Well done Mr Alhadi.....but what kind of parents still have a pitbull dog as a pet?

[mrsruffallo]

Thank God for this man walking past...but really shouldn't all parents be thinking hard about having these kind of dogs in the home?

I think staffs could replace lollipop people when Dave sacks them all.

Not mine, cornsilk. They have no road sense.

Cats would be better as lollipop crossing patrol supervisors.

hmm. Maybe playground supervisor then? They'd be fab at bulldog

cats are sly bastards - they would play nasty tricks...

True, true. My dogs would be good testers for those punch bag things, you know, the inflatable ones that stand up again when you hit them.

The same sort of asshole parents who own a car or a kettle?

Are staffies the new 'nanny' dog now then? It used to be pitbulls.

If a child was getting attacked by a dog I fancy my chances of booting a jack russell over the nearest hedge more than I do a chunky dog.

Well, i've been growled and snapped at (and probably would have been mauled) had I not backed away by a standard poodle.
I have been bitten by a jack russel.
Another jack russel went to bite me another time.
I know of a few people who have been bitten by spaniels but those 'nicey' dogs don't have the same hysteria effect as a bulky, muscly pitbull or rottweiler.

Dog attacks by smaller dogs and dogs of 'nicer' breeds happen quite frequently, they just don't get reported as often imo.

'I fancy my chances of booting a jack russell'

Don't underestimate the little nippers!

A young American pitbull approached my dog today> It was a lovely dog and the two of them stood sniffing one another and wagging theirt tails. All of a sudden it's owner came racing todays it, screamed at it to get away from my dog and threatened it with a leather lead. The poor thing was terrified. As it ran away from him he kicked it hard.

That dog didn't have a bad bone in it's body but it'll end up violent because of it's owner

Pitbulls are used as assistance dogs in the USA.

I have never seen a dog attack report where I didn't feel or suspect that the humans were at fault, not once.

Children should not be left alone with dogs, at all, ever, because children can't always control how they behave, nor are they always aware how they should behave and they could do something that makes the dog feel it has to bite. Bad situation for the child and dog.

Dog owners should have to pass a test prior to be able to own a dog. Too many parents allow their children to clamber all over dogs, take things from them etc and are then suprised whent he child is bitten as they think the dog was 'good natured' and 'used to children' and 'a wonderful family pet', when in fact the dog had simply been putting up with what amounts to abuse for years until it couldn't any longer.

I've got four dogs here, three pedigree Golden Retrievers and a staff cross. I'd trust any of them with my DC, I can't imagine any situation in which they would bite, but I just wouldn't risk it because I am both a responsible parent and dog owner.

'towards' not 'todays.'

For an adult.
But a smaller dog could cause severe injuries for a small child or baby.

Yeah statistics in Britain and America show retriever types and spaniels top the list for child attacks.

Certain types of owners are drawn to certain types of dog - its not as simple as blaming the breed at all.

Little old ladies who want some company and a faithful friend don't go for Staffies.

Thugs who want to 'wear' a hard looking dog that they don't socialise properly don't go for poodles.

IIRC there was a case in America? Australia? not so long ago where a baby was killed by a 7 week old Labrador puppy - hardly a killer by reputation but a dreadful combination of circumstances.

We have a Big Dog of our own (Lab/GSD/Newfie cross), well trained and socialised, and I have faith that he is not going to suddenly turn round and eat the DC (also trained in how to treat the dog). We know lots of dogs - among our friends and community its pretty normal for most people to have a dog. A well socialised dog that is loved and owned for the right reasons, not as a fashion accessory or a guard dog or a statement or a tool to intimidate.

midori assistance dogs?
I thought they were banned in many states (along with staffies which they catagorise as pitbull-type).

I have been attacked by a cat . It was bloody scary. Everyone laughed at me until a couple of weeks later there was a story in the papers about an elderly lady who had been killed by the neighbour's cat. I have 2 cats now but they are Siamese and so inbred they don't even hunt. One hangs out with my mum's lizard.
My dog (lab cross) is the most gentle, soft natured animal you could ever meet.She loves children, other dogs, cats and rabbits. I would never leave her alone with my DD (4.11 yrs). I just don't fully trust my DD to not be rough and pushed hard enough even the most placid animal could potentially turn. Not worth the risk. I had my dog for 6 years before my DD was born. If I had not owned a dog I would have waited until DD was older before I got one.

But what if the parent wasn't there?

All too frequently these attacks happen when the children have been left alone. Not saying that is right but it often happens.

There are lots of 'nice' breeds staffy size that you might struggle to pull off as well.

I think the whole breed argument is very unfair. You get some very nice staffies and pitbulls and some truly EVIL pomeranians, labradors, toy poodles etc etc.

Have to say as well, I have never come across an aggressive staffy or pitbull type and i live in an area where thats pretty much all people have.

Gah, I meant service dogs, not assistance dogs.

Here are some positive stories about Pitbulls:

www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/pospress.html

I understand that the whole breed generalisation thing is unfair, BUT staffies are very strong, stubborn and they have a lock jaw when they want to attack something. It's fair enough saying that any dog the same size can be difficult if they chose to attack. But the fact is staffies/pitballs can do more damage.

Lock jaw is a complete and utter myth!
Ask any vet/reputable breeder/staffy enthusiast etc etc.

Any larger dog can be strong and stubborn.
I imagine it would be borderline impossible to pull off a newfoundland, a golden retriever, great dane but that doesn't mean you should ban them.

Any dog is dangerous in the wrong hands and staffs and pitbulls are no different.

There are bigger dogs that could do more damage if they wanted to.