Precautions Needed Between Children And Pets

Many are still trying to understand how a Tulsa infant could have been killed by a black lab puppy.  The News On 6's Chris Wright reports police say all the evidence still points to the puppy in the death of Zane Earles.  But, it's a conclusion that has even dog experts shaking their heads.

"It was a very young puppy. We do not know what made the dog act the way it did," said Tulsa Police Officer Leland Ashley.

Susanne Shelton has been breeding and training dogs for years.  She says it is extremely rare for a puppy to act maliciously enough to kill even a small child.

"I think people that know dogs, and breeders who are familiar with puppies, just can't see that happening.  A dog at that age is just a baby, it's an infant," said Susanne Shelton with the Oklahoma Working Dog Association.

Police say Zane was left unattended in a child-swing.  If the baby was swaying back and forth, Susanne says the puppy may have found that movement irresistible, much like a tennis ball or other toy, and its predatory instincts could have kicked in.

"But puppies are even more so drawn to movement, and it stimulates their desire to play, to chase, to carry," said Susanne Shelton with the Oklahoma Working Dog Association.

Those involved in the case say they are still having a tough time making sense of what happened Monday morning.

TPD has questioned the parents, but says this may have just been a tragic accident.

Besides not leaving dogs alone with small children, Susanne recommends other safety measures for parents.  She says you make sure that the dog does not view your child as a toy or playmate, but instead as an authority figure.