To think all dogs should be muzzled in public?

[ToughTalker]

By law.

Many things have been banned as dangerous where less people have been injured and killed.

Obviously we can’t ban dogs but it should be law to have them muzzled outside of your own property to reduce the injuries and deaths they cause.

Trained dogs, regardless of breed, are not the problem. It's the untrained people.

I think what you're suggesting is ... well I was going to say ridiculous, but I prefer stupid.

you should restrain ALL humans, as some are prone to violence! 🙄

Total overreaction.

I have a bull breed (and for clarity don’t live in a scummy area and don’t partake in drugs and criminality, as many seem to think all bull breed owners do).

My boy is perfectly trained, gentle and loving. I do recognise that many people might find him intimidating so keep him on the lead around people and other animals but don’t see why he, and others like him, should suffer because certain idiots can’t be bothered to train and socialise their animals.

The issue is the owners. I own two giant breed dogs. They are trained to walk on a loose lead when out. They aren’t allowed to approach strangers when out. If people ask if they can say hello that’s different. They ignore many dogs but greet ones who want to say hi in a polite manner.
If we meet a barky dog or loud people then they hide behind me and use me as a human shield.
Why should they be muzzled, never allowed off lead or even their whole breed be banned because some arseholes buy breeds they don’t have the skills for from dodgy breeders and then don’t train them?

Ridiculous post. Frothing.

No. That’s an extremist reaction based on fear of dogs.

But I do think all children should learn about dogs, meet them, understand what behaviours dogs don’t like, not be afraid of them, because fear of dogs is a social disability when the vast majority of them are lovely.

YABU. It's akin to saying some men are rapists so they should all have to wear a locked cage around their penis.

Most fatal dog attacks happen in home and are very very rare in the grand scheme of things. I would rather they had stricter requirements of who is allowed to own dogs and maybe mandatory training? I am a dog lover and would hate to see my dog muzzled. Also this would not be enforceable. In Canada there is a in lead rule in public areas except in specific off lead areas. The sad thing is most dogs are very loving and friendly

Absolutely agree with this.. but then you will be told that it should 100% be dog owner's responsibility even though there have been people talking about their experiences of kids approaching their dogs. I had one kid try and do a flying kick into my dog's face... no reason at all. And recently in a café, a small kid came to batter her over the head with a toy. She was just led down on her bed minding her own business.

I'd support no off-leash dogs except in designated, fenced dog fields and parks. SO tired of being jumped on/chased/nosed in my crotch by loose dogs in any and all public spaces. But dogs on leash seems to be more accepted in North America than it seems to be in UK.

Muzzled outdoors all the time seems a bit over the top - though as there are two threads right now on Active about dogs at home that have eaten Toblerone and foie gras, maybe muzzled in the house is a better idea? 😄

@echt - interesting that Aus managed it.

I think you have to say that owners can do what they like on their own land. But it's a different case in public areas.

You sound really sensible, wish more were like you.

YABU. You obviously aren't a dog person or have ever had a dog.

Don't be a public idiot

Completely agree.

Nope a massive overreaction. I do think that dogs should be kept on lead in many circumstances. Muzzle a dog who is reactive or high prey drive sure but not every dog, that's just impossible.

I agree, OP. My baby was attacked by a dog in his pram when he was 6 months old. I had to wrestle it off him. I will never trust another dog again.

If this was the law, I wouldn't own a dog of the type I do. I don't think I could give it the life it deserved or enjoyed (retrieving things) if muzzles were required. Ditto if dogs weren't allowed off lead.

You want me to muzzle him? He’s not going to bite anyone!! Personally I think all cars should be banned… do you know how many innocent pedestrians are mowed down and killed by cars each year? WAY more than those killed by dogs!

To think knee jerk reactions should be muzzled in public....

Despite what people may thing dog attacks are pretty rare, think how many dogs there are?

You can’t muzzle all dogs, there are service dogs, working dogs, gun dogs etc..etc..

I encounter several dogs a day, sometimes 10+ when I am working or walking, I have only been nipped by one, most owners are sensible and do muzzle their dog if they feel it’s a risk to people or they tend to walk it away from built up/busy areas.

Dog walkers shouldn’t be walking a large number of dogs, especially bigger breeds, how are they supposed to control them when one starts playing up?

what happened to this poor lady was terrible but it’s not something that happens often, it doesn’t make me sacred of dogs and doesn’t make me feel they need to all be muzzled.

Shall we start by making it law that all dogs are on a lead in public. The amount of dogs with no recall running around is growing

Dogs that are kept muzzled and on the lead all the time will just lead to nervous and frustrated dogs that are far more likely to lash out.

It would be a start. Something needs to be done. There will be no safety from dogs while people can just pop on gumtree and buy XL Bullys like this one.