To think ALL aggressive dogs should be PTS

[JaffaMyCake]

This isn't a thread about a thread.

AIBU to think that dogs that repeatedly display signs of aggression towards humans and/or other dogs should be PTS?

I'm not talking about the odd growl here or there, but I mean dogs where the owners know that the dog can be aggressive.

As someone who has previously been bitten by a dog who the owners knew to be aggressive, but assured me was under control, I don't give two shiny shots whether you think you can control your dog, if it repeatedly behaves aggressively then it should be PTS, regardless of the circumstances in which the aggression occurs. (Obviously discounting being deliberately tormented or scared).

And before I get flamed, I love dogs and have one myself, but I know that if my dog was aggressive I wouldn't hesitate in having him PTS.

I know dogs are often "part of the family", but really, it would be far more sensible if people were stringent about this and no doubt it would prevent a lot of accidents/deaths!

dons flameproof suit

[Libertine73]

do you have a dog Ilet? you can see the signs of aggression before an attack you know.

My Mums dog has issues to say the least, she has to be harnessed, and muzzled since one of many stupid owners decided 'my dogs fine' and let them run straight into her,to which she attacked.

she loves people however, she does not have any aggression towards people.

[ChestyNut]

Very bizarre that killing dogs is so acceptable

Every dog has the potential for aggression as does every human.

Euthanasia anyone?

[Libertine73]

so yes, OP YABU.

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

ILet Of course she wasn't labelled dog aggressive before she tried to attack another dog.




Thankfully she's never managed to actually get at another dog when she's snarling and barking (and that's through good training and management rather than luck)

She plays nicely with puppies though and once brought the escaped hamster back to me in her mouth.

She's an old star really. Bless her. She struggles nowadays, getting on a bit.

[LackingEnergy]

AliceinSlumberland - should we put down all dogs who chase cats? Because that's aggression too, and on your logic it's the same.

No as that's not aggression it's built in instinct to chase potential prey which they can be trained to ignore 99% of the time.

Should all cats be pts for decimating native wildlife populations? and pooing in neighbours gardens

[pumpkinsweetie]

Yabu, because the word aggression covers too many possibilities.

[Frettchen]

One of my ferrets bit me at the weekend... He was absolutely terrified (of something he had never seen before; so we had no warning) and rather than drop him and risk losing him, I held on and he bit me. It hurt. Does that mean I ought to be popping down the vets to have him PTS? They have sharp teeth, y'know.

On another note, I thought the current way of dog behaviour thinking did away with the ideas of dog/dog and dog/human aggression and instead focused on the cause; fear aggression (being the most common; fear of other dogs or fear of people or just a fear of anything new/big/loud/sudden) and learned aggression (i.e. when the dog has been repeatedly taught to react aggressively to a stimulus/key word).

P.S. ABF - your dog is beautiful. Anyone else have a profile-dog I can coo over? I offer up my own profile-pets in exchange!

[ILetHimKeep20Quid]

Do I have dogs? Currently a westie and a cairn (Hamish and Norah) and grew up with boxers and a range of working dogs (on a farm) over the years.

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

Frettchen thank you, she is ever so gentle with the children, they adore each other. What lovely pets you have. I would love a ferret but would have no idea how to keep one!

[Damnautocorrect]

My dog went for another dog after the other dog pissed on him three times - I can't blame him for that.

[Frettchen]

Thanks, ABF. If you google STA ferret rescue - the website has more than enough info on it to tell you whether ferret keeping's for you or not. I may be a little biased, but I thoroughly recommend them as pets!

[VivaLeBeaver]

My dogs aggressive. It's bitten quite a few people. Nips but enough to draw blood sometimes and bruise at other times. But he nips and legs it rather than carry on and he is getting better. I'm not planning on having him pts.

[Fumbled]

My dog is eleven stone and hates dogs. Have had him for years out of rescue and he has never bitten another animal...loves people although his predecessor wasn't keen on them either. There are ways to manage, most dogs can be aggressive in the right circumstances.

[Fumbled]

Well the wrong circumstances...!

[midori1999]

Tbh, I think some of the posters on this thread just don't know very much about dogs or aggressive dogs and probably don't have any experience of owning one.

One of our dogs is dog aggressive. Severely so, although he is fine with my other dogs and always has been. He was a rescue and not socialised as a puppy, was kicked by humans and then attacked by a dog. He is the soppiest thing ever with my family, my cat and even my rabbits and I can guarantee just as much as anyone with any pet dog can that he will never attack a human. The fact that he is dog aggressive is irrelevant, he is no more likely to harm a person than any dog that has never shown signs of aggression is.

I also notice the OP hasn't been back and explained just how her dog got attacked by an on lead dog either.

[JaffaMyCake]

midi no need for the sarky comment really.

My dog was walking with me (leashed), the other dog was walking with its owner (also leashed) but she was on the phone and clearly not paying attention. Her dog approached my dog and I assumed since she was letting him do so, that he was not aggressive. He then attacked my (considerably smaller) dog.

The owner apologised afterwards and basically fucked off .

viva I am sorry but I really think that is very irresponsible. I do hope you warn everyone in advance that the dog bites and don't let it around children.

[JaffaMyCake]

I might be open to debate on the fact if your dog is dog aggressive and you keep it under control then fair enough, everyone can lead a happy life, but if your dog bites or is aggressive towards humans then I'm sorry but no fucking way.

Yes some dogs may very well have MH issues, but I think counselling and anti depressants for dogs is unlikely to happen. Sometimes the kindest thing is to have them PTS.

HTH

[Booboostoo]

JaffaMyCake you may benefit more from learning a bit about dog behaviour before making inflammatory, sweeping generalisations. Dogs on leads should never be allowed to socialise with other dogs as the pull of the lead makes many, otherwise fine dogs, aggressive. If your dog is involved in a fight, never place your hands in the middle of it all (as you found out you will get bitten), find something that will work as a barrier between the two dogs, e.g. a coat, large bag, piece oof cardboard and place it between the two dogs.

I take you had your dog put to sleep after that display of aggression?

[JaffaMyCake]

booboo I grew up around dogs, working in a kennels, alongside vets and did a stint with a dog behavioural expert, so I think I've learnt enough thanks. Funnily enough I've never heard that being on a lead makes dogs more aggressive unless they haven't been appropriately lead trained. If this is the case then please do inform me why at numerous dog behavioural classes I've attended the dogs have been encouraged to socialise with each other whilst on leads? .

Believe it or not I don't tend to carry large bags, coats or pieces of cardboard on summer dog walks. I did the best in the situation knowing full well I might get bitten, but I needed to protect my dog.

Why on earth would I have my dog PTS when it wasn't the one being aggressive?

[JaffaMyCake]

beer where have I said that? Not more powerful no, but more potentially dangerousq

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

You might be open to debate??

OP your issue here is with uncontrolled dogs and crap owners! A good, responsible owner would not allow their aggressive dog to go near others and would always be in control. Might I also say a good owner would also not shove their hands in the middle of a dog fight but I might be open to debate that panic makes you do silly things...

[tabulahrasa]

So if as a result of that attack your dog then became wary of approaching dogs and attacked one - you'd have it PTS?

[JaffaMyCake]

amazing I do get what you're saying, unfortunately there are far too few responsible dog owners