Need to reintroduce the dog license asap

I personally wouldn't want such a powerful dog as a Bullmastiff, not while there were kids around anyway but a mate of mine from the Army had one and it was a very placid, obedient and well trained dog so didn’t really present a big risk. In 99.9% of cases the underlying problem with fatal attacks is 'poor ownership' and this has to be the focus if we are to tackle this issue. The dogs that killed the poor little girl were known to be aggressive so why the hell hadn't something been done to address a situation where four powerful and aggressive dogs were being kept together?
To suggest that an entire breed of dog is to blame and should be destroyed when cases like this are, thankfully, quite rare is just kneejerk and does not account for the facts of the terrible situation.

 

I agree in principle, but most of the problem owners have bought the dog as a way to intimidate others... they ain't gonna get a miniture poodle to do that, they are gonna get
a staffie, a german shepherd , rottweiller, a dog bread to be able to attack other animals. It makes sense to have stricter rules on such dogs.

 

I've had German Shepherd's most of my adult life

They're affectionate, intelligent & loyal dogs. We've never had one second's problem with any of them. They doted on the kids when they were little. The one we have at the moment, Sable, is a rescue dog. I think she's well trained & obedient, something the likes of madmark62, druss, barnsley66, Stahlrost, Dragon Tyke & bigdave8322 (who've all been to our house) could confirm. As I'm hardly what one could call a 'macho man', the dogs aren't really a reflection of me or my ego.
Not all big dogs, or big dog owners, are the devil incarnate.

 

Re: I've had German Shepherd's most of my adult life

I agree totally. However the point is the idiots will go for the (potentially) dangerous dogs & there is a greater degree of responsibility that goes with that dog.
Just like the greater responsibility a small dog owner has got over a rabbit owner. (My jack russell is a potential threat to all rabbits!)

 

Many of the so called dangerous breeds are actually wonderful family pets, Staffies are absolutely fantastic with children - loyal, obedient and can take the rough and tumble of energetic kids without reacting aggressively. It is only when they are badly bred or 'turned' that they become dangerous. It is very common that young dogs are abused to make them aggressive, this can include such vile treatment as hanging them by the neck to the point of near death. I could tell you more but it will turn your stomach. Even that is no guarantee it will turn out the nasty trophy dog some idiots want and think they need to make them look hard. This is one reason why so many are abandoned, like the greyhound problem - they don't make the grade. Either that or they are so badly bred between two 'tough' animals, the thinking being they will make an even tougher pup. But usually these things are going on around the country's council estates and there isn't enough distance between the breeding and the pups don't turn out right. Often their owners can't hack the responsibility of taking care of any animal or their kids for that matter. As many as half of unwanted dogs in shelters awaiting re-homing are a of a bull terrier type breed, not Staffordshire exactly - that is a very distinct looking animal, but a derivative of. Often with American pit bull somewhere in it's lineage.

There is a serious lack of education in our society when it comes to dogs. I'm generally a wet Liberal as most folk know, but I lose my patience big time on this subject as it conflicts with my animal rights moreso than my civil liberties principles. I've personally never liked Rotties, I find them well scarey. Have done since watching the Omen when I was young. I wouldn't tell anyone not to keep them, but keep them in the right environment with a bit of land around them, not in a built up council estate where they will scare and intimidate your neighbours. That is anti-social, it's bullying and it's intimidation. Perhaps licensing and education in responsible care and ownership can go together. Price the license high enough to deter those who haven't thought seriously enough about looking after an animal and having the commitment to take care of it for up to 15+ years.

It isn't an exclusively working class problem either. In the bit of North London where I live, the middle classes keep dogs for different reasons, seemingly harmless but can be equally as irresponsible. Not realising that the posh breeds they favour are terriers and gun dogs that have instincts and habits that way back through the domestic evolution of the breed. I used to work in a historic house called Kenwood with it's own 113 acre country park at the top of Hampstead Heath A well known and historic SSSI site, open to the public but with a dogs on leads bylaw. In the 5 years I worked there we lost 2 swans to dog attacks, after the last of which the resident pen left the ponds for good. The nests and eggs were also attacked numerous times by loose dogs belonging to stupid posh people, too ignorant of the dog they own let alone a wildlife environment. "he's never done anything like that before" - "he's a fcking lurcher you stupid cow, what do you think would happen? We're sending for the gun." Jeeeeezus!

Remember, a dog is for life - not just for showing off to your mates.

 

We're singing from the same hymn sheet, mate

It narks me, though, when those of us who are responsible with big dogs get tarred with the same brush as the irresponsible gits who use their animals like dangerous weapons.

 

Re: We're singing from the same hymn sheet, mate

That is so true and should licensing be re-introduced, it will be responsible owners forking out for no good reason. While I'm saying charge a £100 (which I haven't really thought through!) it might possibly exclude many good owners such as my Mam.

My sister has big dogs, an Alsation and a rescued Akita. But she's a fantastic owner, she could run a course in it as I'm sure you could. In fact the only person one of hers ever attacked is me - it happened in her house and apparently was my own fault! Probably right.

 

Re: We're singing from the same hymn sheet, mate

I think it should be like motor bikes all big blokes should have to start off with toy poodles ,little pink bow compulsory (for dog)

 

The last two holidays we've had in Scotland

We've been in a cottage on the side of a mountain, the garden of which was surrounded with fields. Sheep were kept in the fields and, initially, when the two dogs left the cottage for the garden, the petrified livestock scattered. My two dogs treat the sheep with utter indifference and totally ignored them. By the end of each holiday, the sheep mirrored their lack of interest! When we're out walking, we make sure that there are no animals in any field we enter. Also, we put them on the lead, keeping them away from any other walkers and their pets that we encounter.

 

I agree

 

Re: The last two holidays we've had in Scotland

Don't doubt that! mines the same. It was just the thought of all these big blokes with poncey little dogs that I thought might be funny

 

I don't think I'll get a toy poodle

I'm used to having German Shepherds now. Although, a pink bow might suit me. It'd go well with my leotard!

 

Re: I don't think I'll get a toy poodle

Lol nooooooooooooooooooo that's a totally different licence issue!

 

Perhaps something like this

Will suit me better?
<img src ="http://www.bridalgarter.co.uk/dainty_daisy_lace_dusky_pink.jpg">

 

Re: Im astonished at how people seek to defend the dogs

**** sake, theres some thick ****ing people on this forum..

its like saying yorkshire ripped killed someone all yorkshire people should be put down, **** sake

dogs can be trained, some can be trained easier than others, pitbulls are known as aggressive breeds and violent its a load of **** in my eyes, any dog can flip just like any person can.

 

Re: I agree

My parents owned 2 German Shepherd's, neither of which would ever harm a hair on anybody's body. The eldest one used to lie on the floor and let my baby nephew's crawl all over her and when she'd had enough she'd simply stand up and walk off, never a violent bone in her body. I wouldn't tar all breeds with the same brush, they way they're "trained" by their owners has a lot to answer for.