My dog bit someone’s baby, and I’m worried about what will happen now
DEAR Abby:
Over Memorial Day weekend, I hosted a small family gathering at my home. My cousin brought her 1-year-old son, who is just starting to walk and explore. He’s a sweet little boy and was especially fascinated by my dog.
The problem is that my dog has never been comfortable around small children. He’s naturally anxious and can get overstimulated easily. Normally, I keep him away from kids for this reason, but amid the chaos of the day, I let my guard down.
Before anyone could intervene, the baby startled my dog, and he reacted by biting the child. It wasn’t a small nip—it was a hard bite that left a mark. Thankfully, the injury wasn’t severe, but it caused a lot of distress for my cousin and her husband. My cousin was understandably upset. Although she tried to stay civil, I could tell she was hurt and angry.
I feel overwhelming guilt about what happened, but I’m also worried about how this will affect our relationship and my dog’s future. I don’t know the best way to make amends.
Should I have done more to prevent this? How can I reach out to my cousin to sincerely apologize without making things worse?
— Dog Bite
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