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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

so sad for the pit bulls.

60 replies

darkandstormy · 09/03/2010 19:39

of course I am sad for those attacked by dangerous dogs.However also breaks my heart to see these abused dogs, themselves victims of the thugs and street scum.Wish someone would come up with a solution someway somehow to resolve this. I know I am as an animal lover not unreasonable feeling like this, not so sure the dog insurance scheme would change things as the scumbags just won't pay, us responsible people will.

OP posts:
BAFE · 09/03/2010 19:46

Actually, I think all dog owners ought to have pet insurance.

But I agree with you, the irresponsible dog owners probably won't bother.

larks35 · 09/03/2010 19:54

I was talking about this with someone earlier and I think that even the most responsible dog owner could end up with a dog who suddenly attacks. They're animals and despite generations of domesticity they will always remain animals. Some with more aggressive tendencies than others. I remember my friend's alsation suddenly turning into a growling, biting beast after 9 years being the family pet. It turned out to be a rotting tooth bothering her but she could have attacked someone before that was diagnosed. I also think that there are many non-"scumbag" dog owners who just don't realise how much exercise and training a dog needs.

Apparantly 100 people a week end up in hospital due to dog attacks. That can't all be "scumbags"!

MrsC2010 · 09/03/2010 19:55

I agree. Pit Bulls when bred and raised properly are a lovely breed, they just attract the wrong kind of owner and this leads to the breed going downhill through dodgy breeding practices. The Staffie is a case in point, they used to be known as the 'Nurse' dogs as they were so good with children...not many people would choose them for that quality now.

thisisyesterday · 09/03/2010 19:56

maybe they need to bring back dog licences?

shakingmyfattybumbum · 09/03/2010 19:56

I am not keen at all on dogs however I agree with you that the scummy owners will not bother to insure theirs. I guess each dog should be chipped or have a special thing on their collar Then if there were dog wardens around who would check dogs at random (specially in rough areas like mine)and remove dogs who did not have the chip/number thing, it might help.

I feel sick if I have to walk past a pitbull type dog (usually not on a lead) with my kids, as do many mumsI know. Not sure you're going to find too many people who feel sorry for that type of animal.

MrsC2010 · 09/03/2010 19:56

True Larks, but they can't all be loving family pets with rotting teeth either.

Goober · 09/03/2010 20:00

Doesn't matter what law is in place. License, insurance, whatever. Those scumbags will still own dangerous dogs. Illegally.

I am a dog owner. I believe that all responsible dog owners already have adequate insurance.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 09/03/2010 20:03

What I think the OP means is that there are certain breeds out there that sometimes attract a certain type of owner. Im assuming you dont mean the banned breeds OP? You mean the Staffys and rottweilers? They are a decent dog but because some people see them as a status symbol their reputation is tainted.

Original poster
darkandstormy · 09/03/2010 20:11

what makes me wonder is what type of mother rears a son that gets his kicks out of seeing an animal maul another animal to death? do these scumbags have any grasp of how evil and cruel their "pastime " is?

OP posts:
larks35 · 09/03/2010 20:14

The thing is nothing will prevent people owning dangerous dogs illegally and there we can only trust in the penal system to deal with that. People need a license to own a gun, but there are a lot of unlicensed gun-owners. That shouldn't mean we don't bother with gun licensing though, does it?

(As an aside, does anyone know if you have to have insurance if you own a gun?)

Original poster
darkandstormy · 09/03/2010 20:15

amazing-I feel sorry for all the dogs dragged into this tbh.They are victims of our scabby society as much as those who are attacked.

OP posts:
damnedchilblains · 09/03/2010 20:18

I'm not a fan of dogs generally but when I'm walking through the park with my dc's and I see rottweilers, pitbulls and staffs etc, I literally hold my breath. They are wild animals and sometimes it takes only something very little to set them off and for the damage they cause .

The whole insurance thing imo is completely pointless. The dog owners who would be likely to be devastated and want to do anything they can if their dog bites somebody are the ones who will get the insurance. Those who couldn't give a shit wouldn't bother, and who is going to enforce it?? How much is it going to cost?

darkandstormy, it isn't always the mothers fault.

larks35 · 09/03/2010 20:26

MrsC very true, but if we all do as the lowest common denomitor in society does, we're gonna be stuffed.

rainbowinthesky · 09/03/2010 20:27

deep breath - I am normally on the side of saying parents who moan on here about dogs approachign their children to say hello are overreacting however.....

today when walking my dogs (without dc) a man was playing with his two staffs and 4 year old son. Bizarre game where the owner hit them gently on the head with frizbee, teased them with it then threw it to his 4 year old shouting at his four year old to grab it before the dogs. He did this lots of times and owner was very loud and excited as were the dogs. The four year old was in competition with the two dogs to get the frizbee...

One of his dogs came bounding over to me and kept pestering one of mine which was on teh lead. I called to him to ask him to call his dog back and he tried but the dog ignored him. He then came over laughing and attempted to put his dog on the lead which continued to bother my dog on teh lead and run away from the owner. As the dog didnt even have a collar on it kept slipping out of teh owners hands. Of course this was very funny to the owner.

Had I had dd with me I would have felt within my rights to do what ever is necessary to get this dog away from us.

So apologies if I have been up my arse with posters in the past who have said teh same thing about friendly dogs.

Original poster
darkandstormy · 09/03/2010 20:37

damned childblains- mothers have a lot of moral input my children are taught to be kind and respect all animals.They are only very young now,but, I could hedge a bet that as teenagers they would not partake in any thing such as abuse of fighting dogs.Loving pets is such a big part of our family life.

OP posts:
101damnations · 09/03/2010 20:56

larks35,you don't have to have insurance to own a gun,but most responsible gun owners do have speciality insurance purely for shooting.

bernadetteoflourdes · 09/03/2010 22:34

Oh Oh had a look at this thread and think I wll leave now while I am in possession of all vital organs etc

AmazingBouncingFerret · 09/03/2010 22:50

No more a wild animal than a yorkshire terrier IMO, do you hold your breath when you walk past them aswell?

j0807bump · 09/03/2010 22:54

a thread of huge debate looming me thinks but luckily i'm going to bed in a min.

i'm a dog lover but also have a bit of a fear of any dog i don't know regardless of breed.

i don't really think bringing in insurance is going to help stop any irresponsible owners doing any better job of it.

if we are constantly hearing of uninsured/licenced drivers killing people and they can't be policed whos gonna do this for dogs?

got to say i agree with the micro chipping though.

Original poster
darkandstormy · 09/03/2010 22:58

anyone remember when "Jaws" came out? all goldfish were potential great whites, same thing bernadette.Singing to my jr terrier "whose afraid of the big bad wolf?"

OP posts:
j0807bump · 09/03/2010 23:00

ooh before i go. the only animal i would have trusted with any child was my big ally cross staffie.

miss him tons after five years

but the most vicious dog i ever, ever came across was a yorkshire terrier

horrible rat like thing who enjoyed sinking its needle like teeth into unsuspecting ankles

junglist1 · 09/03/2010 23:01

I don't agree with demonising breeds. Any dog can turn especially when abused by inadequate arseholes who keep dogs to look hard.

Valpollicella · 09/03/2010 23:02

Totally unhelpful to this thread I think but...

I am utterly petrified of dogs. Especially Staff/bluddog etc types. But then again, I have no issue at all with responsible dog owners.

These are usually the ones, when, their dogs have approached me, and I'm squeaking at them...'So sorry , I'm really scared of dogs, could you move them away?'

It either goes one way or another. Responsible owner pulls them away with a smile and 'No worries'. Others respond with, 'Nah, don't worry he won't hurt you, licks babies he does!' (or something along those lines)

Well, I couldn't care less if he licks babies, but right now, I feel like I'm about to have a aheart attck.

So, no totally about the dogs, but more about the response to my 'pleeeease can you move your dog away from me...I'm bricking it!'

Original poster
darkandstormy · 09/03/2010 23:05

Does anybody on here aside from the usual dog loving crowd not feel sorry for these dogs,the fact that they have a miserable existence? they are innocents drawn into this underworld.The footage of the dogs confiscated by the police is so sad, they have got no chance those poor dogs.

OP posts:
Valpollicella · 09/03/2010 23:11

ps I should specify to my above post - all dogs!