Dogs shot by Met police

Thanks for balancing this discussion BlueBelle- puts a totally different slant on it. So sad.

He was homeless, probably got mental health problems, so shouldn’t have been in charge of two big dogs…. he was (I read somewhere) not supposed to own any dogs so not sure what that story was The women in question it seemed wasn’t hurt or mauled as the first reports said
Iam just to balance it another shop owner said the dogs were friendly and he talked to them most days
I m not sure what the police wanted him to do !
he couldn’t hand the dogs over to them that wouldn’t have worked, they were in a excitable state and they would have gone for the police as strangers taking their leads and unfortunately the more the police threatened with their shouting (and his) the guns, the police moving forward into their space, the more agitated frightened and aggressive the dogs got. Leaving no choice for the cops but it was a real shame as they didn’t seem to be over large or over aggressive just upset and confused

I don’t think the police handled it well at all but then they aren’t trained in dog handling so did what they felt was right as the dogs came forward , but it was pretty shocking A shame dog handlers couldn’t have been called

Iam64

Rosie1959, a shop owner is quoted in the DM on line as saying the man had been sitting outside his shop with the dogs. The dogs were barking at customers and frightening them, so the shop owner asked him to move

Again down to the owner when you hold a dog lead you are responsible for the dogs actions and probably more than most would think. Any emotion you have will travel down the lead.
Walking another small dog near a pair of reactive dogs again not a good idea

Rosie1959, a shop owner is quoted in the DM on line as saying the man had been sitting outside his shop with the dogs. The dogs were barking at customers and frightening them, so the shop owner asked him to move

These dogs were badly let down by their owner. He must have known they were reactive around other dogs and kept them well away. Just because they are reactive with dogs it doesn't follow on that they are a danger to humans. They paid with their life he should be ashamed and never let near a dog again.

Callistemon21

Has anyone heard how the woman is who was attacked?

This article is saying that the woman wasn't attacked as such....

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12064773/Met-Police-clear-shooting-two-dogs-dead-woman-mauled.html

These type of dogs should be muzzled for the safety of the public. If the owner refuses to muzzle the dog it should be removed from the owner. No ifs and no buts.

Has anyone heard how the woman is who was attacked?

Ah low wagging tails - I didn’t rewatch because it was so distressing byt yes I agree could be anxious fearful but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t attack. Dogs often react by protecting their handler
I absolutely agree with your final paragraph

Iam64

Oreo, forgive me if I have this wrong, my memory could be better. I seem to recall you aren’t one of gransnets merry band of dog owners. Tail wagging isn’t always a sign of a happy dog. I’ve not looked at the video again, don’t want to but a high wagging tail in a big dog that’s already attacked would worry me

I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned being a dog owner or not.
I saw the low wagging tails of the dogs which means they were either scared or very wary of the group of police closing in on them.
In the end the police had no choice really.There are too many out of control and dangerous dogs on the street with owners who are idiots.

Caleo

I wish you had not reported that Ajswan! I did not want to know.

I hope to goodness the officer was disciplined and retrained in handling his gun!

I hope the officer is supported as I’d be surprised if he doesn’t feel dreadful that his first shot did not kill the poor animal. He was shooting at a moving target. As I said upthread. I’m thankful for police officers who run towards, rather than away from risk.

Fleurpepper

Bignanny2

Shame it doesn’t happen more often. Any dog without a muzzle should be shot. And I know I’m going to be slammed for this but I don’t care !

This is just so outrageous and disgusting- and deserves being slammed, hard.

Bignanny is just goading

Don't fall for it, folks.

Like many I blame the owner not the police . So many idiots out there who actually use this type of dogs as weapons sadly . No dog is born aggressive it’s how they are trained

There are too many horror stories about this breed of dog. The fighting instinct is too inbred in them I think. I have had dogs for 36 years and have loved them all. I have 2 dogs now. If any of my dogs had viciously attacked someone I would expect them to be put down. However, all my dogs have been Golden Retrievers and tiny rescue dogs. Friendly and safe. Why would anyone want dogs knowing them to be aggressive and unpredictable?

Nothing wrong with supporting reputable dog breeders that vet the people that purchase their puppies. The breeder I got my whippet from can tell you everything about her relatives: any illness has to be reported to her. She takes back any dog that the purchaser can’t keep whatever the reason. She breeds for conformation and temperament and the temperament of her dogs is exceptional. These are dogs that are bred to kill rabbits but they wouldn’t dream of biting a person. My girl accidentally caught my finger when we both went to grab the same toy and when I squealed she was distraught. I had to keep telling her that it was an accident and I wasn’t shouting at her, As for tail wagging there have been several occasions when a dog has run up to my on lead dog wagging itself tail and then gone for her throat

To enforce a law you need to be able to find and arrest the offender and prove they committed the crime.

Dog breeders breeding these banned breeds and rearing similar 'legal' breeds to be aggressive, are not going to make their behaviour known and they tend to operate in relatively isolated rural sites.

The law is enforced, once people are caught and the charges can be made to stick.

Please, people, don't support the dog breeding industry!

I wish you had not reported that Ajswan! I did not want to know.

I hope to goodness the officer was disciplined and retrained in handling his gun!

The police should be absolutely ashamed of themselves and charged with cruelty to animals and misconduct. The dogs were quiet until the police approached them.

The dogs - one or both, I've no idea - had already attacked a woman and you think it's the police who should be ashamed?

Dear God.

Need to get tougher with the stupid owners. Unfortunate for the dogs but right thing to do.

Oreo, forgive me if I have this wrong, my memory could be better. I seem to recall you aren’t one of gransnets merry band of dog owners. Tail wagging isn’t always a sign of a happy dog. I’ve not looked at the video again, don’t want to but a high wagging tail in a big dog that’s already attacked would worry me

Much more worried about the horrendous experience of the woman who was attacked. Why on earth do people want the huge responsibility of keeping these dangerous dogs? There should be much tighter laws to protect people from them and their awful owners.

I’ve got mixed feelings having looked at the video, the dogs were clearly wagging their tails a lot when the group of police confronted the man, after a while they stopped that and looked fearful, then nervous/aggressive as time went on.
The owner was a real dick.
It left the police with a hard decision to make and they seemed to think they couldn’t safely contain the dogs, which was a shame, but had to shoot them for their own and the public safety.

ajswan, are you suggesting the reports these dogs had attacked a woman are false? The dogs were not under control. They were straining and pulling, the handler clearly unable to control his own behaviour, never mind that of his dogs.

It’s very sad that the fire arms officer didn’t kill the dig instantly. It was a moving target so not an ‘easy’ target. I’m giving him the respect he deserves for running towards danger. As a human being, I also credit him with feeling sorry he had to shoot again to put the poor creature out if it’s misery.

Bignanny2 I can only think that you’ve had some awful incident with a dog, or someone very close to you. Please seek help, this is the most awful comment I’ve ever seen on here ! “Shame it doesn’t happen more often” really !! Police officers would be in the most awful position ! I’ve never read such a ridiculous and spiteful comment !!! shock