Another banned ( killer) dog

This gives interesting info on deaths and breeds (seems to be mostly American Bullys
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_dog_attacks_in_the_United_Kingdom

Excellent post, Iam64

It's not the dogs fault. It's the people who own them. 80% of the dogs on the banned list would be fine if they were trained and controlled properly. I know a few smaller dogs that are potentially dangerous because no one has trained them properly.

I don't live in the UK and here we do not have nearly as many of these incidents as you seem to, nor have I heard of anyone either dying after being attacked or being permanently mutilated.

Let's be clear about one thing: It is not the animal's fault, either when a dog attacks someone unprovoked or a horse throws his rider. Human error is the cause.

If you take on a rescue dog, you should surely expect that it may have been ill-treated prior to you getting it.

So either the new owners are not experienced enough at recogising danger signals, or the dogs' home is not getting to know the dog well enough and the potential owner before handing it over.

So one way forward is to get the government or local authorities to put stricter rules in place about re-homing animals.

Another is to make attendence at professionally run dog-training classes compulsory for all dog owners, whether or not they have had dogs before. These classes are to be paid by the putative dog owner, and anyone who won't or can't find the money or time, simply cannot have a dog.

Apart from teaching the dogs obedience and their new owners how to assure that the dog knows and obeys commands, and what to do if the dog does not comply, the owners can be assessed too.

Assessing the owners should judge both their fitness to have a dog, and whether this particular owner and the particular dog are a good match.

But unless you start lobbying nothing will change, will it?

Another point is, harsh as it may seem, that any fully adult animal, (dog, cat, horse, whatever) and many young ones that have been cruelly treated may never be entirely safe.

Whether we like the thought or not, it is better if the animal shelter and a competent vet or trainer is in doubt that the animal be put down than a risk of anyone, child or adult, being hurt is taken.

My little dog hasn’t got a bad bone in her body, loves everyone and is very friendly with people and other dogs and always on a lead but I am tired of the amount of times some one else’s off lead dog bounds up to her and snaps at her. It’s evident the dog has no recall training so shouldn’t be off lead. It’s making walking my dog a trial not a pleasure. I think all dogs in communal places (parks, beaches etc) should be on a lead all of the time. I’m sick of the times I hear ‘so sorry he/she has never done that before’, after screaming its name for 5 minutes. Really!!!

One of the problems is that some people don’t understand that a dog is not a human and has different traits. Allowing a dog to sleep next to a baby is madness even if that dog is a softy lab as dogs are not predictable and precautions should be taken.

Having said that I do cuddle my lab but always hear my mum’s voice telling me not to put my face next to the dog’s head. This was because when my brother was little a lady said he could stroke her dog but when he went to do so it snapped at him. Mum never trusted any dog after that.

I think what you say makes sense Iam64 and I ve truly nothing against big dogs My aunty had a huge standard poodle as soft as…. My friend has an even ‘huger’ old English sheepdog again totally soft but it is these bully and bully x s breeds that seem to be the problem and I don’t understand why the banned list isn’t encompassing them and isn’t regulated more
Surely the councils or government could have agreements with vets to alert them to these breeds

We no longer have a dog warden surely every area should have one and they should be given more powers like the car blokes in their black uniforms and cameras

Our local park has an on leads only rule together with a large fenced area where dogs can run freely.

It seems to work well. You always get a few who won’t use leads, of course but generally people can see it makes a pleasant area for everyone.

Like you Iam64, none of my dogs have been anything but kind and gentle. My current dog is in favour of the look, I’ll roll over so you can part my tummy approach.
I saw one of those fields for hire, £12 per hour up to 4 dogs. Out of my price range for a daily play, though I suppose if we could get together with others who would share and would agree to go at the same time and would be willing to pay whether they want to stay that length of time or not, it might work.
According to the site, it’s evidently used by some of the professional dog walkers, who don’t let their dogs off the lead except in enclosed spaces.
Do you suppose the owners of potentially vicious dogs would choose to pay?

Iam64 we live next to a dog walking field. Planning permission has allowed groups of up to 10 dogs at a time from dawn to dusk 365 days a year. This was previously a very peaceful location and all the neighbours are devastated (plus it has wiped a huge chunk off the value of our homes!)

Cross posted their tickingbird. I agree it’s a problem and one needing attention from our politicisnd

I’m not keen on muzzling all dogs in public, though I can see it has a simple appeal. Neither of my two current, or any previous dogs have been anything other than kind and gentle with children or adults.

Mollygo there are growing numbers of safe enclosed fields to hire so your dog can have off lead play and sniffing time. I use one fir my lively young lab as my regular walks are now dominated by ‘professional’ dog walkers with 7 off lead dogs.

I read the Met investigates one incident daily involving dogs reported as dangerous. Most involve xl bullies or bull breed cross types. money is being made by unmonitored back street breeders, who mutilate the xl bullies ears (illegal practice) and these dogs, bred for power and potential aggression being bought by people with no knowledge of dogs and no intention of going to a good training group.
These are generally the dogs involved in serious attacks and death.
The other group are the endless doodle dogs bought by folks who work full time and believe they’re fur babies to be coddled and never told No. I’ve lived with doodles, generally lovely dogs but they are very bright and if they aren’t trained/challenged they’ll make their own entertainment. The doodle charities are overwhelmed by doodles with behavioural problems.
Making back street breeding, puppy farming impossible would help. It needs government investment and attention

Maybe a law that all dogs be spayed/castrated and only licensed breeders allowed to breed. It would stop all/many unwanted dogs but how would it be policed? It’s such a problem.

I like the idea of dogs being muzzled in public. Although I’d hate to muzzle my gentle cocker, I’d happily do that if it stopped the argument about dog size, inability to define breed etc.
Downside? It would mean no more chasing a ball or fetching a dummy, so less exercise for the dogs and I’d worry what they’d do with all that extra energy.

Yes Tickingbird an 11 year old boy is in hospital after being mauled by a dog and the female owner is arrested This happened in the Manchester area

We have grans from other countries on here Is this a British problem or how is it handled elsewhere ?

Just heard a young boy seriously injured in another dog attack in Manchester. It’s getting totally out of control.

And for me sue donim

That sounds like a perfect day out for me too SueDonim glad you enjoyed it.

I went to an outdoor ‘country’ event yesterday. There were loads of dogs. I reckon at least half were spaniels of some sort, cavaliers, cockers and springers. Some big poodles, an Airedale, Labradors and retrievers, Schnauzers and a goodly number of Jack Russells.

There were no yappy furry things and no ugly brutes straining at their leashes and the best thing for me was that I felt no fear or concern at the high number of dogs. They were all so well behaved and under control. The only barking came from an exhibitor’s own Spaniel who looked a bit hot and bothered in the warmth and even that was just a couple of times.

It was so nice not to have to worry about being around dogs. I wish we could go back to that.

Every discussion on TV or radio is the same ….
Just goes round in circles and never reaches a conclusion.
If I’m driving I listen to the Jeremy Vine show and I get quite into it - it could be about second home owners or dangerous dogs or politics - then he says “after the news we will be discussing obesity” so that’s the end of that and he is the only one who benefits as he earns big money! 😝

If you are found in possession of a certain breed without a license then you forfeit the dog and pay a fine.

Very difficult to determine what a banned breed is as these dogs aren’t a recognised breed - they’re a mixture of bull type and other aggressive, fighting dogs.

What annoys me is the ear clipping. It’s illegal in the UK and I see it all the time. Why aren’t they being investigated and taken to court? They’re clipping dogs ears with impunity and it’s so cruel but nothing is done about it.

What I find astonishing is how many people with babies and young children have these dogs.

Social media is full of photos of a “potential killer dog” laid with a sleeping baby or toddler.

I do not know what the answer is, it is almost impossible to police.

Perhaps the law should apply the same rules as gun licences, you and your home would be assessed, there can be spot checks and you can lose the right to a license.
If you are found in possession of a certain breed without a license then you forfeit the dog and pay a fine.

Ultimately it’s not the dog it’s the human and what can be done about that? When we have the likes of a young thug - Mizzy - being given a platform on Newsnight amongst others - is it any wonder the country is full of idiots with no concern for humans or animals. All that matters is status, likes on social media and other such sites.

My five stone lab does not need a muzzle. I meet many Jack Russell’s that might
Yes too many dogs not enough trainibg and they are dogs not fur babies
I’m on a safe enclosed field with my young lab. I don’t want him running wild ‘socialising’ with the groups of off lead no recall idiots that now dominate walks I’ve loved for over fifty years

The mirror is campaigning for an over haul of the dangerous dogs act and other actions . Seems sensible to me. American Bully XL is a breed that keeps popping up as being responsible for a number of attacks. These dogs are huge, if one turns even an adult male has little chance of getting away uninjured. They can be a bit of a status symbol. www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/15-brits-killed-dogs-jack-30105749