Yet another child mauled by a dog in the uk *contains graphic image*

Well I suppose at least heartbroken22s child isn't going to run up to some unfriendly dog, are they. Often kids are terrified of dogs because of the feckless owners out there who don't keep them under control. Like my own child was for years, after a large dog knocked him over in the park .

I was being a tourist in York yesterday and couldn't understand why so many people take their dogs into the city? Am pretty sure the dogs wouldn't be fussed about a town trip! These dogs were all sorts of breeds but why would anyone do this?

Maybe they were tourists too. You can't leave dogs in holiday accommodation on their own.

Well done you. Has she any other irrational fears that make you happy or are you working on those ?

Fear of dogs isn’t irrational though, is it? Especially when you’re a small child and many dogs are as big as you are.

It's not just a status thing, it's completely idiotic downright stupid people who believe their loveable staffy would never harm anyone. He's a big old softie they say and yes, 9/10 maybe, but I'd never own one with children. These owners put their needs over and above others safety. Fine if you live alone with no visiting family but otherwise you need to be bloody responsible.

Yorkshire terriers are yappy little things with a bite on them but the consequences are far far less. Golden Retrievers are a lot bigger than most bull dogs but I'd know which dog I'd rather own with children.

Always the same bastard staffie pit dogs
my ex had one
the thing hated me
a truly evil dog
Those dogs should be banned 100%

Large dogs towering over small children is hardly an irrational fear for a child, when the dog is often bigger than them.

I thought exactly the same in bath at Christmas time!it was absolutely ridiculous that dogs were walking in amongst thousands of people

I don't know if anyone's seen this but a 10 month old xl was rescued a couple of weeks ago by RATS. He's very much a celeb with a lot of fans. I wonder is people just pity him and if they'll still like him when he's back to full health.

After a 4 year old child was killed very brutally by her family dog a few weeks ago you’d think there would be more being done to stop this from happening - it’s becoming so often and almost always the same few breeds.

I don't know why on earth the government aren't stepping in? In the 90s, Pitt Bulls were banned.... the statistics are plain to see with bull breeds causing serious injury and death.

They should be stepping in to deal with this.

Yes and these Bully XLs are a cross breed from pit bulls.

It absolutely will keep happening until the government step in and do something.

Yes I always wonder if adults would be so chilled about dogs if they were at eye level with them.

I love dogs but totally agree with this. Of course it's perfectly rational to be afraid of dogs, especially if you're a child!! And especially when so, so many dog owners are utterly dense and incapable of being responsible.

Honestly, why wouldn't you be afraid of an unfamiliar animal with sharp teeth approaching you with its owner not recalling it, displaying that either they're feckless or the dog is not well trained?

@PassTheDuckie Argh...I pressed wrong vote thing..I'm for this dog to be put down.
These breeds are implicated far too often for it to be a coincidence.

They are unstable and dangerous, and too often owned by completely unsuitable, feckless people.

Somehow I suspect not...

Without knowing the full details of the story in this thread (no link that I could see) we already know exactly what the house and dog owners will be like. It's not going to be a nice leafy suburb and an accountant and nurse couple who own it, is it.

It's always the same utter scumbags who own these vile, dangerous animals. Why it's legal to own these killers beggars belief.

I'll probably get jumped on for this but I never understand how a child of this age and a dog of this size are able to get close enough to each other for the dog to bite. Supervision between kids and dogs is absolutely key.
Whilst there are often many issues with owners parents also need to be far more aware of the importance of supervision of children around dogs.
A dog this size cam easily knock over a small child. Small children are very unpredictable and can make dogs highly anxious

As a dog owner I agree with this.

A girl I went to school with has one of those XL bully's.

He is absolutely HUGE.

He's used as a guard dog for the house and also as a pet. She runs an aesthetics business from home and regularly posts reminding her clients to text her before they go through the gate as he'll attack otherwise.

Then in the next post, it's a picture of her two daughters under 10 laying on him in bed. Makes me shudder.

She is tiny, I'm talking 5ft, size 6 and walks him on one of those chain leads and I always think to myself that the moment he chooses to overpower her, she stands no chance.

No you are absolutely right. My dog is NEVER left alone with our child or anyone else's. I trust him with my life but it's not worth the risk, all dogs are wild and still have wild instincts and if threatened or made uncomfortable they ALL have the ability to attack. And little children are unpredictable and tend to pull ears and tails. Often if my dd does this the dog will instantly look at me as if asking me to intervene, which I do, in order to keep a positive relationship going.
Unfortunately not enough people have that mindset. This is how these maulings occur.

Agree too. Adults would likely be the same if the height proportions matched.

I am concerned that the press don't name the breed. We ought to have an accurate statistics of the dog attack to ban/restrict offending breeds, however I am afraid that the Government instead will impose dog tax on everyone and real problem won't be addressed