Dangerous Dog Breeds

[Piff paff puff]

Since it's nearly summer when more people are outdoors and with more deadly attacks by dogs I thought we could discuss ways of staying safe from dog attacks.
This year I have bought 2 keyring attack alarms which are easily deployed by pulling out a pin.
Also when I go for beach walks where most dogs are left to run free I will be carrying a stick to keep a potential attack dog at arms length. Hopefully the stick will take the brunt of an attack.
I love all animals and don't want to harm or distress a dog unnecessarily and will only be taking these measures if a dog makes or tries to make contact with my body with it's teeth or if it snarls or snaps at me in a threatening way.

 

[Gloria Rostron]

Warning: If you are someone who becomes upset at criticism of dangerous dogs and their ownership, this is not the thread for you.

More and more reports are coming through about the dangers of bulldogs, be they American ones, Staffordshire ones or the "Amstaff" ones.

Last month, a man was charged over the death of Ms Lucille Downer, an 85 year old lady in Rowley Regis, killed in her own garden by an out of control bulldog.

This was a tragic incident and the fact that this happened in the woman's own garden, a place she should feel safe, makes it all the more appalling.

Last year, in Rotherham, an American bulldog killed its owner in a brutal neck attack and also injured her partner. What is striking is, the owner was warned about the dangers of this type of dog and children in the family had to stop visiting the house over fears of danger from the two bull dogs that were kept here. What is shocking is the woman persisted with ownership of these bull dogs, sadly, it had fatal consequences for her and devestation for her family.

Are you noticing a pattern? These dogs are all of the bull variety. It is suggested some use these breeds as "status" dogs, for intimidation of others. I certainly do not feel safe with one of these dogs running around the park with no lead, and especially not if I have my toddler-age niece with me.

In Wales, there was the tragic case of Jack Lis, a little boy with his future ahead of him, killed, again by a bull dog.

Jailed: The Owners Of The Beast Responsible For The Death Of 10 Year Old Jack Lis

Not Cute, No Endearing Qualities And Not The Sort Of Creature I would Want To Share My Home With

Status Symbol Bull Dogs Have Devestating Effects On Innocent People's Lives.

What needs to be done is, these bull dog breeds need to be outright banned. Carrying a knife for status is rightly illegal and it should be the same for these beastly hounds. They are not "nanny dogs", they should be no where near children (or in any public space for that matter), it doesn't matter how many pictures Marie or Simon on Facebook post of their bull dog sleeping, I want it nowhere near me. Facebook groups are full of reports of escaped dogs, by irresponsible owners who let them off lead in public, or fail to prevent them from escaping their garden. We have seen the dangers of these bull dogs and in my opinion, this is a terrifying combination that the law has to say no to.

Please feel free to share your thoughts below.

 

[heretoreaditall2019]

Agree completely, there’s a documentary on BBC about the hyper breeding of these dogs and it’s usually run by the vilest men who’ve all got prior for drugs offences so it’d be in everyone’s best interest that we stop giving them money? In the same way counterfeit goods are stigmatised for funding organised crime these should be too.

I have a (big! but good temperament and very well trained with a weekly 1:1 with a professional guiding this) dog and a toddler and these dogs have shaped how we manage both, especially on weekends. We’d never have one adult with a toddler and dog any day of week, we don’t walk the dog in the day (we do it at 6/7am) on weekends cos that’s when these dogs are out. So many dogs don’t have recall so it’s unfair to suggest that’s specific to this breed, but you NEED them to be responsive to recall or general instruction if you’re going to let teens walk them or you’re going to public places as these dogs are so big and oftentimes aggressive.

Some of these dogs are fucked by inbreeding but I think a lot of it is people wanting status dogs but not being able to afford, or want to pay, what it costs to train a dog properly. Or invest the time as it’s a constant investment in your dog!

My husband had to put his body between our dog and one of these the other week and I’ve never seen him so distraught his heart was beating out his chest when he got back. We discussed it and if it happened with just me we’d have to let it happen sadly because I’m not his size or strength. Horrific that we have to have these conversations because of these owners.

 

[Gloria Rostron]

discussed it and if it happened with just me we’d have to let it happen sadly because I’m not his size or strength. Horrific that we have to have these conversations because of these owners.

That's a horrific thought. I am sorry for what you and your husband went through, and your dog too.

 

[Princesst]

An associate of mine has an “XL Bully” & all I know is that it looks absolutely terrifying. Posts photos of it on Facebook all the time. It’s massive, huge paws like a lion with piercing white eyes. She has very small, young children. I know not all dogs are the same just because of breed etc but the sheer size of the dog vs her little children, I can’t see what’s gone through her head getting it. Walks it around the local area off lead constantly & again documents it on Facebook. I’m petrified to see it out in person. I have a family member who jogs near where she takes it walking frequently and I’m terrified it’s going to hurt him one day, that’s how scary this dog is

 

[Sibz]

These muscular big jawed dogs need to be banned, restricted or licensed, it's the only way forward. Any animal that is large enough to lock its jaw round a person's neck and too powerful to be pulled off by an adult is in no way shape or form a pet, it's a dangerous animal. You're not allowed to keep a wolf or bear in your house and take them out for walks, why are beefed up dogs allowed?

 

[heretoreaditall2019]

That's a horrific thought. I am sorry for what you and your husband went through, and your dog too.

Oh bless thank you - thankfully I wasn’t there and neither was our LO. The teens walking it knew as they were screaming the minute it bolted, they shouted sorry after but what does that mean? My husband’s had to spend out on additional physio for a sports injury that was ticking along thru its recovery prior to this, his hands were all cut up from the dog’s teeth, and we’ve been doing loads of confidence restoring work with our trainer so the value of that time too. Highly doubt the family would fork out to cover our costs - there’s no point even stopping to get details you’re better off getting out of there.

My husband managed to get it off by pinching it, he was in its mouth but that didn’t work, said he should have kicked its head and paralysed the bleeping thing. It’s horrible the things you have to think about - I have no idea how we’d communicate to our LO that her best friend and side kick is dead.

 

[ElChanguito]

Dogs are so much worse than they used to be, all of them, not just the dangerous breeds. Is it the super nutritious food they get now? I am very nervous of every dog I pass, I always move away from them and don’t put my hands out to them. It’s not worth the risk. I am especially wary of black Labradors, they are very aggressive and powerful dogs. One got into the field next to my house and killed a stag a few years back. My neighbour was bitten down to the bone by one. Other people I know have mongrel and legal breed dogs that have killed their other dogs, killed cats, got into neighbours gardens and severely bitten them.

While I think all dog owners need to be more responsible, I do think these dangerous breeds need to be completely banned. Recently a school had to go into lockdown because someone was at the gates wielding two of these dangerous dogs to terrorise the staff and pupils. Just disgusting.

 

[Lonette]

The amount of dog attacks and human deaths caused by dogs is absolutely outrageous and completely out of control. That it was able to get to the point we are at how is utterly appalling and shameful.

I like dogs but there are so many people walking around with these awful status breeds, the dog almost always off lead and the owner a type of person who seems to get off on people being nervous of their pet. My mum is terrified of dogs (she was attacked by one as a child while doing a paper round) and last year had a moment of madness and dragged me into the road with her to avoid having to walk by one without a thought for potential traffic (luckily nothing happened). It was absurd on her part, I acknowledge, but whenever I hear about yet another death I can see why she responded like that, it was pure flight or fight.

The main issue would be how would this be policed? People who would be the worst owners would just ignore any banning law and get away with it, like they do with anything else.

There seems to be no realistic workable solution, and that's crazy.

 

[BigBrenda]

It’s really sad that people get these dogs when they don’t know what they are doing with them.

We are getting a dog soon and already have strict rules that us as a whole family will follow with regards to the dog.
Dogs are beautiful creatures and I believe if you have a dog from a puppy and treat it right, it will become a lovely dog.
However it’s still an animal at the end of the day and if it was in pain and unable to let you know,
even the nicest of dogs can bite out and turn. They need to be respected and stop being brought as handbags to
---
Show off

 

[heretoreaditall2019]

I believe if you have a dog from a puppy and treat it right, it will become a lovely dog.

In the nicest way - I think this is part of the problem. Dogs need to be treated like dogs and that isn’t always “nicely” (eg food training, crate training, place training, slip collars, most working dogs I’ve met have electric collars too) but is kindest for everyone - society, your family, and tbh the dog as they thrive having a routine and boundaries. But that way of having a dog is really hard work (especially as a puppy!) and expensive so barely anyone does it.

 

[mochibean]

These muscular big jawed dogs need to be banned, restricted or licensed, it's the only way forward. Any animal that is large enough to lock its jaw round a person's neck and too powerful to be pulled off by an adult is in no way shape or form a pet, it's a dangerous animal. You're not allowed to keep a wolf or bear in your house and take them out for walks, why are beefed up dogs allowed?

Totally agree, I have a huge scar after an attack on me by a bull breed I think they need to go. I had to have 2 operations and it was so traumatic.
They are extremely dangerous in comparison to other dogs. I hate walking my own dog because of these dogs, I'd rather not go through that again

 

[BigBrenda]

In the nicest way - I think this is part of the problem. Dogs need to be treated like dogs and that isn’t always “nicely” (eg food training, crate training, place training, slip collars, most working dogs I’ve met have electric collars too) but is kindest for everyone - society, your family, and tbh the dog as they thrive having a routine and boundaries. But that way of having a dog is really hard work (especially as a puppy!) and expensive so barely anyone does it.

But that isn’t not being a nice to a dog. Hence my point if you treat a dog a right it will be lovely?

 

[justonemorepage]

I think it's a mixture of bad ownership and bad breeding. I've seen some breeders selling the most deformed looking bull breeds ever. Huge deep chests with little legs. I mean wtf! It needs to be policed more carefully and I think people should be made to apply for a licence to own a dog and have annual checks maybe? These bull breeds seem to be the biggest problem but all dogs are capable of biting. I have a HPR breed and he's a big softie and he's terrified of bull breeds and any flat faced dog (the noises they make frighten him). I was walking with him and my husband when my dog was only 8 months old and a bull breed came out of a back lane and flew at my dog. My dog cowered by a wall and the bull breed pinned him to the wall with his shoulder (luckily it didn't bite). I immediately told my husband to start walking back the way we came from and to not continue down the street as I could see that the dog was being used to patrol the street and was very territorial about anyone passing his house. Luckily I was right and the dog didn't follow us after we'd turned around but it was so scary because I didn't know if the dog would bite us or my dog. I've also seen two men with two big bully breeds each and watching them trying to walk them on the lead was a frightening sight as neither man could control their dogs fully and if they decided to kick off those men wouldn't have stood a chance. I think bully breeds in particular have mental health issues due to their interbreeding. This is probably what causes them to snap so easily.

 

[Sibz]

Yet another attack, on a poor baby

Caerphilly: Baby in hospital after dog attack

The attack happened in Caerphilly county, where there have been two previous fatal dog attacks.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[KeriRhys]

I agree that breeding certain breeds need to be policed/regulated more, but I feel a lot of it comes down to irresponsible owners...

My dog was attacked last week by two off leash labradoodles who had absolutely no recall and the owners couldn't control!!
My boy was on his leash and didn't even try and fight back (he's a rescue and he's nervous around other dogs anyway)
When I questioned the owners on why they were off lead the reply was "well they haven't done it before"

So yes, certain breeds may pre disposed to aggression, but lazy owners are a big part of the problem!

 

[thaliamay]

Gonna wade in here with my 2 cents as an experienced dog owner and someone about to study Canine behaviour.
I might sound like one of those people who excuse the dog and put blame on the owner but it's true in many cases infact the majority. These breeds can, in the right hands, be just like your average lab with loyal and loving tendencies.
However in order for myself, as a mother, to purchase one (I like them) an American bully. I'd have to first research the crap out of its heritage and breeding lines. I'd want to observe the dam and sire and their temperaments, even the grandparents if possible. Id want full vet checks to rule out any potential neurological defaults. Then, said dog would be brought up learning basic commands, learning to obey and follow commands.
My special interest is guard dog training. If we could turn the stereotype of all bullies are killers, into something positive, a good use for this dogs strength size etc, and have them only defend us in awful scenarios, then maybe there'll be a greater use for them.

I'm not a fan of small or toy breeds of dog, in my opinion they might not have the power of a bigger dog but the intent and often malice is present. Horrible shits haha.

 

[LittleMy]

I’ve never owned a dog but those Bully types scare me. I’ll cross the street with my children if I see one walking towards me (usually being led by some unsavoury type of human tbf). It might seem irrational but it’s worrying when you’re reading about so many of these attacks.

 

[iLoveNectarines]

I'm not a dog fan at all and I personally think all dogs should have to be muzzled when out in public.

My son was dragged across the beach by a great dane when he was 4. It had hold on his sleeve. Of course this dog was "friendly" and had "never done anything like this before". But it only takes that one time.

Just the other day I was walking with my youngest with her in the pram and we were approaching a German shepherd type breed. I noticed it lay down and stared at us as we approached then as we walked past it jumped up growling at my daughter.

Both of these dogs were being walked by well presented people. It's just not worth the risk and the obvious thing to me would be to make muzzling a legality.

 

[G_man]

I'd want to observe the dam and sire and their temperaments, even the grandparents if possible.

That’s going far too extreme in my opinion, researching into their backgrounds/lines fair enough. There’s 4 dogs there potentially in 4 different parts of the world, your going to fly out to potentially watch a dog on how it behaves? If your being that strict with your vetting save yourself some time and buy a pup from a repeat mating and look how the previous pup’s turned out