To report someone who has a pitbull?

[IAmNotLego]

They boast about it being a pitbull, in IRL and on Facebook. Told me they weren't going to have it neutered (so it would continue to grow as big as possible), but had registered it. Surely it would need to be neutered? As part of this?

They told me they have it muzzled in public.

Second conversation. They've said it attacked 2 dogs, so has now been neutered.

I've seen the dog out in public without a muzzle and off lead..

I'm sure some will tell me to mind my own business. But I'd feel awful if something happened to another dog/animal or a child and it could have been prevented.

Sounds like rumour and hearsay. Suspect this person is showing off and full of it.

@EntropyRising

PERSONALITY AND TEMPERAMENT

The protective and fearless Pit Bull is noted for its playful temperament and friendly nature. The Pit Bull is also athletic, and has a strong desire to please people.

The Pit Bull breed has a high prey drive due to its being bred to chase and subdue livestock. However, the Pit Bull is not naturally aggressive towards people and is affectionate toward children. Depending on early socialization and handling, the Pit Bull can learn to restrain itself from unwarranted aggression towards other dogs.

m.petmd.com/dog/breeds/c_dg_american_pit_bull_terrier

They are not illegal if you have a licence but if that stuff about it having attacked two dogs is true then it needs to be muzzled at all times when in public.

Also @EntropyRising

www.dogtemperament.com/staffordshire-bull-terrier-temperament/

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Temperament and Personality
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is known for their extreme affection towards humans. They love nothing more than to be around their family as much as possible – whether that means hanging out on the couch or running errands. They are a reliable dog with a trustworthy nature. Because Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a people-loving personality, they don’t make the best guard dogs. They would probably lick an intruder rather than attack them! They will, however, alert you of visitors.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier makes a great companion for families with children.

But be cautious around other dogs. When raised together, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier gets along perfectly fine with other dogs and even cats. If introducing an adult to the pack, expect a longer adjustment period. Because of their strong prey drive and fighting origin, they should always be supervised around other animals.

The bull terriers get a really bad rap but they don't deserve it.

Pitbulls are not legal. It also isn't a breed it is a type. Mastiff crosses and large bull breed crosses often get typed as pitbull. If you report a dog for being a pitbull, the pilice will seize and assess it. If it id assessed as not being pitbull type (they measure it) then it comes home. If it is typed, you can appeal for it to be made exempt and the process goes through court. Takes months if not years. You have to prove the dog is not a dange to the public. If it is made exempt it must be walked on a lead and muzzled.

Just to correct some info on here on this law. I work in the industry so have to be aware of it all.

You can report a dog for just being dangerous. Dangerous does not mean attacking humans, but a realistic suspicion that it would harm you. I have considered reporting a dog near me that is insanely dog aggressive and has broken through it's fence a couple of times, if a human got in between it and the dog I have no doubt in my mind a human would be bitten, badly. But I can't bring myself to do it because it can't stay anonymous.

Excuse the typos, drying my hair whilst typing!

so unless you have the full story think before you rush in as the dog won’t get a second chance it will be put to sleep

You must be joking.

I was attacked by a pit bull and the police had no authority to put the dog down without a lengthy legal procedure, during which the owner is given several opportunities to remediate with a muzzle order that is entirely unenforceable - the dog is free to attack more people.

The owners eventually volunteered to have the dog put down some months later, but that was because they were leaving town.

IMO anyone that boasts about having a 'pitbull' is likely not to be responsible - pitbulls are normally a cross breed of some sort and you would just refer to it as the cross. Do they have it as a status dog?

If it id assessed as not being pitbull type (they measure it) then it comes home.

Large Staffies unfortunately fall foul of this procedure too often, leading to the destruction of loving family pets. It's a silly law and should be overturned IMO. Pitbull-type dogs are not inherently any more dangerous to people than any other. Any dog can be dangerous in the hands of a moron.

@BecauseReasons I really hardly care what their purported temperaments are, I have considerable personal experience in the matter.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_dog_attacks_in_the_United_Kingdom

If you peruse the dog deaths in the UK, they're awash with staffies/pit bulls/mastiffs and so on.

Large Staffies unfortunately fall foul of this procedure too often, leading to the destruction of loving family pets. It's a silly law and should be overturned IMO. Pitbull-type dogs are not inherently any more dangerous to people than any other. Any dog can be dangerous in the hands of a moron.

Agreed. Ridiculous law and should be deed not breed. There was actually an inquiry in to the Dangerous Dogs Act to look at scrapping the banned breed bit because dog related fatilities have only increased since the act was introduced, but the guy in change of DEFRA would not listen to any of the facts or figures.

I am on a doggy facebook group and a mastiff x staffy owner had the police come round to seize him for being a pitbull type. She didn't read their paperwork and just signed it. He was put down in police kennels the next day. Had never hurt anyone and was a family pet.

If you peruse the dog deaths in the UK, they're awash with staffies/pit bulls/mastiffs and so on.

Yes, because they're popular with morons. We need to put tighter controls on dog ownership rather than trying to blame the dogs.

I'd report it, giving the info you have. If appropriate, the police will look further into the matter. If its not a pit bull, not dangerous etc, then nothing will happen. It won't be sent to its death based on hearsay, as someone suggested.

I think you should report it, especially if it is out without a muzzle.

@SteelRiver once reported it can be sent to it's death based purely on appearance and size.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dangerous-dogs-law-killed-banned-breeds-mps-efra-committee-neil-parish-a8588111.html%3famp

Argh! Its, not it's. Autocorrect fail.

Yes, because they're popular with morons. We need to put tighter controls on dog ownership rather than trying to blame the dogs.

I really don't care enough to try to unpick the causality of it all. I know firsthand that pitbulls turn quickly and are incredibly tenacious. My dog doesn't stand a chance against them and neither do I.

@entropyrising I've witness an unpredictable and relentless attack by a Beagle but it doesn't mean the entire breed is an issue.

Report to dog warden. They can visit the owner and look into it further. Advice from them may be enough to get the owner to work harder on making sure the dog is well managed.

If you peruse the dog deaths in the UK, they're awash with staffies/pit bulls/mastiffs and so on.

The breed most likely to bite a person in the UK is actually the Labrador.

Yes, report it. It's a dangerous dog (even if it's not a pitbull) from what you say.

YANBU, if you are worried, report.

The breed most likely to bite a person in the UK is actually the Labrador.

They're the most common bite claimed against insurance claims, IIRC, which is entirely different from deaths and also requires an owner that has insurance.

You'd get nowhere claiming against a pitbull because... they're uninsurable.

The breed most likely to bite a person in the UK is actually the Labrador.

Yep, labradors, german shepherds, collies, and jack russells are up there with the most regular biters if you go by statistics.

Each dog is an individual. Some dogs are more prone to dog aggression than others, it doesn't mean they will be dog aggressive. Depends on their experiences.
No dogs are bred for human aggression because dogs as a species are bred as companions.

You'd get nowhere claiming against a pitbull because... they're uninsurable.

That's not my point though.

My point is that, as a breed, pit bulls are no more dangerous than labradors, which are commonly touted on here as amazing family pets who are soppy as anything and amazingly tolerant of children.

The statistics show that that's not the case.