I currently have a 9 month old daughter with my boyfriend. We live in Cook County, IL. His mother has been causing some drama between her an...

Question

I currently have a 9 month old daughter with my boyfriend. We live in Cook County, IL. His mother has been causing some drama between her and I based on our differences of opinion about her dog's interaction with my daughter. I have personally interacted with this animal for the past three years and I cannot say that I trust the animal at all. He is a very anxious dog, jumps up on people when he gets excited, nips at finger tips when you try to pet him, can hurt you just by his shear strength and hardness of head when he comes at you quickly, and according to one of her daughters, has bit the mother previously. I would describe this animal as a large dog. It is of the pit bull breed. I am a bit upset that she never asked for my preference about the boundries I cared for when it came to the dog around my infant and she is quite pushy about the issue of introducing the animal to my daughter. In the past 9 months of her life, he has jumped up and tried to nip her dangling feet/hands several times, rammed her play pen with its head (luckily she wasn't inside-just her blanket), and gets overly excited and preoccupied with her presence when around. Is there a way that I can legally set the boundries in place that I want as her parent? My boyfriend's mother doesn't seem to understand that not everyone shares her love, enthusiasm, and trust for this dog.I offered her to begin slowly by using one of the baby's slept in pajamas to dress a doll in so she can practice with the dog in that way as I've seen many dog trainers do, but she dismisses the idea and wants to jump right in. I don't feel comfortable using my infant as a test-dummy for this anxious animal to "practice" with. Please offer advice with how to proceed because this issue has caused a lot of tension between my boyfriend and I due to the arguements she starts over the matter. On a side note, my boyfriend is on the birth certificate, there is no court visitation in place, and we don't live together.

Answer

I would make it clear to boyfriend and mother that the child will not be allowed at GM's home whether you are going to be there or not as long as GM refuses to put the dog up or otherwise control him around the child. I own 3 big dogs (Rotts) and think they are harmless around children but anytime a parent of a small child feels uncomfortable having the child around the dogs, I crate them or put them outside. That is the way it should be. Even a good dog can harm a small child in an instant and it is a wise parent that closely regulates any contact between a dog and a small child. If necessary, go into court and ask the court to set child support and specific visitation for your BF.