Are people actually insane?

Very few dogs are classed as dangerous breeds, when they absolutely should be. It's all about potential, and a malinois definitely has this.

Hasn’t there been a few granny’s eaten alive with type of dogs just recently?
Sound like a rough family- with mindset to match 😩

The 7 month old baby girl mauled to death on Sunday had been attacked by a Belgian Malonois. It's not recorded as a dangerous breed which proves it's not only dangerous breeds which can turn on adults and children. I've nothing against dogs I just dont think they should be left alone in a room with young children.

I get what you're saying, I can only hope that people in the future will steer clear of breeds that look similar to XLs in case they're mistaken for one. If you're a genuine dog owner, surely you wouldn't risk having your dog taken away or knowing you'll probably need to muzzle it, especially if other dogs are added to the banned list.

Of the 12 dogs that have killed since 2023 (not sure if the latest death has been added yet) I think it's 9 that are bull breeds. 1 is a cane corso, which is another breed that doesn't need to be on our streets. That obviously doesn't include the people that were 'fortunate' enough to escape with life changing injuries either.

Out of the hundreds of dog breeds available, nobody needs to be choosing ones that PROBABLY won't, but very easily COULD, kill them or even worse, an innocent member of the public.

A few days ago a 7 month old baby girl killed in Coventry by family dog recorded as not a dangerous breed. Yet another tragedy of this type. I know many won't agree but I don't think a baby should be left alone in a room with any dog.

i’d email the school to ask how a dog was on the school grounds in the first place (we have to sign in for sports day, staff everywhere).

This is not a thing in Scotland, you can just open the gate and walk into the playground. Yes getting into the actual building you have to be buzzed in through the front door but the playground is a free for all. When it's sports day, parents, grandparents, siblings and anyone else who wants to arrives and walks in.

I've had dogs most of my life, but not currently am owner. I couldn't tell you the difference between a bully xl, bully lab x , large staffy type, I've never particularly liked that type of breed though I've met lovely Staffies, I've also met really angry ones.

Yes, if I couldn't safely intervene by physically removing a dog I wouldn't want it near my toddler. Despite me teaching him, we don't touch doggies etc he's still fascinated and loves to get up close to them.

Dogs in a playpark/ballet class/sports day, totally out of order.

its heart-breaking, dogs who come back fearful and not the happy dogs they were before being seized, but hey this is Mumsnet so many would not care its a big scary dog and should be killed anyway

Well maybe it would be wise not to get a huge muscular dog in the first place.

Your sure? Considering even vets aren’t, fuck me they should’ve had you on the panel shouldn’t they! Contact defra asap

Makes no difference if it was or not. Dogs shouldn't be there.

There’s nothing worse than people with low IQs but massive egos.

So true. At best, they are a PITA, like a big buzzy fly you want to bat away. At worst, they are dangerous and unpredictable.
DH has a relative who falls into the first category. The only way I can deal with them is to avoid them or agree with them then walk away.

but you say you witnessed a dog fight in a children's play area and you just walked away?

Not unbelievable at all. I'd hotfoot it away as well. Not hang around on my phone.

Unfortunately this is the problem with media hysteria. People don't know what breed the dogs are but have decided it must be one of the types in the headlines because they think it looks a bit like it. That would not be the criteria used to determine a bull type or XL. For all we know they could be not remotely bully type dogs

Makes no difference. They're still in a kids playground. They shouldn't be.

People who own those kind of dogs usually don't give a flying who cares what about them. If they did have a drop of self awareness they wouldn't acquire the dog in the first place.

I hear a key opponent of the regulations on bully dogs has been mauled to death by her own bully dog recently.

to answer the OP's question "Are people insane"? Five minutes on twitter tells you that not only are they certifiable, but there are fucking legions of them.

I’m a dog owner and I’m outraged on your behalf. My dog is an elderly rescue dog with health conditions which makes him vulnerable and I keep him on a lead permanently mainly for his own safety but also because he might snap at another dog and I can’t/won’t take that risk. I’ve also noticed the horrible entitlement of other owners, and we’ve had many near misses because of stupid and entitled owners. What I do though is report EVERYTHING and it works, because the authorities need evidence to act and the more people who report the better.
I would absolutely try and encourage others to do the same and in the play park situation approach other parents to support you if this happens again. We have a dog warden but also have enforcement officers who will patrol these areas and enforce the law. Because ultimately both the sports day and park incident are almost certainly against the law, especially if they were not under control but many areas also have a public protection order. I imagine that’s definitely the case with the play park. Ring the council and report. It does help, I promise!

@CellophaneFlower Many people had these dogs well before the ban was introduced, and yes its true the general public will mistake a similar looking dog for an xl like the OP obviously has, but its a different matter when the police also cannot tell, when they seize dogs who do not fit the descriptors put them to sleep without assessing them or take so long to assess them that dogs suffer and die in Kennels. To be honest DEFRA was told this would happen this is from the notes taken at the time of the meeting

We heard about the huge strain which will be placed on the police, courts customs, vets and rescue staff when the ban comes in. It will have a massive negative impact on all areas which are already under strain

This was also said.
Of great concern was the RSPCA stating they have pulled away from assisting government in defining breed criteria for the XL Bully, they state that the direction the government are taking will encompass many similar looking dogs of other breeds!

@sleepyscientist As if the ridge back isn't a big enough give away 🤦🏻‍♀️

Well, quite - and a Ridgeback doesn't look anything like a bully. I can't imagine how anyone could mistake one for the other.

A dog at sports day? At a ballet class?

Completely unacceptable - I have never ever seen this.

A lot of schools in cities don't have their own sports fields but have a license to use areas in local parks. My children's primary did this. It's a hugely popular park for walking dogs and most are off the lead (which is allowed as long as they're under control), so there were always dogs milling about. And the school could have done nothing about it.

Us parents were invited to come along for a picnic beforehand and then watch the sports events. Many of us, including me, brought our dogs along. Ours was a small one and I usually let him wander around the edges for a bit (obviously keeping a close eye on him at all times - he had excellent recall and knew not to bother people who didn't invite him over for a stroke). As soon as people started getting food out I obviously kept him on a lead, and the same when watching the sports events (when taking part in mums' races I either handed the lead to a friend or tied it to a tree).

So I absolutely can believe that there was a dog at a school sports' day. It was obviously badly managed, but I have no doubt that it happened.

Ok, you've got me there 😂

I think they were answering me. So think we are both guilty…. 😉

Can you post a photo of the dogs?

I was asking the previous poster what they expected to happen. I do apologise, I didn't realise you were their voice.

‘It clearly wasn’t a bully’ - how do you know this clearly? Were you there? The op has said it was a bully type.

No. You have to accept people don’t know any better. There is legislation in force now.
Here are extra full stops for you ………..

@Oldsu thank you for articulating that far better than I did.