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.

I think it's about assessing risk and acting upon it.

We hold our DC's ghands when crossing the road until we can instil in them the Green Cross Code.

We store cleaning fluids and knives responsibly.

We supervise them around pools until they can swim...

But keeping a large breed dog, a rescue dog at that (where there will walways be risk of ill treatment), in a small flat with a small child is not assessing the risk appropriately. It';s just not.

I'm not laying into her. I am saying that her behaviour was stupid and put her child (and any other child in the vicinity) at risk.

This isn't an avoidable loss. This is negligence. I'm sorry if I sound harsh. I am not a cruel person nor one without compassion for her grief. But i am also sick and tired of children and dogs paying the price because of reckless, selfish and impulsive gratification of the desire to have a dog in spite of good sense and rules.

I meant unavoidable loss.

My sister has a large dog (bought from a bloke on the estate) which is never walked, in a tiny house with a tiny garden. It has bitten her face and left scars. Two young DC. Stupid people do exist.

mignon I agree with you.

I think in the face of bereavement we often feel it is unacceptable to add to the miseries of the parents (which are of course real).

But as a society we have to address risky behaviours.

And this situation was most definitely risky.

Too many children have died now. It is absurd that this is continuing.

I reluctantly have to agree as well.

This has happened so many times now.

I can understand that if someone feels vulnerable to crime a large, physically intimidating dog like that is a great guard dog and would be able to scare off intruders. It's best if you raise them from pups though, that way you have total control in their training.

Many of these unfortunate dogs have been abused and trained to be aggressive by bad owners. It's the humans raising them that way who need to be severely punished and prevented from future animal ownership.

I know a few good owners whose huge dogs are gentle and loving, it's not the breed, it's the training, you get out what you put in (like children).

'But i am also sick and tired of children and dogs paying the price because of reckless, selfish and impulsive gratification of the desire to have a dog in spite of good sense and rules.'

I do agree with Mignonette on this point.

If anything, the tenancy agreement prohibited dogs. Who the fuck goes and risks the roof over your child's head to have a dog?! Especially in this climate. That's whacked, leaving aside all the other stuff.

'I can understand that if someone feels vulnerable to crime a large, physically intimidating dog like that is a great guard dog and would be able to scare off intruders.'

An aluminum baseball bat works pretty well, too, cheaply had and doesn't maul your kid to death in the living room.

You can buy alarms that fit on the doors and windows fairly cheaply, too.

Indeed, Were

Expat

That is such a pertinent comment.

It does tend to be people of low socioeconomic status who have these types of dogs...guess they serve the 'function' of making the powerless feel more powerful?

It's being reported that the dog was a stray. It was found in a park a few months before being rehomed. I find the whole thing tragic and astonishing.

Expat, I wish the farm down the road had security lights and alarms, rather than two huge dogs that leap at the gate every time you walk down the road.

I have nothing but sympathy for the poor family. But we need to get tougher on dog owners. I am fed up of being scared to walk down some streets due to menacing looking dogs who come running snarling at us off the lead.

I love dogs and grew up with a lovely one. But would not have one with a baby or small child. If I did it would be something docile and small not something that could kill and has a reputation for it. And I would never leave it unattended with a baby or child.

Errr... Where's this 'pound' thing come from all of a sudden? As far as I was aware the dog came from a reputable family-run boarding kennel who had rehomed this particular dog as a one-off after it had come into their care. I'm prepared to stand corrected on this....

I read the dog came from a re-homing centre. That's why I referred to it as a rescue dog.

My comment wasn't necessarily aimed at you VM, just that people are saying 'pound' which has associated connotations. I'm not saying that a stray dog that was being temporarily looked after at a family run boarding kennel makes it any better, my point is more that judgements are being made and conclusions drawn on this thread based on supposition, which sits uneasily.

A friend mum has a dog that is part boxer part staff

Lovely nature dog, likes to give you lots of attention but his strength is incredible for his size i was shocked at how strong he is

why would you have a dog who has such strength around young children no matter how well trained dogs (as humans can) can act totally out of nature. A child attacked by a breed so powerful would not stand a chance why take that risk there are many other lovely breeds of dogs

And what is it about certain breeds that attack, they are not biting but attacking to kill. Were staffs not originally breed to bait bears