Please SHARE: IF YOU WANT A PET YOUR CHILD CAN RIDE....GET A PONY! Many parents are not aware of the danger. Allowing this behavior can result in serious injuries, not only for the dog, but potentially for your child as well. If you love your dog, you would NEVER allow this behavior. It does NOT matter how large your dog is or how small your child is! Teach your children right from wrong. You are responsible for not only your children’s protection, but your dogs as well! If you have been warned of the dangers and still allow this behavior, plain and simple, that is irresponsible parenting. Cornell University Veterinarian Sarah Bassman told The Stir Children riding on the back of their family dog is very dangerous for the animal, and the child, even if you have one of the giant breeds as your family pet. The muscles in a dogs back are not strong enough and not designed to carry a passenger and could be damaged by this activity. We worry about muscle sprain and strain, vertebral subluxation, and disc-related problems. Lesser sprains and strains may need to be treated with pain medications or physical therapy while serious spinal injuries could lead to paralysis which may or may not be able to be surgically repaired.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 18:46:29 +0000