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The doghouse

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Original poster

Dog hanging from tree by its jaws in the park

60 replies

Rhydderch · 05/04/2011 17:06

We were walking through the park and I saw a Staffie hanging from a branch by its jaws and a teenager filming it whilst another was kicking it. I have never seen this before, why were they doing this?

OP posts:
ShatnersBassoon · 05/04/2011 17:08

A teenager was kicking the tree, or the dog?

Original poster
Rhydderch · 05/04/2011 17:21

Sorry, the dog. I was so shocked that I called the police. Now after doing a bit of googling I have discovered that many Staffies like to dangle from branches. Never seen anybody kick a dog before. Feel a bit like an old busy body now.

OP posts:
BristolJim · 05/04/2011 17:23

They do it to strengthen their jaws :(

VivaLeBeaver · 05/04/2011 17:24

There was an article about this recently and apparantly its done to strengthen the jaws so they can fight better - either with other dogs or for been set on rival hoodies by their owners. Sad

VivaLeBeaver · 05/04/2011 17:25

You're not an old busy body at all. Noone should be kicking a dog and I can't really imagine they like hanging from trees by their jaws.

SpringHeeledJack · 05/04/2011 17:27

I've seen this- well, a guy swinging a knotted rope with a Staffie hanging off it

he swore the dog liked it, and it looked pretty keen Confused

now I've got two staffs myself and think they would probably do just about anything required of them by their owner...they're pretty biddable, eager to please dogs

Sad
paulapantsdown · 05/04/2011 17:31

its to strengthen their jaws for fighting (or tearing off a toddlers face)

There have had to be trees actually cut down in Wormwood Scrubs park (London), due to the terrible damage done by chavs "training" thier dogs there.

sharbie · 05/04/2011 17:37

chavs with a chav dog - agree with comments training for fighting etc ugh

SerialComma · 05/04/2011 17:40

Well the kicking is not on at all -- I'm glad you reported it. But hanging from a tree is pretty standard mad-terrier behaviour. Lots of them love to grab a branch and hang on. It's like a game of tug.

I've heard that the nasty loons who keep fighting dogs will do this to strengthen jaws -- but there will also be normal dog owners who just do this as a game with their dogs.

chickchickchicken · 05/04/2011 17:41

my jack russell would hang from a branch if she thought she could detach it and play with it.
no way Angry this should be encouraged and Angry Angry he kicked the dog
of course you are not a busy body. you are speaking up for an animal that cant. thats an honorable thing to do

Vallhala · 05/04/2011 17:51

Interesting first post OP.

Even more interesting that you "feel like an old busy body now" having seen people kicking a dog.

Even more interesting still that your Googling didn't come up with anything more than "Staffies like to dangle from branches". (Which is bullshit by the way).

I smell something. Salmon, perhaps, or maybe tuna....

QueenOfFlippingEverything · 05/04/2011 17:57

I've seen loads of dogs being encouraged to hang from/pull off branches in South London.

Many parks in the area (Penge/Sydenham/East Dulwich/Peckham) have no young trees anymore as they get trashed in this way as soon as they are planted.

Fuckwit owners.

KnickersOnOnesHead · 06/04/2011 13:07

Paula, that was a fucking stupid comment ''(or tearing off a toddlers face) ''

As is sharbie's comment ''chavs with a chav dog ''

I have two staffies, and two toddlers. I am not a chav nor have my dogs 'tore of my toddlers faces''

Jeez.

PersonalClown · 06/04/2011 13:11

My Staffy wouldn't want to do this. He's spent his morning walk trying to dive into peoples flower beds and destroying a football.

Chav dogs my arse. Ignorant scare mongers more like.

sharbie · 06/04/2011 13:19

well i have never met a friendly one so far - most are like my neighbours' who has to be pulled off my dog whenever we walk past

DooinMeCleanin · 06/04/2011 13:24

There is a lovely Staffy who walks to dd1's school each day. Very calm and friendly and doesn't bat an eyelid at the children. Dd2 adores him. I have never met a 'bad' staffy.

KnickersOnOnesHead · 06/04/2011 13:26

Nothing like being stereotypical is there.

You must be living in the wrong area then.

BornThisWayBaby · 06/04/2011 13:26

Hmm to tearing off a toddlers face Hmm
thats why staffs are nicknamed 'the nanny dog' because of their patience and loving of children
I've heard of people doing it before, its stupid and you were right to report the kicking to the police

thefirstMrsDeVere · 06/04/2011 13:31

We have the same problem with swing seats. Nothing left of them because the dog 'owners' use them to toughen up the dog's mouth.

Twats.

So many people have dogs now that dont actually like dogs. They wouldnt dream of owning a dog just because it is a dog and have no interest in animals.

Thats why we have this problem. Nothing to do with the breed.

PersonalClown · 06/04/2011 13:32

My Staffy was lovely and obedient this morning. He sat and waited for a little girl to come and say hello then slobbered all over her hand!
He's coming up for 18 months and finally getting past the jumpy puppy stage.

Try looking at the other end of the lead for the problem.

piebald · 06/04/2011 13:36

I think you were right to call police, whatever else was going on they shouldnt have been kicking the dog

BornThisWayBaby · 06/04/2011 13:37

18 months clown Shock I've got a long way to go with my 11 week old staff then till he stops jumping Grin

PersonalClown · 06/04/2011 13:40

Oh yes Born. He's just decided that it's time to sunbathe and is now upside down in the garden.

I will say one thing. My Staffy was/is a lot easier to train than my Doodle. thick as shit fluffball!!

coccyx · 06/04/2011 13:41

what horrible people, glad you reported it

KnickersOnOnesHead · 06/04/2011 13:42

Mine are 11 months and 18 months and both still as mad as hatters!

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