Another child killed in dog attack

SueDonim

From the responses to my earlier post about the out-of-control GSD type dog, it sounds as though the woman was well out of her depth. Scary stuff.

It was reportedly an American bulldog from a rescue centre.
Why was it allowed to go to a family with a small child, to a house with a very small garden?
There needs to be more accountability by rescue centres and the public must surely now be aware of the possible dangers too.

Poor, innocent little girl. 😪

From the responses to my earlier post about the out-of-control GSD type dog, it sounds as though the woman was well out of her depth. Scary stuff.

No dog can ever be entirely trusted - big or small, whatever breed. Ideally, of course, dogs and children would be kept apart or supervised at all times, both would be well trained in how to behave towards each other. For instance, youngsters will stare at a dog - and the dog will see it as a threat or challenge.

My little JRT is, statistically, amongst the breeds most likely to bite. Do all the statistics allow for the sheer number of common types of dogs, though? What about the increase in (lockdown) dog ownership?

Jaw size is important too. The damage done by a nip from a small dog is incomparable with that from a wide, large, strong mouth.

Yes, I'd like more education on pet ownership responsibilities, on parenthood, too, with increased safety awareness - perhaps not legislation, though, that will be ignored.

Every death's a tragedy, the four kids a year killed by dogs - and the one every week murdered by humans (so called).

mokryna Exactly.

Shelflife

GSM I understand what you are saying about the problem a dog may have if not familiar with children - I don't doubt your comment. However that is the dog and his owners problem not mine or my precious GC s problem! Had I not been in the room I dread to think what may have happened!!!? One thing is for sure I will never trust any dog again and that includes my DDs soft and affectionate dogs. I was very frightened and will never forget what almost happened. Accustomed to children or not I now know all dogs are not to be fully trusted. My GC was not provoking or teasing the dog , I would not have allowed that. After six months have passed I am still traumatized by what happened.

I don't intend to harsh but how do you expect the dog to learn how to respond to children when it doesn't live with them or come across them. The dog came into your home, presumably expecting to see just you. You did the right thing. However, you could ask your neighbour to introduce her dog to your GC. She would know immediately how the dog was going to react and deal with it accordingly. The likelihood is that the dog would behave well.

How do you take photos which are sufficient for evidential purposes in the dark fp? I appreciate you can use night vision binoculars, but the photos?

Yes, so well said, so true. The children need to be trained, even more than the dogs!

On radio 4 this morning a man from The Kennel Club stated that no child should be left alone with a dog. The interviewer seemed surprised and went on to ask how dogs could be trained not to be agressif it their tail is being pulled be a young child. The man said that there are courses ‘safe and sound’ which teaches children how to behave around dogs. Personally I was brought up with dogs and we were always told the dog was not a toy. That it the problem these days, dogs should be respected, they are not toys to amuse children.

Obervation from afar with binocs, descriptions, and take photos of all cars and number plates and call police- easier now with mobiles. The Police know who they are anyhow.

So how do they get caught if you don’t react at the time? Where’s the evidence?

I'm astonished, speechless (for once)!
It sounds really dangerous.

Callistemon 'Have you been out with them on raids, FleurPepper? Scary indeed.'

no, this is not how undercover work works. But I have come across them, badger diggers and lampers- scary people indeed. The key is not to react at the time, and report. Reacting in the field would put anyone in very serious danger!

Dear Lord, I don’t believe it. How qualified is your friend to assess and train this dog and how traumatic do you think the journey and quarantine will be for this poor creature? You say you are very experienced and fully ready. Unfortunately the dog is neither. Someone who cares for the well-being of stray dogs abroad supports a charity which cares for them and, if their circumstances are acceptable to UK rescue charities , adopts here. UK rescue charities can’t keep pace with the number of dogs being abandoned here. Why on earth are you doing this? Does it not occur to you that the rescue dog which killed the four year old may have come from exactly this background?

One child killed by a certain breed of dog should be enough for them to be banned with household with children under 10. It should be law they are kept on a lead too. Though how it could be policed I don`t know can`t be impossible though. We have enough patrols around here making sure dog muck is picked up and the dog has a collar with phone number on. You are fined if not.

I am not in defence of rescuing from abroad. I am rescuing a dog from Tunisia found by a friend, and who has been under observation and training for 5 months and proven to be safe. We have no young children, and we are very experienced, and we will do obedience classes and training with her. she is arriving week-end after next. We are fully ready.

The American Pit Bull is banned and much feared over here. In the US a lot of them are used for fighting and there are heartbreaking stories of the ones that are used as bait dogs to train the real fighters. They are eventually discarded in a terrible state, badly injured and terrified of everything. I imagine the same thing happens over here with Staffie crosses. We don't seem to have quite such a culture of dumping dogs and cats on the road as they do in some American states.

Not shouting, And not saying I am the only one who knows about such people and their murky, dangerous and disgusting, cruel world. I am saying that most people are totally unaware that it goes on. Those who have actually worked in the fight against those people and activities are very rare indeed.

Fleurpepper

Did you actually read my posts. I have worked for organisations that did just that, find and report, and prosecute. With the RSPCA and Police Wildlife Liaison officers!!!

Have you been out with them on raids, FleurPepper? Scary indeed.

Yes, we are aware and yes, we know these activities are illegal.

So is more legislation needed or is there sufficient in place already? What are the results of the prosecutions? Are the punishments sufficient as a deterrent?

What about legislation regarding dog ownership which could be the point here? I think owners should have to have a licence to own a dog but if the cost is too high then many, especially older people, may have to give up their much-loved pets. Many more dogs could be abandoned.

You did post recently in defence of rescue dogs from overseas but we know not all are suitable as family pets. Some are street dogs, running in packs.
Should more breeds be placed on the banned list?

The horror of this latest case is appalling and the thought of what happened is sickening.

Fleurpepper

Did you actually read my posts. I have worked for organisations that did just that, find and report, and prosecute. With the RSPCA and Police Wildlife Liaison officers!!!

What are you shouting about?
I made a comment based in my own work experience. I’m also well aware that some communities are more likely than others to be involved in dog/cock fighting, badger baiting, lamping etc etc. it doesn’t mean I think I’m the only person in this discussion with experience.

fp, you seem to think you are the only one who knows that these appalling activities go on. Let me assure you that you’re not. I support several animal welfare charities and am only too well aware of what goes on. I’m not alone there. You seem to think that if we don’t personally know a member of this disgusting underground fraternity we are unaware of what they do. You say very few people who are not involved in these activities would know what goes on. How very presumptuous you are.

Shelflife - I suspect this dog is not used to children, but one can never assume that children are safe with any dog, no matter how well we know the dog. It wasn’t your fault. You acted to protect your grandchildren.

Halti lull you into a false sense of security with a dog
Flat collar and lead and training and training and more training.

It’s bad owners not bad dogs and muzzling large breeds why what’s the premise behind that, you do know a muzzle doesn’t stop them attacking they have claws like a small dog to whom are more inclined to bite you.

Oh and breeders use ads like pets4homes not so much gumtree that are with the kennel club and registered.

Also talking of shows shown on telly are shown to show the dog and owner in a bad light for your viewing pleasure.

Ethical breeders vet their clients
Byb don’t

Ethical breeders take back their dogs
Byb don’t

The ones if changes in the law happen will not affect the Byb at all just the ethical ones as usual

Ffs look at microchipping it isn’t police at all and some rescues don’t damn well check either.

Did you actually read my posts. I have worked for organisations that did just that, find and report, and prosecute. With the RSPCA and Police Wildlife Liaison officers!!!

The local police intelligence, social workers - the rare ones who still do home visits, they’re the kind of ordinary people who pick up on this kind of illegal activity. Neighbours often know but don’t tell people in authority for reasons we understand
Some communities are more likely to be involved

GSM I understand what you are saying about the problem a dog may have if not familiar with children - I don't doubt your comment. However that is the dog and his owners problem not mine or my precious GC s problem! Had I not been in the room I dread to think what may have happened!!!? One thing is for sure I will never trust any dog again and that includes my DDs soft and affectionate dogs. I was very frightened and will never forget what almost happened. Accustomed to children or not I now know all dogs are not to be fully trusted. My GC was not provoking or teasing the dog , I would not have allowed that. After six months have passed I am still traumatized by what happened.

Germanshepherdsmum

I really hope that if you’ve witnessed the illegal activities you mentioned you have reported them fp?

Phone the number in my post on this thread, Fleurpepper.

But in case you missed it, phone the police immediately and/or the RSPCA: 0300 1234 999