to not understand why people have these types of dogs in their homes

[FunnysInLaJardin]

I've heard the arguments for and against keeping pit bull/mastiff type dogs and just don't understand at all why anyone would keep a powerful muscular dog as a pet in a family home. Yet another sad news story today in a village just down the road from my home village.

This isn't a AIBU really, just a 'why do they do it'. Is a pet really worth the risk? There are so many other dog types to chose from. I don't understand at all.

Horrific incident all round. Dog far too big to be living in a flat. Dog only recently rehomed, and therefore nobody could tell the temperament so soon. Mother has lost her daughter. She had to stab the dog to death in an attempt to get him off the girl. All very sad, and of course avoidable.

I don't understand why it's got a bit hysterical on this thread - it is simple - you don't leave dogs around children.

My baby is due in May and we plan to change our dog's living arrangements accordingly - in the months prior he will spend more time in his outside kennel and his crate to get him used to the fact that there will be intervals where he is separated from us.

I don't feel worried, we are rea

fromparis Irrelevant. I drive a car that could run someone over. Doesn't make me a killer.

*responsible owners who are aware that dogs can be unpredictable around children.

Just such a waste of a beautiful young life.

Why, oh why does anyone keep dogs?

It is worth noting that many, many dogs live happily alongside families and have done for a long time. Sensationalism is sad.

*Starballbunny Wed 06-Nov-13 16:11:03
Just such a waste of a beautiful young life.

Why, oh why does anyone keep dogs?*

That is a bit daft. Not all dogs attack and kill. Why would anyone get married when there are abusive husbands out there? Because not all husbands are abusive.

FFS - theres always a kneejerk "all dogs are evil" and their owners are thick as shit reaction when there is a tragedy isn't there.

I had a rotweiller, in fact ive had two - one from a pup, the other from a rescue - I don't think they give PhD's to thick people, but there you are. Maybe i am just the exception to the rule.

A labrador can do as much damage, but they are naice family dogs aren't they.

The fact remains that any dog can do damage, of course its proportional to its size and strength but the temprement of a dog really is down to its owners and breeding.

I cannot really understand having any sort of dog with a baby/small child

I can see why people can't get their heads around this. However when I was a child my dog was an amazing companion to me. Pet ownership has a lot to teach children about responsibility, friendship and even social skills.

Yes, there is a definite risk but like anything in life, it's about mitigating that risk as much as possible. There's risk (far more risk statistically, in fact) every time a child goes out in a car, but people still do that, having made the situation as safe and secure as possible within their control. Dogs are completely unpredictable but so are other drivers - do we stop people from driving with children? Of course not, and I don't mean to trivialise the problem by the comparison, but is it worthwhile to deprive all children of the benefits of owning a dog because of these incidents?

However it is becoming clear that so many of these cases could have been avoided if those involved had only been more responsible.

I think that in this case a large amount of blame must lie with the rescue centre.

A large, untrained, previously stray dog, whose history is unknown, in a small flat, with a young child, is a recipe for disaster.

Sharplily. You make some great points about dogs giving so much to a childs life etc. I do agree there. But it doesnt seem necessary for them to be of the type known to attack more ferociously. Also thw car argumwnt does have a point too. We do have to weugh up risks etc. But for many families car ownership is essential, for work, getting to school etc. But owning a more dangerous dog as a family pet is not essential at all.

Agreed softsheen.

The breed/type of dog is relevant for 2 reasons, firstly because the characteristics of all the bull breeds/mastiff types are that they are big and powerful with muscular powerful jaws, that they have been selected for being pretty impervious to pain and for hanging on no matter what. So whilst they may be no more likely to bite, they are much more likely to cause serious harm if they do, as many people have pointed out.
The second is that there is a changing fashion for the "hard" breed, which inevitably is irresponsibly bred by muppets, and encouraged to be aggressive, then the unwanted litters or the ones that don't make the grade are discarded and clog up the rescue centres. 20 years ago it was Dobies and Rotties that were "aggressive" now there are few of them around and the ones that still are tend to be owned by responsible people who can accommodate the needs of the breed for enough exercise and training to exert proper control. Currently it is the Staffie, bull breeds and Mastiffs that are "status dogs" but I agree with other posters who have said it is moving on again to Huskies/Malamutes/wolf hybrids, all of which are completely unsuitable for most family situations and which will soon be overwhelming the rescues, being rehomed to inexperienced owners and causing tragedies like this.
It seems that behind nearly every story like this is a litany of problems - unsuitable accommodation (big dog in flat) lack of exercise, lack of training, history of the dog being rescued and having inadequate socialisation as a pup, which boils down to completely unsuitable dog ownership.
The answer is to bring back dog licensing, make it steep financially and attached to some sort of conditions including attendance at a basic training course, and use the money to fund dog wardens etc to enforce responsible dog ownership.

Excellent post bakingtins.

Not read the entire thread so apologies if I'm repeating The dog is reported to be a bulldog.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/nov/06/dog-attack-death-lexi-branson-tributes-leicestershire

I don't know the answers to these questions but does someone know if a guide dog has ever attacked anyone?

Or a dog that started and failed guide dog training?

I just thought it would be interesting for the nature/nurture argument.

I think one thing that should be remembered is that many breeds of dog have been bread for a specific purpose over many generations. Can you train breeding out of a dog? I had relatives who had a rescue Irish Setter, it would randomly 'point' and then look puzzled, I assume from breeding. centuries)

I think there is a lot to be said, not just for the training, but the way people interact with dogs and children. Dogs can be part of a family, but they should always be the lowest in pecking order, they need to know their place.

Agree with LaQueen and if that was 'known' to be a characteristic or instinctive trait of a breed ....why on earth would a parent have one live in a flat with a toddler/child.

This what I always wonder-does dog breeding work, in the sense that it instills certain desired characteristics into the majority of the dogs of that breed, or doesn't it? And if it works, why keep a dog from a fighting breed as a pet?

I I agree mainly with sharplily . I also agree tighter controls on breeding, compulsory micro chipping, compulsory annual vet checks (not necessarily vaccination - but checks all the same) and also adequate compulsory training
It all costs too much money to administer though so the only other option is educating people who don't know any better, which is just as difficult imo. Though reputable rescues do more than adequate checks, insist of spaying/neutering and you have to agree to train.

I can't see how the situation of these dogs is going to get any better either. People seem to be breeding willy nilly to make a bit of extra cash because people are so poor atm. Rescues are full to bursting and cannot take any more dogs. There have been various reports from dogs trust etc saying that they are inundated with calls about dogs, people losing their jobs/homes and being unable to keep their dogs/pets, dogs being thrown over the fences of rescues. I can't see how it will get any better :(

I agree with Vivi though, it's absolutely tragic a child has lost their life :(

To all those saying what about labradors- I wouldn't want one of those round my small children either, having been chased (and traumatized) by one doing my paper round. I have no idea what would have happened if I hadn't leaped over the wall.

Big dogs, small children, bad idea.

sashh, all dog breeds have certain characteristics and it is important as an owner to recognise that and deal with it, by extensive training but sometimes by recognising that they will always have that trait and taking precautions to make sure that behaviour is minimised.

Why oh why keep dogs?

That is rather sensationalist? Particularly when people do more damage to each other than dogs ever do.

And, it seems you can get longer in prison (5yrs) if your dog kills someone (article was on BBC last week I think), than if you kill your own baby or allow someone to abuse your child... That is worth debating although it would require me finding the article.