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.

[Lazysuzanne]

Even here we have people making comparisons between dogs and humans, as in not all dogs can be trusted in the same way that not all humans can be trusted.

This is plain daft! Dogs don't think in a way that can be compared to humans.
They are not slightly simplified versions of humans!

[Retropear]

No child should live in an atmosphere of intimidation or danger- just because it is a dog doing it.

[Dahlen]

With the exception of certain banned breeds (and this breed was not one of them) there isn't a direct link between breed and likelihood of aggression.

The top 5 breeds likely to bite include Cocker Spaniels, Chihuahuas and Jack Russells. Rottweilers, Mastiffs and Dobermanns aren't even in the top 10. Pit Bulls are, but they are a banned breed and the dog at the centre of this case was not one.

The reason there appears to be a breed link is two-fold: Firstly the image of certain breeds attract a certain type of owner. Rottweilers are among the gentlest most lovely family dogs you could get - in the right hands. Unfortunately, the dogs reared in loving family homes are lost among the sea of would-be hard-man types who think a tough-looking dog grants them a certain street cred. Secondly, when a large dog bites someone it will obviously create more damage than a small dog bit because of the size of the teeth/jaw and the strength behind it. Combine that with media coverage ("Chihuahua bites child but child is ok" doesn't have the same ring to it as "child mauled by mastiff").

The mother in this case is suffering the worst possible pain any of us can imagine. It is hard to see how she could have prevented this other than not getting a dog at all - the breed really is incidental, and while a rescued dog always carries a risk of the unknown, usually rescued dogs are not re-homed without careful examination into what kind of home they will adapt well to. This dog would not have been placed in a family home without the rescue workers being as sure as they could be that the dog would be fine with children. Also, it doesn't sound at all like the mum was irresponsible in allowing dog and child to play together unsupervised because she (the mother) was there at the time.

My sympathies to everyone involved or affected by this case.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Yes they do. Ive seen plenty of human shot on the floor. Adult shit. And people have also been bitten by people

[Jinsei]

I don't have a dog or any other pets, but I do have a daughter, and I feel for mother of that poor child who was killed right in front of her. It seems to me quite heartless for a bunch of strangers to pile on the Internet blaming her for owning the dog the day after she lost her child. :(

The dog was not an illegal breed. Perhaps - for whatever reason - she did not perceive the risk. Can't we have a bit of compassion for the poor woman?

[SleepyFish]

As an ex vet nurse, I would never be stupid enough to 'trust' any dog. Almost all dog owners would assure me that 'they won't bite', including the rottie owner who's dog almost ripped my face off.
Too many closed calls for me to ever consider having a dog in the house with a young child.
In this case I can't imagine wtf the animal shelter were thinking giving this dog to a family with a young child.

[EldritchCleavage]

I think trusting a dog puts an unfair burden on the dog, tbh

Very good point.

And yes, I have enormous compassion for the mother in this case.

[Lazysuzanne]

Yes humans are animals too Giles, with the addition of a much much larger frontal cortex, trust me this is a real game changer, it puts us in a whole new league, humans are not just animals.
The bigger brain means that we have transcended our animal nature.

Well MOST of us have...

[frustratedandfailing]

I think people are assuming that is was the Bull Mastif because of the picture on the front page of some newspapers, but do we actually know if it was that dog? There were two dogs in the home apparently...

I know of 3 dog attacks from a personal angle...one was a terrier type dog, one a Corgi and one a Rotty...make of that what you will.

I agree that you have less of a chance with a big dog that turns, and I think you have to be very confident of your dog to have it in the home with your child and there is always risk.

I desperately want a dog - both myself and my partner agree though that with two young children in our home we are not willing to take the risk.

I also think that dogs should not be allowed off leashes in public and that owners should by law be obligated to make their gardens secure. I think if a dog is found wandering if should be confiscated permanently from the owners. I think it should cost a lot of money to buy and own a dog by way of a license and all owners are required to pay for some sort of dog education programme before being allowed a license.

How to implement these things...I have no idea...but as a parent who grew up with dogs, I am extremely uncomfortable out in public when I see dogs off leads, especially around areas children will frequent.

The dog may be well trained, but dogs aren't the only unknown quantity in the mix...children can behave in unexpected ways that can cause a dog to become very anxious very quickly.

[curlew]

We have a lovely gentle soppy family dog. But I have always made sure that my children keep their faces well away from her when they are playing- any dog can nip if over excited, surprised or hurt.

It's not a matter of trust. Dogs don't decide whether or not to nip or bite- their instincts and training tell them what to do. I am pretty sure the brakes won't fail on my car- but they might. That doesn't mean I don't "trust" my car.........

[NoBloodyMore]

We've got a lab, a big daft lab who I've had for 7 years from being a pup, I've also got a pain in the arse 1 year old who bothers the dog, the dog is always kept in a different room unless I'm sat there. I always say if the dog bit DS it would be MY fault for not preventing it, the dog is a dog and is just reacting and DS is learning to treat the dog properly but is still very young.

I agree about not having a dog I could overpower, if I had to I could overpower ours.

Saying that I was bit by a dog whjen I was walking down the street when I was a teenager, a labrador of all dogs.

My friend has 2 cavalier king charles spaniels, she treats them like babies, one of them is really aggressive. She went for my DS last week as he was walking past, luckily friend managed to prevent it but we won't be going round again any time soon as she won't put the dogs outside and I'm not willing to risk her biting DS.

This case is tragic though.

[SnakeyMcBadass]

Jinsei, I have immense compassion for the mother in this case. No one gets a dog and thinks 'Well, it might eat the DC.... Fuck it, it's worth the risk.' It's a terrible, awful tragedy and that poor woman will have to live with losing her child and seeing it happen (if reports are to be believed). I'm sure she'll be beating herself up enough without anyone else pointing it out to her.

[Sparklingbrook]

The problem is you don't know 100% with rescues what has gone on in their past.
My cousin has a dog from a rescue that was picked up as a stray. The list of things the dog is frightened of grew by the day. Being scared is one of the reasons dogs can lash out.

[SharpLily]

Really, Wallison? You should spend some time in some of the places I've lived.

[tabulahrasa]

"usually rescued dogs are not re-homed without careful examination into what kind of home they will adapt well to. This dog would not have been placed in a family home without the rescue workers being as sure as they could be that the dog would be fine with children."

Actually it looks very much like the organization that has confirmed that they rehomed the dog, is a pound rehoming strays after their 7 days are up.

That's a much bigger issue than the breed of dog...I don't know this particular one, but how they usually work is that the dogs coming in have little to no history and are given to anyone who wants them with very little assessing of either the dog or the potential owner.

Not the same thing as a rescue at all.

[tiredoutgran]

We have a mastiff x American bulldog who is coming towards the end of his years - he won't be replaced! When we got him we had a farm, he was 6 months old, I had my 15yo daughter living with me and DP, he was bought as a guard dog.

Since that we had to get residence of 3 grandchildren, later joined by a 4th baby, we lost the farm directly as a result of this but by then the dog had become a loved member of our family. He is amazing with the DCs, we have never had a minutes concern with him and he would protect them with his life.

Having seen the news and photos this morning I am seriously questioning his presence in our home yet again. We try to ensure that DC's are never left alone with him, but how the hell do you guarantee to forget for a second - to answer the door or the phone. I think baby gates and banning from the same rooms will be in place by tonight. I would never have rehomed an adult dog of this breed in a home with children (in fact I would never have got a dog like this had the DC's been with us then). I almost cannot wait for it to be time for him to be PTS, how awful is that, and I feel so guilty for it, although nowhere near as guilty as I would feel if he mauled one of the children. If it wasn't for DP and DD I would have him PTS today!

[Lazysuzanne]

It does not put a burden on the dog, the dog is not aware of its burden

Rather it is expecting things that the dog is not capable of, like a reliant robbin can't do 150 mph!

Please stop being anthropomorphic!

[feelingood]

I get any breed can bite, mame and kill.

But dont some breeds have more powerful jaws than others which because of their physiology have a greater risk of causing severe harm.

I think it is important to seperate physical features, temperament and training and the overall ability of an owner to be responsible in thehandling of the dog.

[SharpLily]

I heard the owner in this case got the dog from a website, not any kind of rescue organisation.

[SnakeyMcBadass]

Ok, Lazy, I suppose what I mean is that by saying you 'trust' the dog you are ascribing it a responsibility it can not possibly take on nor understand. It's a dangerous mind set. You are passing on the burden of responsibility, and falsely feeling safe about it.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

There are some animals more intelligent than humans. Dolphins for instance.

Pigs also are very intelligent.

But your right. We have developed our brain to the point that aggression is choice. Not a response to fear or a situation but intent to hurt someone for no benefit other than the feeling of hurting that other person or animal.

Every animal has the ability to turn dogs cats pigs sharks and humans.

I love dogs. I'd give anything to be able to own one. But as a fairly intelligent adult I realise our situation does not permit
Us to have a dog. Ergo I don't get one.

[filimou]

feelingood Wed 06-Nov-13 12:29:24
I get any breed can bite, mame and kill.

But dont some breeds have more powerful jaws than others which because of their physiology have a greater risk of causing severe harm.

I think it is important to seperate physical features, temperament and training and the overall ability of an owner to be responsible in thehandling of the dog.

^^this

[EldritchCleavage]

There are some animals more intelligent than humans. Dolphins for instance

I don't think that's right, actually. Very intelligent certainly, but not more intelligent.

[WhatTheFoxSays]

But dont some breeds have more powerful jaws than others which because of their physiology have a greater risk of causing severe harm.

Yes that's right. Don't rottweilers have locking jaws which would make it difficult to overpower and get them to let go of someone?

Personally, if I was to ever get a dog, I would probably go for a smaller breed. Not because I think they can't possibly attack because like I said before, any dog can turn. It's just that logically it would be easier to overpower a smaller dog if that happened.

As it is however, I am more of a cat person and only have cats right now

[curlew]

In what way are dolphins more intelligent than humans?????