My mother has a pit bull. The dog has been great… no problems. Her family has had the dog for ~4 years (got him as a puppy). He’s fixed. Never bit anyone. Very friendly.

I have a toddler. My mother provided baby care 1 day a week for the first year of the baby’s life. He and the pit bull got along great. Now the toddler just goes over there occasionally… they babysit sometimes for grownup date nights.

The toddler and I were visiting days ago. The dog was very happy to see us. He brought us his bone and was all up in our faces. He licked the baby and was generally cute. A while later, the toddler was toddling around his grandma’s lap and reaching for a toy near the dog. This all happened very fast… so I can’t recall it perfectly… but the dog bared his teeth with an open mouth. I think he growled quickly. I’m not sure if he pushed into the toddler or if the toddler just fell down, but he fell and cried for quite a long time (unusual for him).

All I can think is that the dog could have bitten the toddler’s face off. I don’t trust him now. I don’t want him out ever around the toddler.

My mom said that he would have to be in his crate when the toddler came over. We dropped him off for a short time a couple of days later. I just found out from my mom that when the toddler was eating in his highchair, she let out the dog. The dog “did so great”. I’m not clear if she just left the dog out at that point. My blood was boiling and I didn’t want to be mean… so I didn’t ask.

WTF. Now I never want the toddler at their house again. My mom will be so defensive. I’m not sure how to deal. Am I being overly timid??

Topics: babies, dogs, pets, family, toddlers, issues