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.

[Scheriously]

polyethyl but clearly, she is not very good at handling that particular dog. If she was, after the first incident, there wouldn't have been a chance for a second.

[Chelsealady]

As long as you train your dog well from a pup and dont treat it badly then they wont treat you badly simple as. Iv got a blue staff and a red nose pitt in my family home with small children and have never had a problem.

My pitt is fully exempt he was taken away at a year old because hes classed as an illegal breed they kept him for 6 months and tested his behaviour. If he was this violent scary animal people make out these dogs to be then he wouldnt of been aloud home.

The courts let 80% of the dogs they take home its just unfortunate that the other 20% get put down due to their owners treating them badly and its usually the case they dont even turn up to court.

[SharpLily]

I should also add that I wouldn't dream of having a Doberman if I lived in a flat. I train and exercise thoroughly and we have 14 acres of prime doggy roaming ground. My dog is never allowed off the lead in a public place. I can't cover every eventuality but I take as much care as I can.

There are an awful lot of owners who don't - chavs, bully boys, however you want to characterise them it doesn't change the fact that dog ownership is NOT for everyone.

[marzipanned]

Betty isn't the problem not that cats are jealous and want to kill babies but that they like warmth so they snuggle up to babies and that could potentially be dangerous, just like putting a baby to sleep on a sofa?

I certainly wouldn't leave my cat unattended with a baby.

[MaidOfStars]

As long as you train your dog well from a pup and dont treat it badly then they wont treat you badly simple as.
Of course, because you never hear any owners of dogs involved in attacks saying "S/he is a lovely dog, never any indication they would turn, never bitten anyone before"....

[filimou]

To be honest I agree with PP's who have said that in the majority of cases a dogs behaviour is down to the owner. But, maybe I am biased after MIL's dog (some kind of spaniel) launched at my 2YO and tried to get her jaws around his face, it was only quick reaction that prevented a potentially horrific attack on DS (all he did was fall over on the floor in front of the chair where the dog was, didnt scream or cry or make any sudden movements/noises just went to stand and the dog lunged at him, IMO it saw that DS was weak/vulnerable and went for it).
IMHO this happened because MIL treats her dog like a child, spoils it but doesnt really excercise it much.
Regarding the story in the news, it is a tragic accident and I feel for all involved, but I cant help but think why would you keep a dog that big in a flat?

[ringaringarosy]

i dont think you should be allowed to keep any dogs with children under a certain age.

[Scheriously]

sharplily agree - I don't let my dog off in public. You can never be sure. It is that awareness that makes the different imo.

[MrsMook]

I grew up with giant breed dogs, and they have to be trained well not to jump up etc. Behaviour that is tolerated in smaller breeds is magnified, but the dog is no worse. There is some acceptance of a small dog jumping up to the knees, but not a large one placing its paws on your shoulders and looking down.

Breed is not irrelevant. They have been bred to encourage certain characteristics which makes them more or less suited as family pets/ working dogs, and certain groups of people do go for a certain image. Staffies are a good example of where a well treated and trained dog can be a great family pet, but one that is chosen for its macho look and treated thoughtlessly can be a greater liability. Some dogs do have extra needs (like more demands on exercise) that need to be considered. Some dogs cope with smaller living spaces than others.

There tends to be a pattern of serious dog attacks of a breed chosen for the wrong reasons, kept in inappropriate conditions and a poor understanding of dog psychology regarding its "pack"/ family.

[Bubbles1066]

To those who are doubting cats being potentially harmful to babies.. It's not about having a go at cat owners and saying they are all going to smother babies... It's part of a larger point that any animal we take into our homes can be a potential danger to young children. No animal is ever safe. You never truly know any animal.

[tethersend]

"according to the BBC "The dog died shortly after the attack at 12:15 GMT, but the circumstances of its death are unknown." - so was something being done to it to cause it to turn? Is it possible it was being trained for dog fighting?"

Apparently the mother stabbed the dog to death in an attempt to get it to release her daughter.

[BrianTheMole]

smaller dogs are not necessarily safer around children, but yes you've probably got a better chance of defending yourself / child against a smaller dog then a large, muscular dog.

This is the whole point though. I was brought up with dogs. Small ones. Who did bite me from time to time, mainly because I was being an annoying child towards them. But they weren't capable of killing me. People say oh they won't leave the dogs and children together. And they don't, most of the time. But it only takes a split second or lack of concentration. Why risk it with small children who stand no chance of protecting themselves.

[meganorks]

It does seem like in this case the rescue home has a lot to answer for. The dog was a rescue dog that had been treated badly in the past. Yet they thought it was suitable to rehome with a family with a small child who lived in a small flat.

[SharpLily]

MaidOfStars, I hadn't read that particular essay, no. It's an interesting one.

[rainbowfeet]

Very sad story & yes if course feel huge amount if sympathy for the mother.. Obviously she never envisaged something so tragic ... But... I'm afraid she has to take some responsibility for the incident. Such a huge powerful dog that she hasn't a clue of its background. I'm surprised the re-homing centre allowed her to have the dog. Especially her child being so young & in a flat too.
I wouldn't trust any dog with children but if it's not too big or you've had it from a pup then surely it's less likely to do so much damage.?

[SnakeyMcBadass]

I wondered if that is what had happened, tether. That poor woman.

[SharpLily]

Brian, there have been cases of children being killed by Chihuahuas too, you know. Not many, and one in particular was due to smothering rather than an attack, but the point is there are no guarantees in any case.

[EldritchCleavage]

That's a very good article by Malcolm Gladwell.

[SooticaTheWitchesCat]

I agree with the OP, I don't know why anyone would have a dog like that around small children. To be honest I wouldn't have any kind of dog with a child but I am not a dog person anyway.

[MindyWiller]

I am not so clued up on this so feel free to correct me if i am wrong, but i always feel the main reason attacks involving these types of dogs make front page news is because they result in people being killed or seriously scarred.

I am aware that all dogs can turn and any dog can be vicious of trained to do so but it seems to me that when these dogs attack they "lock on" so to speak whereas anothet breed would bite then let go?

It is a shame when people of low intelligence and lazy disposition get dogs (any dog) and don't train an excercise them properly, if you were shut in one room all day with no love or attention you'd turn eventually too.

[MaidOfStars]

There have been cases of children being killed by Chihuahuas too, you know. Not many, and one in particular was due to smothering rather than an attack, but the point is there are no guarantees in any case.
No guarantees to avoid an attack, but I guarantee that I can kick a chihauhau hard enough to get it to stop what's it doing.

[SqueakyCleanLibertine]

A Jack Russell killed a new born last year.tragedies will happen.

However,I think we need a massive overhaul of dog ownership in this country.

Licenses for any dog owner, that costs about 100 quid, licences to breed that cost over £500 say, id cards that day you are the dogs owner and they are licensed.

So the irresponsible, lazy dog owners just don't bother.

This story is so heart breaking,I can't imagine how that family feel.

[BrianTheMole]

Well, you'd have more chance beating a chihuahua off than you would a large dog with huge jaws. I can't imagine having to stab a chihuahua to get it off someone. Personally If I was that desperate for a dog, I'd rather take my chances with the small dog that I can defend myself and my children against. Its a no brainer really.