Does something need to be done about dogs?

koolpc said:
All of these XL bully dogs should be destroyed and a total ban on them being allowed in this country. Enough is enough....how many more children / people need to die because of them?
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Just can't agree with this.
I get it. But the thought of someone saying my boy is dangerous and having to put him down would ruin me.

Muzzle all the time (at home etc) would be acceptable. But I understand it's not policable
 
413x said:
Just can't agree with this.
I get it. But the thought of someone saying my boy is dangerous and having to put him down would ruin me.

Muzzle all the time (at home etc) would be acceptable. But I understand it's not policable
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So knowing it's not policable, are you willing to accept tens of thousands of injuries and dozens of deaths per year because of it?
 
Dis86 said:
So knowing it's not policable, are you willing to accept tens of thousands of injuries and dozens of deaths per year because of it?
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I get it I do.
And I would never pick a dog like this and absolutely agree they should have never been allowed in the UK.

But I just know I'd do anything to keep my boy if he was condemned to destruction.

There probably is no other way. But if someone came for my dog I'd do everything to stop it. Even breaking the law.
 
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I get that people get attached to their pets, and that done properly it teaches plenty of positive attributes.
I do think it's a more modern attitude to take it way beyond that. Why are dogs openly being called 'my children' or (as earlier) 'my boy' and the attention lavished on them not seen as every so slightly unhinged? These are domesticated animals.
Trained properly (particularly dogs) they can become very useful indeed. They are not, and will never be, fully functioning members of society. I know that what's coming next is that I'm going to be called a 'hater' and there will be those who think that anyone who mentions that pets should be treated as such obviously has no heart.
 
Nigel Kingdon said:
I do think it's a more modern attitude to take it way beyond that. Why are dogs openly being called 'my children' or (as earlier) 'my boy' and the attention lavished on them not seen as every so slightly unhinged? These are domesticated animals.
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Many people have used dogs as surrogate kids for a long long time, way before these "dangerous dogs" issues. A whole heap of reasons

1)people, possibly elderly, living alone, the dog is mostly the entire centre of their life, their constant companion, reason to get up in the morning etc.
2) Some who just can't have kids, and so a dog that shows affection, responds well to kindness and needs taking care of on a daily basis becomes the next best thing.
3) Kids who have had a dog around their entire lives, it does become part of the family, even if those that are not so inclined can't see how.
4) sense of security, even if it's only apparent

Finally, I would say that most dog owners don't have a dog because it's "useful" or for it's ability to teach positive attributes.

Its cat owners I can't understand :D
 
Good grief, that can't be healthy for either party. Company (especially when older) I get, but to take that to the 'dogs are better than humans', or worse, is just asking for trouble.
Given that my SIL has just lost her husband and says that she would have no reason to get out of bed if it weren't for 'Pepper' (her Alsatian), but she treats him like the well trained dog he is and lavishes him with affection (always has), she still draws the line at humanising him. He's a dog, she says, so why would you?
 
Nigel Kingdon said:
but to take that to the 'dogs are better than humans', or worse, is just asking for trouble.
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i wouldn't say it's asking for trouble but it's a rather stupid mentality to have, albeit i understand the sentiment. i know a couple of folk that will repeatedly tell anyone who cares to listen how much better their pets are than real people. both have utterly failed at relationships (and life in general) so i get why they have that silly mindset.
 
Nigel Kingdon said:
Good grief, that can't be healthy for either party. Company (especially when older) I get, but to take that to the 'dogs are better than humans', or worse, is just asking for trouble.
Given that my SIL has just lost her husband and says that she would have no reason to get out of bed if it weren't for 'Pepper' (her Alsatian), but she treats him like the well trained dog he is and lavishes him with affection (always has), she still draws the line at humanising him. He's a dog, she says, so why would you?
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Studies posted earlier in the thread show how similar canine brains are to humans', and the degree to which they can understand, interact with and become part of our world.
There are many parallels and dogs can understand our moods and behaviours enough to extrapolate and adjust their behaviour, even though we speak different languages and communicate in different ways.
But while they exhibit some of the same behaviours, making anthropomorphism is quite understandable, people still need to remember the differences that make them dogs rather than human.

As far as being 'better', it's an argument that can be applied to pretty much any sentient animal that doesn't destroy its environment purely for personal gain. Humans do have a lot to answer for...
 
Nigel Kingdon said:
I get that people get attached to their pets, and that done properly it teaches plenty of positive attributes.
I do think it's a more modern attitude to take it way beyond that. Why are dogs openly being called 'my children' or (as earlier) 'my boy' and the attention lavished on them not seen as every so slightly unhinged? These are domesticated animals.
Trained properly (particularly dogs) they can become very useful indeed. They are not, and will never be, fully functioning members of society. I know that what's coming next is that I'm going to be called a 'hater' and there will be those who think that anyone who mentions that pets should be treated as such obviously has no heart.
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If you don't know you don't get it.
I call my dog "my boy".

He's there every day, he shows affection, he's smart, he likes spending time with me and I like spending time with him and he's my responsibility.

He is family, and I'd do anything for him.
I've spent a lot of money on his vet bills and I have no regrets about that.

He means more to me than anything else.

I wouldn't call him my child. But I treat him just the same. Probably better than a lot of people treat their kids.
And I definitely spend more time with him than many parents and kids do.
Its hard not to see them as family especially when you don't have kids.

I totally understand if people don't get the same feelings.

It sounds cliche but I love him more than I've ever loved a dog before, unconditionally it's a love that comes from responsibility. I think it's due to amount of time I spent with him. Going out exploring/hiking with him. I trust him completely. I worry about him when he's ill.

I don't think this is rare now. Many people love their pets like this. And many people grieve for their pets more than people. Probably because the amount of time you spend with them.


Maybe it sounds ridiculous to those without pets. Or those who just see them as assets. But there are many people who's pets mean everything to them and the benefits to mental health are well documented.

He's genuinely my best friend.
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If someone made the decision that caused me to be forced to put him down like suggested for XL bullies? I'd do whatever it took to stop that. Leaving the country? Sure no hesitation. Breaking the law? Sure.


I do get and agree with the xl bully ban. But just can't accept putting peoples pet who they could be as attached to as I am down is right.
 
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