I have seen my dog holding a stray lab down, scaring him even though he didn't have the killer instinct.
at 04:32 on July 23rd, 2009
Thank you for your comment.
at 08:48 on July 22nd, 2009
Why do ppl always blame the parents. It was a freak accident. Baby was in the crib, dog wanted to play. Who knew the dog when get the baby out of a crib. If its not a dog, its a snake...hell it sometimes is another human being. I hate that the baby got hurt, thats very tragic. But I forget most ppl think they are perfect parents and nothing will happen to their child EVER!! I will continue to pray for this family and hope the baby heals w/out future problems. I will pray for the dog hoping he gets a decent home.
at 11:04 on July 25th, 2009
I think that this would be parents fault. I do not think that I am a perfect parent, but a newborn a few days old should have been checked on or a monitor in the room or even the door shut. Come on. How is it possible for a dog to carry a child from the crib to the outside without anyone noticing or hearing the baby cry?
at 11:34 on July 29th, 2009
You've got to be kidding.
Did you just justify the dog's actions because he wanted to "play"?? Un-freakin'-believable.
That dog is part WOLF. Why in the name of (insert your diety here) would you leave a dog that is part WOLF in the same room with your newborn baby?? Did you see the picture of that dog?? No pet-owner I know who has kids has EVER left their dog OR CAT, mind you, alone with a newborn. They are animals. Every pet expert says it: DON'T LEAVE YOUR NEWBORN ALONE WITH YOUR PET!!
at 10:23 on July 22nd, 2009
More bogus defense of animals that do outrageous things.
Okay, the "native" dog took the baby faaar away from the house, inflicted all that injury and hid it....just to play with it?. If it really wanted to play with it, why not play with it in the house? So, dog tries to eat baby, takes it away very sneakily, knowing it's doing wrong, hides it protectively,.....and it seems fine by people? -- hah! Is stupid or idiot the right term for all the pretending of doggie innocence in the matter, or both?
The dog looks very wolf-like, so it likely isn't all that far from it's origins. Is this all part of the pro-wolf-reintroduction political correctness agenda to brainwash the public? What next, a push to force everyone to believe that pet alligators are safe as pets, too?
at 20:33 on July 22nd, 2009
Get a life. I'm Sure the dog had a premeditated plan to take the baby to the woods and hurt it. It was bieng sneaky give me a break!! I wish the family well and hope they will soon get to bring their beautiful baby home. I also hope the dog finds a loving home. I hope you get some professional help. If you want to see an Idiot look in the mirror!
at 07:13 on July 23rd, 2009
It called instinct you putz.
at 07:19 on July 23rd, 2009
How ignorant you seem to be, "Sara". You mean to say you have never seen an intelligent dog know when it is doing something wrong? That is stupid. I've seen dogs wait until their master is gone and then do something they know they shouldn't be doing. Then, they'll hang their head in shame when they get caught, or even as soon as their master returns, before getting "fussed at", while the owner is in shock. Dogs are smart creatures.
at 07:19 on July 23rd, 2009
Apparently you have never had dogs. Dogs can be extremely sneaky and this particular breed is bred to be aggressive. So before you start calling others idiot for having some knowledge, try reading a little every now and then you illiterate putz. You might actually learn a few things....but then again, probably not!
at 14:45 on July 23rd, 2009
I assure you that I am neither illiterate or a putz. I am however a college educated mother with 5 dogs. Do I think my dogs are smart? absolutely!!! However I don't think that most dogs are vicious, calculating, creatures. The dog was acting like it did something wrong because it was being chased by a frantic father. As for the parents I'm sure they have enough on their heart without the ranting of judgemental people. I put my daughter in her crib to take naps and leave the room every day and I would like to meet a parent who sits with their child 24 hour a day. Do I leave my dog to baby sit? No and I'm sure that these parents did not either. My dogs are a wonderful addition to my family. Tragic accidents happen and that is just what this is a tragic accidents. Dogs may not be the best for every family. If this is the case don't get a dog but how does it help the situation to condemn an entire species or ridicule a family during an awful situation
at 04:33 on July 23rd, 2009
Thank you for your comment
at 10:33 on July 22nd, 2009
This story was published to NowPublic yesterday: Dog Takes Baby From Crib in Kentucky, Hides It In the Woods
at 04:31 on July 23rd, 2009
Thank you for your comment
at 11:42 on July 22nd, 2009
wow that is so sad for the dog and for the baby. i love animals, i have two dogs myself, but you should always monitor them, and especially with babies or children. i feel awful for everyone because the parents love there pet dog and there baby. i hope the baby will be ok. it is so strange why animals sometimes do things like this, and i'm sure the dog is very well behaved if they have had it for the 4 years prior.
at 12:14 on July 22nd, 2009
The parents should be investigated here. What the hell were they doing? How does a dog have the ability to get a baby out of a crib and then take it outsdie without the parents having a clue or hearing anything. And the baby is only a couple days old...??? I barely took my eyes off my newborn never mind being so far away from it that I would hear a dog carrying the baby away... What about a baby monitor, I guess they didn't bother with one of those either. It seems all to suspicious to me...
at 12:39 on July 22nd, 2009
There's nothing suspicious about this. Look at this "dog's" picture. It's a wolfe! The parents should be pittied for their stupidity. They ignored the fact that they have a wild animal that they think of as a pet and left it alone with a completely defenceless creature that it very likely thought of as prey.
at 12:44 on July 22nd, 2009
Yes I agree they should have never left a baby alone with any breed of dog especially a breed like this. Thats why it's suspicious people are fucked, maybe they didn't want the baby.....
at 12:25 on July 22nd, 2009
This is why wolves & wolve mixes should not be breed or kept as pets. Leaving a new born baby alone this dog was really a stupid tragic mistake. I hope that the baby lives, and hate it that the dog will probably end up euthanized. This is just a sad, sad story that makes me wish that people were smart enough to take proper care of the children and animals that depend on us.
at 12:30 on July 22nd, 2009
Oh and maybe we should ban the breed of dog too. Why not seems to be the answer for people who don't have enough brains to understand a dog. Wait better idea lets ban certain people from owning dogs, thats seems much more sensable. (Possibly baning them from having children as well!)
at 13:03 on July 22nd, 2009
I don't know the laws in specific states, but believe owning wolves and wolve mixes is "banned" in most states. Dogs on the other hand, have been domesticated for a long, long time and are make great companions when they have been properly socialized. The only people that should be "banned" from owning dogs are those that have been caught hoarding them or abusing them. I don't believe that I said anything about "banning" anyone from being parents , but these people may not get the chance to parent this child, and it will be because they left it alone with what sure looks like a wolf.
at 14:45 on July 22nd, 2009
very sad story
at 04:33 on July 23rd, 2009
Thank you for your comment
at 19:13 on July 22nd, 2009
HL, I completely agree with you!! How can a dog get a newborn out of his crib and outside without anyone hearing anything at all?? How far away were they that their child, just a few days old, made it outside without making a peep?? First of all, it is not a wise idea to leave a small child with any pet at all .. let alone an infant with such a powerful dog. However, it's the parents fault. The dog is a dog .. sorry but it doesn't always know right from wrong .. besides "don't pee in the house" .. no one ever says "ok dog, don't take the infant from his crib and take him outside" so, there should have been some sort of parental supervision going on there. After I had my daughter, her father and I didn't let her out of our sight .. let alone in her crib, a few days old, while the family dog watches her? This is a really weird story. Sorry, but it is. I hope and pray that the baby recovers 100% and quickly and goes on to live a happy life with no scars or reminders of this crazy situation and that someone that knows what they're doing with this breed of dog can take care of him.
at 07:41 on July 23rd, 2009
Wolves are sly creatures and masters of stealth, and this "dog" looked like it wasn't too far from wolf lineage. Also, I've heard that when a lion seizes it's prey by the head or neck, that some sort of natural response takes place in the victim that will often dull or pacify it. Likewise, a wolf pup will go limp for its mother to carry it. Perhaps the baby likewise didn't cry out. The "dog" was huge, so strength was not a problem, especially since the baby was small, having been premature.
I really can't stand some of the politically-correct, activist answers from stupid "experts". According to an ABC News quote,
".... 'A baby could be something that a dog fears,' Dr. Kat Miller of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said. 'It feels trapped, it feels cornered, it could possibly try to drive the baby with aggression.' "
-- What a stupid comment! A huge dog like that, with evident wolf-bloodlines, doesn't fear a silent, tiny, premature baby. (If it were screaming its head off in terror or crying, the parents would have heard it.) I also can't stand the way such "experts" and authority and media types seem to look down on all the supposed "sheeple" without brains, as if we are all too stupid and need a "big brother" to pacify us with lies and falsehood.
at 04:33 on July 23rd, 2009
Thank everybody for all the great comments
at 11:58 on July 24th, 2009
I think we all agree that leaving an infant or small child untended with a dog in the house, or with access to the house, is not a good thing. I'm pretty sure the Smiths already knew that. Its easy to become complacent about your dog, especially after they have lived with you for 4 years. The Smiths were probably excited over bringing the new baby home, probably a little tired and probably distracted with all the issues at hand. I'm sure they've relived those moments hundreds of times trying to figure out where things went wrong. We've all had those moments, not all of us are as unfortunate as the Smiths. So before you come down too hard on the Smiths, you should all do a little soul searching. Dakota, whether you want to call her a wolf, a dog, or a hybrid, was doing what her genes influenced her to do. Only Dakota knows why she did what she did. The rest of us can only speculate according to our experiences. This much I do know, having lived with and fostered dogs for over 20 years, if Dakota had meant to kill the baby, it would have been over in the first 10 seconds. I think the father was right about Dakota's motives. The fact that the Smiths didn't immediately have Dakota put down speaks volumes to their character and to Dakota's. That being said, I hope that Alexander makes a full recovery, the family heals after this tragedy and Dakota finds a safe home at a proper sanctuary.
at 04:45 on July 25th, 2009
The parents should have known better. The infant should have been watched more closely knowing that their pet was in the house.. I pray for the baby. But its the parents fault for being neglectful.