What can we do about dangerous dogs?

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There were 10 fatal dog attacks in the UK last year. A massive number compared to previous years. And, sadly, another already this year.

I have seen 100 suggestions over the years on Mumsnet, but there are always objections to taking any form of action against the dogs.

If it is suggested that more breeds are banned, there are the people who argue that no breed is intrinsically dangerous, and that is the fault of irresponsible owners, attracted to certain breeds, that any dog attacks. But how do we stop this? Irresponsible owners are not going to attend courses on how to be a responsible dog owner.

And then people argue that other dogs can dangerous - the dangerous retriever or poodle or spaniel. But these dogs are never found on the list of dogs causing fatal attacks. They are almost always the bullies, bulldogs, mastiffs, huskies, Rottweilers and Alsatians. You have to go back to 2015 to find an incident that is not one of these dogs. Since 1981 there are four examples which are not these dogs, out of 62. Two of these four are Jack Russells, who I think only don't cause more deaths because of their size.

And I think that's the key, to an extent. A human stands a fighting chance of escaping from many vicious dogs, but they simply cannot beat any of the breeds named above.

I personally do think it's in these dogs' nature to be aggressive. I think it's in their DNA (and I know it is in some other breeds too, but they don't have the strength of those above). But I understand that some people think it's all about the owner and the training. So if we don't ban breeds, so that anyone who notices one being led around their estate can report them, what do we do?

My job involves walking around estates for many hours a week, and I often walk past these dogs, and I think that there is absolutely no way that the owner could prevent the dog attacking. They are just too strong. It is becoming really quite intimidating in ways in which I haven't noticed in previous years.

So rather than a 'should we ban these breeds?' thread I suppose I'm asking what those people who think it's down to to nurture and not nature think would work in protecting the public (and owners' families - and themselves) from dog attacks?

I've been thinking about this while out with my dog doing her training activity...
So this seems to sum it up..

• poor breeding leading to neurological problems, physical ill health, psychological issues
• untrained
• bad for the environment
• some are naturally aggressive
• poorly socialised
• unpredictable
• well behaved as youngsters but become unmanageable as adolescents , behaviour not corrected
• nuisance in shops
• nuisance in cafes
• expensive
• excuses are made for poor behaviour, can't help it, provoked etc,
• it's the way they are brought up
• placed in daycare instead of time spent with them training
• in homes too small for their needs without considering the long-term term effects
• made central to family life regardless of effect on their well-being
• brought into families that can't afford them

Then realised actually I was thinking about humans..but we don't suggest drastic measures there.

Men are a far bigger risk to your children in your home than Fido, and men have the benefit of human intelligence and reasoning. We can not expect Fido to use human reasoning.

I agree with insurance, onlead in public places, chipping, ban on gumtree etc advertised dogs but let's face it, the type of owner who doesn't give a shit now isn't going to suddenly give one and will be producing the children listed above too.

Just enforcing dogs on leads at all times would be a start. Hoping of course that the owners can then stop the dogs attacking anything - human, dog, horse, sheep... I had a lovely long walk in a country park yesterday, a large part is nature reserve. The signs said dogs on leads at all times. The majority were off lead. The biggest pack (of cute tiny dogs) that we saw was 8. It's all lovely when everyone is being good, but it only takes one fight breaking out between two dogs and you've got a very different situation.

Thank fuck it's not up to you.

Ban all dogs 🤣. Idiot.

Professional dog walkers should be licenced and lose it if they walk over a set number of dogs together. It would be nice to think that owners could also have a max dogs limit.

That's lovely for you, but you can get all that from a spaniel. Nobody needs these 100lb timebombs.

@Bingbangbongbash I am intrigued why you think I know nothing about the countryside. Nothing could be further from the truth - I am a livestock farmer!

Oh, I completely agree. I am entirely behind restricting the ownership of large, dangerous breeds. I fear for my dog and my kids when I see some thick yoot being hauled around with a horrible looking hunk of muscle.

Men are a far bigger risk to your children in your home than Fido

Yeah I'm gonna need some strong persuasion that my husband is more of a risk to our daughter than the 100lb French Mastiff that knocked her over and snapped at her in the park.

We can not expect Fido to use human reasoning

Right. So we know that they can't be reasoned with, and we also know they can kill. Hmm. I wonder what on earth we could do to solve this.

In Scotland we have a right to roam so I can take my dog on a walk through farmland if I wish, dogs just need to be kept under control. The only exception is lambing seasoning I think. Lots of rights of way and paths go through farmland. Saying that you wouldn’t catch me going into a field of cows with or without my dog.

On English footpaths you are required to keep to the path itself - your dog is also required to keep to the path and not run about all over the fields. Last year I fenced, on both sides, a few hundred meters of the footpath as the number of dog walkers taking liberties and walking all over the large field was getting unacceptable and since then I have had nothing but complaints from them that now they can't give their dogs a good run. Stick to the footpaths and us farmers wont need to fence any more of them. Its not like I want to do it; it is costing me a fortune to control other people's dogs.

Apologies. Your post seemed quite hysterical. As if dogs are in any way the worst polluters of farmland.

Maybe people should go around muzzled in public. We did a lot more than 10 fatal attacks last year in uK.

Just put a sign up saying ‘out of control dogs will be shot’. I guarantee it will reduce the problem. Most dog owners are dead frightened of trigger happy farmers.

It's just another reason why dogs should be kept on leads at all times in public areas including farmland. www.fwi.co.uk/news/environment/farmers-cry-foul-over-dog-mess-threat-to-livestock

It is reported that she was walking 8 dogs. I cannot fathom how she reasoned this decision with herself. Regardless, she paid the ultimate price for doing so. 😔

I agree with all @MoscowMules has said on this thread.

As an owner of one of the demonised breeds for the last 25 yrs, i will sum it up as this.

Too many inexperienced, idiots own dogs they know little about, or have the facilities to cope with.
Funny isnt it that in situations where people have the knowedge,patience, space, time, money alot of these issues aren’t happening?

I see people with small properties, large breed dogs, young children, poor husbandry come together and accidents happen. Same with the dog walker scenario, people not excercisng,understanding,having time for their OWN dog.

Problem is too many inexperienced people owning a dog simply because it is the thing to do!

I'd think the farmer would welcome the opportunity for a bit of target practice?

My family has had boxers for some 70 years, all through the generations, we have all grown up with these boisterous buggers. Never a single incident but they require time and attention - particularly with recall. I am not a boxer dog owner because I know what it takes to own one but their sweet nature has meant I never felt concerned when back at home with my little ones. I don't know if I am biased but this breed simply isn't the same as a Bully x etc.

It isn't dangerous to the public (and family members) when these inexperienced, irresponsible owners own a dog that doesn't have the strength to kill an adult easily though.

They’re still a nuisance though - and don’t forget relatively small dogs can still inflict serious and even lethal injury on a baby or toddler. Not to mention other pets.

@Florenz absolutely ridiculous. Shall we ban men as they kill so many women a year?

It isn't dangerous to the public (and family members) when these inexperienced, irresponsible owners own a dog that doesn't have the strength to kill an adult easily though.

Oh but injuring or killing a baby or a toddler is fine...?

That's very true @DatasCat. Maybe we could bring back tamagotchis?!

Fucking hell, that's awful and precisely the reason I've stopped taking DD out in the pram around here (also surrey). Is your DC okay?

Actually, no. With horses, I can't use old dobbin to go eventing. With dogs, it's the same. I'm not doing high level obedience with some daft fluffy pet. To do it at the level I want, I need a GSD, Doberman, Mal, or possibly a Giant Schnauzer. The characteristics that mskes these breeds great in the right hands makes them dangerous in the wrong ones.