Our Bella bit our 12 yr old Neice during our 4th cook out. I feel horrible for both my Neice and for Bella. I know in my heart I should have either muzzled her or put her in our bedroom away from Ashley. Ashley was told right from the get go to stay away and leave Bella alone. Also our little Iggy, Abbey who is now 10. Last year Abbey bit Ashley for the same thing. Ashley was told by me, my hubby, my son, my older son's girlfriend several times to leave her alone. Bella went to the top of the landing on the stairs which is where she goes when she doesn't want to be bothered by anyone. Ashley went right up there and proceeded to hug her and Bella bit her in the lip. She had to have 2 stitches right below her lip in the crease so it won't ever been seen once it heals. It had to be reported by the doctor and of course Animal Control called me. They came over yesterday. Bella is now quarinteened for 10 days. She can't even go out in the back yard with out being on a leash. Geeze! The health department comes back to check on her health a week from Friday to check her condition and release her from the quarinteen. Poor Bella thinks she is being punished cause she can't go for a walk with Harley and Butch. I am more ticked off at myself then anything
The two officers told me to hide my Iggies before I let the Health department in. She said we know you are over the city limit on dogs but they are all well taken care of and have all thier shots and your yard is spotless, no smell, and they all seem well behaved and no one has complained about noise. The health department won't care so take your little guys to a neighbors. NO PROBLEM!

Where were Ashley's parents?

Sounds like Ashley can't be trusted to behave around dogs, and her parents can't be trusted to keep her under control. Twelve is more than old enough to listen to the instructions of which it sounds like she was given plenty.

Don't get me wrong. Although I've been known to claim otherwise, I love children, and if my niece or nephews got bit by a dog, I would feel very bad for them as well.

But it sounds like the main thing you need to do is just, in the future, don't expose the dogs to a little girl who doesn't know how to act around them.

Both parents were right there, not 10 feet away. I have more then learned my lesson. No matter what the affair is I will not subject my dogs to their kids behavior again. No one else had a problem with our rules. Everyone abided by them except for Ashley. There always has to be one I guess.
I just took Harley and Butch for a walk and Bella is so hurt she has gone to the landing and refuses to even look at me, not even for atreat I feel soooo bad!

With the parents right there, and the girl 12 years old, it becomes their responsibility to teach their daughter how to behave as a guest in someone else's home. Following your dog around when you've repeatedly told her to leave the poor pooch alone is no different than the kid constantly taking stuff off your mantle or dresser to fondle. She's TWELVE for goodness sakes, not three.

I hope your niece is ok. Things like this happen. I was bit by a neighbors dog when I was a child. I was just playing with it with my friend and it got me in the back. Hope everything works out for you.

We don't invite certain family over to our house for that reason ... sad but true. Hubby is one of eight and has siblings that have a average of 6 kids each (and we only have 2), that is just to much for the pups. They live here and they shouldn't have to hide to get some peace and quiet because parents can't keep kids under control.
I too would feel bad but she was told and is old enough to know better.
I hope everything works out okay and maybe her and her parents have learned a valuable lesson as well. They weren't blaming Bella (or you) were they?
Tara