I would never trust any small child with my dogs! I saw one day, a staffie sat waiting outside tesco. He was very calm, just waiting nicely for his owner. From out of nowhere a toddler came running up behind him and hit him as hard as she could on the head. Dog, bless him didn't jump or react, just turned round and wagged at her.
Now okay, stupid owner for leaving dog tied up outside a busy shop, but if the dog had reacted (and I would have done, let alone a dog!) the newspaper story would have been all about devil dog and innocent child.