Woman 80s, Savaged to Death by Dogs, Birmingham

[Flaxmeadow]

A woman in her 80s has been savaged to death by neighbours dogs
Am I being unreasonable to want much stricter controls on keeping dogs as pets

@Deadringer

Yes it's the fuckwit owners who are to blame, but unfortunately these fuckwits want to own certain breeds of dogs, if we can't ban/euthanize the fuckwits, we have to ban/euthanize the dogs. Even if you force them to have a special license, force them to attend training or whatever, you can't force fuckwits to actually behave responsibly all the time.

The problem with that is they just choose a different breed I.e German Shepherd. You then have to ban them. So they choose a different breed. Maybe an Akita. So you ban them and repeat and repeat and repeat.

Its why banning specific breeds is not the answer.

If you get a pure bred dog from a reputable breeder they won't give it to a fuckwit. I had to jump through hoops to get mine but I wanted to know they had a food temperament. I don't think a licence is a bad idea because this would also restrict backyard breeding

Classism.......I could laugh if it weren't so desperately sad.

@randomer

Classism.......I could laugh if it weren't so desperately sad.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30902078

That link takes you to a BBC article titled 'Staffordshire bull terriers: A question of class?' If anyone is interested.

I think we all know we are talking about chavs here. It’s those people that want to own dangerous dogs. That keep them in sheds and don’t train them or care for them. It’s those people that say “look at this cute picture of my new baby cuddling my staffie, he’s looking after her”

These people never own sausage dogs or little handbag dogs. Or just regular small family dogs.

For what it’s worth I find Rottweilers, Staffies and bully dogs really ugly to look at. They are not cute like a poodle or cool like other breeds. They just look bloody nasty and for me, are the sign of a certain type of person. One that I wouldn’t want to be associated with.

@gottakeeponmovin
Please don’t be so naive to think all breeders are good, I’ve seen plenty people get dogs form ‘reputable’ breeders who I wouldn’t give a goldfish to, breeders are a business and a good compassionate one is rare.
A breed ban is not the way forward, it is owner responsibility, I have worked in rescue for many years and owned and fostered bull breeds inc cane corso, dogs can be rehabilitated after abuse and mistreatment, no dog deserves to die because they have been mistreated by a moron owner or how they look. Some of the most aggressive dogs I have dealt with were popular small breeds whose behaviour is often excused with ‘oh he’s only little’
Where does a ban stop? bull breeds? huskies? rotties? GSDs? Akita’s?
Many comments in here are typical MN middle class ones, assuming bull breeds are owned by chavs, I know many professionals who have bull breeds, many adopted, there’s more to life than labradors!
Deed not Breed.

For what it’s worth I find Rottweilers, Staffies and bully dogs really ugly to look at. They are not cute like a poodle or cool like other breeds.

Well that's just a matter of perspective. I happen to think they're beautiful.

They just look bloody nasty and for me, are the sign of a certain type of person. One that I wouldn’t want to be associated with

The fact that you would judge a person based on the breed of their dog says more about you than the person you're judging.

I think previous posters are right, if you cannot restrain a dog easily then it should be banned. Exception being working animals on farms or service dogs.

Even guard dogs need looking at. Anyone see that video of a “guard dog” escaping a business and biting a 2 year old and 3 year old that were walking along street with their mum. Very distressing.

I’m sorry but your right to own a dangerous dog does not trump the right of someone’s to peacefully hang washing in their own garden.

Ban the lot of them. If the fuckwits switch breed, ban the new breed until we get down to a sensible dog size.

Correct I would judge, anyone that is dumb enough to let their kids be with one of “those” dogs alone, I don’t need them in my life.

I think staffies in particular look really evil. And bull terriers too. Small eyes and just horrible looking. No idea why anyone would want one. It’s like some sort of reverse status symbol.

The small breeds bite just as much but it's more effective when you boot them. If a chihuahua attacked my child I'd feel confident that I could get it off.
I'd like to see dog ownership become much less common and leads at all times except for specific dog parks.

If I saw a family or a person with a staffie meandering along,I wouldn't give it a thought or a glance.
If I saw a young man,dressed in black with a peaked cap,holding a huge gold chain with a pitbull (type?)attached to the chain and 30 or so similar people,in a park,with a large police presence, I dont think that's classism.

@2021ismyyear
You truly are ignorant and nasty, do you judge everyone in this manner? I have a preference to dog breeds but would never call any ugly or judge an owner for having a. particular breed.
@novaissuper
Agreed, my staffy girl is gorgeous and has an immaculate temperament, has worked as a dog tester at local pounds and welcomed many foster dogs into our home and been a steady presence for them, she’s worth her weight in gold and has been instrumental in many dogs getting a rescue placement and eventually a new home.

Dog ownership doesn’t need to be a right. It’s not a right to breed tigers and keep them in your garden. I see this as no different.

It really should be harder to own a dog (tests, fees, licence etc) A bonus would be less shit on the pavement too! But the main thing would be less fatal dog attacks and maybe just maybe one day, my kids can walk through park without some idiots off lead dog coming up to them.

Imagine if another human came up to me in park and started jumping all over me, put his hands on my clean jumper, stole my sandwich and sniffed my bum. Then to finish off, took a dump on the pavement. They would be arrested.

Correct I would judge, anyone that is dumb enough to let their kids be with one of “those” dogs alone, I don’t need them in my life.

As a responsible owner of a staffie cross and a parent to a newborn I happen to believe that all dogs, regardless of breed, should not be left unattended with children. I wouldn't leave any dog unsupervised with my child. Full stop. I love and trust my dog but she's still a dog and animals can be unpredictable.

I rescued a senior American bulldog cross who’d had a really shit time previously. Kept chained up in a garden, hardly fed or watered. The two dogs he was found with didn’t make it. No one would give him a chance because of his age. He is the sweetest natured boy, calm, polite, obedient, great with people and other dogs and bloody handsome .. although I’m clearly a “chav” so don’t take my word for it.

Staffies aren’t more dangerous as a breed than other dogs. Most of the ones around here are ridiculously soppy, soft things.

All dogs have the potential to be dangerous around young children because animals with sharp teeth and unpredictable, noisy children don’t always go well together. Toddlers visiting family members are often plonked down on the floor next to dogs that aren’t used to children. A pissed off Scottie dog can still do serious damage to a child’s face.

I only like the look of certain dogs too. But I don't judge people by their dog choices

I’m sorry but when you describe a staffie as a “soppy, soft thing” you are part of the issue.

They are always soft and lovely and wouldn’t hurt a fly, until they aren’t one day. Then it’s too late

@2021ismyyear
as is any dog!
ppl are commenting on their experience of a staffy they know, not immediate judgement like your own ignorant self.
@SillyLittleBiscuit
Glad you gave this boy a happy home 🥰

@2021ismyyear

I’m sorry but when you describe a staffie as a “soppy, soft thing” you are part of the issue.

They are always soft and lovely and wouldn’t hurt a fly, until they aren’t one day. Then it’s too late

That applies to any dog

@2021ismyyear

I’m sorry but when you describe a staffie as a “soppy, soft thing” you are part of the issue.

They are always soft and lovely and wouldn’t hurt a fly, until they aren’t one day. Then it’s too late

You are 100% correct.

But the same applies to all dogs. From miniature poodles, to labradors, to Great Danes.

Indeed all dogs have potential to be dangerous. But we keep coming back to this point, if it was a sausage dog I highly highly doubt it would be a fatal attack.

@sunflowersandbuttercups that's true, but your average person would have a much easier time fighting off a miniature poodle than a council bull terrier, of whichever variety.