Dog Accidentally Strangles Long Island Girl

[miakoda]

<TABLE align=center><TBODY><TR><TD>New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com (http://www.nydailynews.com/)</TD></TR><TR><TD>Dog accidentally

strangles L.I. girl
By LISA MUÑOZ
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Thursday, January 26th, 2006

A 6-year-old Long Island girl with a "heart full of love" was tragically strangled by her beloved dog, who fatally tugged on a scarf knotted around her neck, police and friends said yesterday.

The limp body of first-grader Kaitlyn Hassard was discovered by her 11-year-old brother at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the backyard of their Manorville home, triggering a frantic attempt by their mother to save her.

Cops said Kaitlyn's mother, who is a nurse, tried to revive the girl with CPR. She died upon arriving at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital.

"Kaitlyn Dorothy Hassard was an energetic, beautiful young girl who always had a smile on her face, a skip in her step and a heart full of love," said a family friend, James Palamini. "All who knew her will never forget her, she will be sorely missed by her entire family and circle of friends."

Police said the 40-pound girl had been playing in her backyard with her 18-month-old, 70-pound golden retriever, Jessy. Kaitlyn was wearing a scarf around her neck to keep warm. "The dog apparently grabbed the scarf that was around the child's neck, dragged her around the backyard for a period of time and asphyxiated her in the process," said Suffolk County Police Detective Lt. Jack Fitzpatrick.

The grieving family could not bear to keep the pooch and turned him over to the Brookhaven Animal Shelter. "The family has informed the animal shelter that they don't wish to bring the dog back into the house," Brookhaven Deputy Town Supervisor Mark Grossman said.


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[miakoda]

I'm horrified & sad that this happened, but when will people learn to not leave children and dogs unsupervised? :( I'm also sad that the dog has to pay for the parents' mistake.

[findrodhere]

That's crazy, I can't imagine how the parents feel right now.

[Rocky H. Balboa]

Mia, you beat me to it. I saw this on the news and thoughtit was my chance to contribute....:(

Stay on your side of the country Mia! (kidding)

EDIT: but on a serioius note, the incident is so sad. Dumb dog, no need blame the parents. It was an accident! For those who have children, you know that you do not supervise your children when pets are around. I am referring to those who feel confident their pet will not attack children. This was an accident plain and simple. The dumb dog probably thought it was a tug game and did not realize she (child) was not pulling back b/c she was choking.

[kjf85]

That is so sad- I couldn't imagine how the parents feel- But I do think that it is wrong to get rid of the dog because they were not watching the child while playing and this happened.

[pitbulllvr25]

Thats just horrible. I can only imagine how the family must feal, but i have to agree with Miakoda, what is it going to take for people to understand you have to supervise your children when playing with animals. I feal so bad for her family.

[Norvell57]

I'm horrified & sad that this happened, but when will people learn to not leave children and dogs unsupervised? :( I'm also sad that the dog has to pay for the parents' mistake.

that is sad, the dog was just playing an had no idea it was hurting the girl, damn parents

[Riptora]

A sad fluke accident, the parents of course should have been more attentive... but seriously, the dog had to be dumb. That is just not normal, there are a lot of loopy goldens now-a-days and if dogs can smell your emotions, they can smell when something is dead, the dog could tell she wasen't breathing or in serious distress, either by sent alone or simply her body movement or LACK or movement, but apparently didn't notice or didn't care. They are certainly receptive enough to know, I wouldn't adopt that dog, no, no. This dog was 18 months old, come on, something is off here.

[Verderben]

I agree with riptora. Something is "off" , and that would have to have been a pretty stupid dog. also how damn tight was the scarf tied on that kids neck that she couldnt get it undone? where the hell were the parents? why arent they being brought up on murder charges like they would have been if it had been a pit bull?

[miakoda]

Who knows? It could've been an attack. With the girl struggling it could've triggered a predatory response in the dog to continue on...but hey, with goldens we will never hear the word "attack" in the headlines.

Regardless, you have a hyperactive 80lb dog & a 6 yr old unattended.

[B-I-Z]

in my opinion, a 6yr old child should never be left unsupervised, regardless if a dog is involved or not. But when a 70lb dog is thrown into the equation...It just all boils down to the lack of responsibility of the parents. People don't realize how quickly things like this can happen. A kid wants a cute lil puppy, so like every other family in this country, they go buy one from the nearest petshop. Of course they'll be extra cautious for a lil while, then they seem to not worry about. Its like when you first start driving, after a year or so you don't just forget about all the other idiots on the road, if anything you're even more cautious.

[B-I-Z]

lol, i swear everytime i post i start a 2nd page

[Riptora]

Yes, I am sure if this were a pit bull that the whole breed discription would have been tossed around with the high prey drive and what not. Not to mention this dog had to be horribly untrained to tug and not take a hint to let go at that age, that dog would be put to sleep at the shelter I worked at because of all the other adoptable dogs who would probably notice the girl dying, it would be a risk to place a dog that was known to cause death in an older child. Poor dog was born without a brain OR it was a genius and made itself look inoccent.
Right BIZ and what well intended parent would ever expect an accident with the golden?
You know I was thinking and I have two little kids and my roommate has two dogs. I often leave them in a room together, say, if I am taking a shower or cooking, I mean, realistically, I don't see how dogs and kids can ever be constantly supervised. Sometimes the kids wake-up before me, or, I guess you get the point. Even dogs outside on a chain or in a kennel, you are not constantly watching...