^ Facetious responses aside, this is a good point
What threat does the dog pose?

The dog gets excited, most likely, because the baby has a strong and different smell from all the other humans around it. The dog probably just wants to get acquainted. If the dog is not prone to attacking humans, it's unlikely to attack a human juvenile. At worst, then, the dog might get overexcited and start barking, which will scare the baby, or it may want to lick the baby, which is hardly the end of the world.

I understand that mothers will instinctively do anything within their power to protect their young from any perceived threat. If the dog is actually likely to maul the child then I understand your concern, but if not, is the dog actually a danger?
(LongJohnBaldry, Mon 8 Aug 2011, 13:51, 1 reply, 15 years ago)

Some people don;t want their kid licked by a dog that's been licking its own genitals.
Some people think it's good for the kid's confidence to be comfortable with dogs from the start.
Just because it's not 'harmful' doesn't mean people are ok with it.
We're not all scruffy bastards covered in animal hair who grew up rolling around with beasts.
I came to it late in life.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 8 Aug 2011, 13:54, Reply)

What about if teh dog had been licking Jeff's genitals? Would that be ok?

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Mon 8 Aug 2011, 13:55, Reply)

Most definitely not!

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 8 Aug 2011, 13:57, Reply)

This is kind of my point, though...
People all react differently to domestic animals - sure, it's not pleasant if someone's huge alsatian is waiting behind the door to jump up, pin you against the wall at the shoulders and gleefully cover you in eau-de-Winalot-et-dog-bollocks because it's pleased to see you, but I think there are a few more details we need before we can roundly condemn the dog, the family or the plaintiff.
(LongJohnBaldry, Mon 8 Aug 2011, 14:04, Reply)