I hate to quote Chris Rock for this tragic situation, but 'what ever happen to jus plain crazy'? That dog sounds like a psycho, unsocialized beast. It may have acted 'friendly' but their were no rules, boundaries, training, or even pack order. Just a poor rouge beast that killed a poor little unsuspecting baby.
If the mom did anything wrong it was bringing the baby in the pen with a unsocialized dog. Even if she sprayed it with water a 'normal' dog would not attack and kill a child.

very true allcat. I agree.

This could be judged to death - dogs fault, mothers fault, owners fault.

Who knows...

OMG, rest with the angels poor baby girl. That is horrible. I feel so sorry for the family at the loss of their little daughter. I have read all the other comments but all the spectulations will always be a different story and the news media will not tell the truth either as far as that goes. They are always quick to judge because of ceratin breeds but other breeds they don't make a big deal of. The rotties that I have been around only half of them I would even trust to be around my kids due to the fact that around here people don't socialize and breed properly. About 6 out of 10 dogs aren't socialized to be around kids. And of that 6 at least 4 are known for being bite dogs. Please don't get me wrong i love all dogs and animals, but this sounds like it might be a bit mor the own family's fault. That dog should have been socialized from birth to be around kids. And the mother should not have taken the baby into the dogs area knowing the dog hasn't been around babies before. I truly hope that the baby has someone in heaven with her so she isn't alone. Rest little angel and play with all the puppies up there.

** This dog was strictly an outdoor dog and was left to his own territory.**

This right here,and this -**This dog had (obviously) never been socialized, even amongst it’s own family.
This dog was relatively unknown to many of it’s neighbors. Apparently most of the neighbors didn’t even know this family OWNED a dog. **

Go against each other. I believe this reporter actually added whatever he/she wanted to as far as I'm concerned.
And,this-PLEASE!! This is all a fabrication in my opinion. Too contradictory,in the very least!
**The news crew had a tough time finding neighbors to interview about the dog at all.

My point is-If the dog was strictly an "outdoor" dog,why the heck did the neighbors NOT even know that this family had a dog????? As I said,too contradictory for me to believe a word of this second report while waiting on the other news report...hogwash!! I don't buy it for a second!

**The woman, with the 16 month old girl in her arms, took the child into the dogs outside***

Now,why on earth would a mother take a baby around a Rotti that had never been around children??? Do you smell something fishy here as well about this part of the report??? I do. Plain and simple,this 16(or 18)month old had to of been introduced and probably spent time with this dog,giving her mother no reason to feel threatened by the dog.

This is my opinion,and nothing will change it. This seems to be a severely over dramatized story from the reporter.

Now,I lost my second son at 19 months old. I know this mothers pain. Her little girl can play in peace with my little boy now. He'll watch over her for sure. She also has my grandma with her too. She will keep her in her arms,sitting on the other knee,right next to my son. She'll tell them stories and play with them,giving them many many hugs every day! Rest in peace little lady.

Linda

It makes more sense if you read this...

http://www.nbc4.tv/news/4803022/detail.html

It's sad to think of such a tragic thing happening to a child at that age. I look at my 18 month old and couldn't begin to imagine what I would feel.

wow!

A dog can very easilly live in someones back yard and never be seen.
And the mothers intelligence is already being questioned by me and this is the only thing that makes sence. Regardless of if the child knew the dog or not that is not a reason to let one that young be trusted with one.