Update: 7/17: Toxicology reports have come back, and the child's mother was passed out on the couch during the incident. She reportedly had a blood-alcohol content of .3 (the legal limit on driving is .08 in most states - -so nearly 4 times that limit) and she tested positive for THC -- the active ingredient in marijuana. So the mother was literally passed out from being high and drunk at the time that her 7 month infant was left alone with the family's Rottweiler.
Last month I noted that it is irresponsible to try to judge the actions of dogs without factoring in the actions of the people surrounding the dogs -- and this further highlights why those who try to make tragedies like this about the type of dog involved are wrong in doing so.
Original Text: A 7 month old Frankfort, ME infant is dead - -apparently from a dog attack.
Although there is little information at this time, it sounds like the infant, Annabelle MItchell, was left alone with a Rottweiler while the infant's mother and 2 year old brother were in the home (but apparently not in the room with the child).
The dog was then shot to death upon the request of the child's father.
I'll post more details if they ever become public.
This story has been picked up by 51 media outlets thus far.
And no punishment for being a bad parent????Typical!He should have kept the dog and dumped the mother!
Posted by: krisna | April 14, 2011 at 05:17 PM
Krisna - don't be ridiculous.
The city will ban Rottweilers, which will punish all the Rottie owners whose dogs were not involved in the attack.
Posted by: kmk | April 14, 2011 at 06:06 PM
I know whenever I see one of these sad posts from you, I'm going to click on it and read that the baby was left alone with a dog.
Posted by: YesBiscuit! | April 14, 2011 at 07:14 PM
They will shoot the dog then the parents don't have to take responsibility for leaving a baby alone with a dog. What a shame. Who could be that stupid?
Posted by: Julie Muhilly | April 14, 2011 at 08:56 PM
Who leaves a 7 month old baby on the floor alone under ANY circumstances??? If the state of Maine goes after the breed of dog, they should also go after the mother for neglect!!
Posted by: Cedrah Pittard | April 14, 2011 at 11:12 PM
I grew up there, they won't ban Rotties... Google "Frankfort, ME" before you decide what "the city" (HA!) of 1500 will do.
Posted by: Mainiac | April 15, 2011 at 12:19 AM
I wonder if the mother still has custody of the 2 year old.
Posted by: YesBiscuit! | July 17, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Well, they've charged the mom with endangering the welfare of a child so I would hope that the 2 year old has been removed from the home. I couldn't find confirmation of it, though.
She ought to have her tubes tied. No more kids or dogs. Yes, harsh and judgmental, but as someone who desperately wanted children and is unable to have them, cases like this make my blood boil.
Posted by: Jennie | July 17, 2011 at 03:24 PM
"On Friday, Mitchell pleaded not guilty to endangering the welfare of a child during a videoconference in Belfast District Court from Two Bridges Regional Jail, where she is being held in lieu of $1,000 bail. She was arrested Wednesday night."
Sounds like the authorities handled this correctly. The woman was charged - she's in jail. The dog was put down. I'll assume the father still has the two year old since he wasn't there during the incident. There's no evidence that he is guilty of anything but making a poor choice in choosing his wife.
Posted by: Justice for all | July 21, 2011 at 08:48 AM