Another baby killed

No of course there's nothing wrong with loving animals. I love animals. I would go out of my way to help one, and have done so. I detest trophy hunters and cruelty. I just resent the attitudes of some people - 'if you don't think like me, there's something wrong with you.'

I despair at some of the people I know who claim to be animal lovers.
Dressing dogs up.
Not training them.
Bringing them into abusive homes.
Actively seeking out pets when they havent the money to feed them.
Shutting them away for hours on end.

It's about balance, isn't it?
That, and respect for all living creatures.

I thought there had been strict rules introduced about dog breeding in this country? And that you had to have a licence of some kind? I looked up the breed of dog involved in the attack as soon as I saw it mentioned on Facebook. I know it said that they were bred for good temperament but they were descended from pit bulls. The XL variety reminded me of mastiffs.

I was going to ask about dog licences.
Are they still even used?
Not that buying a licence would deter someone who would pay 3 grand for an animal bred to be ai deformed that it can't breathe properly, because it's cute.

I don't think there is any regulation. I know someone who bred as they didn't think it was fair on their female dog not to have a baby

I have not seen any dog-haters on here. I have seen people who are concerned about the problems that are caused by dogs, including deaths of children.

There is nothing at all wrong with loving animals - I spend a lot of time looking out on the fields and hills behind me and being impressed by the all the wildlife. But I do not want to "socialise" them - I want them out there being themselves.

I agree Lucky. I love looking at the wildlife on the canal behind our house. I don't hate dogs, I just don't like them. I am afraid of them. I think they are potentially dangerous.

I think far more humans are definitely - not potentially - dangerous.

The fault is with the owners not the dogs.

Why oh why do people have to be dramatic and polarised The dog hating brigand on here blondiescot I ve only seen one post that said the poster truely disliked dogs most people are trying to put it all in perspective and that doesn’t mean they are dog haters

I love dogs that I ve owned I don’t really feel the need to coo over other people dogs I loved my own children and would help any child I could but I don’t necessarily want to adore everyone else’s children

Bring back dog licensing
Tighten up completely all breeding situations
Ban all advertising of animals on social media
Go after rogue breeders and puppy farms and shut them down
Bring back dog wardens
Heavier fines for fouling or hanging the bag of poo on the nearest tree
Remove dogs from inside eating places like it used to be
Ban dogs from shops like they always were

Unfortunately there will always be tragedies but many could be avoided
And please all you overt dog lovers read Kissingates post again

Goodness!!

Still the fault of the owners, the dogs are not trained which should begin when they are a puppy, looked after by responsible people, etc. Yes, there did used to be licensing for dogs, I remember having to go to the Post Office to buy one, that should be reintroduced and a clamp down on irresponsible breeding (all should be registered).

Our council still has a dog warden Bluebelle. He was called when we had the incident with the dog running around the road. The dog cornered him and was jumping up, snapping and snarling at him. The poor man was terrified.

Yes I agree with you entirely BlueBelle unfortunately there will always be the stupid, uncaring people who have a dog for all the wrong reasons.
Can't believe the idiocy of the Father in question if he thought he would get £2000 pound a time for a stud dog without history and/or papers. That's without the danger he put his family in. We can't legislate against arrant stupidity.

Bringing back the dog licence wouldn't make any difference at all. Responsible people would buy one, irresponsible people wouldn't. How on earth would you police it, what would be a suitable punishment? It was always unworkable which is why it was abandoned. Training a dog should start as soon as possible when they are puppys which is a serious commitment and hard work but so worthwhile. Most are pretty easy, as puppies are almost always eager to please, and thrive on being praised. Firmness with lots of praise and affection for doing well and you will have a dog to be proud of. BUT, never forget that they are animals and not humans and NEVER EVER leave a small child or baby on their own with any animal,however well trained they are.

I didn't grow up with dogs but my daughter was desperate to have one. We waited until we were living in a rural area and she was ten. She took a really active part in training the dog (border terrier), he was bought from a local breeder and we saw him with his mother and siblings. We bought a second one three years later (again KC reg and from a known breeder). Twenty or so years on, we currently have a third BT. TBH I can't imagine life without a dog now, he is very much part of our family life and each day he takes OH and me for lovely long walks. However, despite having lots of quiet places to walk him off lead (he has excellent recall) we always put him back on the lead if we meet other dogs or walkers. I am really careful with him around children, even my own GCs, who are used to dogs and know how to interact with them safely. IMO too many people who own dogs are ignorant of how to train them and sometimes parents are too willing to let their children interact with strange dogs without asking the owner's permission. We had lunch with my daughter in a dog friendly pub, she had her very well trained Vizsla with her, sitting quietly at her feet. A small child came rushing up to him and my daughter quickly stopped the child from getting to the dog. The mother's reaction was not "thank you for looking after my child" but "oh she loves dogs, can't she have a cuddle?" I'm afraid she got a very frosty reply!

As well as a beautiful cocker spaniel we also have an Exmoor pony who is 18 years old . Over the years he has given us so much pleasure, both riding and driving. Now he just loafs around his paddock which abuts our country road. People walk their dogs mostly off the lead and on more than one occasion a dog has jumped the wall into our field. I have been assured numerous times that said dog is 'fine around horses!!' Reply? 'Well ok, but what if pony isn't alright around your dog?! Have you thought what damage those hooves could do?' Again people will feed him despite notices asking them not to. On pointing this out, I've been assured that what is being offered isn't poisonous and the children love to give him tit bits! Not the point!!! You should never feed another persons animal without asking. Sometimes people are so stupid, it makes you despair!

Me too Jaberwok. My husband has also been told that someone thought he was 'a decent bloke' until he said he didn't like dogs.
Obviously he's not a 'decent bloke'. He's only kind, caring, wouldn't kill or harm any living thing and went through pain, discomfort and inconvenience to donate his bone marrow to try to save the life of a stranger in another country. Dreadful man.

Some people are like a dog with a bone on here...(and yes, pun fully intended!)

Aren’t they just.

I think we've got it! Dogs in the hands of decent people who train them to do their bidding and keep them under control and make sure they do not follow their natural instincts are what we need.

An aside ...... is that what the dog needs?

However, moving on ...... it would be great if lots of people were decent and did lots of good things, but we are dealing here with human nature, and human imperfections are the order of the day. The presence of so many dogs in the hands of those who do not approach this task with integrity causes an immense amount of trouble and misery for the rest of the population, both dog owners and not. And danger.

Trying to exert some sort of control over the vast numbers of dogs that now exist in the UK is a mammoth task, but something needs to happen - it is out of control.

It is very important that those who buy a dog that kills or maims a human being should face the full force of the law, even if, sadly, the victim is their own child. Even some attempt at deterrence is better than nothing.

Let me outline a fairly typical walk from my home to the village common: firstly I set off up the road, and alongside me behind a fence is a dog who growls fiercely and loudly as it follows me along by my side. What would happen if it breached the fence I dread to think. It is very disconcerting. I then get further up the village where a lady has 3 little yappy jobs - they yap and yap at max volume both before I get anywhere near their garden and for a long distance after I have passed - and the general chaos is compounded by their owner who shouts at them to be quiet - they of course take no notice and she is just adding to the noise. On arrival at the common there are often several dogs, one in particular, who is very large, whose owner watches it dash up to people barking and growling, and the owner just wanders off taking not a blind bit of notice and making no attempt to stop it. I am very unstable on my feet (and have osteopororis - if I fell I would break something - I am good at that) so I make a triangular base with my feet apart and my stick and stand still till it gets bored and goes away - should I have to do this? I am in a public place, not on the dog's territory - I am just walking along minding my own business. And then there is the frequent arrival of the terrier off its lead who slaughters anything in sight - last time it was a squirrel - a bit of nature red in tooth and claw to enhance my walk.

I am not happy with any of this. Why should I be?

Works both ways Blondiescot and GSM

Goodness all these fierce dogs!! You certainly are very unlucky Luckygirl 13! I Have to confess that I have rarely come across dogs as you describe in all my life. But then I am a dog lover so perhaps see them in a different light.

Where have you been all your life?! They are everywhere round here. A walk in the woods is a pain in the neck - dogs are everywhere - uncontrolled. It is an obstacle course battling with one dog after another.

I live in the Dales and we have many, many dog walkers around here, particulary at the back of my house where it leads onto a path down into a beautiful wood. All the dogs are well looked after by responsible owners, controlled and socialised and obviously well loved. I have never seen anything untoward at all. It is a joy to take my dog for a walk and meet these people.
In fact, tbh, I have never experienced all these so called dogs that are dangerous and I have had dogs all my life.
I realise that there is an exception and to live amongst what "Luckygirl" is describing, it sounds like a nightmare. Is it honestly as bad as that? If so, then a Dog Warden via the Council, needs to be brought in to bring some order into the situation.

Lucky
It’s certainly not like that where I live, nor have I ever encountered what you describe anywhere that I’ve lived. It’s natural for a dog to bark when you walk past their house, they’re protecting their territory and warning you not to come in. You pass by and all’s well. Responsible dog owners have their premises securely fenced and before I’ve adopted rescue dogs the fences have been inspected for height and strength.
Obviously there are some irresponsible owners where you live who allow their dogs to be off the lead where people are present. Not something I approve of no matter how well trained the dog is.
To say that training dogs to behave contrary to their natural instincts is cruel shows that you don’t know much about them. Dogs love to please, whether they are pets or working dogs. It’s very clear that you hate dogs and would be much happier if they were all rounded up and disposed of.