PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST
AP
NEWS: BERRYVILLE , VA APRIL 5 2007
AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER INVOLVED IN INCIDENT WITH CHILD AT AKC EVENT
Police were called today to the Clarke County Fairgrounds to investigate an incident involving an American Staffordshire Terrier dog and a 9 year old child. The American Kennel Club sanctions the event, held by the Clarke County Kennel Club annually. Thousands of exhibitors and spectators attend yearly.
According to witnesses, the child was walking near the show rings unsupervised when she suddenly came face to face with the 70 lb American Staffordshire Terrier dog. The child threw her arms around the dog's neck, reports say, when the unthinkable happened. The dog began enthusiastically licking the girl's face as his tail wagged briskly.
"It was awful", said one bystander, "there was nothing we could do. That dog was just giving that child every ounce of love he had and no one did a thing to stop it".
Another witness, who took video of the event, said "This happens all the time; I don't know how it hasn't made the news before now". One spectator, who declined to be named in this interview, told reporters, "The sounds were just heart wrenching, all that laughing and giggling. It made me smile so hard my face hurts. I plan to sue for pain and suffering". The handler of the dog admits this is not the first time such an incident has occurred, and that the owners were "well aware of the stable, loving and patient temperament of this dog". The owners were unavailable for comment.
Police state that the handler, who was noticeably unrepentant, was cited for Reckless Entertainment. The dog was given roasted chicken treats and was not taken into custody.