Dog attacks

[quizbag]

Should all dogs be muzzled when out in public areas even when on a lead? It would be interesting to see dog owners views.

[RATTER15]

divegirl, I must totally disagree with those figures!!

The Wolfhound doesnt get a mention, I have never even heard of an aggressive Irish Wolfhound or even anybody getting bitten by one. I have had many Jack Russells over the years and never had a problem with these either. Generally these dogs arent aggressive, they have learned aggression from their owners and being reared with no training at all.

This is so typical of the Staffy, a lovely quiet gentle breed but the breed is now being brought into disrepute thanks to the typical 21 year old thug that wants to look cool and has no idea of the requirements of any dog, least of all the intelligence or desire to train a dog.

[emmie]

i would like to see dogs kept on leads for a start, particularly in parks, play areas, the larger dogs like Staffordshire bull terriers muzzled, as well as Rottweilers, sorry if you have either of those dogs, but quite honestly i don't think they should be around children especially. Reposing quietly in the park a while back, some idiots dog was tearing up the place, and smashed straight into me, caught my face and left side, he was going at full pelt, so i ended up in considerable pain. The owner said a mumbled sorry then just walked off, the dog still not on a lead.

[emmie]

umm take the dog for long walks, it's not right that our parks are now dog poo areas, and that the owners show little or no responsibility when letting their dogs off the lead. If you can't walk the dog then no point in having one. I no longer walk through one of our local parks because of the amount of dogs off the leash, it isn't right. There are plenty of notices up about it, but the owners obviously ignore them.

[RATTER15]

Fred, that is so typical of Wolfhounds, ours have been attacked by a few different breeds, they just want to move on and get out of trouble, most of these savage little beasts could have been swallowed whole by our wolfies but NO, they just move on and carry on as before. They really don't like aggressiveness on any front.

[divegirl]

ooops posted too soon.....I once had a child run face on to my dogs barking at them....this child was aged around 10! When I asked the parents if the kid was okay they told me dogs as big as mine should be muzzled...I replied I would if the would muzzle their brat!
The general public think it's just fine to run their hands along my dog's back as the walk past... What The Funicular is that all about?

Lisa x

[divegirl]

sorry had a phone call while I was posting that as well^^^^^

Just going to read and catch up

[RATTER15]

em, A Staffy is not a large dog!

[ummmm]

I had a springer spaniel...he needed long runs, not walks. I only took him to the local park in the evenings when it was empty.

[emmie]

ratter, you haven't seen half the dogs i have, those owned by the thugs, drug dealers - they are massive in breadth, not so much height. Large muscular dogs that will bite anything that moves. These idiots who own them, and i have seen enough, think nothing of taking out two or three to the park and letting them loose. I wouldn't take a young child through any of our parks now.

[divegirl]

No too sure what you are trying to say there Ratter... no the Wolf Hound isn't mentioned as it is not an aggressive breed, but then nor is the Dane for the most part, I'm surprised you have never heard of an aggressive one though as I have come across them on giant breed sites.

I'm a great believer in the deed not breed theory but agree that if a dog has shown signs of aggression it, albeit to a human or another dog then a muzzle can be of help but it is not always the answer either.

Therefore I find it a misinformed attitude to demand the muzzling of all dogs!

[ummmm]

Sorry Em, but not all areas/parks are like that.

[RATTER15]

We have a large garden/field that we got especially for our dogs, they still however go to the beach to run and play in the sea, all dogs need the opportunity to run off lead every day!

[ummmm]

Especially if you have a small garden.

[RATTER15]

Divegirl, I certainly agree that any aggressive dog should be muzzled. I was just a little surprised the Wolfie doesn't get a mention in the least aggressive dog list either, that's certainly where I would have expected to see it, maybe their rarity excluded them?

[ladybirder]

Em you should come to the park in Hove where I dog walk. It is lovely with most dogs off the lead and absolutely never seen any trouble at all. yours sounds awful.

[emmie]

umm, most are, and quite honestly we don't have wardens for our local parks, and that is half the problem. They use them for not just social purposes, like sitting, walking through, admiring the flowers, plants, but as dog toilets, and if yours aren't then you are one of the lucky ones.
As i said i no longer cut through one park as the dogs often outnumber of the people.

[flump1]

No dogs should not be muzzled when outside, however they SHOULD be under control at all times. Dogs are pack animals and like / need to socialise . Dogs need to be disciplined in and out of the home. I have a dog...JRT crossed with a pig..and I love her to pieces .I have had her since she was a pup, do I trust her? No, not 100 % she is unpredictable. I use a lead where my dog needs to be restrained and she is free in well open spaces. Even then I still lead her if I see a dog approaching on a lead. Not all dogs want company. This is a good debate and I will follow it with interest, apart from that "list ", complete bunkum !

[divegirl]

Ahhhh with you know Ratter!

Does sound a bit carp where you are Em! May I ask a rough whereabouts?


Lisa x

[lankeela]

The comments about Staffordshire Bull Terriers don't surprise me, as the media always blame the breed for any dog attacks but in effect the vast majority are not actually Staffies but Pit bulls or crosses. Pit Bull Terriers are actually a banned breed in this country but how many of you would know one? Have a look here and see if you can spot one: http://www.pitbullson.../petbull/findpit.html By the sheer number registered Labradors do in fact come up top of the list for dog bites but its the fatal attacks that people get to hear about.

[divegirl]

Excellent site Lankeela! I also thought that of the Labs but didn't have a chance to find a source.
I will stand by my earlier point though! Some people and their offspring do not respect dogs and will just walk up and stroke them with out asking the owner first. I should imagine that this is where most dog bites happen. put that with the generation of kids that are petrified of dogs because of over protective parents and us dog owners really can not win!

Lisa x