powerful, potentially life-threatening dogs

[Bjarnum]

AIBU to think people who own such breeds which then go on to kill/maim a child / pet/adult should automatically be prosecuted? With so many smaller weaker breed available ( which may well be snappy but who would struggle to inflict the ghastly injuries seen lately) WHY would you pick a dog so heavy and powerful that if they turn they would be unstoppable? Another child in the paper today maimed by his "best friend".

The situation reported on today is awful, I feel so sorry for the dog. Totally the parents fault. The dog was bloody asleep!

My sil looked after a staffy for an ex boyfriend for a while and fuck me that dog was HUGE! It was all chest and muscle and scared the beejesus out of me. It jumped up at me as I entered her house and sent me flying, i mean, I'm not a tiny woman and this thing floored me without trying.

Luckily it was a big softie and proceeded to lick me to death, but I couldnt get it off me and it took my large strong husband and his sister to pull it off.

She refused to look after it after that.

So, I think these dogs bred for power and muscle should be licensed and not allowed in homes with children under the age of 16.

I think all dog owners should have to pass a test and get a licence anyway. Reduce the number of dog owners, the cash cow that dog breeding has become and bring a bit more respect and understanding to an animal which is deadly in the wrong hands

I agree with what your trying to say to a point however I don’t know how the line would be drawn.

I mean labradors and golden retrievers are large and powerful. Newfoundland’s and other giants are typically slow, calm, gentle and often used as service or rescue animals.
Then you have the likes of wolfhounds, greyhounds and the like which are typically calm and gentle. So large does not necessarily mean nasty.

What I would agree with is looking at the breeds that pop up time and time again repeating the same behaviour and look at the reasons why. It’s almost always a repeat of the same pattern…bull breed type, newly acquired or unknown history, more often than not uncastrated male, history of aggression previously, no formal training completed, not enough stimulation or exercise, no background on dam and sire genetics or temperament, owned by dare I say a certain type of person. Maybe that’s the sort of thing that should be focused on rather than the size of the animal.

The vast majority of people with larger dogs are sensible. I for one spend so much time training, socialising and exercising my dogs mentally and physically. I am very strict with the rules around my dogs and children (or adults for that matter!) because a dogs a dog but I don’t think it’s fair to say because mine are large I am an irresponsible person. There are so many more factors at play than that.

I do 100% agree that owners should be prosecuted for irresponsible dog ownership though!!

The article about the 17 mo girl mentions family pet. They had owned it a week. It wasn't a family pet. It was a strange ddog in a strange environment allowed access to a baby. I hope the owners are prosecuted for neglect.
I had a rotty for 11 years. She wasn't allowed near unknown dc...

I agree people who have dangerous dogs round children are fucking stupid. I don’t care for the ‘oh he’s a softie’ - yeah until he’s not!

However I don’t see the value in prosecuting people whose children have been killed. They have been through enough.

My kids grew up with large breed dogs. They were well trained in how to behave so never rode or pulled at or sat on the dogs. They didn’t touch them if they were asleep. They were not their ‘best friend’ or sleep buddy. I despair if so many of the photos that turn up of toddlers grabbing at dogs or big dogs next to babies or dogs enduring forced hugs off bigger kids. So often that dog is already showing stress but the owners are clueless. We need to understand our animals better to prevent many of these accidents.

@Maydaysoonenough Were these the 7 dogs, mixed dachshunds x breeds and a collie in Oaklahoma?

Every time we have this thread- almost always sparked by one of the large breeds or types of dogs historically used for fighting, guarding or gripping having killed somebody- a surprising number of people fall over themselves to talk about all the hordes of frenzied Chihuahuas, teacup Yorkies and tiny mini maltipoos rampaging around ripping out the throats of children and grown men alike and having to be shot by SWAT teams.

Uh not this thread again!!!

@Spacedebret

My kids grew up with large breed dogs. They were well trained in how to behave so never rode or pulled at or sat on the dogs. They didn’t touch them if they were asleep. They were not their ‘best friend’ or sleep buddy. I despair if so many of the photos that turn up of toddlers grabbing at dogs or big dogs next to babies or dogs enduring forced hugs off bigger kids. So often that dog is already showing stress but the owners are clueless. We need to understand our animals better to prevent many of these accidents.

Yes !! This ^^. I have 3 dogs - all gentle creatures, but I never leave them alone with a child and I always make sure the children behave and understand not to pull them about, mess with them when they are eating, put their faces into theirs.

A lot of these attacks do seem to be with brand new “family pets” and yes it’s always a bull type and it’s always family buying then with young children/babies as second hand dogs. Then shocked when they leave baby/child alone and baby/child gets hurts.

It’s more about the owners in these cases these are not accidents due to the breed they are poor ownership not looking after their dogs or children good enough. Neglect all round basically. The breed is only at fault due to the type of people buying them in these circumstances.

ANY dog can cause serious damage to a child or adult, regardless of the breed.

Any parent neglectful enough to leave their child in a room with any dog and the dog attacks should be prosecuted for manslaughter.

Its fully down to training, upbringing and respect that their an ANIMAL.

I write this as my 8 stone Staffy snuggles into my baby bump, and whilst I'm looking at the scars a Mini Jack Russel gave me as a child

@OldTinHat I'd have though the content would be obvious from the title? I can appreciate you may find it tedious so although I am sure many find your comment relevant, and a meaningful contribution to the debate, can I suggest for your own mental equilibrium that in future you simply scroll on past and ignore?

YANBU

As a dog owner, the owner should carry a license and be prosecuted. Not that it really helps if you’ve had your face ripped off….
I’m not sure why anyone would want to own a dog that is capable of a full blown, unstoppable and fatal attack.

People who train these dogs sell the dogs upwards of £20k, they are family dogs (some of them) but will give their life to protect you.

Joe Bloggs from down the road, in his Nike tracksuit should not own a dog of this type. For people saying a chihuahua can cause injury- these massive, muscle bound dogs say- hold my beer! They are a different league.

I have giant breed dogs and DC but i am a responsible dog owner, they have had training (DDogs not DC which I would if I could 😂) and they are never alone with my DC, they have plenty of space to get away from DC that is just their space and I make sure that they aren't in situations that can potentially cause any horrible situations.

I think a strict liability offence for dogs that injure other animals, whether other dogs, farm animals or humans would probably concentrate some owners' minds.

All dogs can be dangerous. Untrained dogs however are particularly risky, this includes toy sized dogs whose owners didn't think training was necessary because they are tiny (my collie was badly bitten by a teacup pincer I think they are called, Doberman in miniature, he could have killed it if he wasn't trained not to bite).

The gentlest dog I know is also the largest, a Newfoundland, gorgeous gentle giant who seems to like live music!

@Bjarnum I certainly don't scroll past. My friend had to have her shihzu put down after it attacked a toddler, police ordered.

Not exactly your perceived big breed killer dog.

I've been mauled by a daschund.

I think maybe direct your dislike to dogs in general??

If you're a cat person, however, I've been hospitalised thanks to a cat. Just saying.

I have two dogs one of which is a massive Labrador cross. He's a rescue dog but has the sweetest nature and loves people, plus he's pretty well trained. That said, I would never leave him alone with young children - he's an animal, after all. Children provoke animals without meaning to and if never want him or a child to be put in that position. If there are children round, he is supervised, and that's it.

What are you asking for exactly OP?

For the owner of any (?) dog which does any (?) damage to anyone (?) anywhere (?) to be prosecuted?

Not being goady. Genuine question. I'm confused about what you are calling for. What laws do you want changed/bought in?

I mean are you after the total ban of all breeds bigger than a certain weight?

Or would you hope that lots of prosecutions alone will deter people from owning the larger/more dangerous breeds in the first place?

So many disingenuous posters on here.

Of course large, muscled, athletic, strong jawed dog is going to be more dangerous.

I have a toy breed. He might nip and take off a bit of my face, or a finger- sure. It can happen.

A pitbull could rip your throat out.

I find the obsession with purchasing and breeding dogs that can be actual killing machines abhorrent. Especially seeing as they have no utility and tend to be kept in flats or with small gardens.

I don’t know any sensible dog owner which owns a bully type. I follow a few people on Instagram who have rescued these dogs and are good owners- but the people who illegally breed them and purchase them tend to be thugs who want the scariest dog possible.

OP sorry I know this is anecdotal but I've personally received injury and know people who have been attacked by smaller breeds of dog.

I grew up with large breeds who have all been so incredible gentle and far easier to train than some smaller breeds. The main issue with larger breeds (IME) is the accidental knocking over they do or bashing into people when excited.

A smaller, mixed breed dog (size of a Springer Spaniel) attacked me and my dog. Left me with scars on my legs and (I'm ashamed to admit this) but I ended up having to kick it to get it off my dog. No amount of dragging my dog away, shouting, or trying to prise the dog off would help.

I have large breed working dogs (GSDs) some larger and more powerful than the others. I also have a small mixed breed thing which is about 10kg wet. I know which one I would rather be attacked by.

Anyone who does not accept that a large powerful breed can do more damage than a small breed is just being silly. That being said a small dog can easily maim / kill a small child / baby and anyone who doesn't think any dog can be a danger to children is also being silly.

In my opinion a large part of this problem comes from people allowing their kids to climb all over their "best friend", invade its space and very often clearly make it feel uncomfortable. Social media is full of it. A kid with its arms hugged tightly round the dogs neck, and the dog body posture, eyes, mouth and whole demeanour screaming get it off me and the caption will always be something idiotic like aww best friends. When that dog finally snaps and bites it will always be ... came out of nowhere, he's always been so good. Bollocks. Supervise your kids with dogs. Don't allow your kids to climb all over your dogs.

@yellowsuninthesky

I think a strict liability offence for dogs that injure other animals, whether other dogs, farm animals or humans would probably concentrate some owners' minds.

I agree