To think there are more badly behaved/dangerous dogs than ever before?

[FluffyPineapples]

Story on the Daily Mail tonight that South Yorkshire Police responded to 13 dog attacks in just 48 hours...

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14090345/american-bully-attack-sheffield-police-warning.html

Does anyone else feel increasingly warry when they're out in their local area that they'll encounter dangerous or badly behaved dogs? It feels like we're over run with them and irresponsible owners. Even after the XL Bully ban attacks are still occurring quite regularly.

I'm someone who walks by myself a lot, and I get quite anxious now about encountering big dogs off leads. There are so few places now where you won't encounter dogs. And sure, many of them might be okay, but there's always that moment of doubt in the back of your mind when one comes running up from quite a distance whether it'll be friendly, or if you're in trouble...

There was a story in the news the other day about Wales having dog-free areas - I feel increasingly like it's not such a bad idea after all!

As the owner of a large breed dog, no I never personally feel this way. With or without my dogs on walks. I have no particular opinion of XL bullies as have never met one in my area, but as a general rule dogs scare me far less than humans.

No. I have numerous dogs myself and for work reasons, I walks them at multiple locations across the UK every week, at all different times of day. Never had a problem.

There are certainly lots more dogs - lockdown dogs are now (give or take) 4 years old now. Those bulge years will be noticeable for another decade or so.

Unfortunately, there is no appetite to tackle shitty owners (the sort who are attracted to whatever the latest demon dog might be)

I walk my little over friendly dog every day in the woods and we meet loads of dogs every day and all that are off lead are friendly.
most dog owners understand if they have a reactive dog to keep it on the lead and most dogs who are reactive are reactive to other dogs, bikes, cars. Not people.
X-Large bullys I see one on of those on the lead every day.
But the media also loves ramping up the fear.
Don’t be in fear of dogs most of them are lovely

I think a mix of dog free spaces and different areas for dogs is a splendid idea. Then everybody has a choice.

Daily Mail reader, that says it all 🤡🤡🤡

I was always getting told I'd lose my hand to a dog as I always as a child petted dogs without asking now as an adult I know to ask but I'm still thinking it will happen. Probably from a small dog

When I was a child I used to be very worried walking to my aunt’s house, as the other end of her rd was a bit of a “sink” housing (really - the whole area was council housing but her borough dumped “problem” families together). What worried me was that several of the families had dogs, and just let them roam free all day.
Those dogs were far more frightening than any I’ve come across since.

The XL bully ban was never going to stop dog attacks. The people who do actually own dogs as weapons were never going to register their dogs.. and it’s ridiculous to assume that no other dog breed could be aggressive.

I do agree that no dog should be allowed to run up to strangers, and all dogs should be under control and on lead if needed, but the worst offenders for this seem to be the cockapoo owners in my experience.

I remember someone on mn saying about gun amnesties- I honestly believe if they offered 10,000 pound (euro here) for people to give up their dangerous dogs, thered be a huge uptake. Then owner has to promise not to get a dog again. If they do they have to repay the money