Dublin Bans Certain Dog Breeds

wordy · 9 Jul 2007 at 10:24

Found this link for a dog rescue site. Basically they've banned 11 breeds of dog that they consider dangerous.

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/frontpage/2007/0707/1183751555449.html

I personally feel pretty strongly about measures like these as I'm currently researching one of the breeds on this list, as we intend to purchase one early next year and know that with proper training and socialization they make wonderful family companions

I feel Measures like these are pure laziness on the politicians part, lets just ban them due to one or two idiots who are not fit ot own a dog, what about the hundreds of responisble dog owners in Dublin who now have to rehome their beloved family pet who have done nothing. They just seem to have pandered to hype about these dogs and haven't done any real research about the breeds listed.

Any dog can be nasty, something like a Yorkshire terrier can do serious damage to a child if they decide to attack. My g/f used to be a vetinary nurse and has seen the best and worst in dog breeds. She has told me from painful exprience that she thinks the smaller dogs are a lot harder to subdue when attacking due to their small size and ability to move around quickly.

Hawk Tuah · 9 Jul 2007 at 10:34

Some very odd breeds in that list.

The Ridgeback is a hunting dog, and the Akita is a big fluffy thing. :confused:

Just reading up on the Akita, blimey seems like the fluff is just a ruse.

It does seem like a bit of a snap decision on the whim of one attack. If they are gonig to ban the breeds, then force all owners to get them neutered, and ban the breeding of them. Ordering people to re home their dogs or have them destroyed is very naive and stupid. I'd fight long and hard if some idiot told me I have to do that with my dog.

scorza · 9 Jul 2007 at 10:42

According to that article they're only banning them from Dublin council houses. To my mind thats a sensible thing to do, because if Dublin council estates are anything like English ones then the last people who should be owning those sort of dogs are the people who live there.

Yes it's generalisation and yes it's discrimination, but I say that there's nothing necessarily wrong with that. If they don't like it, they can get themselves a job and buy their own place.

Diesel · 9 Jul 2007 at 10:44

Absolutely stupid.

I notice the German Shepherd is banned, but the Belgian Shepherd (of which I have 2) isn't - despite being pretty similar.

Kid Blackie · 9 Jul 2007 at 10:52

Diesel said:
Absolutely stupid.

I notice the German Shepherd is banned, but the Belgian Shepherd (of which I have 2) isn't - despite being pretty similar.

A bit like how the American pitbull terrier is banned, but the Staffordshire bull terrier is not, despite being extremely similar. Infact, they were the same dog not all that long ago.

Pitbulls are fantastic dogs and it's such a shame they are banned over here.

M0t0r0la · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:07

Kid Blackie said:
Pitbulls are fantastic dogs and it's such a shame they are banned over here.

Well considering they have the highest number of attacks on humans (118) I personally think its a pretty sensible decision!!

Jono · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:07

Diesel said:
Absolutely stupid.

I notice the German Shepherd is banned, but the Belgian Shepherd (of which I have 2) isn't - despite being pretty similar.

Ah but the German one would probably try to take over a nation and go on a rampage if it got angry, whereas the Belgian one would probably settle for a smoke and a pancake.

Hawk Tuah · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:10

Kid Blackie said:
A bit like how the American pitbull terrier is banned, but the Staffordshire bull terrier is not, despite being extremely similar. Infact, they were the same dog not all that long ago.

Pitbulls are fantastic dogs and it's such a shame they are banned over here.

The breeds are: English Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Doberman, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Japanese Akita, Bull Mastiff, Japanese Tosa and Bandog. Cross-breeds of these dogs or crosses of these dogs with any other breed are also banned.

They are on the list.

Dont get me wrong, I have no problem with fighting dogs being outlawed. However I dont agree with doing it by just banning and destroying them. Its cruel and unnessecary. If they want to eradicate a breed, do it by enforced neutering and castration and make breeding them a criminal offence.

Dont just tell people that they have to get rid of their dogs or else. People form an emotional bond with their pets and you can't just expect people to give them up.

Kid Blackie · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:12

M0t0r0la said:
Well considering they have the highest number of attacks on humans (118) I personally think its a pretty sensible decision!!

Thats just because of the people who own them. Plenty of people want a dog like a Pitbull terrier as they feel it makes them look tougher, and encourage their dog to be agressive.

Anyway, most of those attacks are from mongrel, Pitbull "types", not true game bred Pitbull terriers. They actually come higher in temperament tests than almost any other dog.

And again it seems odd they banned the pitbull but not the staffie of English bulldog. I mean, they are all originally fighting dogs, so why single of the pitbull?

"Aggressive Towards Humans
A correct Pit Bull will never be aggressive with people. The Pit Bull has been breed for centuries to be a human-friendly dog.
It is not a guardian breed, and therefore should not display suspicion towards strangers or view them as potential threats. It is uncommon for a Pit Bull to be overly shy.
The Pit Bull is likely to meet all strangers with an open heart and a wagging tail. A normal Pit Bull looks upon all people as friends unless their actions prove otherwise.
Generally Pit Bulls are submissive with people and confident in their surroundings, making for a well-adjusted family dog. Since times past when the Pit Bull was used for hunting of large game and as a farm dog, it has been a cherished fixture of family life.
The Pit Bull has a special fondness for children and a pleased, relaxed look crosses its face when they approach. It can prove to be a safe, hardy friend that can keep up and put up with the active play life of kids. For a child, no better companion can be found.
Pit Bulls Kick Butt on The American Temperament Test Society's Tests
It is reported on temperament tests conducted by the American Temperament Test Society the American Pit Bull Terrier has a current (December 2004) passing rate of 83.9% -- compared to only 77% of the general dog population.
Temperament tests consist of putting a dog through a series of unexpected situations, some involving strangers. Any signs of unprovoked aggression or panic in these situations result in failure of the test. (Please visit ATTS.org)
A Pit Bull that snarls, lunges, or growls at humans is not typical of the breed, and to keep such a dog endangers people and the image of the breed.
If a Pit Bull or Pit Bull mix shows any signs of aggression towards humans, it is strongly suggested that the dog be humanely euthanized in order to avoid possible human injury."

Kid Blackie · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:13

Bug One said:
The breeds are: English Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Doberman, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Japanese Akita, Bull Mastiff, Japanese Tosa and Bandog. Cross-breeds of these dogs or crosses of these dogs with any other breed are also banned.

They are on the list.

Dont get me wrong, I have no problem with fighting dogs being outlawed. However I dont agree with doing it by just banning and destroying them. Its cruel and unnessecary. If they want to eradicate a breed, do it by enforced neutering and castration and make breeding them a criminal offence.

Dont just tell people that they have to get rid of their dogs or else. People form an emotional bond with their pets and you can't just expect people to give them up.

I was talking about in England.

wordy · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:20

To me that is just a list of big popular dogs, they seem to have done no research whatsoever.

I'm personally against breed specific legislation, however they've missed probably the only dog that was bred specially to be agressive towards humans The Fila Brasileiro But as I've already said if your going to ban dogs at least do some research about them

scorza · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:20

Kid Blackie said:
Thats just because of the people who own them. Plenty of people want a dog like a Pitbull terrier as they feel it makes them look tougher, and encourage their dog to be agressive.

Hence why Dublin have banned them from council estates

Wish we could do the same here, but it would probably violate their human rights

Hawk Tuah · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:21

Its also interesting that they have banned the English Bull, the Staff, the American Pitbull.

However the Irish Staff is perfectly acceptable.

Kid Blackie · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:23

scorza said:
Hence why Dublin have banned them from council estates Wish we could do the same here, but it would probably violate their human rights

I agree and think it's a good idea to ban them in council estates to be honest because of all the fools who want them for the wrong reasons, just a shame we have a blanket ban over here even for responsible owners.

Kid Blackie · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:25

Bug One said:
Its also interesting that they have banned the English Bull, the Staff, the American Pitbull.

However the Irish Staff is perfectly acceptable.

Yeah thats ridiculous, the Irish staff is not a seperate breed from the Staffordshire bull terrier, it's just a more rangy, long legged staff, a bit more like the old fighting dogs. Some KC Staffordshire bull terriers look exactly like that anyway.

wordy · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:32

Kid Blackie said:
I agree and think it's a good idea to ban them in council estates to be honest because of all the fools who want them for the wrong reasons, just a shame we have a blanket ban over here even for responsible owners.

Then that proves that it's the owners not the breed. unfortunatley banning a whole breed just ruins it for the majority of responisble owners.

M0t0r0la · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:39

wordy said:
Then that proves that it's the owners not the breed. unfortunatley banning a whole breed just ruins it for the majority of responisble owners.

No it's a combination of both. Give these thugs a poodle and I doubt even they couldn't train it into a killing machine

!!

Kid Blackie · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:46

M0t0r0la said:
No it's a combination of both. Give these thugs a poodle and I doubt even they couldn't train it into a killing machine !!

Actually, you can make any dog vicious if you know how, even a labrador which most people think of as an extremely friendly dog.

Why would the pitbull be a "killing machine", but not another dog?

wordy · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:46

M0t0r0la said:
No it's a combination of both. Give these thugs a poodle and I doubt even they couldn't train it into a killing machine !!

All dogs have it in them to be nasty, I've seen Yorkshire Terriers be really snappy little ********, just the same as I've seen a GSD walk into the vets my g/f used to work at and sit down infront each person sat in the waiting room in turn and offer a paw.

M0t0r0la · 9 Jul 2007 at 11:50

Some dogs are simply not big enough or physically strong enough to cause damage that is fatal like these large powerful fighting dogs can!!

Is that too hard to understand :confused:

Theirs a big difference to being 'nasty' and killing a child!!