It wasn't really an 'opinion' Bewdley, tragedies with children and dogs are fairly common and most owners involved in those tragedies will always say "But the dog was tame and loving I never thought this could happen."
I was reading recently about a four year old who simply offered grannies pet Doberman a biscuit, the dog grabbed her by the throat and despite the best efforts of the grandmother to get him off he killed the child.
Unfortunately, there will always be such cases; as there will always be incidents of cruelty against animals, children and the elderly.
I haven't heard of the incident you mention and feel dreadfully sad for all concerned.
It is our responsibility when we welcome a dog into our homes to teach that dog boundaries, much as we would our children. However, many people with all good intentions spoil their dogs and children, sometimes with dreadful consequences.
Personally we use reward as a means of training: ignore the bad behaviour, praise the good, dogs are brighter than many children and soon learn how to behave.
This is another picture of Tally (promise I won't post another) taken when she was 18 months old waiting for us to tell her she could eat the biscuit that was balanced on her nose. Some may say this is cruel, but it teaches them patience and she knew the biscuit was hers when we gave her the go ahead, equally if we tell her to leave something we don't want her to have she will drop it immediately: essential if she finds a dead bird etc. on a walk.
As you say she is a large dog who loves people and children in particular, many children ask if they can stroke her and as long as their parents are happy then so are we, BUT we always keep a close eye on them. One of our 70 year old neighbours, who has always been terrified of dogs loves our dobes: she can't believe how gentle they are.