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Another child killed in dog attack

(294 Posts)
tickingbird Tue 31-Jan-23 22:08:55

I have just heard on the news that a 4 yr old girl has been killed by a dog in a garden earlier today. Just horrific. It’s happening more and more it seems. Poor child.

sodapop Thu 02-Feb-23 16:09:04

It is a form of cruelty isn't it Jaxjacky and Dickens to restrict dogs in clothing and carriers etc. I have seen such ridiculous outfits on dogs on social media doesn't bear thinking about. I once tried to put a coat on my Jack Russell, he wriggled out of it and gave me such a look I never tried again. 😀
As for letting dogs pee & poop in the house words fail me.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 02-Feb-23 16:16:41

I think it’s cruel, yes. Humiliating. What on earth must the house be like? Disgusting.

tickingbird Thu 02-Feb-23 16:45:13

I’d just like to say that no dog has a jaw that can lock. It’s a myth. Some dogs have stronger, more muscled jaws but there’s no dog that has lock jaw.

As for all these proposed rules and regulations they just won’t work. The type of person that wants one of these dogs isn’t a responsible owner, often lives outside the law ( evidenced in the Panorama programme) and who is going to police it? I posted a few weeks ago my experience of seeing two shady looking men with 5 of these XL bullies in a van. 2 were running freely around a housing estate and one did a steaming mound of excrement outside someone’s house on the pavement. The men couldn’t have cared less and I didn’t dare get out of my car with my grandson. I checked the reg of the van after and it hadn’t had any tax or mot since 2015!! I doubt these dogs were well looked after.

Jaxjacky Thu 02-Feb-23 16:47:27

It’s is cruel, the breeder is driven by ££ and seems the buyers are obsessed by purchasing a specific breed, not caring about its origins. I also believe anyone can set up as a dog trainer and/or behaviourist, no formal accreditation or registration is enforced.

Dickens Thu 02-Feb-23 17:10:10

sodapop

It is a form of cruelty isn't it Jaxjacky and Dickens to restrict dogs in clothing and carriers etc. I have seen such ridiculous outfits on dogs on social media doesn't bear thinking about. I once tried to put a coat on my Jack Russell, he wriggled out of it and gave me such a look I never tried again. 😀
As for letting dogs pee & poop in the house words fail me.

It's a form of abuse IMO.

Such people wash and 'deodorise' these little dogs - frequently, fuss around with their fur tying little bows etc into it, stuff them into handbags (and baby carriers)... make them do cute little 'begs' for treats, to impress their onlookers - or satisfy their own ego.

Even little dogs need to run around outside unencumbered, they need to delve and dive into the undergrowth, sniff around, and just be dogs.

SueDonim Thu 02-Feb-23 18:32:43

My dd knows someone with two of those little hairy dogs, like papillons or similar. They wear nappies in the house!

I saw an accident waiting to happen today. A woman was walking a full grown cream-coloured German shepherd dog with a head type harness on and she was struggling to control the animal. It was rearing up and bucking and twisting around, pulling her in every direction. The nearby school had just finished for the day but luckily there were no children particularly close at that point. It looked terrifying.

Fleurpepper Thu 02-Feb-23 18:48:26

Germanshepherdsmum

Fleurpepper

Dogs used in badger baiting or dog fights get so badly hurt in those fights, and not taken to the vet for fear of being prosecuted. They will stich up wounds themselves- it is just so dreadful. And just like in Fox Hunting, etc, dogs that show reticence to fighting, or lose fights, will be beaten up, hit with sitcks, spades, humilitated and tortured.

WE HAVE TO STOP THIS.

These activities are illegal in the UK.

Of course they are illegal- that is the very point. It happens, in some regions more than others. I used to work with several associations and also Police Wildlife liaison officers- but it certainly does happen- yes, in the UK- where it is illegal!

Often linked to the Hunts terriermen, and old mining areas- but not exclusively.

Fleurpepper Thu 02-Feb-23 18:51:03

and lamping!

Blondiescot Thu 02-Feb-23 18:53:15

Making some illegal doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Dog fighting, badget baiting etc certainly still goes on - just ask any rural police officer or wildlife officer.

Fleurpepper Thu 02-Feb-23 18:56:19

Indeed, some people have NO idea!

The price of a so-called ‘sport’. Badger baiting sees small, terrier-type dogs sent down badger setts to find badgers and hold them at bay while the baiters dig them out. Once exposed, badgers are dragged out and attacked immediately or sold to underground baiting rings, often for more than £500.

In the associated practice of ‘lamping’, hunters use spotlights to momentarily mesmerise badgers in the beam, before unleashing dogs to kill them.

To make things worse, badgers are often deliberately injured before the fight, breaking their jaws, teeth or limbs, just to make the fight last longer. The badgers always die – frightened and in excruciating pain. Sometimes the dogs die too, or suffer terrible wounds, often stitched up by their owners without anaesthetic.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 02-Feb-23 19:34:48

We know this happens fp. It’s illegal and up to us to report it if we see it happening,

SueDonim - that sounds like a halti harness. In my experience GSDs don’t like them. A basic harness or lead gives good control and prevents that sort of behaviour.

Shelflife Thu 02-Feb-23 19:39:42

I don't own a dog ( had dogs when a child) I am not afraid of dogs and very fond of my daughters dogs. However I know from experience that the friendliest dog can turn. nasty. Have posted about this before , I was taking care of my GC aged 6. My neighbours dog who I know well and had always been a ' softie ' escaped his garden and ran into my kitchen . I was not in the least perturbed, I was very fond of him! GC quietly playing , the dog ran straight up to GC growling and snarling - I was terrified. Grabbed GC and took child straight into my utility room asked him / her to stay there till I came back then shut the door. I returned to kitchen and the dog was back to his friendly self . Coming up to me and wanting a cuddle. I took him by the collar and led him outside - he ran straight home. My GD was remarkably calm , I didn't make an issue of it in front of GC and there appears to be know lasting damage to GC. I spoke to my neighbour but she didn't seem to fully understand how nasty her dog had been! The moral of this story is NEVER ever be 100% that a dog is a complete softie - it is simply not true !

Fleurpepper Thu 02-Feb-23 19:45:13

Germanshepherdsmum

We know this happens fp. It’s illegal and up to us to report it if we see it happening,

SueDonim - that sounds like a halti harness. In my experience GSDs don’t like them. A basic harness or lead gives good control and prevents that sort of behaviour.

And how would 'ordinary' folk find out. It is a very secret and dangerous world. I know! What was the point of saying it is illegal, in this context?

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 02-Feb-23 19:47:22

A dog may be fine with adults but won’t understand what children are if it hasn’t been properly and safely introduced to them. It may be obvious to us that they’re small people, but not to a dog no matter how intelligent.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 02-Feb-23 19:59:12

You said SOMETHING MUST BE DONE fp. I pointed out that it already has. These activities are illegal and it’s up to each of us to report any breach of the law that we see - as I have done. What does that have to do with being ‘ordinary folk’?

Caleo Thu 02-Feb-23 20:12:28

In my experience with German Shepherds, Halti head collars use can be taught to the dog quite easily as GSDs are quick learners. What you do is you associate the head collar's appearance with a treat or a game. When the Halti is not scary any more you can feed a treat through the head collar without fastening it. Then maybe next time the dog is happy to let you fasten it before he gets his treat.
Haltis give the holder almost finger tip control of a large dog as they work the same way a s a horse's head collar.

Fleurpepper Thu 02-Feb-23 20:18:10

Fleurpepper

I'll say it again- we need a compulsory register of all dogs, and all dog owners. With chips and vet passport, to ensure they are not mutilated, etc, on a National Register, with compulsory fees for each dog (£50 for first, and then more for other dogs), to pay for the system. And BAN some breeds outright.

It can be done. It is done in so many countries. Why can't it be done in the UK?

This

Fleurpepper Thu 02-Feb-23 20:20:01

Germanshepherdsmum

You said SOMETHING MUST BE DONE fp. I pointed out that it already has. These activities are illegal and it’s up to each of us to report any breach of the law that we see - as I have done. What does that have to do with being ‘ordinary folk’?

Do you know ordinary folk who dog fight and badger bait???

Very few people who are not part of this underground, dangerous world, would be aware of it- and know when and where it happens. They don't do this in broad day light around the corner from where most people live!

Callistemon21 Thu 02-Feb-23 20:24:14

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

Shelflife Thu 02-Feb-23 20:25:31

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.

Iam64 Thu 02-Feb-23 20:25:40

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

Fleurpepper Thu 02-Feb-23 20:26:32

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!!!

Dollypollylolly Thu 02-Feb-23 20:36:13

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.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 02-Feb-23 20:44:29

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.

Iam64 Thu 02-Feb-23 20:48:54

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.