Why do people keep dangerous dogs???

[Ori18]

Another little boy pronounced dead this morning on the news - the toddler who was mauled on Monday and subsequently suffered a cardiac arrest. The dogs in question are not thought to be banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act - but I'd be interested to know which breeds they were as it's quite evident that certain breeds are more dangerous to children than others - why aren't Rottweiler's on the banned list for example?

And even though Pitt Bull Terriers are banned, people still go out of their way to own them, and are then shocked when they attack small children, maul babies, tear limbs off people. It makes me so angry. Same goes for German Shepherds and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. The Bull Terrier dogs are/were specifically bred for fighting - why would you even consider having one of these types of dogs around a baby or a small child? What is going on there? Is it lack of intelligence? Lack of education? Lack of giving a fuck? Because I think there need to be more dogs on the banned list, and heavier penalties served to people who insist on breaking the law to keep these dogs.

Aggressive/dangerous dogs and babies/small children do not mix, should never be mixed and it shouldn't take more deaths for the law to change around this. AIBU?

@purpleboy I think my 2 year old is safe enough living in a house with our 4 year old golden retriever who we've had since he's a puppy who goes for a run twice a day, is well fed, well trained and well cared for, he's best friends with our cat and who is never ever alone with our daughter (neither is the cat). More for the animals safety than my daughters.

According to studies pets can benefit toddlers because they:
Teach responsibility
Enhance social skills and verbal skills
Build empathy
Offer emotional support
Promote physical health (kids that grow up with animals have significantly less allergies than those that don't).

But you enjoy your "safe" life of not leaving the house for fear of being hit by lightening.

@BlackCountryWench2

Simple, really: “I want a pit bull/XL Bully/Tosa”. “Then you are clearly not fit to have a dog of any type.” Without fail, all the people I see with these type of breeds are young lower class males in tracksuits, who clearly shouldn’t have responsibility over anything, let alone a dog which might be dangerous. And no, I’m not a snob, I’m telling it as it is. It can only be to “look hard”, for dog fighting and/or to warn off people from their drug dealing turf.

No, you're not telling it how it is you're making a snobbish stereotypical comment. My uncle trained pits before they were banned. He was not a 'big man' trying to be hard or a drug dealer nor did he wear a tracksuit. He simply loved the breed and worked with responsible new owners teaching them how to handle and train their dogs.

MN is at its small minded worst today I see.

[quote Katiekat84]@purpleboy I think my 2 year old is safe enough living in a house with our 4 year old golden retriever who we've had since he's a puppy who goes for a run twice a day, is well fed, well trained and well cared for, he's best friends with our cat and who is never ever alone with our daughter (neither is the cat). More for the animals safety than my daughters.

According to studies pets can benefit toddlers because they:
Teach responsibility
Enhance social skills and verbal skills
Build empathy
Offer emotional support
Promote physical health (kids that grow up with animals have significantly less allergies than those that don't).

But you enjoy your "safe" life of not leaving the house for fear of being hit by lightening.[/quote]
Ahh ok, so you responded to my post that was addressed to someone else, about their specific dog, I didn't read through all your other posts to see what kind of dog you have, I incorrectly assumed based on the fact you were talking about you dog being fine with your child and children are at more risk from a stranger jumping over a table in a restaurant to stab them,that it would be a similar breed to the posters dog I was replying to.
Retrievers don't have the same no release bite, as the staffy/bully breed I was specifically talking about so your comment to me wasn't really relevant in the context I was talking about.

I love dogs but of course breed makes a difference in terms of outcome of an attack.
Unfortunately there are a lot of stupid & naive people.

Do you actually know anything about dogs?
Those dogs you’ve mentioned are some of the best dogs around children. The reason you see them attacking kids in the press is because it’s what people (like you) like to read and believe. Someone being killed by a cockerpoo isn’t newsworthy. If you read the articles these are usually dogs that have been unofficially rescued or rehomed irresponsibly. Most rescued dogs won’t be rehomed with children if done through official centres, regardless of the breed.

Our dog, a presa Canario, is a banned breed in some countries (not UK). We’ve had her from a puppy and have NEVER had a problem with her in 5 years. My children are 16, 14, 5 and 3. We got her when 5 year old was 9 months old. She is amazing with all of them. She regularly gets attacked by smaller dogs (in particular a local sausage dog!) and has never once reacted.

The only ‘banned breed’ dog that you will probably ever come across in England is a pittbull. The other 3 are very rare here.

I’d trust a healthy, family owned, well cared for pittbull around my kids more than I’d EVER trust a jack russell or a chihuahua.

Someone being killed by a cockerpoo isn’t newsworthy.

i think it would be, has anyone been killed by a cockerpoo?

I’d trust a healthy, family owned, well cared for pittbull around my kids more than I’d EVER trust a jack russell or a chihuahua.

I think it's stupid to trust any dog around my dc.

To all the people saying they are ‘offended’ by people suggesting their precious fur baby might be potentially dangerous, because kelts a big softy snd would never hurt a fly…

If you are cannot even accept that your dog is an ANIMAL, and that as such, depending on its size and strength it has the inherent potential to do harm to any animal smaller or weaker than itself, including humans, then I’m sorry but you have no business owning a dog.

I don’t care how soft and cuddly your dog is WITH YOU. It is an animal, with its own communication system that we don’t share, it’s own instincts and reactions which we cannot ever fully understand since we are not the same species.

If you own a dog OF ANY SIZE, stop treating it like like a fucking baby and take some responsibility for the ANIMAL you have in your home.

And I say this as a dog owner. They are animals and need to be treated as such, with a generous dose of respect for potential to do serious damage that EVERY dog possess, regardless of size or temperament.

Once a dog is larger or more powerful or heavy than the weakest animal in their surroundings, he that another person or a child, that must be acknowledged. The smaller weaker animal WILL be at a serious disadvantage. If the dog is stronger, larger than the strongest largest adult in the surroundings, you are at the mercy of the dog there will be nothing you can do if it all goes horribly wrong.

@purpleboy fair enough but the chances of a family pet Rotweiller who has been raised by experienced dog owners since he's a puppy in a loving home where he is fed well, trained well, cared for, exercised sufficiently and gentle around cats.... the chances of a dog like that one day completely losing it out of the blue and attacking a child while under direct supervision of the adults is just as unlikely as my dog. Perhaps if he had a brain tumour or something but that could happen with a parent if they had a brain tumour they could lose it and attack a child. It's incredibly unlikely.

Sadly kids are far more likely to be killed by a human in their home than a dog.

@Rinoachicken
Well put. Completely agree. I have 2 lovely border collies.

People are fucking stupid and every single one of them who owned a dog that has killed someone should be jailed.

@incognitoforthisone

Rottweilers, German shepherds, Staffies etc are not on the 'banned' listen because they are no more dangerous than any other breed of dog. Staffies used to be known as 'nanny dogs' because they were renowned for being brilliant with children. I have known many Rottweilers over the years and every single one of them has been exceptionally placid.

It has bugger all to do with the breed of the dog and everything to do with the owners and they way they've acquired and raised the dog. Basically, some people are really bloody thick. And that's all there is to it.

This!!! I'm a childminder and I have a Staffy. We had him from a pup and he's amazing with the children and, believe me, I'd rather have him around the children than one of the little snappy, fluffy things that seem to get away with thus type of behaviour...... We take him to the park, off his lead....he doesn't bother with any people, children, or other dogs- they're the one's who won't leave him alone who have no recall, but I'd bet my life that if my pup nipped one of them because they're bothering him ,MY dog would be the vicious, devil dog for retaliating. The owners are the one's bringing the dogs up, they need to take responsibility for them no matter what breed they are.

American Akitas had a bad name a while back, but if people could see my two laid out like giant rugs with a cat curled up asleep on the back of each one, or the DC sat with one on their lap because the dogs think they're still puppies, then they might think differently. Or not.

There are lots of lovely dogs and great owners. That doesn't change the fact that an inexperienced, naive owner and a powerful dog are a dangerous combination

@YoYoYoYoSup

You've named a load of really non dangerous dogs. It's these American bulldogs that are dangerous. They're basically put bulls they're horrendous and have already killed at least 3 newsworthy children in the last year.

I had an American bulldog who was the most placid thing in the world, I've known more aggressive labradors and Yorkshire terriers! A lot of the issues are the owners and unexperienced people owning them. My AB grew up with all 3 of my children but like most of these stories despite the nature of him were never left alone with Children which SHOULD be the case for all breeds, yet another person going for the closest breed to a pit bull.....

I've got an American Bulldog. He was treated with love and gentleness, and trained in the right way to behave.

He is the most beautiful natured dog and I'm not naive. I won't ever have another dog again because none will match up to him.

@SnackSizeRaisin I completely agree. If you've seen the rest of my posts you'd see I've said that it's the owners who are at fault, and when you own a large dog you have to be responsible, you have to train it, you have to teach DC to respect animals.

And @Rinoachicken I'm 'offended' because of how people are referring to large dog owners as 'pond life' or unintelligent or uneducated etc. My dogs are not 'fur babies', they're animals. And any dog can be unpredictable whether it's a German shepherd or a poodle.

@theton

I’d trust a healthy, family owned, well cared for pittbull around my kids more than I’d EVER trust a jack russell or a chihuahua.

I think it's stupid to trust any dog around my dc.

So no dog can be trusted around children? No children should ever be near a dog then? Are you being serious?

Should a child with a disability not be allowed an assistance dog? A blind child not allowed a guide dog?

Maybe we need to be more like UAE with regards to dog laws

My nephew lives there with a dog and he said the strict laws make dogs owners far more responsible

Dogs must be muzzled and leashed in public place, there is dog parks where you can let them off. Only here can they run freely.

If you dog causes damage to property , person or animal there is hefty fines. Same if you are caught not collecting your poo, very large fines.

He has took his dog from uk to here and actually prefers owning his dog there as no longer is concerned about idiot dog owners with zero control.

Sounds like Uk needs to toughen up laws and impose harsh penalties.

@underneaththeash

This is a list of the breeds responsible for killing people (mainly small children)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_dog_attacks_in_the_United_Kingdom

Jack Russells have killed a couple of babies too. I'm not sure dogs and babies/small children are ever a great idea.

Interesting to see that a few of these are linked with the dogs being spooked due to people suffering epileptic fits .

I have my nasty large piece of work 30kg dog on my knee at the moment, anticipating my head to be severed in her large frothing jaws any second now.

Seriously though, the hysteria on Mumsnet on this issue.

I know someone who works in child protection, children get killed every week by their parents. It’s not newsworthy because it happens so damn often. The reason why dog bite fatalities are news worthy is because it’s so unusual. We’re talking a handful each year.

So when we’re looking at risk management maybe women shouldn’t have a child’s father or step father around because the statistics of them being killed by them are so much higher than the family dog. And this includes those dogs also being abused by nasty, abusive humans, who are emotionally disturbed by being kicked in the face in the name of toughening them up. It’s amazing how more abused dogs don’t turn.

My dogs are loved, they’ve never known anything else, the kids have been well versed in how to treat them. Nobody’s allowed to pull their ears, tails, poke their eyes or do anything but treat them well. So forgive me in not thinking I have a loaded gun slung across my lap right now.

Statistically I’m right in trusting her far more than random humans round my children.

PS I know someone whose small terrier ripped out the throat of a far larger dog and killed it. Don’t always trust the smaller dogs, if it has a high prey drive then it’s a dog far more likely to bite.

@bozzabollix 100% agree

[quote Katiekat84]@purpleboy fair enough but the chances of a family pet Rotweiller who has been raised by experienced dog owners since he's a puppy in a loving home where he is fed well, trained well, cared for, exercised sufficiently and gentle around cats.... the chances of a dog like that one day completely losing it out of the blue and attacking a child while under direct supervision of the adults is just as unlikely as my dog. Perhaps if he had a brain tumour or something but that could happen with a parent if they had a brain tumour they could lose it and attack a child. It's incredibly unlikely.

Sadly kids are far more likely to be killed by a human in their home than a dog.[/quote]
I don't disagree with what you've said, I just personally couldn't take that risk, plus there is the assumption that all of the things you've mentioned are actually happening, and I'd say sadly in a lot of cases they're not.

If everyone was a good dog owner then I doubt we would have a lot of these deaths, sadly though, bad dog owners get unsuitable dogs and then deaths occur.

@shinynewapple22 exactly. I have a doberman. I researched them thoroughly as i have three kids. I purchased as a puppy from a known breeder who breeds dogs with good temperaments. The only incident of a doberman killing someone was an epileptic fit and the result was they believe the dog was trying to revive them - the baby in the room was left unharmed. I still get asked why have you bought a dangerous dog. She is ten - she is great with children - people need to get their facts straight. Its the owners that are the problem

My son owns a staffie
He’s such a dangerous dog that when he sees a cat,he hides behind my son
Same when he saw a mouse run past him in the garden-he shot back to the safety of his owner
Same when a blade of grass touched his Willy when I let him out to have a wee-he flew back into the house and dived under the duvet to be with my son,crying his eyes out until my son woke up and comforted him
However he’s never left alone with children-but is around them
It’s made very clear that if he goes to his bed,then he’s to be left alone-it works both ways

His farts are the only lethal thing about him

I owned a German Shepard years ago-amazing dog but I never ever left them alone with my children
She had her space to chill and sleep-they where in trouble if they disturbed her
She was trained and my lot grew up to respect her as she did with them

I grew up with a jack Russel dog-yappy breed known for nipping-my grandad trained her and never left us alone with her
She adored us and was an amazing dog

It’s the dickhead owners that want the status dangerous dog to look good with no real thought into what the dog needs that have really dangerous dogs