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

[icelolly12]

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.

This is the case in a lot of Europe. I get why but it does make me a little sad when I see them all walking with muzzles on.

I do too @Bibbeti. I'm not prepared to watch my child be attacked in front of me by a dog on the loose.

I get your point, but it’s not just the hard men type.

It’s women and families too. The last time I was screamed and called a cunt and was told I would get shit through my letter box was by a mum from the school where she was laughing with her children that her dog was trying to nip my toddler in her pushchair and trying to jump on her.

I told take it away and got a shedload of abuse. As I was moving the dog so I could pick up my distressed child, her and the group of other women and children that had gathered were telling me they would kick my head in for touching the dog. I got spat on by one of them in the shop the next day.

(And I know people reading this would thing “tell the police”. The irony is, two of the adults in this house are police officers, I know that nothing would be done and it would make things worse).

The hard man image is misleading. It’s not just young men in baseball caps with pit bulls. I don’t think a lot of people realise the state of some people and places.

People used to say that the people who went on Jeremy kyle were goaded and made out to look worse than they were. They weren’t. I live in one of the areas that was preyed on by producers for guests, for context. There was a reason they did that. And these are the people who you can’t shame into behaving. They don’t care.

Those of you who have started carrying things, do be careful. The sort of person who owns an out of control dog is probably not the sort of person who would stand by and watch you try to kill or harm their dog.

My friend is a dog walker and she won't walk certain dogs together. Some dogs she walks need a lot of exercise and others not so much and she limits to 3 per walk.

I've just read a response on a local news article that claims this was a case of a dog walker having to let them go after a dog started attacking (unclear who this dog was with and who the dog walker was). She claims among the dogs were 2 daschunds and a leonberger. Seems an odd combination to me

They were very cheap 7/6d in old money (72.5p) and were scrapped in 1988 as more expensive to administer and didn't actually contribute any benefits to the welfare of dogs

My post made it sound like I was watching my two year old get harassed by a dog - it was seconds, dog jumped up tried to nip, I was like lighting round the front of the pushchair shouting move your dog, while moving it myself to unclog her and get her out.

All while the other woman was screaming laughing and shouting “touch my fucking dog, i’ll kick your head in.” it was in a children’s play area so all her friends were there in seconds shouting at me for being a cunt.

Yes humans are bad for the environment fact. I’m happy to be a hypocrite and have my children. I think humans are more important than dogs. (I say this as a vegetarian and animal lover). If anyone has a problem with children existing because they are bad for the environment, then perhaps they should go and put themselves on the compost heap 😂

When my children grow up they will be the ones working and looking after this country when all the child free people retire….

The very fact that there’s loads of dog walkers popping up says it all. Too many dogs about and the owners don’t have time to care for them.

I don't think anyone would stand by and watch someone try to kill or harm their dog.

I agree that something has to be done. Licences are a good idea and perhaps a special "off lead" licence as well for those dogs with recall who have proven they can be trusted off the lead in suitable places.

I wouldn't make licences ott expensive, but I would make them tricky to get ie compulsory training, something about proof you have a suitable home and walking route, no breeding without another type of licence etc.

But sadly this also means that dogs who are purchased by people who can't keep up with the licencing requirements will probably be terminated. We'll see a massive rise in healthy dogs being put down due to shit owners.

@SliceOfCakeCupOfTea Really? Even if their dog was attacking a child?

I'd love leashes to become mandatory and that's as a dog owner. I hate other peoples dogs approaching mine and sticking their face on hers when she is on a lead.
She's aggressive reactive. So therefore she looks like the dick when a fluffy idiot comes trotting over and she goes ballistic.

There should be dog friendly spaces in which dogs who wish to socialise can.

I agree with PPs for licensing dogs too.

I live near a disused quarry which is popular with dog walkers and it’s just a giant dogs toilet. Lots of dogs just ruin an enjoyable outing.

All dogs have the potential to be dangerous to a small child. I know this was an adult killed but I think all dogs should be on a lead in public spaces at the very least. I once had small loose dogs in my garden (Jack Russell and a Westie), they had escaped from their home and mauled my DCs pet rabbits. Who knows what a dog will get up to when it is given too much freedom - they are pack animals and will hunt as a pack given the chance.

"But sadly this also means that dogs who are purchased by people who can't keep up with the licencing requirements will probably be terminated. We'll see a massive rise in healthy dogs being put down due to shit owners."

A consequence of this would be a rise in e.g. isolation particularly the elderly, more health problems as a result of not being active (taking a dog for a walk is a lot of peolles reason for getting out), more mental health issues as dogs are known to improve this for lots of people (going out, company, having a sense of purpose etc)

Not being able to afford a licence does not automatically make people shit owners.

Dog licensing is a lazy solution that will do absolutely jack shit in tackling the real problem.

Compost heap - hilarious. Hmmm, maybe some childfree people have more money saved due to not having children and won't require handouts from your working children's taxes. What if your children don't work and expect handouts themselves? You don't know what they will do in the future - noone does.

I give you credit though, at least you admit that you're a hypocrite, most people on here don't have the balls.

I have a large breed dog & a small child. (The horror)

Prior to owning her, we put a lot of research and time into finding the right breed & right dog for us.

The breed I chose, are known for:
Being loyal, even tempered and devoted. They are low energy dogs that like to lounge around, but enjoy playing. They are known for being good within family settings, and socially (they're good with other people and other dogs).

Once I got her, I put all the time I had into training her, not just the basics either, when you get a puppy/dog, they need socialising in all types of ways and desensitising to a lot. So as soon as she had all of her injections and the vets said she was ready for walks, I did everything I could to ensure a behaved and well mannered dog, I made sure she experienced every situation she could.

I walk her everyday, with my little one in the pram, she walks happily besides us. I never let her off the lead, but she's very 'polite' to every person and other dog we meet. I'm often asked by people if they/their children can stroke her, I often explain to them the correct ways to greet a dog, she will also happily 'sit' and 'shake a paw' for them too,

At home, she's lovely too. We have boundaries in place, she isn't ever left with the little one (because I'm not stupid), but she has her own bed in her own space and she's very well behaved.

She had that many experiences and stuff as a puppy, that now as an adult she's very easy to manage.

I know people who have dogs that are terrified of prams - because they were never exposed to prams as a puppy.
I know people who have dogs that get excited and chase anything that moves, why?? Because as a puppy they were only walked in quiet places and didn't have the chance to 'get to know' certain things or situations.
The list goes on of course.

Now, my dog is a dream - this is simply down to me choosing a breed correct for my lifestyle, and the fact I put the time and effort into training her (and not just as a puppy, training doesn't stop, you should always continue to positively enforce all training with all dogs of any age)
However - if the same dog was thrown into a lifestyle that didn't suit them & then had owners that didn't commit to training them and did not correctly control their dog, it would probably end in disaster.
_

There's also the fact that certain breeds attract certain people, the breed of dog I own for example, all other owners of the breed that I know, also have children and the time to suit the dogs needs.

So if there's a particular breed that attracts the wrong sort of person, then it's going to end in disaster. Especially when said breeds were not bred for the lifestyle they are given and needs are not met. That's probably the reason why that statistically, it's always certain breeds more than others that end up in bad situations.

"I don't think anyone would stand by and watch someone try to kill or harm their dog."

If my dog was attacking someone I'd try to kill them myself, as hard as that would be.

I imagine a smack head who probably carries something themselves might view that situation differently.

Owners are to blame nearly all of the time. Either by stupidity, laziness, ignorance or all 3. This is such a sad story and I know we have no details yet but I'm sure preventable.

I'm not trying to derail but this experience is a good example of how things could have taken a turn. I have 2 Border Collies and a Rottweiler.

I was in a park when a young but large GSD was bounding around out of control, his owner screaming his name and 'HERE!' to which the dog was paying zero attention. My dogs were off lead, not together and not immediately next to me. When the GSD came running our way I shouted for mine to 'lie down' and 'look' (at me). The GSD stood over them, running from one to the other barking and barking and even started tugging, at my dogs fur. He ended up with white fur from my moulting Collies in his mouth. It was taking all of my dogs obedience to stay looking at me, they were all panting, stressing out but trusted me. The man then came over smiling(!) and put lead on his dog, making jokes, saying my rottie must be a softie etc.

I politely and quickly said the dog shouldn't be off lead until recall is taught effectively and I told him lie down and look/watch are great commands to teach first. I then praised my dogs, really making a big fuss over them. He said he was sorry if he had offended me by calling my rottie soft, asked me if I was a dog trainer. The fact he thought that would be offensive is a problem, that he didn't understand I wasn't ignoring him, I had to fuss them to show they did exactly what I wanted, is a problem and that he thinks to have dogs follow commands must mean I'm a dog trainer is a problem. So many problems with the owner.

Everyone wants dogs that are either hard or 'beautiful', but can't be bothered to teach them. They think if they do their business outside and snuggle up for cuddles on a sofa = trained.

Well done if you managed to get through all that, I'm going to hop off my soapbox now. 😉

Whilst it’s sad, far more people are killed and attacked by men and we don’t seem to give a shit about that as a society, it’s just something we accept. Are we really expecting more from dogs than men?

I think the lack of information about this means that there is an awful lot more to the story sadly.

My dog was badly attacked (and I was injured separating them). The owner of the other dog was taken to court, fined and the dog ordered to be muzzled at all times in public. We still see the dog most days as we unfortunately haven't been able to move, and it's never muzzled - I've reported them time and time again but nothing gets done. Until there are better legal powers to tackle the owners like this, decent folk don't stand a prayer.

I read that first bit and smiled.....staffy by any chance?

At least they wouldn't come into the big dog camp, proper staffs are tiny compared to e.g. labs, retrievers, greyhounds etc.

@Scalottia yes I’m a hypocrite in all sorts of ways. It’s kind of hard not be…

good points. But my point was in the future childfree people will need doctors, nurses, waiters, bank clerks etc etc. It will be today’s children that will be working in the future looking after us all (including child free people). Dogs won’t be looking after us 😂

As a dog owner myself I don't believe dogs should be allowed to run around in public off lead. Too many just don't have the recall and the discipline (or owners who are even paying attention in order to make recall a possibility!)

Sick to death of irresponsible dog owners. We live in a beautiful large forested area which has become impossible to walk in, for fear of being attacked by out of control unleashed dogs. My husband has been attacked twice and bitten once. We have stopped taking our toddler grandson out into the forest because of this. There is also an arboretum where dogs run around in packs, completely out of control of their owners. But all you get when they rush up to you is ' oh he's perfectly harmless'. Yeah right, how do we know anything about your dog. The laws need tightening to have all dogs on leads when out in public areas. Things are getting completely out of control with these selfish dog owners who spoil it for the responsible ones.