Sad Hedgie story I heard on the radio

[ebengston]

I was llistening to Dr. Laura today and a gal called with the following question:( (this is not the exact wording the gal gave)
"I went out of town and discussed with my 5 year old daughter that she would be in charge of watering our hedgehog while I was gone. I came home and my daughter had not watered the hedgehog and it died." The caller then wanted to know the proper punishment for the child.
Well, this irked me beyond belief! Why would you leave a small child in charge of taking care of a pet? Why didn't the mother check in while she was out of town and remind whoever was left with the child to check on the care of the hedgehog? I know there are responsible children out there. Ultimately, the parent is responsible and I am so upset that this poor creature died! Sorry for the rant, but what do you all think about this?

[Nancy]

I think the mothers an idiot and should not have children or pets.

Why would she feel the child needs to be punished. Isn't having the pet die punishment enough. It is the mother that should be punished for leaving a 5 year old in charge of a living creature. And the person who was taking care of the child musn't have been to bright either to have not ensured the hedgie was taken care of.

What was Dr. Laura's response?

[ebengston]

Dr. Laura said the child should be on restriction for 6 weeks. No birthdays parties, sleep overs, ect because the girl let a living creature die. Dr. Laura said nothing to the mother about being irresponsible as the "adult" All is have to say is pfft!!!

[melbur10]

OMG!

ok fine SOME kids ARE responsable and WILL indeed take VERY good care of animals BUT SERIOUSLY you dont just leave and leave the animal in the kids care...kids have short attention spans and prob forgot all about the hedgie! omg theat parent should be sterilized! :mad:


that award for one of the stupidest ppl in the world, awarded to this person!

[Nancy]

Dr. Laura said the child should be on restriction for 6 weeks. No birthdays parties, sleep overs, ect because the girl let a living creature die. Dr. Laura said nothing to the mother about being irresponsible as the "adult" All is have to say is pfft!!!
This is a 5 year old they are talking about. Obviously Dr Laura is just as much of an idiot as the mother is.

[LoriL]

Oh, this whole situation makes me sad...and then stinkin' mad!

The child did nothing wrong. She's 5. I have children and I care for children in my home, there is no way a 5-year-old could take on that responsibility. This will damage her for the rest of her life. Poor baby.

Poor hedgehog, of course, also. It had to pay for the mother's stupidity with its life.

The mother is to blame for the hedgehog's death, and for whatever guilt she will be inflicting on her child. Along with Dr. Laura.

I've never listened to Dr. Laura, I don't know that much about her. I've got half a mind to tell her what I think about her advice though.

[ebengston]

I did email Dr. Laurs and tell her what I thought! I told her that the mother should have been responsible enough to check in and have the responsible adult there remind the child! I wonder if she will read my email on the air on Monday?

[mommy2ryan]

I have a 5 year old that is "in charge" of taking care of Prickles but that doesn't mean that I don't hover to make sure all is well. I tell you I think people should have licenses to have pets AND children

[hemi_mygirl]

Gr. The child is 5 and much more interested in barbies. Most 5 year olds just don't understand the concept that living things need care to survive.

The mother should be slapped upside the head for thinking a 5 year old could handle that type of responsibility. Maybe SHE should be put on restriction - no more pets until she grows a brain and learns to use it.

[bigmack]

Maybe SHE should be put on restriction - no more pets until she grows a brain and learns to use it.

Or maybe she should be sterilized. For the good of mankind.