Another dog tragedy

It is not the dogs it's the owners. A properly trained and cared for dog isn't as likely to attack.
There are a lot of dogs where I go to walk. Most are no problem butI have been scared by a dog running up to me baring it's teeth and snarling. The owner appeared about ten minutes later. I was too scared to pass this dog. He didn't apologise for the aggressive behaviour and was aggressive himself. Says it all really.

I want to book a UK holiday and am concerned about dog policy because my dog has been attacked by a big dog before (Unprovoked) and I don't like dogs off lead coming up to me.

We went to a place last year where I had assumed there would be a dogs on lead policy (but there was not) and a dog ran all over our picnic. It could so easily have been much worse.

German shepherds are good,trainable dogs. That is why the police use them. I have no issues with them though, like any dog, you wouldn’t want an untrained one out on the street, especially in packs.

I am always in uncomfortable when I am in a place that serves food and there are dogs there.

You all know the breed of dog I keep. All have been rescues. They are properly looked after and supervised, never let off lead in a public place and always muzzled on a visit to the vet. The garden is very securely fenced. They are very loyal and intelligent dogs and thus favoured by the police. They are tremendously strong and certainly capable of killing. They are loved and loving, gentle pets, but could be very dangerous in the wrong hands and with the wrong treatment. Comments?

When I first saw this in the news my immediate thought was that the victim was one of those dog walkers I see with seven assorted dogs on leads. Then realised that that sort of dog belongs to people who care about their pets and are most unlikely to have one of those overbred fighting dogs.

We have one of those in our neighbourhood - she's not the walker, she's the owner. She has a variety of dogs (no 'Bully' types) and they are always well behaved. I've been here 17 years and there's never been any problem with her dogs. She owns a huge property and the dogs have their own 'compound' to run around in. When she stops to talk to anyone she simply tells the dogs to "say" and that's exactly what they do. They don't strain at the leash and they all look very relaxed. And she's not just walking them along the road - she takes them to the "Cotswolds Way" for a run-around. There's a world of difference between this woman and certain types of men who acquire a particular type of dog as a status symbol.
Interestingly, those who live next door to her say they hardly ever hear the dogs bark - which I think speaks volumes.

Oh Dickens, what a horrible situation you are in. The people across the road from us have a Doberman which barks if anyone goes past or if we go into our own garden, but at least it's fenced in. I hate being barked at when I am just walking past someone's house and particularly when I am in my own garden.

I'm sure responsible dog owners would be first in the queue to register if a proper system could be brought in and properly policed. While I am not a great fan of dogs, I can tell the difference between a well-trained and delightful companion dog and one which thinks it is the leader of the (human) pack and cannot be trusted.

Precisely what legislation and management would you suggest BlueBelle?

The trouble is, I suspect that the sort of people who want potentially dangerous dogs, won’t give a monkey’s about any rules or regs. They’re often dodgy or actually criminal types anyway.

I do agree that such dogs should be banned in the U.K. though.

It's horrific. I know it's not a popular thing to say but I don't like or trust dogs.

OnwardandUpward

I agree, all dogs should be registered and dangerous breeds should be prohibited.

No one should be dying because of someone's pet because no one should be allowed to keep dangerous animals. The government need to make a change in the law to keep us all safe.

No one should be dying because of someone's pet because no one should be allowed to keep dangerous animals. The government need to make a change in the law to keep us all safe.

This, exactly.

It happens far too often. This makes grim - very grim - reading. Don't look at it if you're feeling a bit fragile. And it makes my blood boil. There's a pattern - easily identified - between the breed of dog - or 'type' of dog - and the mentality of some of those who own them. And I won't apologise for saying that.

These attacks are often just so random. It could be you, me - anyone, simply going about our daily lives.

I know government doesn't want to interfere in people's lives - small-state and all that, which would be fine if we had a nation of intelligent, responsible people. But, we don't.

I have a neighbour with an aggressive dog. It barks at anyone going past the window. It barks at me when I'm in the garden. A garden with a low wall. So now, I don't go into the garden, don't sit in it, nor enjoy it. The owner has been involved with the Police through causing a disturbance during the many 'arguments' he has with his partner which have been reported (though I've never contacted the Police when I've heard the screaming and shouting because both sound equally aggressive and angry). They are tenants and the owner of the property doesn't live in the area. But his mother does and she's an acquaintance of mine, so I told her about the situation. They have been 'warned' and I'm hoping they will leave. But there's nothing anyone can do about the dog. I just don't feel safe - the couple have a habit of mislaying their keys and on a number of occasions have asked that I allow them to climb over the adjoining wall so they can get in via their back door which is always unlocked. I don't trust them to keep the dog under control - because they don't appear to be in control of their own lives.

A LOT MORE ‘GSM’ I believe legislation should and will work if managed correctly and strictly
When is the last time you ve seen someone on a motorbike without a helmet….. a tiny minority try to get away with not putting a seatbelt on but they are normally dealt with ….very few get away with it now
There should be much much tighter rules around dog keeping it has slid and slid lately and dogs are everywhere now in shops, hotels, cafes, restaurants, even some shows 😵‍💫 people need to sometimes leave their dogs at home for the comfort and hygiene of others

Puppy farms should be targeted much more rigidly as should dog fighting circles no dog wardens here any more they need bringing back
This is not the first or last incident but it should be the wake up call for SOMETHING to be done

I think the wishy washy ban has done nothing to help at all
Dogs with locking jaws should be closely monitored or be on the banned list

This incident involved 7 dogs whether from the same family or a group who ‘got together’ we will find out I m sure but a completely horrendous end for this very young lady just starting adult life

I hope you’re grandson is ok Nana8 that photo makes me feel ill sago

Oh no - my phone inserted an inappropriate apostrophe!

I'm very wary of Jack Russell's! However these ghastly tough dogs are very scary. As suggested brain transplants for the pathetic men that feel they have to have one is the ideal option.
When I first saw this in the news my immediate thought was that the victim was one of those dog walkers I see with seven assorted dogs on leads. Then realised that that sort of dog belongs to people who care about their pets and are most unlikely to have one of those overbred fighting dogs.

This subject has bothered me for ages. I cannot understand why any dangerous dogs are allowed to be kept, and I'm amazed why people want them. Too many people have been killed or injured.
Having said that though, strangely, one of my grandchildren was bitten by a Jack Russell .

Microchipping is compulsory, but who is going to check that a dog has been chipped unless it has strayed or been taken into custody by the police? The details on a microchip are unlikely to be kept up to date by the sort of people that keep the type of dog favoured by drug dealers. Vets don’t check at routine visits.

There are banned breeds and the list can be updated. If you suspect someone of having a banned dog the police will investigate and, if it is a banned breed, seize it.

What more can possibly be done?

This obsession with dogs has gone much too far there should be strict controls, if you want to home a rescue dog the checks you have to go through are strict.
There will be a cost but in comparison to the cost of buying a dog and vet costs it will be small.

My grandson just got bitten (today)quite badly by a greyhound. He had to have stitches. He was doing some building work for a lady and the dog ran up and bit him. Apparently it was a rescue dog and at least the lady paid for his doctor’s bill. I never trust dogs, personally. They might be ok with their owners but they can turn on others and I would never, ever have one near a little baby.

... and those poor animals too.

Sadly there is too little legislation, the American Bully is the latest must have accessory for all drug dealers, criminals and gangsters.
Please nobody say it’s not the dog it’s the owners!
These are breeds that should be banned, they are not pets to be domesticated they are killing machines..

I agree, all dogs should be registered and dangerous breeds should be prohibited.

No one should be dying because of someone's pet because no one should be allowed to keep dangerous animals. The government need to make a change in the law to keep us all safe.

In many other countries, those breeds are NOT legally allowed at all, and it is enforced.

Why can't it be enforced?It is in many other countries.

Anyone worried about a dog could ask the Police or Council to check the dog is registered properly.

It is horrendous BlueBelle I agree. Unfortunately previous posters are correct when they say legislation won't really help as it's not able to be enforced. I don't have any answers apart from more control over breeding but that is also difficult to monitor.

It makes me despair. We are not allowed to keep tigers but we can have a vicious dog with impunity. I do not know what the answer is, apart from brain transplants for the idiots who keep these dreadful animals.

I was a social worker - I know all about vicious people keeping vicious dogs - usually several of them.