Finally someone wrote it as it is

gettingready

Dogs that kill are a terrible tragedy – but it’s humans to blame, not our pets




http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/every-dangerous-dog-dangerous-owner-3161911

yorkshire_terrier_owner

gettingready wrote: »

Dogs that kill are a terrible tragedy – but it’s humans to blame, not our pets




http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/every-dangerous-dog-dangerous-owner-3161911

Totally agree with this.

My vet says there's a reason why all my dogs are soppy! I trust each one of my dogs implicitly but I would still never leave them alone with a child. Moreover, I will not sell puppies to families with young children.

bugslet

Good grief, the Mirror has printed probably one of the most rational responses to any tragedy I've ever read.

excellent piece.

chris_n_tj

gettingready wrote: »

Dogs that kill are a terrible tragedy – but it’s humans to blame, not our pets




http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/every-dangerous-dog-dangerous-owner-3161911

Thanks for posting this getting. I am going to share on my FB, and yes its about time some one had the balls to write it as it is. x

Kinski

It's a good article but I don't go along with the pack dominance or the neuter your male dogs early parts of it, everything else is good especially coming from the Mirror

heartbreak_star

Very rational, and pretty much all accurate. Well done, The Mirror.

I could cry reading about that poor dog locked in a crate all day. What is wrong with people??

HBS x

mummyroysof3

IMO its the parents to blame. I don't have a dog but it can't be difficult to keep them away from the baby surely?

catkins

Excellent sensible article although I disagree with the bit about neutering dogs early. With mid to large breeds it is now recommended that you wait until the dog I 18 months to 2 years.


Some people just should not have dogs (or children but that's a whole different subject!). Why get a dog then keep it in a crate for 24 hours a day or never walk it? What is wrong with people?


I have 2 dogs and am lucky that I do not work so I can walk them several times a day, play with them indoors and do training BUT even when I did work I made sure my dog at the time got exercise and play.


I walk my dogs every day, rain, shine snow which, unless you have an old or ill dog or dog who refuses to walk in rain is surely what you expert to do as a dog owner? I am surprised just how many other dog owners comment though along the lines of "oh you are so good walking your dogs even in the rain/snow etc"!!!


Two of my neighbours have dogs. One is a Labrador which is rarely walked and when it is it only ever seems to be for a very short time (10 minutes). There are 7 adults living there - 2 parents and grown up children and yet not one of them can be bothered to find the time to walk the dog. Not surprisingly it barks all the time probably through boredom.


The other neighbour has a boxer which again hardly ever gets walked. That too barks constantly. At one time both its owners worked full time but the wife had a baby and is now home with the child who is now about 2. I see the woman walking with the child in a pushchair but no dog, getting in the car to go off somewhere with the child but no dog. Our gardens are very small so the dog is not getting exercise there either. If, god forbid, that dog through frustration injured the child who would get the blame?

Misty_Blue

Some interesting (though USA based) statistics here:

http://www.dog-secrets.co.uk/fatal-dog-attacks-prevention-is-the-answer/

olias

Although I agree with most of what is contained in the article and said her, I do not believe that it is all about the owners - it is also about the breed, or rather people getting inappropriate breeds.

Pit Bull - genetically bred to be aggressive and bait bulls/bears
Staffordshire Bull Terrier - genetically bred to be aggressive and bait bulls/bears
Bull Mastiff - genetically bred to aggresively guard their owners/keepers
Shar Pei - genetically bred for aggression and fighting

Etc,etc..........

Now before anyone shouts me down, I know there are lots of gentle examples of the above breeds, but the point is, after their history, and selective breeding, there is always going to be a risk that these breeds will exhibit the natural behaviour they were bred for - aggression. Why would you take the risk, especially if you had children?

Similarly, dogs that were bred for strength and endurance such as the Alaskan Malamute in the recent tragedy are bound to become stressed, irritable and ultimately aggressive if kept cooped up in a small terraced house or flat with little or no excercise.

The problem I believe is shared 50/50 with poor owners and inappropriate breeds.

Olias

Tashatutuw

Absolutely brilliant article - have forwarded it to several friends. Well done The Mirror (for a change...)

I have 3 dogs and I am sorry olias but I disagree that it is the breed. I have a Rottweiler, a Heinz 57 and a Miniaute Poodle and warn people about my Poodle... She can be a right moody mare. I don't have children but hope to in the near future and I know that I will NEVER leave my children alone with my dogs. Naptimes as a baby will be upstairs with the stairs door shut so the cats can't get to them either! I would trust my dogs with my life (most of the time with the Poodle anyway lol) but know that it would be irresponsible to leave them.

When I was a baby we had a Rottweiler and I used to tug on his ears, lift his lips up and poke around in his mouth, pull him out his bed by his tail etc (all with my Parents close by I hasten to add..) and I was very lucky that he was such a tolerant young boy.. It could all have gone horrifically wrong. I was taught not to do things when caught doing them and now have a wonderful, respectful relationship with my girls.. I agree, when dogs go 'wrong' owners are to blame.