Protecting kids from dogs

[Yeen]

We live very close to some lovely woods where I take my DC walking most days. Lots of dog walkers as you'd expect, most dogs on lead and perfectly friendly (I haven't got a problem with dogs). However recently there's been a huge increase in very large pit bull type breeds (I think they're American Bully XL dogs), and they never seem to be on leads - owners often miles away. I find these types of dogs really intimidating and most of the recent dog attacks in the news seem to involve them. I have no idea how I would even go about attempting to protect my DC if one attacked. If one is nearby I make sure DC aren't running around and are standing with me. Are there any other practical steps I could take?! I am usually carrying a hot drink of some sort, is that going to be of any practical use against a dog if it attacks??

No not triggered thanks. I'm concerned about me, my dog, my kids, your kids and public safety actually. And I'm in agreement that XL bully dogs are a threat. I'm questioning whether we are all in agreement as to what exactly is an xl bully first? as someone else mentioned its a mogrel basically, so how can we get them banned? any ideas?

You cannot ban XL bullies because they are not a breed. They are mixed breeds and there is no recognized breed standard for them in the UK, therefore they're a mix breeds that varies from dog to dog.

Besides, fatal dog attacks are increasing year on year, which in itself proves that BSL does nothing to reduce fatal attacks.

I would like to see them banned but on health grounds, not under BSL. Ban the breeding of any animals which do not have up-to-date, extensive health checks, and ban the deliberate and unnecessary breeding of cross-breeds.

These poor dogs are horrifically deformed and their health is abysmal.

To the people going on about other breeds being more vicious/attaching.. Chihuahuas etc we know that, there is that risk with EVERY dog however the issue is the XLs are bred to be bigger and more muscly and strong type of dogs. The type of people that own them feed them very specific diets to enhance muscle growth and strength. The issue is that if they attack you wouldn't be able to detach, get away or take it on as an adult as you would maybe another dog. You might say the attacks are less common than that of a chihuahua or Jack Russel but they are more likely to be FATAL especially for a child, hence talks about them arising in the House of Commons. No one can deny these dogs are dangerous and we wouldn't be hearing about more cases of them in the news if they wasn't. Any one with a sane mind would be more cautious of them

That's the problem MiniTheMinx, they are such a genetic mix up. Even if you google images of them, they're similar but not really the same, so it would be really difficult. I'm not sure that dog lovers have a problem with banning XL Bullies - It's because I love dogs that I wish XL Bs were banned, so that I could walk my lovely natured dog without fear of encountering one.

@MiniTheMinx uh oh. Another mad doggo obsessive. as long as the puppies are happy

The Xl bully obsessives will always wail about smaller dogs such as chihuahuas being aggressive choosing to ignore that a bite from a very small dogs is very rarely disfiguring or fatal. As long as they can deflect from the very real evidence that those horrible huge dogs are a genuine threat to people they are happy. They are probably type of people who 'prefer dogs to humans.' (Because they can't form healthy human relationships due to their personality issues.)

@Chasingadvice If you truly believe in your statements/comments you should stop trying to deflect from them with playground insults.

SidekickSylvia I have left a field recently and brought my dog home to get away from an XL bully. I looked at a house, the neighbour had one in the garden, so I didn't move there.....ridiculous really, but unless a way can be found to ban these dogs?

Frequency yes they seem to waddle and lumbar along, their breathing is compromised (yes Pugs, I know....I like some brachy dogs but some are so deformed and suffering) their eyes seem to be set odd within the skull, often very close together, often they have lots of skin issues which seems made worse by trying to breed tri- colours, many are deaf, some are turning up in rescue badly deformed and incontinent from a young age. I think some of the Xl dogs look as though something is deformed with their skulls.

But many "mongrels" of none xl bully type are very healthy dogs with good temperament. So should we ban all dogs that are not pure bred.

Clamping down on breeding, dog licences, banning of cross breeds, or certain cross breeds, having to have papers that prove your dogs breed and lineage, and all dogs on leads in public spaces, and dogs over a certain weight to wear muzzles in public places? Is all of this reasonable and achievable? I don't know, which is why I'm asking.

@MiniTheMinx I have nothing against crossbreeds. My own dog is am unknown mix of breeds, however, responsible breeding should enhance a line of dogs or serve a purpose. We don't need any new dogs. Any and every purpose a dog could fill already has a breed in existence to fill it, so yes, we should ban all breeding of crossbreeds.

BSL will never prevent fatal dog attacks. If it was fit for purpose it would have worked by now but controlling the sale and breeding of dogs would do a great deal to address the excess numbers of dogs we have and also prevent a lot of people who want status symbols instead of pets from being able to get hold ofa dog. No responsible breeder would sell to them and no rescue would rehome to them.

I don't it is necessary to muzzle all dogs, nor do I think it would help any, since 99.99% of fatal attacks occur in private homes. Muzzles also have to be properly fitted to work. It's not as easy as just buying one from Amazon and sticking your dog's nose in it.

I'm sorry you feel like I am making playground insults. That's not my intention. Are you okay? I didn't mean to offend your sensibilities.

The Xl bully obsessives will always wail about smaller dogs such as chihuahuas being aggressive
I'm not seeing any XL bully obsessives here. My query is whether most people coud identify an XL bully on sight, or whether they're knee-jerk applying the term to any large dog they don't like the look of.

The problem of XL bullies proves that breed specific legislation is not the solution. You can't solve the problem by banning breeds when the problem you're pointing out isn't with a recognised breed.

If you genuinely want to remove dangerous dogs from society, then the first step is to get away from banning by breed. It doesn't address the problem and it doesn't work.

It really worries me too as I have a baby and two dogs so I feel quite vulnerable when I'm out walking, especially as one of the dogs is little and old and the bigger one is lead reactive so barks at other dogs which I worry would provoke the wrong type of dog. Lifting their back legs up or spraying them with water will not deter a dog that is latched on. I've heard the only way is to get a lead round their neck and choke them until they need to breathe and let go. I'm just hoping I never have to put this to the test 😭

the bigger one is lead reactive so barks at other dogs which I worry would provoke the wrong type of dog
You do know that your dog is one of the 'wrong type'? It's not breed, it's behaviour that's the problem. You're walking with two dogs and a baby, so worry about how much control you have of your dogs before worrying about everyone else's.

These XL bully creatures are an absolute menace, I don't know what the solution is they are terrifying☹️

So she's not allowed to leave the house because she barks at dogs that run up to her? Ridiculous comment 😂 I have 100% control of the dogs because they are on leads.. Do you understand what lead reactivity is? If everyone else had control of their dogs she wouldn't be reactive.

You are vulnerable with a baby and two dogs especially a reactive dog. You may feel that you have full control of them but if the large one bolts and pulls you over- what then? If another dog doesn't take lightly to being barked at and runs over to attack your dog what will you do? Protect your baby or try to break the dogs apart? Or if the dog who has run up to you attacks the smaller one?

Saying you have 100% control over your dogs especially when with a baby just isn't true.

Yes, I do. Our dog was lead reactive when we first got her. But I could devote my full attention to her when walking and not be distracted by a second dog and a child. We were fortunate, her reactivity was associated with her being unsettled after being abandoned and rehomed, and over a period of 12-18 months she settled and lost the reactivity.

Do you understand what lead reactivity is? If everyone else had control of their dogs she wouldn't be reactive.
You might want to check your own understanding of lead reactivity.

She's not big enough to pull me over but I appreciate the sentiment. Again, she's reactive on the lead when dogs off lead run up to her. So if other people had control or even understood lead etiquette that you don't let your off lead dog approach one on lead we wouldn't have a problem. Baby is strapped to my back so I have my hands but I wouldn't want to be reaching down to break apart fighting dogs. The bigger dog is fast enough to run off so I could unlead her and she'd get away but it's the small old one I worry about. Luckily we live rurally so haven't seen any XL bullies round here but we did venture further into town a few weeks ago and saw one..

I'm not a fan of dogs full stop if I'm honest but I don't wish any ill on them, and the little ones don't make me nervous even if they are a bit aggressive, because I know I could protect myself and my kids against them.

I have two cats, and they are very soft and gentle for cats, but combined they don't even weigh 8 kg. Can you imagine if someone bred a 70kg cat and let it wander around? It would be like having a lion on the loose.

Where am I incorrect? And you haven't answered my question? So you believe we should all stay inside because of a small percentage of twats that let their off lead dogs run up her? As a dog person who's has a reactive dog surely you know that's bad etiquette?

@Yeen What type of dog weighs 70kg?

If one of these attacks you you've got no chance, best thing to do is offer it your throat and hope for a quick death.
Don't try to run, it can easily at run a human, don't waste your energy trying to stab it, it's impervious to pain it just wants to dismember you and nothing will stop it.
The only chance you've got is if someone in the vicinity is carrying a gun and is a good shot, this will need to happen before it gets so close that you're at risk too if the gunman or woman tries to save your life.

If an attack happens try to lift back legs of the dog. They will of course try to whip round to bite you so you are relying in someone else grabbing the dog when you do it. If wearing a collar get your hand in it amd twist so you cut the dogs airway off.
There are some good dog training tiktok accounts on what to do if attacked so search on there.

Your dog is lead reactive whether or not there are other dogs around her. She doesn't stop being lead reactive just because the stimulus that triggers it isn't present.

Yes, it's bad etiquette to allow off-lead dogs to approach on-lead dogs without checking. But it's naive/entitled to know you have a lead reactive dog and see everyone else as the problem and accept no responsibility yourself.