Tough topic all the way around. I got my first dog about five years ago, my second a year later - wouldn't recommend life without one at this point.
Having said that, I've had my step-daughter bit in the face by a dog about 7 years ago. She wasn't used to dogs and very curious about them. She kept getting in the dogs face and had been scolded, warned, and fussed at but found a moment when no adults were watching and cornered her and got bit for her trouble. She loves, loves, loves animals but learned a valuable lesson about animal personalities and giving them their space. That sweet old lab had tried numerous times to back away and avoid the child. It was a lesson that I am grateful she learned from a gentle giant and NOT from an aggressive breed. The dog was not put down - the actions did not warrant it. Had there been no cause and no warning it would be a completely different discussion. One of our dogs is a family protector and doesn't care for strangers (CM can attest to his 'less than welcoming' nature). I believe it's our responsibility to keep him out of bad situations where he would think he needs to defend his family, but our kids are older now and all of them know how to manage our dogs.
Having said that, I've had my step-daughter bit in the face by a dog about 7 years ago. She wasn't used to dogs and very curious about them. She kept getting in the dogs face and had been scolded, warned, and fussed at but found a moment when no adults were watching and cornered her and got bit for her trouble. She loves, loves, loves animals but learned a valuable lesson about animal personalities and giving them their space. That sweet old lab had tried numerous times to back away and avoid the child. It was a lesson that I am grateful she learned from a gentle giant and NOT from an aggressive breed. The dog was not put down - the actions did not warrant it. Had there been no cause and no warning it would be a completely different discussion. One of our dogs is a family protector and doesn't care for strangers (CM can attest to his 'less than welcoming' nature). I believe it's our responsibility to keep him out of bad situations where he would think he needs to defend his family, but our kids are older now and all of them know how to manage our dogs.