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.

Usually with humans, the biggest predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour.

However my colleague lost most of his front teeth to an attack by a patient with no risk history, no risk indicators and a low assessed potential based upon the expert opinion of many many people. My colleague walked past him, said 'Good Morning' and this patient picked up a chair and smashed him in the face with it.

So to say you can absolutely know your dog and always be able to predict its future behaviour or read the warning signs in time to do anything about it is being very very naive. And over confident in your abilities.

Unfortunately they are not expensive at all, you can get a yearling to make riding horse size for around £150 and ponies can be had for under £25 at the sales. Costs a fortune to correctly feed and house the buggers but as with dogs it's complete idiots doing the buying with no regard for the long term.

There's no legislating against idiocy, sadly.

it's actually rather arrogant to assume that you 'know' your pet and 'know' they won't cause harm, if they are capable of it

The mother in this case, it appears, fought desperately to save her child. She did not expect this, she did not allow it - she opposed this calamity and yet she was unsuccessful and her child is dead.

Quite honestly I have nothing but compassion for her. To lose a child so terribly and to live with the fact that you could not prevent it is awful. Why do people seek to assign blame on threads like these? She made a mistake. Something happened that she didn't predict or could prevent. Why is our response to insist on knowing who is to blame rather than simply in empathising with her in her loss?

The management of dogs in this country is a scandal. The attitude of most people to most dogs need some serious education. I wouldn't quarrel with anybody arguing those points. However it's inappropriate to attach those points to this family's loss. Let them grieve without being blamed.

I'm a dog owner and dog lover, and though I would say my dog has never shown any signs of aggression to man or beast, I cannot say she will never ever hurt anyone.

If she was frightened or injured or cornered or thought she was maybe she would bite. I don't know.

But what i do know is if she did attack I could send her spinning through the air with one swift kick.

I don't think I'd ever keep a dog who could over power me as easily as some breeds could.

What was that rescue centre thinking when they rehomed such a massive dog into a home with young children??? IMO they are responsible.

Well hindsight is wonderful isn't it? I just don't see why people embrace blaming her so easily.

I don't see it as hindsight.

There has been enough deaths now for us all to consider the potential consequences. And dogs weren't even allowed there according to the HA rules.

it is not rocket science, sadly.

By that logic any parent whose child is killed by a family member is to blame - should have seen it coming, has happened enough.

Or parents who lose children in RTAs - should have known.

Come on. Rein it in a bit.

can't comment on this latest case as so bloody sad but my belief is you can kick a small dog away, you can't kick away a dog that's as big and strong as a person.

dreadful dreadful tragedy.

I don't see those examples as the same. A family member who kills is a rational (usually) being with a conscience and free will.

And if you don't strap your kid in or use the right car seat and an accident injures the child then yes, you are to blame. If you drive dangerously and injure your child then you are to blame. Very sad I know for all concerned but blame and shame are two separate things. This is about personal responsibility and not blaming everybody else for something the parent/carer or other had control over- not inappropriately taking on a dog because they felt like having one.

The girl and her mother lived in a flat. They already had a very large dog. I am amazed the dog was rehomed to them, especially with the little girl being so young as well.

It is so sad that some are so ignorant they honestly believe a bulldog/bulldog cross, which is bred to have jaws like a steel trap, of unknown origin is safe to have around any young child.

How on Earth can anyone think this is a good idea? Or risk the roof over their head and their child's by voilating an HA tenancy agreement in this economic climate/with this government?

But the parent isn't blaming anybody else. In her statement there isn't anything about blame, just about loss. SO why is it ok that there is so much specifically about blame on this thread? There are also lots of sensible and well informed posts that manage to discuss the issues without laying into the parent.

OP I also had a loving but unpredictable pet who tried to kill me on occasion. Dwarf hamsters can unlock their jaws and look absolutely terrifying when they are attacking. Put me right off ever owning a bigger mammal and I didn't even have DC at the time.

I agree with the person who said that if an adult wants to manage the risk, then fine. Don't expose dependant and vulnerable people to it.

I wonder why the dog rescue centre gave such a large dog to somebody who had a small child and who lived in a small flat. I thought these centres usually try to match up people to suitable dogs. Sometimes they even come and inspect the home.

NorthernLurker, I think it's fair to feel of two minds about this. On the one hand, they've lost a child and they're grieving. On the other, it was bad judgement that has been on the public's radar for what is it, 20 years now?

I feel a bit frustrated that people persist in this "this dog is so sweet he would not hurt a fly". It's always this story. I'll be taking a harder line with big, fierce dogs off the lead going forward.

It wasn't a rescue, Vivienne. It was a pound.