Page 4 | Woman looses arm due to dog bite

Drlovestrong · 2023-04-20T09:30:26+00:00

Dog owner who lost arm after pet bit her is suing RSPCA for £200K [[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11992905/Rescue-dog-owner-lost-arm-pet-bit-suing-RSPCA-200-000.html?ito=native_share_article-nativemenubutton https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11992905/Rescue-dog-owner-lost-arm-pet-bit-suing-RSPCA-200-000.html?ito=native_share_article-nativemenubutton]] Can we talk about this? I am appalled at the amount of dog bites (fatal and otherwise). What is going on?! I am a life long owner of dogs, they are my favourite animal, but I think this article should be discussed. A few years back, a friend relinquished her two staffies to a local dog rescue. She hadn't trained her pets and after the birth of her second child she felt she couldn't trust them around her children. One attempted to bite her and she felt they were unstable and aggressive. She fully disclosed all of this information to the rescue and was disappointed and anxious that when she went online to look at the rescues advert of the dogs, the descriptions of them were not accurate and they were being advertised as suitable for families with children aged 5+. I was shocked that a rescue would do this but have since learnt this wasn't a one off and other people have similar stories to tell. I love dogs and this isn't about me trying to tell people not to rescue dogs but hoped we could discuss our thoughts and opinions on it. Personally I wouldn't ever rescue a dog as a mother with children at home. I had this viewpoint long before any of this came to light. I feel its too risky to have a dog that you cannot be certain of its history in and around young children. Anyway....what do you think? Thanks

FurElise · 20/04/2023 12:59

This makes me so sad for all the good rescue dogs who won't get their forever homes because of these kind of stories. Yes, some rescue dogs are dangerous. Most aren't. Just like most dogs, most people, most cars, most holiday destinations - risk is part of life.

I have the most amazing 5 year old ex-puppy farm breeding bitch rescue. She's covered in little scars (and some not so little ones), is terrified of loud noises (especially anything happy/electrical which makes me think she was prodded with an electric stick 😭) but she's 100% the best dog I've ever known. She's sweet, patient, kind and so loving. She always finds the most vulnerable person in a room and lies at their feet. So if you're small (or a child), sick, elderly, pregnant, whatever, she's going to keep an eye on you to make sure my other dogs don't get too boisterous or jump up.

I'm an experienced dog owner though with particular experience in the breed I've rescued. I do think rescue can be more dangerous with inexperienced owners, especially if the dogs are larger/more powerful/known to be potentially aggressive.

Thesharkradar · 20/04/2023 13:00

we should not classify dogs according to their propensity for aggression we should classify them according to their ability to cause damage.

Ylvamoon · 20/04/2023 13:01

RunningFromInsanity · 20/04/2023 12:39

Rescues gets absolutely slaughtered when they PTS dogs.
They cannot win either way.

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To many do godders= people who see dogs as fluffy cuddly toys rather than the actual animals they are.

I don't like/ support pet rescues after meeting several people who have been matched with unsuitable dogs.

The rescue needs to take full responsibility.

No all dogs are suitable as a pet. Not all types/ breeds are fit for a lifetime as a pet.
But even here on MN are numerous threads about unsuitable dogs with people piling on suggestions and offering help- anything but the obvious PTS for a stressed, underestimated and dangerous dog.

TruthsAndALie · 20/04/2023 13:02

Kanaloa · 20/04/2023 12:53

If the lady who was attacked was an experienced handler who was given all the information that the dogs had previously bitten, then yes. The issue op mentions is that her friend was completely honest about the dogs, and the rescue then lied when trying to rehome them. She wasn’t ‘expecting them to kennel them forever’ she was simply having the reasonable expectation that the rescue wouldn’t lie.

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As I said in my original post, rescue charities need to take some responsibility - by not lying or ignoring worrying behaviour etc.

But I stand by the fact there are far too many dog owners passing problems on to a charity with no comeback on them whatsoever, like OPs friend. If they hadn’t bought the dogs in the first place they wouldn’t have created more and more demand for breeding. It’s not worked out for whatever reason, so just give it away and it’s someone else’s’ problem. Not ok.

Redebs · 20/04/2023 13:02

Xrays · 20/04/2023 10:33

Poor woman.

I’ll be shot down but no one needs to have a dog like that. If a dog if that size and strength decides to bite you it’s going to do some serious damage. If a Yorkshire terrier goes for you it’s not the same threat. That’s why we more breeds banned. No wannabe gangster who wants to look “hard” is going to choose a cocker spaniel or a border terrier as a pet. We need to get real about these breeds and the types of people choosing them.

Yes, definitely

Mistymoonsinastarrysky · 20/04/2023 13:03

SleepingTilSummer · 20/04/2023 12:23

The bizarre thing is that the RSPCA will happily kill hard to rehome dogs at the drop of a hat.

Thats the impression I get of them, they’re more likely to euthanise than others, which makes this case make no sense. If they knew, I’m surprised they didn’t euthanise.

Our local RSPCA won’t let you adopt if you have ever had an animal put to sleep yet they’ll rehome potentially dangerous dogs?
Bloody ridiculous.

Kanaloa · 20/04/2023 13:04

TruthsAndALie · 20/04/2023 13:02

As I said in my original post, rescue charities need to take some responsibility - by not lying or ignoring worrying behaviour etc.

But I stand by the fact there are far too many dog owners passing problems on to a charity with no comeback on them whatsoever, like OPs friend. If they hadn’t bought the dogs in the first place they wouldn’t have created more and more demand for breeding. It’s not worked out for whatever reason, so just give it away and it’s someone else’s’ problem. Not ok.

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Right, but I was responding to your comment about ‘what does the friend expect?’ She was expecting the rescue to advertise the dogs honestly as unsuitable for a family home. The rescue didn’t do that. So of course the friend should take responsibility for getting two dogs and not socialising them correctly, but the rescue must take responsibility if the dogs attack a child in a family home because the owner was extremely honest about the situation and they chose to ignore that.

Redebs · 20/04/2023 13:05

TruthsAndALie · 20/04/2023 13:02

As I said in my original post, rescue charities need to take some responsibility - by not lying or ignoring worrying behaviour etc.

But I stand by the fact there are far too many dog owners passing problems on to a charity with no comeback on them whatsoever, like OPs friend. If they hadn’t bought the dogs in the first place they wouldn’t have created more and more demand for breeding. It’s not worked out for whatever reason, so just give it away and it’s someone else’s’ problem. Not ok.

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And some charities specialise in importing dogs from countries like Romania, bringing with them serious diseases that can affect the UK dog population. Some of these are transmissible to humans.

PuttingOnTheKitsch · 20/04/2023 13:07

MissPoldark · 20/04/2023 10:47

Look at it. That’s not a dog, it’s a monster!

a ban on these American bully dogs and xl bullies really can’t come soon enough.

Yes. This needs to happen ASAP. None of this "Deed not breed", "children don't know how to behave around them" and "I know a cocker spaniel who bit someone once" nonsense.

These dogs are not normal and are unsafe in society.

Look at this case. The dogs escaped into someone's garden and fatally injured her. That is not normal dog behaviour. The dogs had no reason to "feel threatened" (as the apologists always claim. They were the aggressors

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2023/04/18/man-admits-being-in-charge-of-dogs-which-caused-death-of-pensioner/

Smethwick man admits being in charge of dogs which caused death of Rowley Regis pensioner

Darren Pritchard was warned a custodial sentence is likely over the fatal attack on 85-year-old Lucille Downer and two drug-related offences.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2023/04/18/man-admits-being-in-charge-of-dogs-which-caused-death-of-pensioner

SlightlyJaded · 20/04/2023 13:08

I love dogs and very much believe that they are MOSTLY the product of their training and home, but I think it's only a matter of time before American XL Bullys are added to the banned dog list. They are far too powerful and unpredictable. On that basis, just get on with it and outlaw them now.

There is a couple near me that walks two of them on massive gold 'bling' chain leads in our park It's obvious to anyone that they are not in control of them and using them as status symbols. I have always quickly put my DDog on a lead when I see them closeby and most others do as well. Unfortunately a couple of weeks ago, one of them attached a small dog who was on a lead, and caused awful injuries including taking her eye out. The owner of the attacked dog was hysterical and trying to intervene despite the fact that she very clearly put herself in danger by doing so - whilst the Bully XL owners were calling their dog by his name but doing nothing else. They were completely ineffectual. They then walked off leaving this poor dog whimpering and fighting for its life saying "dogs will be dogs".

Everyone knows it was their dog and there are picture on our local facebook page, but they have denied it so the dog is still out being walked. Makes me so angry.

Mistymoonsinastarrysky · 20/04/2023 13:08

Redebs · 20/04/2023 13:05

And some charities specialise in importing dogs from countries like Romania, bringing with them serious diseases that can affect the UK dog population. Some of these are transmissible to humans.

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I have a Romanian rescue via a charity, she has records of her health checks, full vaccinations, micro chip etc.
She’s simply a wonderful companion, we’re very lucky.

Thesharkradar · 20/04/2023 13:10

SlightlyJaded · 20/04/2023 13:08

I love dogs and very much believe that they are MOSTLY the product of their training and home, but I think it's only a matter of time before American XL Bullys are added to the banned dog list. They are far too powerful and unpredictable. On that basis, just get on with it and outlaw them now.

There is a couple near me that walks two of them on massive gold 'bling' chain leads in our park It's obvious to anyone that they are not in control of them and using them as status symbols. I have always quickly put my DDog on a lead when I see them closeby and most others do as well. Unfortunately a couple of weeks ago, one of them attached a small dog who was on a lead, and caused awful injuries including taking her eye out. The owner of the attacked dog was hysterical and trying to intervene despite the fact that she very clearly put herself in danger by doing so - whilst the Bully XL owners were calling their dog by his name but doing nothing else. They were completely ineffectual. They then walked off leaving this poor dog whimpering and fighting for its life saying "dogs will be dogs".

Everyone knows it was their dog and there are picture on our local facebook page, but they have denied it so the dog is still out being walked. Makes me so angry.

This is a very shocking story, the owners of the American bullies are acting as if they are completely invincible and above the law .... Presumably because they have this dog that everyone's terrified of

3luckystars · 20/04/2023 13:11

I saw one of these dogs out walking and it was absolutely terrifying, and I love dogs. It was a beast.

Womanofcustard · 20/04/2023 13:16

In case no one else has stated it - the RSPCA do not deal with those sort of dogs. Anything dodgy is pts. Which is why people use other dog rescue organisations. The RSPCA are also very strict about potential owners lifestyle etc (won’t allow rehoming to people who work full time, very careful re children and other pets). One of the reasons why people turn to these other charities and rehome dogs from abroad - less checks.

Newyeardietstartstomorrow · 20/04/2023 13:16

A friend was hospitalised after being attacked by their American Bulldog. They are supposed to be stock guarding dogs, but sadly some of the modern athletic types, particularly the XLs have been selectively bred for dog fighting. When you pick up the cute puppy you've no idea what personality traits have been bred into them. Their ability and looks seem to be making them the fighting dog or "hard image" dog of choice in our region.

Catspyjamas17 · 20/04/2023 13:20

It's crazy that the RSPCA didn't do anything after she told them it tried to bite her a week before the incident. Taking a massive risk.

Catspyjamas17 · 20/04/2023 13:22

Womanofcustard · 20/04/2023 13:16

In case no one else has stated it - the RSPCA do not deal with those sort of dogs. Anything dodgy is pts. Which is why people use other dog rescue organisations. The RSPCA are also very strict about potential owners lifestyle etc (won’t allow rehoming to people who work full time, very careful re children and other pets). One of the reasons why people turn to these other charities and rehome dogs from abroad - less checks.

Well, quite clearly they did "deal with those sort of dogs" in this case. Badly.

Thesharkradar · 20/04/2023 13:27

Newyeardietstartstomorrow · 20/04/2023 13:16

A friend was hospitalised after being attacked by their American Bulldog. They are supposed to be stock guarding dogs, but sadly some of the modern athletic types, particularly the XLs have been selectively bred for dog fighting. When you pick up the cute puppy you've no idea what personality traits have been bred into them. Their ability and looks seem to be making them the fighting dog or "hard image" dog of choice in our region.

She had the dog destroyed of course?

Thesharkradar · 20/04/2023 13:30

Womanofcustard · 20/04/2023 13:16

In case no one else has stated it - the RSPCA do not deal with those sort of dogs. Anything dodgy is pts. Which is why people use other dog rescue organisations. The RSPCA are also very strict about potential owners lifestyle etc (won’t allow rehoming to people who work full time, very careful re children and other pets). One of the reasons why people turn to these other charities and rehome dogs from abroad - less checks.

What a racket... stupid people paying through the nose for feral Street dogs from third world countries

WhatASillyPredicament · 20/04/2023 13:31

'Isn’t there set amounts in law for injuries? It’s probably that your arm is apparently worth £200k in UK law. 😔'

Exactly, limbs are irreplaceable, now that poor woman will have to get some sort of prosthetic. Some people earn that in a year or two. This lady will be affected for life, they should be giving her alot more than that, appalling!

WhatASillyPredicament · 20/04/2023 13:33

Also the laws for dog owners whose out of control mistreated dogs attack people badly, are absolutely pathetic. They're no deterrent whatsoever.

ufriella · 20/04/2023 13:43

Parsley1234 · 20/04/2023 10:31

I think she was taking a massive risk with an American Bulky that had been put into a rescue

Definitely! Surely she'd have researched the breed before adopting, so no excuse really.

ufriella · 20/04/2023 13:46

Though it should never have been available for fostering or adoption given its history

Thesharkradar · 20/04/2023 13:48

ufriella · 20/04/2023 13:46

Though it should never have been available for fostering or adoption given its history

Maybe they were desperate to get rid of it because they were all scared of it so they gave it to the first person who offered 🤷

Original poster

Drlovestrong · 20/04/2023 13:53

TellMeTheMewth · 20/04/2023 11:40

I think it's really awful and I agree, I feel like more discussions need to be had and more needs to be done, though I'm not exactly sure what.

We went to see a rescue dog that was described as being absolutely great with children and was one of the few dogs I had seen described as being suitable for homing with young children.

I actually posted on here (under a different name) before attending the rescue for the first meet, and people were quite shocked just based on my description that the dog had been described as suitable for a family with young children. I was a bit confused and conflicted but went to view the dog anyway. Turns out she was an ex street dog, LSG mix. Very off, rescue were obviously hiding a lot of stuff about her. Took absolutely ages for them to bring the dog out, later realised it's because the dog was so difficult to get on the lead. Wouldn't let me hold her on the lead either. Essentially, even to an inexperienced dog owner, it was so clear that the dog needed a lot of work and help and was absolutely not suitable for a home where small children may provoke her.

I think rescues need to be more honest. I understand they want dogs rehomed but can you imagine the dangerous scenarios they are creating?

This was an absolutely lovely kennel btw, the facilities looked amazing and staff were lovely. They also seemed to do a caring adoption process and wouldn't just hand the dog over, but at best they were massively wasting my time and upsetting the dog by withholding information that was pretty clear upon actually meeting the dog.

Advertised as suitable for families and couldn't get the dog on a lead even?!

Jesus wept.

OP posts: