Can we muzzle all dogs in public yet (warning, graphic image of mauled hand)

[lfYouLikePinaCoIadas]

“Whilst out walking a route that Tom has been on numerous times, he was the victim of an unprovoked attack by an unleashed dog. The dog attacked Tom multiple times as he tried to protect his puppy from being mauled by the dog and was left with horrific injuries. What is more horrifying, however, is that the owners of the dog didn’t try to help and fled the scene leaving Tom bleeding from his artery on his wrist.

Wife Katy recalls the moment that she opened the door to find her husband standing there after the attack: ‘‘Tom managed to get home where I had to tourniquet, to try to stem the bleeding, while waiting for 999. He lost several litres of blood in the short time until the ambulance arrived. Our two children were at home at the time and were woken up by the commotion. My 7-year-old was terrified and thought that her dad was doing to die from the blood loss.’’

https://www.familiesonline.co.uk/news/dad-of-2-viciously-mauled-by-dog-trying-to-protect-family-puppy

Imagine it had been a child’s face, or neck, or little body, instead of an adult’s hand.

Absolutely sick of nothing being done to protect the public.

YABU - dogs are man’s best friend
YANBU - something needs to be done

It's not just those owners though as you can see by the comments on this thread already about splinters and cats. People wilfully ignore how dangerous dogs are because they think they are cute, playing or love kids etc.

They are often cute and mostly totally harmless though. There's no way on earth I'd muzzle my dogs.

Dog license
Hard look at Dog breeds. Nobody should own a dog that is or could be a risk IE why do we need these big bully dogs? why such strong jawed breeds? yes I will include staffs as they have a strong jaw and if poorly trained pose a risk. Working dogs need to work the job they were bred for really, if not this must be considered when owning them and suitably for family life. Some dogs are companion dogs and some for carrying ducks in the mouth IE soft mouthed breeds these can easily fit in but some are for fighting and killing these do not belong near children or anyone really.
Leads in public.
Muzzle should not be needed if we didn't have dangerous dogs. But maybe yes it's needed or maybe certain breeds? But would a caveller king Charles really need one for example? seems silly but that may be needed now.

But really we need to be strick on ownership and this would solve most issues.

Most dogs are friendly and fun.However a few people cannot look after their dogs properly ! Hence the rise in attacks .Its like saying theres been a few teenage boys involved in fights lets curfew every one.My own little spotty girl wouldnt harm a fly ,but has been barked at by similar dogs .

YABU @lfYouLikePinaCoIadas. Not all dogs need to be muzzled ( or on a lead at all times) however if you were to start a campaign where dogs had to be registered, DNA tested (for poo ID) and owners paid an annual fee and the system was enforced with big fines/ penalties for offences I would support that. It’s irresponsible dog owners that are the problem.

It would be a shame to muzzle my tiny poodle. She really isn't an issue. But she is always always walked on a lead.

Let's be clear here. It's large powerful dogs owned by people who wouldn't muzzle anyway because they don't give a shit about the law. I agree that this needs to be addressed properly in legislation and then also dealt with by the police. The 'dog under control' part of the law is rubbish. Those dogs were under control until they weren't. I think all dogs should be on a lead at all times except possibly in clearly designated dog areas where they can run off lead. Then other people know where to avoid if they don't like dogs.

Making muzzling mandatory is definitely not the answer. It will leave the good natured dogs completely defenceless whilst the thugs who have these types of dogs won't care. It would be like saying all humans needs to have their hands back bound when they go out but the rapists and other violent people just won't so there will no longer be any way of defending ourselves. I am totally for keeping dogs on a lead though unless they are in a fenced in dog park or fenced private land.

Looks for a muzzle for a tiny Chi. Nope there isn't one

I also think being on a lead in a public place is fine, but not required to be on a lead at all times/everywhere.
Where I live, I can be out walking for over an hour and meet absolutely nobody.

Sensible dog ownership is required. I have never owned a dog, which would bite anyone. I’m physically disabled and they don’t pose me a threat either. Ie don’t push / pull me over. Why should they be penalised for people, who can’t control them?

@sillysmiles everything you said.

Those dogs in the Birmingham story - they won't be well trained, well socialised dogs who belong to a responsible owner. They never are.

It's always the same type of owner, who unfortunately all choose the same type of dog.

I've owned a large bull breed (rescue) for 12 years and funnily enough he's never escaped, tried to hurt anyone or anything.

He's kept on a lead and if the law required it, I would reluctantly muzzle him.

These people won't. They don't care about the law or about others.

Yeah me too. I barely put mine on a lead ever. I don't think I've ever come across a single person who expected my dogs to be on a lead in 30 years of walking them. The joys of the countryside!

Well aren’t you a charmer. Bet you have cats! They are bloody awful creatures, just like you :-)

At the very least they should be on a lead always. There is a park next to my sons school, as you can imagine it's very busy twice a day, yet loads of bug dogs off leads. Just ridiculous and an accident waiting to happen

I muzzle my nervous dog for his own protection. People insist on coming up to us and putting their hands on him without asking and he doesnt like it. If he nipped anyone it would be classed as his fault!
People should learn to ask permission before petting dogs and muzzling all dogs would prevent attacks to humans and dog on dog attacks. Leads also help. Of course people assume my dog is nasty because he is muzzled, but it is only to protect him from idiot humans.
people should also be educated, and all of the “my dog doesn’t need a lead/muzzle etc entitled brigade educated”.

I would add,ALL dogs should be muzzle trained too, as you never know when one is required, an injured dog in pain can bite out of character.

Nope.

Agree. I'd be more than happy to take a test to qualify myself to be a dog owner though. And pay a license fee.

I agree with leads, but not muzzles for all dogs.

I won't be muzzling my rescued, 4kg, largely toothless, elderly Lhasa Apso she's no danger to anyone. Not that she could be muzzled with the shape of her face anyway. Most attacks happen in or on owner's premises so it wouldn't solve the problem anyway.

So you clearly don’t have experience, it doesnt mean you are right! It is a very common occurrence in injured or ill dogs.

Yes, but it doesn't mean they need to wear a muzzle. And there's no need to teach perfectly well bhaved dogs to tolerate a muzzle as they are dreadful things and should only be a last resort.

I wonder how a system of compulsory third party insurance and licensing would work? It would likely be more expensive to insure certain types of dog/owner and this could include stipulations like muzzle wearing in public, not in a home with children etc. The license fee would cover the "policing" of this via microchip checks /enforcement.

I wonder if this could have a similar effect to limiting the types of cars available to drivers with different risk profiles. Just a thought.

The vet has never needed to muzzle my dog to treat her, she doesn't bite, even in pain and it's completely unnecessary for her.

You haven’t read my post then. You do not know what an injured or ill dog in severe pain will do. They often lash out as they have no other means of communication. If they are taught not to be scared of muzzles then if one is required in an emergency situation then they are used to them. It is a perfectly sensible thing to have your dog conditioned to.