R.J. Sanders attacked by Dog at Day Care

**Sister Iroz** · January 23rd, 2009, 02:08 PM

A Four Corners toddler, attacked by a dog at his day care, is back home recovering from serious bite wounds.

R.J. sanders probably doesn't know how bad his injuries are.

"We've got over a 150 stiches, in his face and his eye, on top of his head, in the back of his head, and on his ear," C.J. Sanders, R.J's father, said.

Tuesday afternoon, R.J.'s parents got a call they hoped they'd never receive.

"All I got was the call saying that he had been attacked by a dog," Sanders said.

The 2-year-old was at his day care, Kids Country, at the time.

"I didn't know exactly what the extent of it was, so my thing is get over there, get him and get him to the hospital," R.J.'s mother, Cassie Sanders said.

The Sanders said the incident happened in the yard of Kids Country during recess.

They said R.J. was playing with a toy close to the dog when he dropped it.

When he went to pick it up, the dog got startled and that's when he was attacked R.J.

"I was afraid I was going to lose my baby," C.J. Sanders said.

"The only feelings I have right now are to take care of my son and get him the treatment he needs," Cassie Sanders said.

The San Juan County Sheriff's Office confiscated the dog, an Alaskan Akita, and said no charges will be filed against Kids Country.

The owner of Kids Country asked that the dog be put down after the required 10-day quarintine.

The Children Youth and Family Division said day care centers are allowed to have pets on the property, as long as they're provided with proper vaccination records.

It's investigating to see if the proper people were informed about the dog.

http://www.koat.com/news/18543566/detail.html

**RaVen Blackehart** · January 23rd, 2009, 02:14 PM

I don't think Akitas a the best dogs to have around little kids.

**ineedanap** · January 23rd, 2009, 02:17 PM

How awful for that little boy! I want to know if the parents were notified there was a dog on the premises and that it was allowed around the children. Because if my daycare had dogs, they wouldn't have my kid.

**DogMom** · January 23rd, 2009, 02:22 PM

The Children Youth and Family Division said day care centers are allowed to have pets on the property, as long as they're provided with proper vaccination records.

Good Lord...NO! That is a crazy, irresponsible policy. You just don't know how an animal is going to react around children especially ones that young.

**Athena** · January 23rd, 2009, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by DogMom

Good Lord...NO! That is a crazy, irresponsible policy. You just don't know how an animal is going to react around children especially ones that young.

I agree. Dogs can be a good experience for kids, so daycares should be able to apply for a license to have a therapy dog or other sort of highly trained dog around, but with all those different kids of different ages going in and out of a daycare, your regular old pet isn't a safe choice.

**Just my luck sucks** · January 23rd, 2009, 02:30 PM

That little boy is lucky to be alive.

My Akita, Kucha would have likely killed him. As I said on another thread, they can be a dangerous breed. Powerful, Loving to family-overprotective, fast & no matter how well trained, they can be unpredictable.

Heal quickly, heal well R.J.

**Eagles Mom** · January 23rd, 2009, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by RaVen Blackehart

I don't think Akitas a the best dogs to have around little kids.

Actually in Japan they're used as babysitters. I have a friend who was into the breed very early and actually went over there. He said that little children are let out into the yards to play and the Akitas are out there alone with them and act as protectors.

I've never heard of an Alaskan Akita though......

**maryhaze** · January 24th, 2009, 10:32 PM

that's because there is no such breed. if the owners are that ignorant, that would explain why they would have a dog in a day care. i got a boxer that bit a kid from a day care. this guy doesn't even like my kids, but who knows what he's been thru. i feel bad for the baby & feel bad for the dog & i hope the owners loose their license.

**ineedanap** · January 24th, 2009, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Athena

I agree. Dogs can be a good experience for kids, so daycares should be able to apply for a license to have a therapy dog or other sort of highly trained dog around, but with all those different kids of different ages going in and out of a daycare, your regular old pet isn't a safe choice.

That's all fine and well but there should be a parental notification requirement as well as a liability waiver. Parents have a right to know if an animal will be around their kid at daycare and make decisions accordingly. If it were me, my kid wouldn't be in attendance. You really have no idea about dogs unless you raise them from pups, and even then, they could snap, just as humans do.

**Silvahalo** · January 25th, 2009, 01:50 AM

This little one is a tough one, he sustained injuries that required 150 stitches!, Lord, I would have probably fainted from the site of my little one in that state.

That's all fine and well but there should be a parental notification requirement as well as a liability waiver. Parents have a right to know if an animal will be around their kid at daycare and make decisions accordingly. If it were me, my kid wouldn't be in attendance. You really have no idea about dogs unless you raise them from pups, and even then, they could snap, just as humans do.

Totally agree, ineedanap, but then I'm the kind of parent that would have a long list of questions including if animals of any kind are kept on the premises or in the daycare.

So sweet to see a father so loving with this son, I know they exist, we just see the worst of the bunch, and damn, they are evil.

Heal completely little R.J.