Girl killed by pit bull terrier

4T5 · 2 Jan 2007 at 14:03

Just heard on the news that if the Dog was a genuine Pit Bull the owner will be prosecuted. I thought i was right.

ooEy · 2 Jan 2007 at 14:14

This is yet another horrendous story, firstly my thoughts are with the parents. It must be awful for them.

I have 2 x sons, my eldest being 41/2 and my youngest 7 months. I also have a puppy ( allthough shes a big girl ). She is 7 months old ( actually 2 weeks older than my youngest ) and a Bull Mastiff. Now ive had large dogs for as long as i can remember inc German Sheppards and Rottwiellers. Berfore we got "Rosie" i did a lot of research into not only the history of the litter but also into the breed. Bull Mastifs were originally used as a game keepers dog, they have never been bred for fighting and were NOT trained to maul humans.

I class myself as an experienced and responsible dog owner.

Does my dog love my kids? YES
Is my dog nicely natured? YES
Have i trained her? YES
Would i leave her unnattended with my kids? NO NEVER

DAVEM · 2 Jan 2007 at 14:19

cheets64 said:
I dont care if the dog has been round 100s of children and is soft as a brush, they cannot be trusted.

Damn right.

Make sure you're ALWAYS around when your kids are near dogs.

I can't believe the complete stupidity of dog owners who say "aww don't worry he's harmless" no they're not!

Truely a sad story, I can't imagine what it'd be like to loose a child in that way. The poor child must have been in a lot of pain and so scared. Of all the ways for a child to die, I can't think of many worse.

My thoughts are with the parents, how will they forgive themselves?

David

Third Opinion · 2 Jan 2007 at 14:20

ooEy said:
I class myself as an experienced and responsible dog owner.

Does my dog love my kids? YES
Is my dog nicely natured? YES
Have i trained her? YES
Would i leave her unnattended with my kids? NO NEVER

Third Opinion said:
I am not knocking you I am sure you are a responsible owner it is just these types of dogs are given a bad name by those who think it is fashionable to own a 'hard' dog.

I kept Boxer dogs for years and my dogs never attacked anyone. I still would be very cautious with them around children.

Chrisss · 2 Jan 2007 at 14:28

malc30 said:
Just heard on the news that if the Dog was a genuine Pit Bull the owner will be prosecuted. I thought i was right.

The dog had also attacked other neighbours, so to leave a dog that can obviously be aggressive with another child is crazy.

Based on what I know, the owner should be facing jail time.

Sinque · 2 Jan 2007 at 15:59

moss said:
Come on, mine wasnt ugly his brother our other dog was brown/black.

Wow, look at the head on that. Awesome dog.

I, myself, have two Staffies, both female, and the only people they have ever fought was eachother and only because the other had just had puppies, simply protecting their young. But still, all humans could walk in and roll the puppies about to see if they were ok, mother was fine with it. Even if I dived onto their backs and held them to the floor they wouldn't touch me. Once though, one accidently nipped me, it's tail went under it's legs and it hid somewhere in the house to come out an hour later to suck up to me like a leech.

Bring them up properly and know what you're doing and they are amazing dogs to have.

Mik3 · 2 Jan 2007 at 16:13

I cant believe people are seriously suggesting we should have a licence to own a dog :/ This Country is bad enough with its nanny laws, we shouldn't be endorsing more power to them, its a tragedy but s*** happens.

moss · 2 Jan 2007 at 16:18

Sinque said:
Wow, look at the head on that. Awesome dog.

Funny thing is, when I think back to then, I cant remember them being that big even though they were, I used to jump all over them and once saved Zack (one pictured) when it chocked on some string, I stuck my hand down its throat and pulled it out. I'll be honest though, his brother Butch didnt have such a great tempter, he was quite ill for most of its life and prefered to be left alone, I was the only child who could go near him but I was the only child who lived with them.

FrostedNipple · 2 Jan 2007 at 16:27

tbh, owners that say "dont worry, my dog wont hurt, you he wouldnt hurt a fly"

its probably true in its environment it is used to, during the day and undernormal circumstances im sure the dof was fine with the girl, however you must remember that it was 3.40am or what ever it was, the dog would be used to being asleep, most lickly loud bangs from fireworks, dogs can get confused very quickly and do things they arnt used to. My dog is fine around me and my family. however, i wouldnt leave it alone with another child, for a start most children are crazy and run around like nobodys businees, and my dog is petrified of them, when i have cousins round, they are about 5 and under my dog doesnt like them, because they arnt calm, my dog will run away upstairs. i wouldnt leave my dog with another child for the sake of my dog lol

i agree there needs to be more laws on dogs, and the abilitys of dog wardens needs to be greatned, but a liscense to own a dog is rediculas--i could easily get a liscence for a gun, doesnt mean i would be physically able to shoot someone, all it would mean is i have an excuse to say it was an accident, i have a liscence to prove i wouldnt do it on purpose etc, plus well its just a redicuas idea how could you even think of it

Chrisss · 2 Jan 2007 at 16:38

Mik3 said:
I cant believe people are seriously suggesting we should have a licence to own a dog :/ This Country is bad enough with its nanny laws, we shouldn't be endorsing more power to them, its a tragedy but s*** happens.

A tradegy that could have easily been avoided.

Mr Joshua · 2 Jan 2007 at 16:50

dirtydog said:
No it isn't a human right...

I would support much tougher ownership rules and a new licensing scheme, to weed out unsuitable owners. Hell I'd have similar rules for having children if I had my way.

Dogs would still end up with the wrong type of person regardless of licensing, it's just one more certificate that the law abiding will need to pay for to make everyone else feel safe - like gun licenses have stopped people being shot.

Sinque · 2 Jan 2007 at 16:52

No licence would solve anything. Simple common sense is needed. It's like saying you need a licence to smoke and drink as those kill enough people as it is.

I don't like how, on that news website, the dogs are described as being 'destroyed.' Sounds in-humane to me.

4T5 · 2 Jan 2007 at 16:53

I think there is some truth in the dog being affected by the fireworks.
I stayed in NYE and never go out when it is a Firework night as my Frank staffy dog don't like the bangs.
Frank just sits by me making sure he is touching a part of me but i could see other dogs becoming aggressively aggitated in the same situation.

trojan698 · 2 Jan 2007 at 17:58

Sinque said:
No licence would solve anything. Simple common sense is needed. It's like saying you need a licence to smoke and drink as those kill enough people as it is.

I don't like how, on that news website, the dogs are described as being 'destroyed.' Sounds in-humane to me.

Damn, what a shame for the dog - so disrespectful isn't it? Get a grip, they're dogs.

There's always stories about pit bulls, staffys, and rottweilers mauling people. People take too much assurance in the raising of their animal, when they're all capable of turning. I back the licencing and tbh wouldn't be against a mass cull of these breeds.

4T5 · 2 Jan 2007 at 18:03

trojan698 said:
I back the licencing and tbh wouldn't be against a mass cull of these breeds.

So you would back taking my Frank staffy dog off me after spending every day for over 6 years with him and you would want to kill him ?

Over my dead body only :mad:

Docaroo · 2 Jan 2007 at 18:09

ok perhaps we are thinking of this from the wrong side...

You have the right to own any dog you want... however you have forfeit the right to moan when your lovely pitbull mauls the **** out of your kids. If it mauls other kids, you are accountable for manslaughter charges.

Problem solved.

squiffy · 2 Jan 2007 at 18:10

I think it is irrseponsible to have a animal capable of killing children if you have a family. It's one thing for a fully grown adult to have a staffy, but not when young children are around the dog.

It's just too risky, I certainly wouldn't risk it.

4T5 · 2 Jan 2007 at 18:13

Docaroo said:
ok perhaps we are thinking of this from the wrong side...

You have the right to own any dog you want... however you have forfeit the right to moan when your lovely pitbull mauls the **** out of your kids. If it mauls other kids, you are accountable for manslaughter charges.

Problem solved.

I totally accept this and would be happy if it was law. As previously stated i go out of my way to look after my dog properly. Even though i trust him with me i do Not trust him with anyone else. Not that i think he would hurt anyone i just believe that is right.

I should add i have lived on my OWN in this house for over 8 years and my Staffy is 6.

Diesel · 2 Jan 2007 at 18:22

trojan698 said:
I back the licencing and tbh wouldn't be against a mass cull of these breeds.

I'd sooner cull certain groups of humans. Would do the world far more good than getting rid of some relatively harmless breeds of dog.

phykell · 2 Jan 2007 at 18:27

Docaroo said:
ok perhaps we are thinking of this from the wrong side...

You have the right to own any dog you want... however you have forfeit the right to moan when your lovely pitbull mauls the **** out of your kids. If it mauls other kids, you are accountable for manslaughter charges.

Problem solved.

Sorry but that isn't "problem solved" at all. Allowing people to keep such dogs and then prosecuting them is a clear case of bolting the stable door after the horse has gone. It's not enough for parents to say they are responsible for their kids' safety, there must (unfortuantely) be pre-emptive legislation to protect kids and that legislation should restrict what pets people can keep, after all, people can't be trusted to keep tigers and lions, why should they be allowed to keep dogs who are also capable of killing people?