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.

There are some animals more intelligent than humans. Dolphins for instance.
That is just bollocks. Are you using a non-standard definition of "intelligence"?

There are some animals more intelligent than humans.

I wouldn't go that far.

Intelligent? Sure. More intelligent that humans? Nah.

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

No - the organization with the council contract for stray dogs has said that they rehomed the dog to them.

I don't think that any dog breed actually has locking jaws, some are just more powerful and they've been bred not to let go.

I will believe that dolphins are more intelligent than humans when I see one exploring space, writing books or able to navigate Ebay.

Ascribing human characteristics to animals is such a dangerous road to go down.

In the end, dog lover or not, I think we can all agree that dog ownership carries risks. Ultimately the owner is responsible for taking all steps possible to mitigate that risk and unfortunately, all too often this doesn't happen. However it seems there really is very little evidence to suggest that blaming the breed has any positive effect - to the contrary, it can encourage the wrong elements to fetishise the less desirable properties of said breeds.

So let's say the breed in question in this case (which is apparently yet to be determined) gets banned. Later on so will another particular breed, and another. Realistically I don't see this having the desired effect upon the number and severity of dog attacks.

The key remains owner responsibility and education - licensing of some form and enforcement.

Agree that his kids are the new chav must have.....

I wouldn't have one as they need a LOT of exercise & I couldn't do it, so I wouldn't be surprised if we see attacks from frustrated, under stimulated and/or inbred huskies soon :(

HUSKIES! Not 'his kids' !?

I was wondering who's kids, sausages Is it telling that my first thought was 'Russell Brand'?

Laughing at his kids

Well I have to admit I have spent a lot if time around incredibly stupid people. And have frequently had far more intelligent interactions with animals. :o

I think it's fairly obvious in many cases what the obvious solution would have been or what considerations should have been given.

It's a staffordshire bull terrier, it's quite easy to find which one it actually is through google
I should work in a research department i really should

irresponsible dog breeding and ownership is the root of many of the problems, rather than the breed

This is our local RSPCA rehoming place www.rspcaessex.org.uk/adoptadog.html

About 6 huskies and numerous staffies...is sad.

Although I agree to some extent it's the owner not the breed, I also think that yes it is the breed actually. Why do you need a mastiff? Why do you need a bulldog?

What is a Staff, Owllady?

A huge dog like a bull mastiff must a lot of exercise and I imagine that's hard to do, especially of the lead.

If I saw something like that bounding towards me in a park I would be terrified. Probably why I don't go to parks anymore.

Why do we need any pet? We don't, really. It's just preference, I guess. These breeds were originally created for a purpose, but most dogs are just household pets now.

Sharp, I agree certain breed become status symbols, owning one gives the owner kudos, feeling (albeit falsely) in control of a dangerous animal such that it is seen to defer to you and have a sense of loyalty to your children gives the owner a sense of mastery and control.

Of course this is all a vain, self indulgent and dangerous folly

I prefer not to own a dog that I couldn't physically overpower if I needed to - being well trained still would be enough to put my mind at rest.

I have a lovely placid dachshund. Even still, she wasn't left unsupervised with the baby etc...

In ten years she's never bitten, shown aggression nor even looked likely to.

However, my answer to any stranger who asks "does she bite" is still the same... "I don't know"

That should have been wouldn't be enough to put my mind at rest.

I went to visit my brother last year, in a very built up area. My dog came with me and when we were out on walks, I astonished by the sheer number of Staffs (and that type) we saw. I did notice that weren't necessarily all with young men and in fact there was a wide variety of humans in charge. However I couldn't help noticing also that they were never walking to heel and very few were wearing adequate equipment - a Staff type dog on an extending lead is just stupid. I didn't particularly notice any aggression towards me or my dog, but I certainly didn't get an impression of responsible dog ownership either.

the dog that killed the little girl in the news today :(

I think a lot of dog owners anthropomorphise dogs, and a large part of that may be about recasting dog owership and the dog/owner interaction as positive for and desired by the dog.

But actually, it is incredibly unnatural, in its modern shut-in-a-small-house-or-flat incarnation particularly, and I suspect usually not at all positive for the dog. I think a lot of the dog ownership I see around me in our city neighbourhood is an indulgence and emotional outlet for the owner and pretty cruel for the dog.

If dolphins are so intelligent how come they jump into tuna nets.

Some of the comments on here make me think that not only dogs but dog owners should be muzzled in public.