To think that Staffies are not "nanny dogs"

[Flowersinyourhair]

Ok. I await the cries of "it's not the dog, it's the owner" and "we had one and it was wonderful" etc etc. However, once again here we are looking at a news story about a dead baby and a seriously injured toddler as a result of a Staffie attack. AIBU or does something drastic need to change regarding perceptions of dogs like this who are apparently fine, until they're not. This dog was, it seems, the dog of a PC. Not a thug or a dog fighting yob. A PC.

I await the barrage of abuse here. I just feel so sad about these poor defenceless little boys who harmed no one and have suffered so tragically.

You should never trust a dog enough to be left unsupervised around small children - Any breed of dog is unpredictable even if you think you know it inside out!

To be clear, I have no blame for anyone here. I just despair that once again here we are with dead and injured children and mourning parents because of a dog. There are so many tales of these dogs and the injuries they cause. I find it staggering when people say they are great with children. Well yep, they're marvellous.... Until that one day when they're not.

I think this should be deleted now to be honest.

The mother's made a horrendous mistake and is probably going through absolute hell.
This thread isn't helping anyone. It's just causing arguements.

"Deed not breed", it really is that simple. I have a miniature Jack Russell who is smaller than every one of our cats and I wouldn't trust him with anything. He's the only dog we've ever had who has to be muzzled at the vet. He can be vicious. Our other Jack Russell is a complete sweetheart who loves everyone. Both farm bred ratting dogs and both raised the same way in the same home. It's the individual dog not the breed. Like any other animal.

We're not speculating just about the poor mother though are we?

We are talking about dogs in general. More specifically Staffies. Which hasn't been confirmed yet as the dog in question anyway. Some are saying staff, others are saying an Ambull

You only here about it because the media only choose to print stories on the Staffies.

That is utter rubbish. If there is a dog attack and a person is seriously injured, the media report it, trust me. Jack Russell or Labrador, the press will report a dog attack because people want to read about it.

There's absolutely no media conspiracy against Staffies. Do you really think that journalists everywhere have somehow colluded and pledged to demonise Staffies? Or maybe a disproportionate number of very serious injuries are caused by that type of dog because of their sheer strength. If they attack, then they casuensignificant damage because it's so hard to fight them off.

Flowers- Jack Russell attacks are more common with children than any other type of dog in the UK. The issue with Staffies is their jaws lock which causes more severe wounds and injuries.
What I'm getting at is all dogs can attack and cause serious injury or life long fears etc. Children and babies should not be left with them unsupervised ever.

STAFFIE JAWS DO NOT LOCK FFS!!!!!

This is a big myth

They are strong but they are not locked

You can say that cars injure children but it's not a fair comparison. It's not easy to live somewhere with no cars. It is pretty simple not to get a dog which has the potential to kill a child. Why take the risk?

They are not 'nanny dogs' it's a false concept.

Janice - I know it really shouldn't have but your conspiracy theory made me giggle just a little bit hangs head in shame

Deed not breed depends on waiting for the deed though doesn't it? Surely it's too late by then.

Re deleting the thread, as I have said this is not a criticism of the parents at all. It is about the dog and why the devil anyone would choose to own one given the multiple stories that are similar to the tragic one today.

Soubriquet - consider me told! I have to be honest i don't know the full ins and outs of staffies as I have never owned one (nor for any reason about fear etc just tend seem
To always have collies) anyway I didn't say about the lock jaw to say anything negative per say about staffies. Sorry if I have offended you

The article I've just read said they hadn't confirmed the type of dog....

"Mr Mills believes the dog was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier-type dog, although the breed has not been confirmed by police: 'I saw the dog being taken away.
'At 4pm a black van arrived. The dog was taken out of the property at 4.30pm. It was on a pole lead.
'It wasn't a normal Staffie. It was a lot more chunky - probably a Staffordshire cross or some kind of bulldog breed"

What always get me about theses stories is we don't get told what happens before.
I appreciate the baby would in this instance be poking the dog up the nose twenty times and pulling its ears but you really don't know what cause an animal to lose control.
Or if what the adults present are doing is the correct response.

Only thing I know for sure is it's like a bath you don't leave a child alone with a dog ever. Not ever. Not fit second. Jack Russel or St. Bernard. Or a labardor.

As PPs have said, you NEVER leave a dog alone. Those parents have to look at themselves.

My parents have a Staff. He is the softest, gentlest dog I have ever known. Neither I nor they would EVER leave him alone with a child. Kids are unpredictable - they make noises, wave things around and may (even unintentionally) hurt the dog.

You just don't do it. With ANY dog.

And actually, WTF were those kids alone? Two under two. Dog or no dog anything could have happened.

Maybe we need a blanket law that NO dog should be left alone with a child under a certain age. AIBU?

I agree OP

I can't believe a parent of such young children had that dog as a pet. You surely would never, ever be able to take your eyes off of it? Am not saying they ought to be banned outright but having them with children is a child protection risk in the truest sense.

This situation is my very worst nightmare.

However, I do take the point that grapes and nuts and small toys also kill children.

It's just that dog attacks are so savage and violent. Those poor terrified babies.

I don't think that law will do any good but convict parents who are already suffering...

Common sense tells you not to leave young kids around dogs alone... whether they're lovely dogs or not.

I'd like to add, having been attached by my own cat serverky one night if not leave a baby alone with one either.
Nasty buggers too.
I'd not ban people from owning them either.

I don't think any dog should be trusted with a child. I don't care how good their track record is. It only takes that one time for tragedy to occur. We have a staffie, I also have a four year old and a one year old. They are never alone with the dog. Not even while I go to the toilet. They're also being taught how to behave with the dog. They don't get down onto her level and roll about with her, they don't put their face down close to hers, they don't go near her while she's eating or ever try to take food from her. They don't pull on her tail or poke/prod her. We treat her with respect but we treat her as a DOG not another human.
Too many dogs get treated like "furbabies" and it's a recipe for disaster, particularly if you choose to have a powerful, stubborn dog and don't put in the right amount of time to train that dog.

^Soubriquet - consider me told! I have to be honest i don't know the full ins and outs of staffies as I have never owned one (nor for any reason about fear etc just tend seem
To always have collies) anyway I didn't say about the lock jaw to say anything negative per say about staffies. Sorry if I have offended you^

Sorry for snapping. I've seen this thrown out so many times tonight it's like flogging a dead horse. It's such an ingrained myth and needs challenging

It's never a poodle in the news, is it?