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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this just sums up XL Bully owners?

717 replies

Ozarkz · 19/09/2023 16:15

Look North last night. Peter Levy is interviewing a woman who owns two XL Bullys. Both cropped and docked which she says happened in another country before she got them (yeah, course it did).

Peter asks her “so why do people want these dogs in the first place, what’s the attraction for you?”

She replies “well I wanted dogs that were good with kids and famines and stuff so we got XL Bully’s cos they’re great with kids”

Wtf? If I didn’t know better I’d swear this was a spoof interview. Good with kids and families?? These dogs have been responsible for the most human deaths in dog attacks in the UK in recent years!!! Just last week an 11 year CHILD was attacked by one of these dogs … so when looking for a child friendly dog she bypasses the golden retriever etc and goes for the breed with the biggest track record of killing humans …

He then asked her if she will comply with the muzzle when the laws are changed - she said NO.

Then the cherry on the cake … he asked her “would you leave your child alone with these dogs?” And she said “yes, absolutely. I leave my two year old alone with them all the time whilst I’m busy making dinner etc”

Honestly the interview couldn’t have been any more gobsmacking.

This just sums up XL bully owners doesn’t it? Thick as pig shit with no regard to their own safety or the safety of others.

OP posts:
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PaulaZackMayo · 19/09/2023 23:43

@BellaAndDave I'm so sorry. I love labs. ❤️

MakeAListTheySaid · 19/09/2023 23:45

@BellaAndDave That is heartbreaking just to read, I can't imagine having witnessing it and to your beloved dog. I'm so sorry you lost your boy.

PaulaZackMayo · 19/09/2023 23:49

TorqueWrench · 19/09/2023 23:41

I'm not at all defending XL bullies. I stated a few posts back that I agree they should be regulated. It's just interesting how people froth about the dangers of dogs yet think nothing about driving to work, making unnecessary car journeys, or the fact their partner presents a much greater risk - it's not even an opinion, the statistics are out there.

You say he's not going to kill you but that's exactly what all these bully owners say. He obviously hasn't killed you at this point but generally people only get murdered once.

Show quote history

You are pissing me off now. I'm trying not to be outing but I'm going to probably have to name change. I have lost someone very close to me in a car accident and had an abusive partner when I was young. This does not alter the fact I do not trust a XL Bully dogs.

PaulaZackMayo · 19/09/2023 23:52

He obviously hasn't killed you at this point but generally people only get murdered once

You can fuck off as well about my DH. He is the one who got me over the car accident and the abusive partner. He's also clever enough to get me a Beagle rather than an XL Bully dog.

MakeAListTheySaid · 19/09/2023 23:55

@PaulaZackMayo 💐

Try to ignore the weird whataboutery poster, some posters can't help themselves.

PaulaZackMayo · 19/09/2023 23:56

MakeAListTheySaid · 19/09/2023 23:55

@PaulaZackMayo 💐

Try to ignore the weird whataboutery poster, some posters can't help themselves.

Thank you.

ehupo7 · 19/09/2023 23:59

PaulaZackMayo · 19/09/2023 23:52

He obviously hasn't killed you at this point but generally people only get murdered once

You can fuck off as well about my DH. He is the one who got me over the car accident and the abusive partner. He's also clever enough to get me a Beagle rather than an XL Bully dog.

Edited

This poster is an idiot, well said telling them to do one

PaulaZackMayo · 20/09/2023 00:01

ehupo7 · 19/09/2023 23:59

This poster is an idiot, well said telling them to do one

Show quote history

Thank you

Greenshake · 20/09/2023 00:04

CrazyHamsterLady · 19/09/2023 22:33

I assume that the 7% who have voted YABU are bully owners 🙄 Total morons.

You would assume wrong then, wouldn’t you?

TorqueWrench · 20/09/2023 00:07

PaulaZackMayo · 19/09/2023 23:52

He obviously hasn't killed you at this point but generally people only get murdered once

You can fuck off as well about my DH. He is the one who got me over the car accident and the abusive partner. He's also clever enough to get me a Beagle rather than an XL Bully dog.

Edited

Well, a fair few people have also been saved by their pitbulls chasing off an attacker/burglar.

I'm going to stop though as you seem to be taking this extremely personally. I was just taking the piss out of the mumsnet hysteria. Anybody with half a brain knows powerful dogs are extremely dangerous in the wrong hands but all this 'bully ownerz are all thik counsil house reperbrates' stuff is kinda embarrassing tbh.

ehupo7 · 20/09/2023 00:31

TorqueWrench · 19/09/2023 23:05

You're 10x more likely to be killed by him than by a dog.

Show quote history

I should think it depends on the dog and the husband

TorqueWrench · 20/09/2023 00:59

ehupo7 · 20/09/2023 00:31

I should think it depends on the dog and the husband

Show quote history

Let it die... 😂

Iheartpizza · 20/09/2023 07:41

Two more stories online today.

A man and his dog attacked as they walked down the street by a loose dog, no owner in sight. Armed police arrived - let's hope it was dispatched.

A woman's King Charles was savaged to death after the dog (being walked by a young girl) broke free. The owner of that dog then proceeded to blame the VICTIM by saying that they should never have walked in close proximity to the girl and that their King Charles has barked. Therefore their dog was justified in what it had done.

I'll say it again - you cannot reason with these people. They just don't want to listen or take responsibility for anything. Morons, the lot of them.

Shadowchaser · 20/09/2023 07:53

Your poor dog @BellaAndDave

That is the reason I’m so angry about these dogs being so popular. I’ve seen so many dogs torn apart (unfortunate part of the job), Their last moments were horrific, some of them unrecognisable. It’s on a completely different scale to the injuries of a normal dog attack. Always the same low life owner with no remorse.

SomeCatFromJapan · 20/09/2023 07:59

@BellaAndDave I'm so sorry, that is beyond horrendous. Good for your DH. Did the owner appear at all?

BabyStopCryin · 20/09/2023 08:02

These is a woman on our street who walks a pit bull type dog (a kitten compared to these bully types).

She’s probably in her 60s, quite small and this dog tends to Yao and lunge at other dogs, joggers, children… It jerks her about and she yells at it.

I’ve never seen it get lose but for goodness sake, she can’t control its barking and straining at the lead, and Lord alone knows what will happen the day she can’t keep hold of the lead.

There is a hostel on the corner and people come and go, but often there are wee souls with their dogs wandering around (shitting on the pavements and, rarely on a lead, and yapping at people - the dogs, not the people). People, train you flipping dogs!

Saying that - the only really bad bite I ever got was from a big old … Labrador (he was completely mental as he’d been very badly treated and trained to be a guard dog, so was incredibly aggressive and unstable).

I love dogs, I really do - but see so many more around these days (lockdown and work from home dogs) and see a lot of bad dog owners. Bring back licences and bring in compulsory dog training.

TwistofFate · 20/09/2023 08:06

I don't think all xl bully owners are stupid but there does seem to be a high level of naivety about what their dog is capable of.

I think it's weird that we know more about dog psychology and behaviour than ever before but our whole relationship with them appears to have changed. Back in the 80s/90s when I was a child, I would never have been allowed to lie on or ride around on a dog, I was taught from a young age dogs can bite so treat them with respect. Now so many people people infantalise their dogs and talk to them like children (and presumably expect them to understand), don't bother with basic training, and make excuses for them when they misbehave.

User98866 · 20/09/2023 08:08

TorqueWrench · 19/09/2023 23:41

I'm not at all defending XL bullies. I stated a few posts back that I agree they should be regulated. It's just interesting how people froth about the dangers of dogs yet think nothing about driving to work, making unnecessary car journeys, or the fact their partner presents a much greater risk - it's not even an opinion, the statistics are out there.

You say he's not going to kill you but that's exactly what all these bully owners say. He obviously hasn't killed you at this point but generally people only get murdered once.

Show quote history

The most bizarre and non sensical argument I’ve ever read. Generally for things that are known to carry risk we asses and put certain mitigations in place. If literally anyone were allowed to get behind the wheel of a car without learning to drive or passing a test most sensible people probably would avoid the roads. It’s become clear that XL bully’s are presenting a risk to the public. No one starts the day thinking they are likely to be mauled to death by a bully, but the number of fatal dog attacks in the last few years is staggering. Considering these are animals that are meant to be under human control and the deaths are completely needless of course something must be done. Not to mention the number of other beloved dogs that have been killed. Like the horrific story above.

Iheartpizza · 20/09/2023 08:12

BellaAndDave · 19/09/2023 23:35

I’m not going to comment on the interview on Look North as I try not be nasty about people…

What I will say is my darling lab was killed by an XL Bully last year. We were out with our 3 labs walking where we normally walk, a normal morning walk which is always calm and it came out from the trees. There was NO warning, NO snarling, NO growling, it just attacked. We live very remotely and this abomination of a dog had been in a camper van parked up wild camping. We booted it we smacked it, DH punched it numerous times, we lifted its back legs but the bastard wouldn’t let go. It literally threw my 30kg lab around like a rag doll and he couldn’t be saved. He had internal bleeding, numerous puncture wounds and a broken back. I will never forget that attack and God knows what would have happened if my DGC had been with us. The attack only ended when DH hit the thing god knows how many times with a fence post. Let’s just say it never lived another day to attack something else.

I have no time for anyone that says these abomination of canines are about the owners and the way they’re brought up. If you’ve never seen the power and viciousness of these dogs in person you will never understand.

Before anyone quotes this post with the “oh they’re nanny dogs, big softies” shite, let me tell you I respect most owners choices but not the choice of anyone choosing an XL Bully, there’s been too many attacks on people and pets now, these ‘things’ need banned.

I am so sorry. I also have Labs. I just cannot imagine how horrific this was for you.

The new laws need to incorporate HARSH penalties for dogs attacking other animals too - and that goes for all breeds.

Again, I am so terribly sorry that you went through such a traumatic incident and I'm glad your husband managed to kill the bastard thing or at least do it some serious damage.

BardRelic · 20/09/2023 08:40

I have no time for anyone that says these abomination of canines are about the owners and the way they’re brought up. If you’ve never seen the power and viciousness of these dogs in person you will never understand.

Sorry to hear about what happened to you and your dogs, @BellaAndDave
I've seen mastiffs attack other dogs and as you say, until you've seen it, even quite experienced owners wouldn't believe it. A red mist descends. Hitting them can make them fight more, although it feels like your only option. Throttling them does work, but given how close you have to get to their jaws to do that, it isn't a safe option. The attacks are horrific.

I don't agree with the chav stereotype talked about on this thread. And if rougher seeming people do have these dogs, then ask yourself why and what can be changed about their circumstances so they don't feel they need one of these dogs. But I do think all dog ownership needs to be under tighter control so that we don't keep seeing the rise of these kind of breeds. They really aren't safe.

And yes, I'm also concerned about road violence and male violence. I can think more than one thing needs fixing at a time. FFS.

MotherofGorgons · 20/09/2023 08:41

Good god @BellaAndDave I am so sorry. Your DH could have been attacked too.

Still not seen anything that explains why these dogs are necessary. Comparing them to cars or husbands is beyond lame.

NotReallySureAboutIt · 20/09/2023 09:00

TheNoodlesIncident · 19/09/2023 16:27

Our accountant has one. I don't see the appeal myself but he and his missus are not thick.

No doubt some examples of the breed are as placid as any other dog? There must be some out there, as my accountant's dog has not hit the headlines yet.

Would love to know the type of people he is an accountant for and why he feels the need to have that sort of dog. Just saying. Lots of them are accountants for some nasty people hence the guard dog. Read between the lines.

Iheartpizza · 20/09/2023 09:11

I'm sure there are plenty of people that have them who don't fit into the stereotypical chav category.

However, with these people it's worse somehow. Because it then begs the question, WHY of all the wonderful breeds out there, did you opt for this?

There are so many naive and irresponsible people, with a questionable ability to assess risk and their own capabilities. Also refusing to entertain what their dog might be capable of, considering what they were bred for, breed traits and characteristics.

The really scary part is that a huge number of these people, on the surface, are supposedly intelligent members of society.

Oldsu · 20/09/2023 09:13

There is a video going the rounds on the groups I am on can't link it here but I doubt people on here would be interested in seeing it anyway.

It showed a bully type under training in a park that dog did not put a paw wrong obeyed every vocal and hand command, totally focussed on his owner his eyes didn't leave his owners face once, and then....... BAM an out of control Lab pup just launched it self on him, jumping on his back trying to bite his face, you could see the owner in the distance taking no notice, the Bully was as good as gold didn't react at all - I will tell you now if one of my Pugs was attacked in the same matter they would have at least barked not this bully who remined totally under control throughout the attack

The sad thing is that if that bully had attacked the lab, it would have been his and his owners fault, it would be the bully who would have been taken away by the police to be destroyed or maybe even tasered/shot in front of his owner and no doubt the lab and its stupid owner would be on the front page of every paper as victims of an out of control devil dog, yes there have been some bad attacks and something needs to be done but a blanket ban and BSL will not work as it hasn't with supposed pitbull types. To think that this knee jerk reaction total ban could lead to that beautiful well trained and obviously loved dog being destroyed is totally unfair I am glad the owner had this on tape and also that he was calm himself so the dog remained calm

Fizbosshoes · 20/09/2023 09:28

There are posters (more experienced and knowledgeable about dogs than me) explaining that they will only attack if provoked, reacting to something, or in pain etc....

Which I have no reason to disbelieve.
However what happens when the attack is prompted by an unknown trigger, or something that no one is aware of...? Wtf was @BellaAndDave supposed to do differently - They were simply going for a walk? Another recent case a young girl was attacked (but thankfully survived) after "looking" at a dog. Probably a decade ago but the story has stayed with me, a very young (maybe 5 year old) was attacked and killed in her bed.
If a dog can be triggered by someone looking at it, and is physically impossible to overpower....then wouldn't you question its suitability for a domestic pet?

And as an aside - about a few incidences of "accidental" breeding. Presumably this happens when the dog is off leash and outside the owners control...in the case of both dogs.....but (to me) that doesn't inspire confidence that the owners would have better control in a different situation if it was about to attack for example.