Goodness, I left this thread to do some work, come back and a riot seems to have broken out!
A few thoughts FWIW:
Sunshine has repeatedly said that she was answering the OPs question and responding to the early responses which advocated extreme violence towards a dog for JUMPING UP, not for being aggressive. She finds this deplorable in the context given and so do I.
Like Sunshine I have a dog who I would be willing to stake my home on not biting, even if I was at threat. I also have a dog who would defend me and who, having been abused for 2 years by a human, can be protective. I know the type he doesn't like and I know him, having owned him for over 6 years. I take all reasonable steps to ensure that he never gets a chance to express his fear and both my dogs have excellent recall and are on lead whenever it is appropriate. I take no risks, as I am sure Sunshine doesn't, as I would hate to have an injury to anyone or my dog's death on my conscience.
IME people are the main factor in the extremes mentioned here, whether it is bad owners, kids approaching strange dogs, kids allowed to ill treat a dog, a result of a dog being abused by a human, ignorance or, dare I say it, humans overreacting. And yes, that latter happens, I have seen it.
I THINK, although I may be wrong, that there are some cultural differences here and at least one poster has experience of another country's laws and outlook towards dogs. That makes a difference to the way they will view things perhaps.
I'd be interested to know, for my own research, why LittleMissMummy is wary of her sisters SBT... please may I ask if thats because he is a Staffie or do you feel that way about all dogs?
In 44 years I have only once been bitten by a dog and this because I hauled her out of a river, injured, and went to inspect the injury - my problem, not an issue. Perhaps I am just lucky. BUT... I may have had more contact with dogs than most here as I am involved in rescue. I have come across aggressive dogs in my work, but they are in a small minority. With one exception, whose history is somewhat mysterious, the reason for the aggression is either abuse or lack of socialisation. Again, not the dog's fault although I appreciate that this is no comfort to those with bad experiences.
I wonder if anyone on here who is advocating the kind of violence described by some posters has had the same amount of contact with and involvement with dogs as me? I don't claim to be an expert, but I do claim considerable experience with dogs from all walks of life, as it were.
Finally, if you've got this far without falling asleep, I must say that Sunshine has answered, as far as I can see, all the questions and points made to her and although she is clearly in disagreement with some posters and must be getting as frustrated as they are over the issue,, she has come in for not just healthy discussion, which she deals with very well, but, IMHO, some very aggressive and abusive comments. You may not agree with Sunshine or I, we do not agree with some of you and are doubtless both disgusted and disappointed with the references to using unnecessary violence towards a dog, but to eff AT her, (as opposed to doing so in conversation, I can't moan at that as I have a great turn of phrase myself), when she has not done so to others is uncalled-for. I'm not being precious, I just think that she has managed to put her point over without swearing at people and so think that it is unreasonable that she should be sworn at (had she sworn at others, then I'd say go for it!).
And no, I have no idea who Sunshine is, we have never met or corresponded... I just wish we had as she seems like a responsible and caring owner to me. I'm sure that we both wish, as you all do, that ALL owners were the same.