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Original poster

Another dog attack, man killed, can this just go on?

1000 replies

IthinkIamAnAlien · 15/09/2023 11:09

Just on the news - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-66817795

Week after week, there is something wrong with dogs (and the owners) today, I grew up with them and this never, ever happened. Maybe because dogs were treated as dogs and not trophy animals. Awful for everyone.

Crime scene

Man attacked by two dogs near school in Stonnall dies

A man suffers fatal injuries when attacked by two dogs in a street near a school in Staffordshire.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-66817795

OP posts:
Thread gallery
41
CwmYoy · 15/09/2023 12:17

Dog licences £100 a year.
All dogs muzzled in public. Unmuzzled dogs removed and destroyed after one warning.

LizardLizard · 15/09/2023 12:18

Dotjones · 15/09/2023 11:13

Either the government needs to remove dogs from private ownership or train the public in how to fight them off. Dogs are now a weapon rather than a pet so we need to be able to defend against them accordingly. I'd like to see the laws relaxed so we can carry guns to use on dogs (only farmers really have the right and ability to shoot dogs at the moment) or at least carry knives. It wouldn't stop all dog attacks but carrying a "dog knife" and being trained in how to kill a dog would stop some attacks definitely.

Yes, those weapons will definitely only be used on dogs. I can’t see this going wrong at all.

Pinkypie86 · 15/09/2023 12:19

There needs to be a register of everyone who owns dogs, and what breed of dog they are.
More restrictions on breeding and the selling of dogs.
I adore dogs and own an English Bulldog. She is not the same as a American XL Bully, nowhere near.
These XL Bully cross mongrels are vile, and scare the life out of me.

Recption1 · 15/09/2023 12:19

Andywarholswig · 15/09/2023 12:13

Agreed: I would add to this extendable leads should be banned

I would love to have space to walk my dog off lead other than parks full of half eaten picnics, pizzas and KFC that fools have left in behind because they can’t be arsed to put their litter in the bin and don’t get me started on the human shit in bushes….

My dog wears a scavenger muzzle in the summer to stop him eating things that will make him ill. Unfortunately there are no fenced dog parks near me (London), which I think would be a game changer.

Trouble is for every responsible owner there (it feels like) at least 10 that don’t have control, have maybe done 6 weeks of puppy class if you are lucky and think their dog can do no wrong and that’s before you have to deal with the XL bullies.

I would add Chowchows to the list of dogs to be very wary of too as they seem to be popular as they look cute and fluffy but they are stubborn, strong and all seem to want to kill the smaller dogs (had to deal with one this morning that dragged its owner off her feet, on an extendable lead, natch, trying to get to my dog across the street minding his own business on short lead)

Show quote history

Unfortunately there are no fenced dog parks near me (London),

There are loads of dog parks in London.

https://thelondog.com/enclosed-dog-parks/

Enclosed Dog Parks - The Londog

The hub for all enclosed dog parks in London: maps, reviews, photos and guides for finding the best dog exercise area near you.

https://thelondog.com/enclosed-dog-parks

BeeLaidee · 15/09/2023 12:20

I've managed to own dogs for most of my life without any of them biting random people in public. I would strongly oppose any law that all dogs should be muzzled or on a lead in public. Complete and utter overreaction to a problem caused by individuals who are likely to be a problem for society in numerous other ways. It's akin to saying we should ban all cars because of the boy racers.

I would support laws which require certain types of dog to be muzzled, which require dog licences, which prevent all and sundry breeding dogs for easy money, which imposes stiff penalties for those who don't pick up the dog poo and which facilitates dogs being removed from feckless owners before a serious problem arises. Why punish responsible owners for the failings of the minority of irresponsible ones?

Dogs enrich the lives of thousands, if not millions, in this country and I very much doubt that will change any time soon.

Oysterbabe · 15/09/2023 12:20

Hopefully the threat of an imminent ban will make spending ££££ on one unattractive and the breeders will stop.

Lifeomars · 15/09/2023 12:20

loislovesstewie · 15/09/2023 12:14

Someone who lives near me has 2 rotties; she cannot control them when walking them and is basically dragged down the street. In addition they spend a lot of time in her back yard; we have alleyways down the back of the houses. I have stopped walking past her house and detour the other way because the bloody dogs bark and launch themselves at the gate when I walk past .The gate actually moves when they do it, I love dogs ,but I am petrified that they will get through the gate and attack me. I don't think for one minute that she believes her dogs to be dangerous; but the snarling and snapping and general behaviour of those dogs frightens me.

We need to understand that all dogs might bite, but some will cause real harm or death.

Your post brought back memories of a local guy we used to call the "rottweiler man", God he was vile. He used to strut down the pavement in between his two rottweilers both of which were not on a lead. He took delight in seeing people scatter out of his way, parents grabbing their kids and older people doing their best to move as fast as they could manage. The smirk on his arrogant face was really unpleasant

allmyliesaretrue · 15/09/2023 12:21

wetotter · 15/09/2023 11:50

I don't agree with muzzles for every dog - mine is about 30 cm tall at the withers and weighs about 5kg. I doubt very much she'd bite (because of her temperament and training) but even if she did, it would not be likely to cause serious injury.

The issue is with they type of person who owns poorly trained, large, heavy, powerful dogs, especially if they want it to "hard". Banning by breed hasn't really worked - as the next "hard" breed comes trotting along. But requiring muzzles for certain types of dog over a certain size might be a good safety precaution - but hard to police (the actual police being pretty damned stretched already and no council likely to have the cash to augment dog warden services)

There needs to be a change of attitude towards dog ownership - I don't know how that would come about though. Good owners already have well-behaved dogs , because they look after them, have trained them and are generally not a dick. It would need a hard look at who the problem owners are, and then working out how to deal with it (education and/or sanction)

PS: whilst typing, I got a pop up saying government pledges to ban American Bulldogs by end of year.

The trouble is, nobody can tell by looking at a dog whether or not it is well-trained, and owners will defend their own dogs to the hilt.

The level of dog ownership appears to have risen stratospherically. You can't go anywhere but there's dogs everywhere!! I don't want them in shops or restaurants and I want them to be under control at all times.

I think the general public would help 'police' this one - taking pictures of/reporting non-compliant dogs and their owners.

PaulaZackMayo · 15/09/2023 12:21

Nw22 · 15/09/2023 12:17

These threads are full of lunatics. Should we castrate men as so many are rapists? Or muzzle children who bully others?

I was just thinking this. Ridiculous.

Blanketpolicy · 15/09/2023 12:21

PaulaZackMayo · 15/09/2023 12:15

Will they put all the XL Bully dogs down?

Show quote history

It didn't say what the approach would be. But, harsh as it is and I know many won't agree and I respect their opinion, I would support if they did and I say that as a dog lover.

Dogs live day to day - they don't have hope, dreams, ambitions and will not have a clue what is about to happen, and while it is sad it has to happen, it is not cruel to humanely euthanise them.

I have zero sympathy for those who have bought/own these animals.

PaulaZackMayo · 15/09/2023 12:23

Blanketpolicy · 15/09/2023 12:21

It didn't say what the approach would be. But, harsh as it is and I know many won't agree and I respect their opinion, I would support if they did and I say that as a dog lover.

Dogs live day to day - they don't have hope, dreams, ambitions and will not have a clue what is about to happen, and while it is sad it has to happen, it is not cruel to humanely euthanise them.

I have zero sympathy for those who have bought/own these animals.

Show quote history

My boss seems to think they will just ban anyone breeding them which that won't solve the issue straight away.

I don't know what possesses anyone to want one.

SeenYourArse · 15/09/2023 12:23

ComtesseDeSpair · 15/09/2023 11:27

I suspect we could solve an enormous part of the problem if councils and housing associations prohibited dogs over a certain size and weight being kept in their properties and strictly enforced it, as is common policy in public housing (and indeed, apartment blocks generally) in many other countries. Yes yes, we’re not supposed to say it, but I’m willing to bet at least 95% of the owners of these dogs are workshy layabouts in social housing.

Actually love that you’ve had the balls to state the truth 🙌🏼🙌🏼 well said and to those who say otherwise need to visit their closest council estate for an hour or two and count the chavs with pit bulls then go park around the corner from an independent school or on a street with high value homes and count any you see in the same time period and draw your own conclusions as to who owns these dogs and is responsible for the issue!

HarpieDuJour · 15/09/2023 12:23

Ringpeace · 15/09/2023 11:47

It is legal to carry a knife. I have a swiss army knife on my key ring that I use almost every day for small tasks.

It's not a 'dog knife' but in extremis it could be. There are some very irresponsible owners of badly-trained aggressive dogs where we live.

I would be really careful about that. It depends on the length of the blade and why you are carrying it.
I am a farmer and market gardener, so I do have various knives which I carry when I am working. However, I am always careful to leave them at home when I am not actually working. Three inches is a very short blade and I wouldn't rely on the police thinking you had a good reason to carry it if you ever actually used it. Assuming, of course, that the attacking dog waits politely for you to get your blade out before it rips out your throat.

https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives

Selling, buying and carrying knives and weapons

The laws on selling, buying and carrying a knife or weapon depend on the type of knife or weapon, your age and your circumstances.

https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives

izimbra · 15/09/2023 12:23

Maybe we should require everyone who owns a dog to licence it and carry their licence (and poo bags!) with them when they got out in public with their dog. And maybe there should be mandatory safety training for all dog owners with pets over a certain weight.

That said, find it hard to get too animated about this issue. Last year 10 people were killed in dog attacks in the UK. That was an unusually bad year - usually it's only three. In contrast last year 4000 deaths were caused by overcrowding and delays in A&E, according to the BMJ. Maybe if our primary concern is saving lives we should be lobbying the government to deal with this with the same sense of outrage and urgency as I'm seeing in many of these posts about dog attacks on this thread.

Monopause · 15/09/2023 12:24

One of the reasons I will never get a dog is because I would be terrified of it being attacked by another dog. I would also be paranoid that it might bite another person despite getting it trained. The idea of muzzling all dogs is a solution I guess but I’d feel sorry for the dogs and that would be another reason why I don’t want a dog. Perhaps man’s best friend will become the preserve of those rich enough to live with acres of land or only those who need working dogs, guide dogs etc…

Too many people own dogs now. Out all day at work and/or hiring dog walkers who you the encounter in parks and open spaces with packs of dog to ‘manage’. It’s all gone a bit crazy. (But not as crazy as suggesting we all carry guns and knives to protect ourselves - well dystopian!)

dawngreen · 15/09/2023 12:24

1/ A lot of ppl don't understand their dogs instincts and reactions enough.

2/ They walk them off the lead near roads.

3/ People don't understand that a dog in training on a lead, may react badly to a dog off lead approaching them.

Insurance will punish those that care, the rest won't bother.

DerekFaker · 15/09/2023 12:25

Rudderneck · 15/09/2023 11:47

I'm not sure that there is especially an increase in dog attacks. I think the reporting is now much wider spread, so we hear about them a lot more. Including from outside our own community.

In the scheme of things, dog attacks are actually pretty rare. Compared to, say, car accidents.

Yes there has been a rise:

https://pawplanning.com/dogs/dog-news/the-latest-dog-bite-statistics/

latest dog bite statistics image

The Latest Dog Bite Statistics 2023. Understand The Risks.

Stay informed about the latest dog bite statistics for 2023 and learn about the risks and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

https://pawplanning.com/dogs/dog-news/the-latest-dog-bite-statistics

HerAvatar · 15/09/2023 12:25

Needanewnamebeingwatched · 15/09/2023 11:22

I think it's time all dogs should be muzzled when out in public.

And i say that as a dog owner/lover of many years

I don't necessarily disagree but who is going to police it? We don't have enough police officers to cover more serious crimes so who is going to ensure everyone muzzles their dogs?

Andywarholswig · 15/09/2023 12:25

Recption1 · 15/09/2023 12:19

Unfortunately there are no fenced dog parks near me (London),

There are loads of dog parks in London.

https://thelondog.com/enclosed-dog-parks/

Show quote history

Yes there are lots of dog parks in London but none near me (within a 3 mile radius) so unless I am spending 25 mins plus in the car twice a day (not great for the environment), then there needs to be better provision… there is 1 in my entire borough of 350000 residents

dawngreen · 15/09/2023 12:26

Gun and knives? Any one using them would get them used on them!

SerafinasGoose · 15/09/2023 12:26

Nw22 · 15/09/2023 12:17

These threads are full of lunatics. Should we castrate men as so many are rapists? Or muzzle children who bully others?

False equivalences really don't make your points stand out as amongst the more intelligent contributions to this thread.

They simply look ridiculous.

PerkingFaintly · 15/09/2023 12:28

Taylorscat · 15/09/2023 11:19

I‘m sorry but this is stark raving bonkers. Have you seen the US?!

Show quote history

Ohhh... hang on.

Name rings a bell... Isn't this the poster who thinks the US should have more guns? Guns guns guns. Solution to everything is guns.

@Dotjones, may I ask what country you live in?

Ylvamoon · 15/09/2023 12:28

Needanewnamebeingwatched · 15/09/2023 11:22

I think it's time all dogs should be muzzled when out in public.

And i say that as a dog owner/lover of many years

I agree to an extent.

I think it should be dogs of a certain size (in the case of x breeds) and/ or certain breeds that were developed for fighting.

No point in muzzling a dachshund, westie or service dogs.
My home country does this plus the dogs have to be on a lead when out in public spaces- no exceptions made!

spitefulandbadgrammar · 15/09/2023 12:28

Instead of the faffing with dog knives and bum probes and anal fingering and muzzles and lead laws and wardens and muzzles on certain breeds or bans on certain breeds, just ban dogs. V simple, solves the poo issue too, easy to spot if someone’s breaking the law.

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