Some dads don’t have any parenting skills

Some dads don’t have any parenting skills

I live in the Morrison Ranch. I was walking down Shadycreek, enjoying the day, when on the opposite side of the street I observed a man with a baby on a bicycle riding on the sidewalk. Attached to the right-hand side of his handlebars was a leash with a chunky cocker spaniel running alongside.

Suddenly I heard the man yelling, and he and his bicycle with his very young son fell over.

Immediately the man started yelling and shouting at the dog because the dog had gone on the wrong side of the mailbox. It didn’t matter that there was hardly any room for both the bicycle and the dog on the sidewalk. Of course, legally he shouldn’t have been riding on the sidewalk anyway. After making sure his boy was okay, he proceeded to hit his dog in the face, yelling at him, and then kicked him in the ribs.

I take it for granted that the man lives in the Morrison Ranch, makes a decent living to be able to live here, and probably has a college degree to be able to make the money necessary to afford this area. I walked over and offered to help with the child, meanwhile petting the poor dog and keeping him away from this abusive person.

Any psychologist will tell you that you teach a child by example. I can just imagine what this child will grow up to be like after seeing the standards that his father exhibited.

One other common knowledge item: someone who beats his pet probably abuses his wife and children.

Keith F. Cornell

Agoura Hills