Another dog attack- 4 year old killed. Devastating

[singingsussie]

Just woke up to this news this morning. It's just so incredibly heartbreaking for all involved. Seems to be happening so much more than ever these days

I agree. It’s child endangerment, neglect at best.
Fuck calling these ‘tragic accidents’, if you bring a fully grown American bulldog of unknown temperament into your house and let it around your child within a few weeks, you should be punished for what inevitably happens.

@XenoBitch

Well yes . Same for flats , they don't have the space and they should be banned from owning these huge muscles dogs by councils and HA's.

That's a good idea actually

The majority of the fatal dog attacks are happening in the home, with the family's own dog. It is not random attacks by dogs on the street.

There just seem to be so many more dogs around now. I was walking in the local park this week, saw many dogs running off lead, then heard a screaming, howling noise. One dog had apparently attacked another, the smaller looked badly injured. Bad enough, could have been a child.

That's not needed. What's needed is education. I have an American Akita that is well trained and extremely well supervised. I would never rehome this animal or this breed with anyone under 10 years old (older in reality) but we had him from a pup and raised him "properly" and he is fine with our daughter who was 5/6 when we got him.

But we knew that it could go very wrong if we didn't put the effort in as all good owners should.

Absolutely agree. The parents could have prevented her death by not getting a dog of a breed known for savaging children to death.

Ban the sale of dogs from all sites like gumtree and preloved. There will always be a hidden underbelly, but you can still make it as difficult as possible to buy a dog on a whim.

Ideally only legally from a registered breeder (though I also think breeder regulations need to be tightening up a lot more - and some breeds should just be a complete no go for domestic pets). The kind where you HAVE to go on a waiting list, and the breeder will vet you.

Make dog ownership more expensive. Compulsory insurance, like owning a car (again, you'll always get some arseholes breaking the rule, but at LEAST make it reportable and punishable). Compulsory training.

If you haven't got the patience, funds or time for that then...tough shit. Owning a dog isn't a right. It's a privilidge and a responsibility, or at least it should be.

@KendrickLamaze But we don't make laws based on the premise that people will always behave sensibly and intelligently manage risks. Otherwise why would seatbelts be legally required? Why would employers be legally required to protect the health and safety of staff? Laws are often there to protect the stupid from themselves, and the innocent from the stupid.

My daughters boyfriend insisted on getting one. They've had her from 11 weeks old. She's now 8 months and huge. They say they are doing all the right things regarding training etc but they live in a large house with no access to a garden so she messes a lot in the house. My dgs age 8 hates going home and says the house doesn't feel nice anymore. We have him most weekends to helps his mum out. I'm so worried. I've spoken to them but they think she's just a big soppy dog. The bf plans to breed from her!!!! I'm lost as to what to do x

Lots of people saying it was an XL bully (and no I wouldn't be at all surprised) but had anyone actually got a link to that?

This article posted 45 minutes ago says breed not yet confirmed.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dog-kills-child-family-pet-milton-keynes-b2273812.html

@WingingItSince1973 that sounds really worrying.
Not only the XL bully with the Grand child but they have no garden !
And are letting a dangerous dog shit in the house
That’s neglect of the dog as well as disgusting and dangerous for your grandchild.
Can you bring this up with your daughter again

For your grandson's sake I'd report the dog as a 'pit-bull' like breed and any concerning behaviour you've heard about.

You can do it anonomously.

agree with this @WingingItSince1973 if that was my grandchild, I’d be very worried too.

Those dogs have no place around children. What was your dd thinking allowing it.

I’ve always had rescue dogs but this time round as I had kids it had to be a puppy. When you get a rescue you are ultimately testing its temperament on your child, something I would never do. It’s to risky. That goes for all breeds from tiny dogs who could rip your child face open to large breeds who can kill. If you have children do not rehome a dog.

@AzureOrchid @EvilGoldfish thanks for your replies. I have bought it up numerous times but it doesn't go down well. She has changed so much since he moved in. She would never have considered this type of dog ever. She's really poorly too and not coping very well. I would love to report it but I don't know how to and if it would end up coming out it was me. They say the dog is from a lovely breeder. They have been back several times with the dog for play dates etc

Ofcourse it was an 'xl bully' or variation thereof.

I really wish we'd stop calling them that. They are bloody pitbulls, crossed with various other intelligent and powerful breeds that need very careful and experienced handling handling.

Usually bought, then resold, then bought, then 'rescued' from a selling site. Hardly ever chipped or vaccinated.

And owned by the type of people that I wouldn't trust to be able to tell left from right reliably.

I know one person who did a DNA test on hers.

Mainly pitbull, with a dash of cane corso, american bulldog, american staffy, and ridgebacks to name a few. Put down after biting her.

I agree.

Another needless death.
Why do people with young children bring these dogs into their homes ?

@Iwantabloodypizza

And breed from it . Boyfriend sounds an absolute tool and I'd be encouraging DD to tell him he either has his dog or family but he's not having both . Do not let DGS become another dead child statistic.

Report it to the police on 101. Or you can do it anonymously on webchat.

they will assess the dog and hopefully trigger an SS referal.

ideally you should report it to social services as if it isn’t a banned breed they can’t do anything. Ss will have more power to asses your dgs safety.

@WingingItSince1973 you could say you regularly walk past this house and have frequently seen a pit bull etc , give ur daughters address and say you want to remain anonymous.
I would be worried if you are saying your daughter is poorly , these large dogs attack and kill adults too. If she is poorly and not fit to control the dog then she and your grandson are both at risk.

I’m so angry about this on so many levels.

—The needless death of a child
-Poor dog ownership and animal welfare
-Importation of unsuitable breeds by money-grabbing morons from the USA to circumvent the ban on pit bulls to satisfy demand from other morons.

But also, today I think of those women struggling to conceive or going through IVF or the rigours of adoption who would undoubtedly have put the needs of a child first and are having to read about this.

@wingingit I don't want to scare you more than you probably already are .

If I were you I'd be doing everything I could to make sure your dgs isn't the next terrible news story. Including reporting the dog anonomously (call 111), just make sure to mention that it looks like a banned breed and that it is dangerous.

I'm willing to bet this gem of a boyfriend isn't the father of your dgs. So he won't give a fuck. If anything happens to your dgs or daughter he will walk away scot free, able to say 'not my fault' and free to move on to the next gullible woman.

@Tartifletti it's a good point but I think seatbelts are to prevent and sometimes there is nothing that can be done to avoid an accident - intelligent or not. They protect others and yourself. I think our laws are based on that premise but I can't think of any right now.

You'd be as stupid to drive fast without a seatbelt as leave a child and dog unattended.

Sorry @WingingItSince1973 I meant 101.