That’s what the news headlines blare out. What may have actually happened was when the dog was already seated. Then, in the crowded aisle, the passing child was pushed, and his brow got too close to the dog’s open panting mouth. The result was dog teeth scratches.

Of course, depending on opposing lawyers’ statements, either the nervous dog deliberately bit the child or it was all an unfortunate accident by the innocent canine. Some sane advice for senior flyers from your travel4seniors.com editor: Don’t try to pet strange dogs.

Several months ago, I was walking by a costume party scene. The people were standing on the sidewalk outside a restaurant. Their large pit bull terrier was dressed as a clown, complete with tasseled hat. When I reached to pet the dog, he clamped his sharp teeth down hard on my hand. The golf ball-sized wound required a dozen stitches, bandages, three painful weeks and all kinds of antibiotics. Did I mention you shouldn’t pet nor pass too close to strange dogs, especially big ones with big teeth?