When my daughter was four, a standard collie bit her on the leg. We were visiting my brother and sister in law and my daughter and her cousin were playing in the orchard. Without warning - no bark, no growl - the dog bit her and then headed for home across the fence.

After cleansing the wound I settled my daughter on the couch and went outside. I wasn't thinking clearly or maybe I was being more clear than usual- I untied my brother's big dog and we went over to the neighbor in their back yard. I told the wife what their dog had done. His name was Timmy, she said.

I said, sharply, Timmy. Come here.

This sounds other worldish but the dog would leap for my face, my brother's dog would jump up and hit him in the chest knocking him down. I'd repeat, Timmy. Come here.

I was going to literally choke him to death. ha Fat chance.

Eventually I gave up and took my daughter to the doctor where he took stitches in two puncture wounds; the third wound was shallower and he just put a gauze bandage over it.

That evening my brother went over to his neighbor and they talked. They came over and asked to see the wounds. I uncovered the shallow one and they said, OK.

They went home and shot their dog.

Turned out that he had bit children before and they were under city injunction to keep him tied.

It was a scary - and sad - day. I have always loved dogs.