When the dog bites....

Last Wednesday morning my son was bitten in the face by a neighbor's dog. The ordeal had all the drama you might imagine; screaming children, crying mothers, and a little boy covered in blood bellowing a prayer for God's help.

My adrenalin was ordering one child to get ice, one to call my husband, and another to find a medically trained neighbor. Within moments my kitchen was filled with good hearted friends offering comfort and help. By the time we left for Urgent Care the needs of my other children were being well provided.  I was free to  focus on getting my son the medical attention he needed.

The dog's owners were also here. Their regret, sorrow and concern were sincere and obvious. We understand that animals are unpredictable and no one was at fault.  The victim and the witnesses all felt this way, too. There was no anger. No blaming.  No side taking.  Just a community coming together to care for one of its own.

After seven hours of going from Urgent Care, to the children's hospital, and finally to a plastic surgeon, we returned home to discover that two families had brought us dinner. Others had brought cookies and brownies and candy, a balloon and a bear. Our evening was spent receiving well wishing emails, answering phone calls and welcoming in friends stopping by just to check. The next day was filled with the same thoughtful expressions of friendship. My community is a wonderful example of what is right with Americans.

I live among amazing people. I wanted this blog to be all about them.  But as the weekend progressed, my mind has turned to the issue of property rights and how  the loss of authority over one's possessions can indeed inhibit the pursuit of happiness.

The county government wasted no time getting involved. The dog has been quarantined by the county; a good thing. The county also recommended starting my son on the post-bite rabies treatments; not a happy thing.  The treatments entail a regimen of very inconvenient and most likely unnecessary vaccines. We think the dog is healthy, but if we are wrong our mistake would be deadly.  

Can the dog be tested for rabies? There is a test, but it can only be done on the deceased. The "owners" of the dog have graciously and proactively requested this test be done on their dog as to spare my son more pain. But, Animal Control will not authorize it at this time for it would not be fair to the dog.   Therefore, yesterday was day 0 of the rabies vaccination process.

Just so you have this right. One could have her unborn baby ripped, piece by piece, out of her womb, but she could not have her child-biting dog be put to sleep to spare a baby more suffering.

THAT BITES!

PS:  Both the Animal Control officer and the county health department nurse have been nothing less than kind, informative and cooperative. I do appreciate their goodness.