Protecting your child against harm is a no-brainer for any parent. One father’s actions are being called into question as he faces criminal charges for killing his pet. Would you have reacted the same way to this situation?
Dogs are always thought to be a man’s best friend. They are known for their loyalty and playfulness, and tons of families incorporate these four-legged friends into their household. However, what happens when your pet attacks your children?
Chris Ford made a tough decision to put down his family dog after it attacked his 4-year-old daughter, Zaynah Ford. The incident took place at the home of Chris’ mother. Ford claims his pit bull began mauling his daughter as she was getting out of the pool. “My baby is bleeding, I can’t even see her face, I don’t know where all the blood is coming from, I just see a big hole in her head,” Chris tells FOX 10 Phoenix. After freeing Zaynah, Chris took her into the house, where he called for paramedics.
He soon returned outside with his mother’s rifle.
Chris claims the dog stopped showing signs of aggression when it saw the gun and fled to its kennel. Holding the rifle against the structure, he fired four shots into the kennel, killing his dog.
“I had to choose between two family members, and one of them could possibly attack someone else,” Chris tells ABC 15 News. “I did what had to be done.”
Police arrested Ford on a series of charges that include suspicion of animal cruelty and endangerment. Chris also faces a felony charge for possession of a weapon, as he’s unable to have one due to a prior felony conviction.
His daughter Zaynah is recovering from extensive injuries in the intensive care unit. She’s expected to make a full recovery.
This story makes the line between protecting your family and doing what’s right blurred. As a mother, I would wrestle a bear if necessary to make sure my two little ones were safe. I have two children under 2 years old as well as two Labrador retrievers. They’re outdoor dogs that also help protect our property. Thankfully there has never been an incident when they showed aggression to my children, husband or myself. God knows if one of them ever attacked my kids they would be gone in a heartbeat, no questions asked.
While I certainly understand Chris’ desire to protect his family, I’m not sure if killing his dog after the fact was the best decision. Perhaps he wouldn’t face so many charges if he had shot the dog while the attack was in progress. However, when you consider everyone was safe inside and the dog retreated to his kennel, some feel Chris should’ve let animal control handle the situation.
This is a sad series of events that will hopefully have a happier ending down the road.
More on parenting
Primary school bans cartwheels, handstands and basically all the fun
Mother can’t use her deceased daughter’s eggs to conceive a grandchild
Cellphone captures deputy using Taser on 13-year-old teen (VIDEO)
Leave a Comment