To worry about our new neighbours Staffordshire Bull Terrier .

[designergirl]

are they dangerous dogs? It's a puppy at the moment.

Faithless - how the hell did you keep your temper? I'd have been locked up by now if some child stood on and kicked my dogs.

Andrew:

"Sorry: children should be safe from dogs even if they are not used to dogs and might behave in a way which the owner regards as "provoking" the dog. It is always the dog-owner's responsibility if a dog attacks a child - never that of the child or the parent. "

There's so much bollocks-speak in there that I don't know where to start.

Let me tell you something which a rescue owner told me yesterday, about a dog which was returned to the rescue by the owner:

"the owner said the dog bit the child in an unprovoked attack. At the vets surgery, the top of a biro pen was found embedded deep in the dogs ear."

The dog's fault, eh?

I'm terrified of them after watching one attack a quiet, timid dog on a leash. It was lucky it wasn't a fatal attack. It was lucky it wasn't a child.

Why do people want to have dogs that intimidate others?

Why are people intimidated by a dog based on appearence alone?

OP, now that you've given us some more info, some further thoughts which may be helpful.

There is a charity called Pets as Therapy - they have dogs which are carefully assessed as being super docile, gentle and good with kids/older people - the dogs are often taken in to visits to schools and old peoples homes. You could contact them and they would be very happy to provide a supervised meeting for you and your DC to allow your DC to meet a gentle, well behaved dog and slowly become accustomed to them. As your DC grow up they will not be able to avoid meeting dogs in the street, or at the park, so it makes sense to try to work to avoid a deep fear.

There are also some brilliant American posters, produced by a vet called Sophia Yin, which give lovely, clear instructions on how children and dogs can interact and play together. You can download and print them for free - see link [[http://info.drsophiayin.com/download-free-poster-how-kids-and-pets-should-not-interact/ here]]

For the puppy, a few more ideas. It's good that you've contacted the Dog Warden - you haven't said if the roaming has continued? If it does so, please get back on to the DW as soon as possible. It will also be worth contacting your local Councillor and insisting the Council take action. If you are in social housing, please also report the dog straying to the local housing office - it could well be in breach of tenancy agreement. Many social landlords are now making chipping of dogs compulsory ( a very positive step) and recognise the problems caused by irresponsible dog ownership. Ensure your own fences/garden are secure so that it cannot stray into your garden area. If you have a PCSO in your area, contact them as well and make sure you report the straying via local non emergency number too, as it's recognised now as being Anti Social Behaviour. The key with many of these public agencies is to insist on complaints being taken, as often local priorities are driven by numbers of complaints, so make this work for you. It may well also be useful to attend a local PACT meeting if problem continues.

While I do sympathise with your concerns, I'd say that the puppy is at far greater risk at the moment - by straying, he/she could be hit by a car, stolen, poisoned, or chased by other animals. Also, if picked up by DW, the charges for release are quite high.

Powerofknickers (love the name btw) staffs can be dog aggressive without proper socialisation, however they are very rarely aggressive towards people.
This stems fromntheir history of being used for dog fighting, as the dog needed to be aggressive and want to fight other dogs, but when the owner went into the pit to retrieve the animal after the fight, they generally like to come out with all their limbs attached.
Staffs are lovely cuddly pets, mine is desperately friendly and a firm favourite with all the local kids.

Staffies are lovely little dogs in my experience and great with children. Some can be a bit funny with other dogs, but have never known one that wasn't friendly and gentle with people.

They should definitely not be putting the poor thing out to roam the streets on its own though, that's shocking and irresponsible behaviour. Definitely right to report that, don't hesitate to do so again if need be. Though I'd be worried more about the pup's own safety than your child's in this particular case.

We had a staffie in our family when I was a kid. There were 7 kids in our family. We loved her to death but used to torment her rotten. Despite having action men strapped to her back , being dressed up in various humiliating outfits and regularly being pushed down the hill while sitting in a gocart which broke every health and safety regulation known to man, she was a little lamb. We used to have play fights with her and thought nothing of rolling round on the floor with an arm in her mouth while she made growlie noises and pretended to be mad.

It is awful and dangerous to be afraid of dogs. Running away from a dog is not sensible at all, and will make the dog think that the running thing is something to be caught. So... you may end up with a bitten runner and a dead dog because the dog will be put down for biting. Dogs are a part of the world as we are, and it is our responsibility to stay safe and behave in such a way that keeps us as safe as we can be.

Dogsbestfriend- I actually don't know but know I said very loudly something about dog biting little shit. It pissed me off no end.

Thepoweroforangeknickers- unfortunately all breeds can be like that. The breed doesn't mean anything, IIRC Dalmations are one of the worst dogs for attacking people.

My westie hates Dalmations. He got menaced by one when he was a puppy and I think he thinks they are all the same dog and wants revenge.

All dogs should be treated equally whatever the breed. It worries me that some people wont let their kids near a staffy because of their look but will gladly let them near anything that looks 'friendly'.

Like mine, who looks like a cute fluffy toy but who is in fact a little bastard.

There's a picture of him on my profile, take a look and see how aggressive and scary he looks.

:o He is very cute.

Children should be taught NEVER to approach a dog on the lead without first asking. It is soooo dangerous, and I get pretty peeved if my dogs' lives are put at risk because some parent hasn't told their kid not to come close without asking.

Any animal with teeth is capable of biting. That includes us.

Yup, my cute little ball of fluff would have your hand off if you mistreat or scared him. I've never met a Staffy so highly strung or prone to agression as he is.

I keep him away from situations where is likely to get scared/aggressive and we've worked loads on building up his confidence and socialising him. He's still a twat when the fancy takes him.

Perhaps we should all have all our teeth ripped out and replaced with rubber falsies, just in case we nip someone? Until the 1920s people did have all their teeth pulled out as it was so expensive to keep them in. They didn't have rubber replacements though.

I have 4 young children. None of them would ever tease/ torment any dog or animal. They would never knowingly provoke a dog. As for not running away, how can I tell my 3 year old not to run away if a dog is chasing her. Do you remember what 3 year olds are like? She has human rights. She can't go out onto the street and remember not to run around, wave her arms and shout just in case some idiot has decided to let his/her dog run around the area. Thanks for the suggestion about getting her used to friendly animals, that sou ds like a good idea. I'll look in to that.

They haven't let the dog out again on it's own since though, so that's a good thing

Well, DBF, there are some very nasty children around, I don't deny it. But you can't set rules by cases like that.

Tanif I know people like you use the pooper-scoper but most owners don't. Why should children be at risk of falling on dogshit?

I keep on coming back to this: children (and if you haven't guessed I'm hopelessly soft and sentimental about them) are our future, a necessary, to be loved and cherished. Pets are not necessary and must take second place.

As for people breeding and keeping dogs to do harm - to adults or children or even other animals - don't get me started.

Southmum I'm not following the hype like a sheep. That's why I posted, to find out other people's opinions. If I just followed hype I would just make my own mind up, not ask others points of views.

Thanks Andrewofgg, I agree with you

Oh, Andrew, (and, erm designergirl) you should spend more time around dogs, if you have such strong beliefs about them and don't feel happy just to let them be.
Scuttlebutter - and lots of others - have given some exceppent advice, here.
Andrew - most dog owners are very responsible re. clearing up after their dogs, etc.

On my high horse here, perhaps, a bit, but I feel very sorry for children who are brought up not to be around animals and told animals are 'dangerous'.