How many more killed babies do I have to hear about on the news before something gets done about these fighting dogs

[legscrossed]

I feel physically sick.

18 month old girl versus bull mastif.

Hideous

It absolutely petrifies me, we have a baby ourselves.

Hellbent, I have read of babies being killed by Jack russels and i know a woman with hideous facial injuries inflicted by her JR. When i was young they, alongside the GSD were considered devil dogs.

OBVIOUSLY the more powerful the dog, the more the riskof damage but is it more likely??, however with adequate training anD, I'll say it again COMMON SENSE - those risks can be brought into the realms of acceptable. If you were to apply the rules of work place risk assesment to dogs, you factor in things like aggresive tendancies - tbh the fashion for Jack russels as family pets worries me, even though i own one myself. Terriers probably have the highest tendancy to aggresion and defensive behaviour, but people are complacent because they are small. You do NOT want to be bitten by a Jack Russell, i can promise you.

I have two dogs - one doesn't like small children as she's not used to them, the other ones doesn't like children because they frighten her. I always keep BOTH dogs away from small children.

I don't think ANY dogs should be left alone with small children. Just not worth the risk.

I do acknowledge that these awful stories that make the news are usually Rottweillers etc but some of these dogs with a bad reputation are lovely, gentle dogs. I have met a lot of gentle natured staffies and rotties.

I have been watching Animal 24/7 and saw a banned dog seized and it was a sweet, soppy thing. It ended up being put down as the owner wasn't prepared to comply with the regulations.

I really think we need to find a way to deal with the owners - not just the dogs.

Mnelindt - is there a problem in switzerland?? I noticed when we went to switzerland that dogs were EVERYWHERE, in cafes and shops, we thought it was great, it seems like a country that loves dogs more than us brits.

Basically you have to make the regulations and restrictions so bloody annoying that only real dog owners will go through them to have a dog.

has it taken a long time to implement, Mme Lindt?

dog lovers, not dog owners.

LEM
We love dogs here, and you are right they can be taken everywhere. I am coming over to UK in the summer and it is one thing that I am not looking forward to, not being able to take Daphne everywhere

that is such an excellent name for a dog!!

I think that the laws were passed a few years ago, this year was the first year of the theory classes, next year they will introduce training classes with dogs.

It is rather difficult, as you have to have enough trainers.

And nothing is done speedily in Switzerland.

~I've just had a look at the wiki page about the breed it's now reported to be.(doesn't mean it's actually so)

Now, to me, one of the breed types looks like a Boxer dog. The other type does look like a pitbull type.

here how people would be able to tell them as the same breed first off, and how many other people actually know what a "dangerous dog" looks like?

Any dog can attack and/or kill someone regardless of breed, personally I'd like to see all dogs banned in this country and cats as well.

Dogs poo all over the street and parks making them unpleasant and rendering them no play areas for children and adults, I've seen large dogs knock toddlers down when running around chasing balls.

You will never get rid of irresponsible owners I grow tired of seeing owners carrying plastic bags and not using them unless someone is looking when the dog poos, dog fouling is impossible to police so IMO the only option is an all out ban on dogs (it would be much more enjoyable to see the owners get fined and have the offending poo rubbed in there face but sadly it would never happen).

Cats are totally uncontrollable they roam where they please, entering people's gardens and attacking wildlife, they are feral creatures really that are not native to this country, So as a lover of wildlife, nature and natural spots I'd like to have them banned as well, they may be nice to us but they are not nice to other animals.

Rykoyo - what a reasonable post.

When I go to nature places I find that birds often make a bloody irritating chirping sound so it would be lovely to get rid of them too. On occasion when sitting in said lovely place I have found insects bothering my jam and cream scone so perhaps we could get rid of them too. World would be a far nicer place and I could really enjoy my nature walks without nature getting in the sodding way.

Ryoko- humans driving cars kill people everyday. Do you want cars to be banned just because some people can't control them?

Men can cause a problem too. All that domestic violence and stabbing stuff. Perhaps they need to go too.

and all the people maimed/killed by cars, not to mention the pollution. Let's get rid of them too.

And teenagers too - some go out, causing trouble and stabbing and shooting people....let's get rid of them all, shall we? Even my gorgeous 17 year old DS?

Anyway, my dogs are my sanity. They get me out twice a day in all weathers, meeting and chatting with other people.

I think I would be seriously depressed if I didn't have them. How many people only have a dog for company? Lots!

Judgy mumsnetters can be a problem too, lets ban us lot aswell!

Actually I think car drivers should have to take a test every 3 years or so and Cyclists need registering and number plates.

As I live in London I'm sick of cyclists ignoring the rules of the road and speeding down pavements and I've been hit by a car driven by an idiot who decided to reverse while reading an A-Z instead of looking.

Birds and insects are what make parks great

By far the most dangerous living creatures as far as small children are concerned are parents (including step-parents and boyfriends of mothers). They kill far more babies than dogs do. But somehow, it's always Social Services who get blamed for those deaths, whereas dogs get blamed for killings by dogs.

If dogs were banned from this country i would seriously have to emmigrate. I have an innate distrust of people who dislike dogs

I'm with those who have had enough of this "fluffy wouldn't hurt anyone".

It is NOT the dogs fault. The dog is meant to kill its prey. They are not vegans.

The fault is people looking at a carnivore and seeing a Disney Character. Animals shouldn't be confused with people or toys. Nor should their welfare ever be more important that the life of a child.

I don't think anyone is saying that onagar.

"dogs get blamed for killings by dogs."

Can somebody please point out where anybody has 'blamed' a dog?

Do you really think anybody is arguing that dogs stand trial for killing or injuring people?

Legislating for dogs who have the capability to kill is no different to legislating for knives or guns which have the capability to kill people. Owners bear legal responsibility, but this does not deny their danger.

onagar has it spot on.

Tethersend - you're banging your head against a brick wall

I agree totally with you and Onagar.

I do feel though that to leave any dog alone with a young child makes you irresponsible. And to have a dog you couldn't 'get off' a young child if it attacked and you were present, eg anything with massive,strong jaws etc then you are equally irresponsible.

LEM - I find this statement just totally weird:

"OBVIOUSLY the more powerful the dog, the more the riskof damage but is it more likely??, however with adequate training anD, I'll say it again COMMON SENSE - those risks can be brought into the realms of acceptable. "

I thought most parents didn't want to bring 'risks into the realms of acceptable', they want to protect their children full stop. If you're (one is) happy to take a risk (however acceptable you find it) I think that makes you (one) slightly strange to put it mildly.