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?

I despair at some of these comments and those you see on news articles about these attacks too. The whole ‘nanny dog’ but let’s ignore the fact it was bred for fighting, the it’s the owners not the dog brigade. Any dog can turn, whether it’s been brought up as a lovely family dog or been mistreated. We have small cavaliers, I’ve never heard of them being vicious but I would still never say never, and wouldn’t leave them alone with a baby or child. If you look at the list of fatal dog attacks, they are overwhelmingly down to bull breeds. The small dogs killed newborn babies - clearly left alone with them which is sheer neglect and stupidity on behalf of the adults who were supposed to be looking after them. The big bull breed dogs have killed adults and children, including when others were there to help try to get them off. I believe the 17month old attacked and killed this month was in her mothers arms when that XL bully attacked- and they still had no chance to save her! XL bully and staffies are so popular where I live and it’s always with the people who want to appear ‘hard’, let them off lead everywhere and generally have no sense because they take the ‘oh he’s daft, soft as a brush’ line and always say ‘they’re fine’ when their dog comes running in to my dogs faces even though they can see our and our dogs discomfort. The XL bully’s weigh more than most of the owners you see them with- they have no chance at all of stopping them attacking. Why on Earth anyone would get one with a small child or baby is beyond me.

ODFOD. Perfectly respectable and naice Staffy owner here. She's soft as a brush. I gather you don't know one end of a dog from the other with your hysteria and the poor lad was pronounced dead at the scene, not on the news. FFS.

@BitOutOfPractice and yet it was a chihuahua who attacked my face when I was 4 and ripped my lip, resulting in stitches and left a scar to this day. But the Rottweilers my parents owned never hurt a fly.

Is it ok because at least it didn't kill me? This is what I mean about the complacency of small dog owners.

Of course a rottie would do more harm, but you'll also find that MOST owners of large dogs are also very aware of the responsibility of owning them, whereas toy owners think their dog is 'safer' because it's small.

It's still an animal, it's still unpredictable, it's still capable of maiming a baby or small child, and when you get a complacent owner of a toy that's when kids get their lips ripped open.

It’s also not even just about aggression when it comes to safety around DCs either.
Before we had DCs, my ExH and I fostered a very large husky/German shepherd crossbreed until he went to his forever home. I’m petite - 5’3”-ish and 8 stone piss wet through. This dog was a jumper, and completely unaware of his own size and strength - he was still a puppy in his mind, but 50kg of puppy I’d come home from work, and he’d come charging through the kitchen to say hello to me and knocked me flying a few times! Could have done some serious damage to a child in the same situation.
Surely when you are choosing a family pet, you weigh up all of the risk factors/suitability of the animal for the environment, age of DCs, size of garden etc, not just the odds of a dog attacking someone?
It would appear a lot of people don’t. The amount of times you see families who live in pokey little terraced houses with very little garden, who then have a husky as a pet A dog that is known for needed an incredible amount of exercise and space to run, jump, dig etc.
The person we rescued our foster pup from had a 50kg dog in a 3rd floor centra London flat

@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

@incognitoforthisone they are no more dangerous than any other breed of dog
NONSENSE!!!!

I've always had GSDs, most loyal, loving breed imo. My current pup is 5 months old, and has been trained since 8 weeks old. I have teenagers and a 10 year old, who all know how to behave around dogs. And even though my puppy is a gorgeous gentle bundle of fun, I'd never leave him unsupervised around children.

It is staffies, American pit bull types, bulldogs and huskies. Basically all the breeds that stupid people that want to look hard buy.
So the question is is it because they have stupid irresponsible owners or because they are dangerous breeds. I think it’s a bit of both but you will get people arguing passionately that it’s only one of these things.
Personally I would bring back dog licensing, enforce it properly. And consider banning more breeds. But banning breeds is controversial and gets a lot of people angry.

@Ringmaster27

It’s also not even just about aggression when it comes to safety around DCs either. Before we had DCs, my ExH and I fostered a very large husky/German shepherd crossbreed until he went to his forever home. I’m petite - 5’3”-ish and 8 stone piss wet through. This dog was a jumper, and completely unaware of his own size and strength - he was still a puppy in his mind, but 50kg of puppy I’d come home from work, and he’d come charging through the kitchen to say hello to me and knocked me flying a few times! Could have done some serious damage to a child in the same situation. Surely when you are choosing a family pet, you weigh up all of the risk factors/suitability of the animal for the environment, age of DCs, size of garden etc, not just the odds of a dog attacking someone? It would appear a lot of people don’t. The amount of times you see families who live in pokey little terraced houses with very little garden, who then have a husky as a pet A dog that is known for needed an incredible amount of exercise and space to run, jump, dig etc. The person we rescued our foster pup from had a 50kg dog in a 3rd floor centra London flat

Don't get me started on people who buy highly active, intelligent working breeds, such as spaniels or Border collies, coop them up in urban apartments with 20 minutes' 'walkies' a day if they're lucky, then wonder why they become difficult and neurotic...

Dear @Ori18 I haven't read your thread and don't intend to, I just wanted to come on and say a massive FUCK OFF to your "Rottweilers are dangerous" crap

Having owned multiple Rottweilers, both male and female, I can honestly say that they are one of the BEST breeds of dog you can own

They are friendly, loyal, good with kids (and people in general) and easy to train. You should hear the compliments I get at the school gates over how well behaved my girl (15 months) is - she's a fucking joy to own and you obviously know nothing about the breed

Please kindly educate yourself before you post more bullshit

@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.

Exactly. That list is mostly Staffies & Rottweilers

No dog can be fully trusted. Yes, there are some breeds who can be more prone to being involved in horrific incidents but its usually because owners or breeders have made them this way for status reasons.

I have a small dog, particularly submissive and sweet. I could take her favourite meat out of her mouth and she would do no more than give me a sad look. She’s never growled before (in seriousness if you get me). I still wouldn’t leave her with a child who doesn’t understand how to behave around dogs. It only takes one accident, like a toddler standing on her tail for her to react - and I have no idea how she might react so I don’t risk it.

I am happy to leave her in the room with my 8 year old niece who is respectful of my dog but not my 8 year old nephew - who does not know how to behave around a dog at all.

I’m also happy to let my two year old nephew play with her etc, but am always in the garden and leading the way on how to behave around an animal.

@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 again?

There is no such thing as a "dangerous dog" it is the owner that makes it dangerous. Unfortunately it's much easier for bigger breeds that haven't been trained correctly to do major damage and have big consequences. Bully type dogs are absolute sweethearts.

Unfortunately in most of these tragedies the owners took on the dogs without knowing their backgrounds. I would never recommend having a rescue dog that has no background around children, you never know what's happened to them in the past that might trigger them.

@CiderWithRosiee

Snort-laughed at the thought of Rotties needing to be subject to DDA discrimination! My DB's 60+kg 'brute' used to get bossed around by my (then) teeny tiny 18mo, and basically thinks he's a lap dog. Just because they're big, it doesn't mean they're dangerous 🙄

Would you like to 'snort-laugh' at this? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListoffataldogattacksintheUnitedKingdom" target="_blank">http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListoffataldogattacksintheUnitedKingdom" target="_blank">offen.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListoffataldogattacksintheUnitedKingdom" target="_blank">fatalen.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListoffataldogattacksintheUnitedKingdom" target="_blank">doggen.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListoffataldogattacksintheUnitedKingdom" target="_blank">attacksen.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListoffataldogattacksintheUnitedKingdom" target="_blank">innen.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListoffataldogattacksintheUnitedKingdom" target="_blank">theen.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListoffataldogattacksintheUnitedKingdom" target="_blank">Unitedden.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListoffataldogattacksintheUnitedKingdom" target="_blank">Kingdom

Mostly Rottweilers

I have GSD. I had them before the children.
To say they are no more dangerous than a small breed is stupid. I adore them but they are incredibly large and powerful dogs and I can’t deny that. Anyone who says a chihuahua is just as dangerous is deluded.

I am very careful with mine. They are incredibly well trained and still attend training weekly at 5 years old. They are well cared for and stimulated mentally and physically as the breed should be.
I also keep them separate from the children to a point. We have baby gates and also have seperated a part of the garden from them so the children can play without having a dog also running around with them.
My dogs have shown no human aggression ever, neither have the parents or siblings. I have not known any dog in the line to have aggressive tendencies.

I know I have strong powerful dogs and take every safety precaution I can. It’s people who buy a random bull thing that’s probably a genetic disaster, don’t exersise it or train it and let the kids ride on it that give normal people a bad name. Don’t forget that there are so many millions of dogs in the UK attacks like this although increasing are still rare.

I did however read a statistic yesterday that said of 56 fatal attacks, only 13 were not a bull breed. Now that’s scary to read because that’s 43/56 that we’re a staff, American bull or bullie. I’m not sure how that can be fixed though as the people who are stupid enough to own a dog like this will just buy something else.

Oh and to those who said where were the parents clearly have not felt the strength of a rottie or staffie in full attack mode.
I have and I can tell you now I couldn’t fight it off whether I was there or not.

@katienana

I have a miniature poodle and I would never leave her alone with a child. She is not aggressive at all but I just believe that's how you exist with dogs and children, always supervise. However if something were to happen it's not going to be difficult for me to get her jaws apart and grab her, so a fatal attack is very very unlikely. You cannot say that large muscular breeds aren't more dangerous even if well trained and with an even temperament. It's shocking the amount of deaths already this year.

Absolutely agree. I wouldn’t leave any dog alone with a child, in the same way that I wouldn’t leave a baby or toddler alone with a cat! A cat is very unlikely to be able to kill anyone but cat scratches and bites can be really nasty and toddlers can’t be trusted not to inadvertently annoy an animal.

I have a soppy and well-behaved medium sized dog. I would be staggered if he ever attacked someone but I know better than to say ‘he would never attack anyone’ as one poster did upthread, simply because he is an animal and if he ever feels cornered or frightened of course there is the potential for him to bite. Just because he’s never done it doesn’t mean it could never happen.

Any yes, of course the large, heavy, muscular breeds of dog are much harder to control if and when they do decide to clamp their jaws around something. So in that sense, the bigger the dog, the bigger the risk.

@MbwaKali

It’s not the dogs, it’s the idiot brained owners. Why can’t people just admit that?

If that was true, we wouldn't have a Dangerous Dogs List but we do. Thanks to EXPERTS in dog geneticists and extremely well experienced Vets, who have PROVEN that it is in the DNA of certain breeds, to attack. But the hard of thinking still try to imply that it's "just the owners not training 'em"

@HeyBlaby

I'm well educated and fairly intelligent. I have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a six year old son and a baby due in September.

We've had the dog since a puppy, he has been extensively trained, is walked twice daily and has a brilliant temperament, has never shown signs of aggression.

I guess, by your reasoning, that I'm an awful person and it is just a matter of time before he mauls my child to death.

The thing is, what you've just typed there is almost precisely what all the victims families/owners of dogs who have randomly attacked out of nowhere, have said after the fact. I don't mean any offence here but it is ignorance

@TiddleyWink that is bonkers. There are millions of things that could in theory cause harm to a child. You can't eradicate all dangers from the planet or even from your home. Children can get a lot from having pets, especially dogs. The key is to manage them properly.

People lose all perspective over risk. According to the ONS data in 2019, 2 people (neither children) were killed by dogs. In contrast 1,752 people died the same year in fatal road traffic accidents. These deaths could be greatly reduced if we mandated lower speed limits abs rear facing car seats for toddler. The dog deaths are sensational and get lots of attention but if you want to improve public health they aren't even worth a glance really. If you can one breed people just find a different guarding breed to make dangerous. You could ban all breeds over 50kg and you'd still have terriers....focus where it matters.

@SartresSoul

I wouldn’t class a staffie as a dangerous dog at all. The Staffies I have met have all been utterly stupid and docile. Very energetic but ultimately loving dogs. No experience with German shepherds but also never thought of them as particularly dangerous.

The Staffie that attacked my lovely friendly dog, with no warning, this week, was a danger to other dogs. Of course the owner said "she had never done it before". They are so strong, and the Nanny Dog rubbish, is bullshit.

@Thisismynamenow

You sounds like a responsible owner, you would never leave you child or baby unattended which is obviously right.
What would you do however if you were in the same room with dog and baby/child and the dog attacks. Knowing the breed you have the chances of you being able to stop the dog is slim to none, does that not worry you?
The baby girl that was killed last week was in the same room as her mother and dog, but the mother was unable to do anything because the dog was too strong and wouldn't let go.
So I suppose I just don't understand how anyone could take that risk?

OP I take offence by your post and you are being incredibly closed minded and disrespectful to owners of those breeds you say should be banned. I have a German Shepherd and she is the softest, loveliest dog. Yet my mum's Yorkshire Terrier would bite the hand that feeds him. Any breed of dog has the potential to be dangerous.

This post should be deleted, it's disgusting.