Akitas

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

Does anyone know if they're covered underthe Dangerous Dogs act and should be muzzled?

There's one in our village that isn't. Its bitten a friend's dog for no reason and its owner is a t**t, saying it isn't his responsibility. Apparantly its also bitten a kid but the kids parents' are friends with the owner and haven't complained.

they're not a listed dangerous dog but any dog can be classified as dangerous or a threat to the public if they show aggression.
did your friends dog need treatment from a vet? Maybe you should contact you local council dog warden for advice

if the dog bites then it is the owners responsibility, if the dog id off the lead when an attack takes place (think other dog has to be on a lead though) then police can be involved. sadly akitas are dominant dogs, my friend had one which had to be destroyed as it was dog aggressive and later became people aggressive, not suitable dog in the wrong hands iykwim? they may not be on the dangerous dogs act but they are dangerous if not treat correctly with a firm owner.

Any dog showing aggression comes under the DDA, and the owner can be prosecuted. In theory a dog doesn't even have to bite to be threatening and reported to the police. Akitas are very strong dogs, and should be well controlled, although not obliged to wear a muzzle. I would steer well clear of it/ him. he sounds like an arse.

My friend's dog was on a lead walking along the pavement, this Akita got out of his garden and bit the other dog (who is very unagressive). The dog needed staples in his leg at the vets. The owner was very uninterested, refused to help with vets bill, etc.

Will tell my friend to speak to the police and dog warden. Thanks.

stripey - in that case the owner by law is responsible and has to take the consequences. make sure that your friend has the bills etc for reinbursement.

They are considered a dangerous dog in this country only because of their fighting background, and must be kept muzzled and on a lead in public. It's a shame a lovely breed like the Akita get's a bad name because of brain-dead owners.

countrygirl - there are only four dogs on the dangerous dogs act and the akita is not on it. unless you are not in uk?

No I'm not in the UK, I'm in Eire.

countrygirl - what other dogs are classed as dangerous there? i think Eire seems to be headed in the right direction, why are rotties and staffs not muzzled as well as other known aggressive dogs i do not know? perhaps dogs that have been known to bite other dogs or people should be made to wear a muzzle in public? i know htat in Germany if a dog is over a certain shoulder height irrelevant of breed they have ot be muzzled and i am sure dogs are not allowed off leash in public. but then my info may be wrong!

There is a ridicluous dangerous dog's list including staffies, pit bulls, dobies, rotties, akitas, tosa's, alsatians etc.

The government don't seem to realise that there is no such thing as a dangerous breed, only ignorant owners. a dog is what you make it, regardless of breed.

they are trying to blame these dogs for being naturally aggressive when in reality they are lovely normal dogs, it just depends on whether they have been brought up by a good owner to be a normal, happy dog or by some yob who has turned what was a potentially nice dog into a savage by starving it, abusing it etc.