Page 22 | Yet another person killed from a dog attack.. what is going on

icelolly12 · 2023-01-13T08:32:48+00:00

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-64254413 Something needs to be done...reports of dog neglect taken more seriously, harsher prison sentences... any other ideas? Awful, awful way to die, and makes me think twice about passing dogs off lead on walks.

LordSugarTits · 14/01/2023 18:14

"In this case there were 8 dogs being walked off lead. They went for another dog and when the lady tried to gather them up she fell and the dogs redirected to her."

Where have they released this info?

CMupnorth · 14/01/2023 18:21

Overthebow · 13/01/2023 09:09

It should be mandated that all dogs are muzzled and on leads in public areas. There’s too many cases of dog bites and attacks in public, and there’s no way to distinguish between bad dog owners and good ones, and dogs that may suddenly attack and dogs that never will. So unfortunately that means all dogs have to be treated the same.

No.

MarvellousMonsters · 14/01/2023 18:26

We need to bring back dog licences and make leads compulsory in public places. Irresponsible owners that don't train their dogs are a menace.

wavingfuriously · 14/01/2023 18:29

agree, it sounds like a dog walker was walking a number of dogs and something went wrong, can't really pass judgement until it becomes clear what actually happened

ScarlettRosemary · 14/01/2023 18:34

I went for a trial walk with a local dog walking company and she had 4 dogs with her. 2 big powerful/ 2 small. She seemed to want to rush the walks to get to the next clients and didn't give them enough sniff/ toilet time. They were well behaved but I can imagine a dog may get upset if it's being constantly rushed on a walk. I would only feel happy with two dogs max if I did become a dog walker. One adult with that many dogs that are not your own is a risk I'd not take. I'd not feel confident of controlling them all. Any dog can be unpredictable depending on the situation it finds itself in.

Incognitomum11 · 14/01/2023 18:36

I hate how dog owners think it’s cute when their dogs run up to me and sniff my crotch or even jump up on me and this happens far too frequently

Pointerdogsrule · 14/01/2023 18:46

Incognitomum11 · 14/01/2023 18:36

I hate how dog owners think it’s cute when their dogs run up to me and sniff my crotch or even jump up on me and this happens far too frequently

They're assholes, not all 'dog owners'.

My dogs are trained not to jump up and have brilliant recall, I spent months and months training them, they went to 'dog school' with expert trainers and then and only then would I let them off lead , and that's only in fields and parks where its clearly permitted.

Noangelbuthavingfun · 14/01/2023 18:49

In one article it stated she was a dog walked with 8 dogs off lead. None were banned breeds. Didn't say if any of them were her own, but article did state the other woman that got bitten said that it wasn't one dog - a few of them turned on her and bit her as she tried to get control 😥so sad...

Pupinski · 14/01/2023 18:52

MintJulia · 13/01/2023 08:45

This.

As a shotgun owner, I and my facilities are checked every 5 years by the police. The firearms officers get to know the shooting community. They hear on the grapevine if anything is amiss. We pay so the system is self funding.

The current fashion for 'intimidation dogs' requires a similar process. Dogs need licencing and checking for where & how they are kept, and whether they are properly controlled. Also the background of the owners - eg anyone with convictions for intimidation or violence should be automatically banned from keeping such dogs. There should also be a national number for people to report dogs they believe to be dangerous, anonymously.

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There already is a number - 101. It's illegal for dogs to be dangerously out of control in any place. The problem is by the time they're dangerously out of control it's too late.

You couldn't have a system whereby anybody could report a dog "they believe to be dangerous" as it's so subjective. Lots of people who are scared of dogs believe any big dog might be dangerous, or any dog off lead. It could only work if the dog was actually behaving dangerously, otherwise the dog/owner would have nothing to answer for. So we need to act well before it gets to the stage where any dog might be acting dangerously.

I'm fully behind requiring a licence to own a dog, and if I'd go further. I would advocate compulsory basic training, which must include training of the owner, not just the dog. There must be a compulsory element on understanding canine communication and body language.

Insurance should also be compulsory.

Every element of the dog industry should be regulated - from breeders to dog walkers, groomers, trainers, etc. Dogs are not just commodities and dog ownership should be taken far more seriously.

Pupinski · 14/01/2023 19:02

maryanne3 · 14/01/2023 18:06

There were 44 deaths from dog attacks in the 6 years from 2013-2019 (ONS data) and over 7,000 hospitalisations from dog attacks from 2020-21. www.statista.com/statistics/297523/dog-bite-victims-occurances-in-england-by-age/

This is a disgrace, and I personally will start carrying a spray when I go walking and heaven help any dog who comes jumping up at me, with the owner bleating "he's only playing".

I think a bit of perspective is needed. Every death is of course an absolute tragedy, but during the time period you quoted, there was an average of 7 deaths per year. That's 7 too many, of course, but they're are 13 million dogs in England alone. That's one death for every 1,857,150 dogs. Tragic, yes, but not the widespread problem you suggest.

Quveas · 14/01/2023 19:08

Emotionalsupportviper · 14/01/2023 10:41

Oh, absolutely!

Trapped dogs will panic even more. They can't escape and they just desperately try to defend themselves - they snap at random objects and don't even know what they are biting half the time.

4 dogs is the absolute maximum IMO. As I have mentioned a local walker who was a police dog handler never takes more than 4, and that includes his own if he has them with him (he has two), and he's a big, burly, physically fit bloke.

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And 4 is still too many. Being big or burly or physically fit has nothing at all to do with how you can control dogs especially not dogs that are not your own. Blending dogs from different households on an ad hoc basis is not dependent upon physical prowess. And a police dog handler should know that - no handler would handle 4 dogs at a time, and they are dealing with highly trained dogs and dogs who are part of their household.

Dog walker or owner, I am yet to see anyone who is both managing and watching more than two dogs. They might think they are, but they aren't. Coping and managing are not the same thing.

NonGardener · 14/01/2023 19:10

JanusTheFirst · 13/01/2023 08:57

Time for all dogs to be muzzled in public and on leads in public areas.

Dreadful tragedy for the family and a horrible way to die.

That is an awful non-solution - almost as bad as the notorious dangerous dogs act. Result would be loads of dogs not getting the exercise they need; bad owners would ignore the regulations anyway; and wasted police time. I admit I don't know what the solution is, but it isn't this.

Quveas · 14/01/2023 19:11

Pupinski · 14/01/2023 18:52

There already is a number - 101. It's illegal for dogs to be dangerously out of control in any place. The problem is by the time they're dangerously out of control it's too late.

You couldn't have a system whereby anybody could report a dog "they believe to be dangerous" as it's so subjective. Lots of people who are scared of dogs believe any big dog might be dangerous, or any dog off lead. It could only work if the dog was actually behaving dangerously, otherwise the dog/owner would have nothing to answer for. So we need to act well before it gets to the stage where any dog might be acting dangerously.

I'm fully behind requiring a licence to own a dog, and if I'd go further. I would advocate compulsory basic training, which must include training of the owner, not just the dog. There must be a compulsory element on understanding canine communication and body language.

Insurance should also be compulsory.

Every element of the dog industry should be regulated - from breeders to dog walkers, groomers, trainers, etc. Dogs are not just commodities and dog ownership should be taken far more seriously.

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I totally agree. There should be something similar for parenting. And I am very serious on both counts.

artsperson · 14/01/2023 19:14

All dogs are potentially dangerous. Too many dog owners feel very entitled. If their dogs jump up at you then they expect you to smile indulgently or stroke their furry friend. Ick. Too many dogs snap at passerbys or tug on the lead. Too many dogs per se.

vitahelp · 14/01/2023 19:30

There do seem to have been a lot of these in the news lately, it’s changing my perception of having dogs in a home especially with children. They could attack/kill your child at any moment, it’s like having a gun in the house. But it’s such a normal thing in our country we don’t really see it like that.

wentworthinmate · 14/01/2023 19:30

Putting them on leads does not stop the attacks in homes. Adults and babies still at risk from viscous animals that aren’t always on the dangerous dogs list. This will never go away.

vitahelp · 14/01/2023 19:32

NonGardener · 14/01/2023 19:10

That is an awful non-solution - almost as bad as the notorious dangerous dogs act. Result would be loads of dogs not getting the exercise they need; bad owners would ignore the regulations anyway; and wasted police time. I admit I don't know what the solution is, but it isn't this.

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I suppose the real solution is to just not have dogs as pets. It is a bit odd when you think about it, and mostly for our own benefit as owners. I say this as someone who has had dogs as pets and has cats right now. But I’m starting to re-evaluate the concept.

Spotsmum · 14/01/2023 19:34

Why should all dogs suffer because people like you must insist on having thuggish aggressive dogs?

maryanne3 · 14/01/2023 19:45

So how many deaths would you say were admissable before some control was needed? 20? 50? And the 7,000 (it is actually more like 7400) hospital admissions, (about 20 a day) in the last year? Many of them leaving permanent scars and life changing PTSD? How many of those are acceptable?

Livelovebehappy · 14/01/2023 19:46

Pupinski · 14/01/2023 19:02

I think a bit of perspective is needed. Every death is of course an absolute tragedy, but during the time period you quoted, there was an average of 7 deaths per year. That's 7 too many, of course, but they're are 13 million dogs in England alone. That's one death for every 1,857,150 dogs. Tragic, yes, but not the widespread problem you suggest.

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Exactly. People have to get it into perspective here. It’s very tragic, but the reason incidences like this make the headlines is because it’s very rare. Thankfully.

maryanne3 · 14/01/2023 19:49

Very rare? 20 a day hospitalisations? No, it only makes the headlines when somebody actually dies, which is every 8 weeks or so. That is unacceptable.

NonGardener · 14/01/2023 19:59

Spotsmum · 14/01/2023 19:34

Why should all dogs suffer because people like you must insist on having thuggish aggressive dogs?

beg pardon? People like me? You don't even know me.

Pupinski · 14/01/2023 20:05

vitahelp · 14/01/2023 19:32

I suppose the real solution is to just not have dogs as pets. It is a bit odd when you think about it, and mostly for our own benefit as owners. I say this as someone who has had dogs as pets and has cats right now. But I’m starting to re-evaluate the concept.

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Would your also give up cats, given the disaster they are for wildlife, the potential danger when they run out into the road in front of cars, and the uncontrollable shitting in people's vegetable patches, children's play areas, etc?

echt · 14/01/2023 20:12

Cats are not the go-to culprit about wildlife disaster. That would be, er humans:

www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/gardening-for-wildlife/animal-deterrents/cats-and-garden-birds/are-cats-causing-bird-declines/

TonTonMacoute · 14/01/2023 20:13

Dog ownership in Britain is completely out of control. Too many people have dogs when they can't give them the proper time, company and discipline that they need.

I live in a rural area yet we still have dog walkers down here. There is lots of space but people either don't have time or can't be bothered to look after them themselves, and there are people who are happy to do the job for money. However, there are often problems although it's usually the dogs who suffer. There have been a couple of cases around here recently of families who have lost their pets while in the care of dog walkers.

How can one person look after 8 dogs properly? Dogs need their owners to take responsibility for them, to look after them properly, something that is a far bigger commitment than lots of people seem to think.