Dog Attack In Leominster

deeda, thank you for that - I have owned staffies , ( still do ) - if you take time to research their history, you discover that sadly as they were bred for dog fighting, they can be dog aggressive if not socialised properly, but actually had human aggressive traits bred out - they were banned from the ring if they bit a human.

This made them very human dependent - they love their owners and were known as the Nanny Dog for years, unfortunately for the poor little things when the pit bull was banned, morns bought them instead because they share a look - but are a lot smaller.
As will all these things - evidenced by a recent TV documentary , it is not the dog, - every time it is the owner - mistreating, mis socialising and misunderstanding the dog,

I'd really like to have a Jack Russell [especially one with wiry hair] but I'll never forget one day when I lived in a shared house going to stroke a dog that was on someones lap and being warned not too; and another Jack Russell bit me on the leg one day. My boss had one that was lovely, too [I used to babysit for him and spent more time with the dogs than the children] but he said she got a bit snappy as she got older. I just know I'd end up with the wrong sort. For some reason I've got a thing about having a Pug; not my type of dog at all;I'm probably thinking about old age and having more of a lap dog. I'm terribly proud of my whippet, although it's the S.O. that gets all of the compliments as he does most of the walking [she's in Northumberland with him at the moment]. I don't think she has a nasty bone in her body [neither did my last one]. I just wish the grandchildren liked her [not cuddly enough]. I can see how problems arise with dogs and children though. The younger one is fine with her; not nervous at all. Gives her a biscuit but makes her sit for itthen says 'gently' as he gives it to her. But the older one, who is afraid of dogs said he wanted to give her a biscuit the other day. then, having made her sit got scared and wouldn't give her the biscuit which confused her and wasn't fair on her at all. That's when little fingers can get bitten .

I took our six year old JR, Millie, to the vet this morning to be signed off after successful spaying following a womb infection. There was a long wait and she entertained two small children by being cuddled, walked around the room, tickled and even read a story by the little girl who was very curious about the scar. Their mother had brought their spaniel puppy in for jabs and couldn't believe how sweet and patient Millie was with her children as she had heard nothing good about Jack Russells.

Millie's daughter, Peggy, is not so tolerant and I would have asked the children to leave her alone.

It's up to owners to know their dog's temperament and limitations and not put them in a situation they can't deal with.

I also think it's important to feel proud of your dog just as you would a well behaved child.

A friend who does dog grooming has only been bitten twice and each time it was an Old English Sheepdog. I'm sure the problem these days is that each breed of dog is bred for a specific purpose but people now buy them on looks and not suitability for what they want them for [hence the popularity of Huskies at the moment which require masses of exercise and have no recall whatsoever]. I guess you'd say that my dog of choice, the whippet is a hunting dog but they were also companion dogs and because they do have a killer bite were bred for temperament so they wouldn't use it on people. A lot of dogs like Rottweilers and Dobermanns are bred as police dogs and some lines have aggresive streaks. A dog breeder friend of mine says there's a dog called [I think] the Russian Terrier which is absolutely lethal. Isn't it sad, though, that we're talking about nasty dogs when there are so many that bring so much joy to people; a thousand curses on those who allow dogs to get such a bad press .

Now that you mention it, I don't remember problems with dogs either [in the past] but I am guessing there must have been?Perhaps there are more around now, and they don't get enough attention and excercise.I know some unpredictable Springers and also border collies, and I don't like them as a breed [even if they are very attractive.]Jack Russells can be aggressive little things.

I saw a tri clolour last year; very unusual but gorgeous. My ex used to say that taking a cocker spaniel for a walk was a real babe magnet; maybe these blokes with their pit bull type dogs should realise that!

No Tegan, my Cocker is a tri-colour - he's mainly black and white but with bits of gold; most women take to him on sight as well, such a pretty dog and, of course, once his tail starts going, well, they are putty in his paws

Our vet told me that she has been bitten twice and both times it was a Springer; I can understand that as mine is a rescue dog whose last chance of survival was being placed with me (poor mutt) but he's not too bad now but that's because I can recognise when he's getting miffed over something so I move him away from whatever it is.

I just don't understand how this dog problem arose as I'm sure there was never a problem when I was younger

I think that's what partly prompted the thread - I have no recollection of 'bad' dogs when I was a child, ours or anyone else's. There were no laws governing certain breeds so maybe it is the owners?

I think it's better to have male dogs castrated. Aggression is often aggravated by hormones and it can be the same for females as well. Castration prevents male dogs from wandering and can calm them down but if they already have dodgy temperaments it might not make much difference.

The dogs I tend to be nervous of are Jack Russells and Border Collies; both breeds that I've always wanted to own and they are lovely dogs and fantastic pets, but the nasty ones can be very nasty and unpredictable. The scariest moment I've ever had on the beach was when a tiny Jack Russell went for my dog; the owners did nothing [it was last seen chasing a horse]. When I used to have cockers a lot of people were bitten by golden ones that had been inbred to get the colour and, being a breed noted for it's lovely temperament, more likely to have strangers go up to them to stroke them. The nastiest dogs in our village are two springers that live opposite the S.O. and he avoids them like the plague when walking my dog;again one of the nicest breeds of dog you can get so not sure what happened there. Is your dog a blue roan Holly? I melt whenever I see one, especially a puppy. I always wanted a springer as well but they need too much exercise for me [I'm a fair weather dog walked I'm afraid]. But, going back to the original topic, I just don't understand how this dog problem arose as I'm sure there was never a problem when I was younger [unless it just wasn't newsworthy then]. In those days people just used to let their dogs roam around as well; but there weren't the big breeds such as Rottweilers around. Something that has just ocurred to me is that a lot of people have male dogs neutered these days and I have heard that it can affect their temperament [but then the staffies I've seen haven't been neutered].

I do have two dogs (A Springer and a Cocker Spaniel) and they are well behaved and responsive. However, I have noticed a profusion of large dogs (Rotts, Dobermans, Staffies, other humungeous breeds that I have no idea what they are) around here over the past 3 or 4 years. They tend not to be well behave and my youngest dog (Cocker Spaniel) has had many dogs try to attack him and yet he's the sweetest, most gentle dog you'd ever meet. The beaches now seem to be full of marauding, large dogs that I no longer take my two to the beach. The local walks are also overrun with them (plus other dogs walkers tell you of their horror stories of what happened to their dogs) so that walk is out. My thigh injury prevents me taking my two up into the hills for a run so they are now just on a lead walk around the streets.

I'm glad it's not just me that has become nervous of them.

I did mention this to the local police (aggressive dogs that is) and the advice was 'we all know what happens in those places so it's probably best you walk your dogs somewhere else'! I can't help but feel that's the wrong approach to these aggressive, out of control dogs: it gives them the freedom to run, play and have fun whilst those who have become nervous walk their dogs on leads.

I do think that anyone who has a dog that is known to be aggressive, if that dog is seen to be menacing in public, the owner should be arrested the same as if he was carrying a weapon.

As others say, most of the fault is with the owners. Sometimes though, it's a mixture of the breed and the owner, and how the dog is treated/mis-treated.In towns, I think we should adopt the muzzle approach. In the countryside/villages on a lead/long lead or walking free depending on the circumstances.The only bull mastiff I knew from childhood was a gentle giant, but so huge and strong, difficult to control on a lead.If he wanted to go and sniff a flower then no power on earth could stop him, but he was quite a well known and liked dog in the village.We all know that most of the time it's the stupid, or vicious owners to blame.I hate the jumping up with muddy paws thing as well,sometimes the owners apologise and sometimes they just glare at you.However, I do like dogs [don't have one though.]They provide such companionship and loyalty to so many people.

Dog rescue shelters are full of staffies and staffie crosses. I wouldn't chose a staffie as a pet, but have known child minders and foster families whose staffies were bomb proof around children. Most of the "staffies" i came across in the last 10 years as a sw, were not full staffies, but crossed with some type of bull breed, so prospective adopters have no real idea what they're taking on. I grew up with a bull mastiff, a gentle giant of a dog. As others have said, generally one look at the owner will give an indication of the way the dog has been (or often not been) trained.

I sympathise with those who would like all dogs on lead in public spaces. It's already the case that dogs are to be on lead near children's play areas. Dogs need off lead exercise and if they're properly socialised and trained, should cause no problems to other dogs, or people. I believe everyone who buys/rescues a dog should have to attend at least basic obedience and responsible dog ownership training. The kennel club good citizenship courses are excellent. If owners can't afford the average of £6 a lesson for the 6 week initial course, they can't afford a dog. Dogs should all be chipped, and some form of registration brought in.
I am pleased to say that a local "professional dog walker" is no longer bringing his unruly packs of 5 assorted dogs to our local park. The community policeman knows all the regular dog walkers, and we all complained to him and the dog warden about the fact this chap had no control over the dogs. He didn't know them, they didn't know each other, so he'd pitch 3 or 4 times a day, with different groups of between 3 - 5 dogs, open his van doors, and let them run. He never picked up after them. Well done that community bobby and dog warden for doing whatever they did.

Until the dog fighting element got hold of them Staffies were renowned as wonderful family pets who adored people. If you look at some of the pictures of "bait dogs" who have been rescued you can see the lengths these people will go to to make them savage. Unfortunately the whole Dangerous Dogs legislation is deeply flawed. Family pets can be removed on the basis of appearance alone and can be put down because some one decides their measurements are wrong. Meanwhile people who shouldn't be allowed near any animal are parading round with dogs they don't understand and are unable to control.
Walking your own dog can become a nightmare, not helped by the feeble owners who tell you "He's just being friendly"

I wish you hadn't reminded me about Bodger Tegan I wept buckets when they thought he hadn't made it home!

I agree Mishap. Nothing against dogs. My brother always has them but fails to give them any training. I sat with a cup of coffee there once and the dog came up, nudged the cup and I had coffee all over my white trousers. He didn't do it on purpose apparently.

Yes - I am always amazed when dogs are allowed to jump up, ruining my clothes, and the only response is an amused one - I am not laughing!!

I am not a dog lover but believe in live and let live. Sometimes when I am out and about I see massive dogs (mastiff types) straining at the leash, their owners hardly being able to control them. Their jaws look terrifying (the dogs not the owners). On two occasions I have had large dogs leap up at me whilst I have been out walking. The first time it was a rottweiler which was on a lead with a teenage girl trying to control it (she couldn't). It leapt up and sunk its teeth into the sleeve of my coat, fortunately just the coat and not my arm. We managed to prise it off with no harm done to me (just the coat) but I was badly shaken up. She apologised profusely. The second time it was a labrador, also on a lead, being walked by an elderly lady. It leapt up with wet muddy paws, it's claws ripped the front of my coat (what is it with me and dogs and coats?) and covered it in mud. The lady didn't even apologise, she just said 'oh, whatever the dog was called, 'you are naughty' and laughed .
My point is by all means have a dog but why do some people have to have such large creatures. Get a miniature poodle or something.

We have a female border collie, aged 11 now. She has a very sweet obedient nature, DH calls her my daughter because we communicate so well, but we've never been able to trust her with children.
When our grandchildren come to stay I warn them, and once she snapped at our DGD who was being rather fussy with her, luckily missed.
She's almost human, but not quite.

We had our JR put to sleep after he bit my son's friend. The boys were about 15 at the time. I saw it happen and the boy was in no way to blame. We couldn't risk having an unpredictable dog.
Muzzling in public is not always about the dog being vicious, quiet often it is to stop them scavenging through black bags etc or eating other dogs excrement yuck !

Quite often a dog will be snappy due to fear not aggression and any dog is capable of snapping if taken unawares or if it has sensitive ears or other parts. I had a spaniel that I bred myself; no problem with any of the other pups but she was snappy and yappy at the vets and I've got no idea what caused it.

Although I agree with Mishap, I do think that the right dogs can be domesticated and civilized. We are shocked when we hear about vicious attacks on humans, especially children but we don't hear about the countless family pets who are well trained and much loved. They enrich the lives of their owners.

It is the responsibility of breeders and owners to ensure these horrible animals are not a danger to people. I'm a dog lover but I wouldn't think twice about having an animal put down if it was anything other than a trusted pet. I would even go so far as to say that Animal Behaviourists are a waste of time and money because no one can be sure that an animal won't revert to agression.

Rules need to be tightened. Dogs should NOT be allowed off leads in public places.

I'm with Mishap's views on dogs.

The memory of having my wrist held in the mouth of a large Alsatian ( hard enough to cause lots of bleeding which ran down my arm) when I was 5 has left me with a life-long mistrust of all dogs.

I can be around dogs for a short time if their owners are friends and I know they have been trained well and that they stay right away from me - but it's not something I am comfortable with.

Muzzling is something I cannot understand. If a dog needs to be muzzled when in a public space, then that says to me this is a dangerous dog.

Well - I agree that dogs are not inherently bad in themselves. We are just asking them to be something they are not: civilized and domesticated. And, indeed, the owner/breeder will create a dog in their own image. Therein lies the problem.

Some owners are blind to the fact that others do not share their delight in their dog and insist on inflicting them on others. It is not right.

One local dog here is a total pain. He rushes up and frightens my GC, jumps on the pushchair etc.; and grabs whatever they are holding and will not relinquish it - even the owner cannot achieve that. It is truly a pain.

"explicit"

There is no such thing as a bad dog just a bad owner. To that you could add "irresponsible if not criminal breeder" the sort who deliberately breeds from dogs with aggtessive traits with the exicit aim of producing an aggressive dog.

No it was a bull terrier [think Bodger in The Incredible Journey]. I've known bull terriers and staffies in the past; lovely dogs.'Doreen the Dog' [staffie] was one of the sweetest, happiest dogs I've ever known. The problem is, when they do bite they don't let go and the power in their jaws is immense. I think most people in towns have staffies more for protection than aggression as a result of knife crime but it still doesn't stop the dogs biting people. Almost every dog I see these days is a staffie which is very worrying.