Another fatal dog attack

[Keith_Beef]

What is different in UK to other parts of Europe? I have not heard of this problem, at least certainly not to this extent anywhere else.

What are your sources of information and news?

If you listen to UK broadcast radio, watch UK TV channels and read UK newspapers and magazines and their associated websites, then you'll get precious little information about what's happening in other European countries.

This is true of dogs, horses, science, transport and housing policy, and just about everything else.

You'll get some comparison to the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, but that's only because UK journalists can get source material in English(ish).

If you want to know what's happening elsewhere in Europe, you should be reading the English language versions of Euronews, Deutsche Welle and others.

 

[Goldenstar]

There's a lady on FB saying that her son who is autistic needs money (in this case £800) in order to comply for the new regulations and therfore keep their XL bully or it will be pts. Due to his autism he needs the dog as it helps him. Well I don't dispute that as there is an established link, as we know between how children on the spectrum cope with life better when they mingle with animals but it seems like we might see a huge influx of similar cases of crowd funding as the deadline looms closer.

Elsewhere on FB some 'bright spark' parent posts a video of her toddler using the family Rotweiler as a climbing frame to get on the sofa. You can see (as was pointed out in the comments) how uncomfortable the dog looks, one step away from biting said 'angel child'. And we know what the fate of the dog would be then!

How on earth do they get the cost of neutering and buying a muzzle to £800.

 

[Keith_Beef]

Are you saying that 1000s of XL bully owners are not going to comply with the requirements?

This is what I can't get my head round. Why would 1000s of people who claim to love their dog risk having it seized, to at best languish in police kennels for months, at worst PTS.

Really? You can't imagine that?

Now think how many people will drive cars without tax, MOT, insurance, license...

There are always people who fail to comply with laws and regulations. Some of them might claim that it's out of some philosophical conviction, but for most of them it's because they think that the risk of detection, conviction and punishment are low enough to justify the risk.

 

[CorvusCorax]

What are your sources of information and news?

If you listen to UK broadcast radio, watch UK TV channels and read UK newspapers and magazines and their associated websites, then you'll get precious little information about what's happening in other European countries.

This is true of dogs, horses, science, transport and housing policy, and just about everything else.

You'll get some comparison to the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, but that's only because UK journalists can get source material in English(ish).

If you want to know what's happening elsewhere in Europe, you should be reading the English language versions of Euronews, Deutsche Welle and others.

Danda is on the continent but go off....

 

[CorvusCorax]

Of course there are some centenarians who are still lifting weights and running marathons but on the whole people become less physically able as they age; I don't think I'm ageist in saying that
Otherwise why would police officers/firemen/members of the armed forces not go on serving into their 70s and beyond?

And my small, bird-like friend in her 70s had a hip op a few months ago and is back walking her nice, gentle, non-pulling greyhound, who could certainly not be classed as a small dog, thus illustrating the problem with blanket anythings.

 

[skinnydipper]

Really? You can't imagine that?

Now think how many people will drive cars without tax, MOT, insurance, license...

There are always people who fail to comply with laws and regulations. Some of them might claim that it's out of some philosophical conviction, but for most of them it's because they think that the risk of detection, conviction and punishment are low enough to justify the risk.

The dog, Keith. It's about the dog.

 

[skinnydipper]

…

 

[tristars]

Depends on the horse! (Mostly joking, but I’m permanently lame, obviously not dead, due to a horse, it was not an attack on me)

Re large dogs and elder people, Aunty B, our next door neighbour, got a massive gsd, ‘her’ breed in her 70s. She spent a long time getting her to walk nicely on the lead. Goose, a mere 18kg, is a sod on the lead, he Is very rarely on the lead and spent a long time on a longline instilling recall. Are people saying older people shouldn’t have large dogs?

small dogs are a hazard when they walk in front of older people and stop to gaze into space suddenly, an older person could very easily fall over them

 

[Cinnamontoast]

So by your own example, only people under 40 should have 3 labs?

Ha, you two are screwed! Re-home at least two immediately!

 

[tristars]

Sensible elderly people don't have large dogs which could pull them over and put them in hospital or worse. They have small dogs which cost far less to feed and can sit next to them on the sofa.

that my little pet, on the sofa, on the bed............

 

[Tiddlypom]

My rule of thumb re dog size is can I, if necessary and in a veterinary emergency, lift the dog up to put it in the car or, more commonly, to carry it over a non dog friendly stile (there are too many of those).

I reckon I could still heft a Golden Retriever, which is what I grew up with, but nothing overly larger than that.

The JRT defo wins on portability.

 

[Keith_Beef]

The dog, Keith. It's about the dog.

It's as much about people as it is about dogs.

 

[Smitty]

My rule of thumb re dog size is can I, if necessary and in a veterinary emergency, lift the dog up to put it in the car or more commonly to carry it over a non dog friendly stile (there are too many of those).

I reckon I could still heft a Golden Retriever, which is what I grew up with, but nothing overly larger than that.

The JRT defo wins on portability.

My criteria exactly, plus smaller feed/vets bills, less environmental impact, fits under tables, in campervan, can pick up to put on bus/ferry and can tuck under arm to climb big gates which it can't wriggle under or go around (you do get these in the countryside on little used footpaths).

But most importantly, I can, should the need arise, physically restrain him or if he decides to kill a human, I'm sure I could pull him off.

 

[Cortez]

I've never been pulled over by a dog, not even our "enthusiastic" Irish Wolfhound, but I have tumbled over my tiny whippet (several times), who likes to suddenly stop mid-stride to contemplate life, little beggar.

ETA: And I suppose I am now "elderly": how hilarious!

 

[Cinnamontoast]

The only time the dog made me go over (I think) was Brig, at speed, who ran through my legs from behind. I had an emergency sit!

 

[MurphysMinder]

I trip over my cat frequently!

 

[Cinnamontoast]

small dogs are a hazard when they walk in front of older people and stop to gaze into space suddenly, an older person could very easily fall over them

I’d trip over them! I faceplanted pretty spectacularly in the woods the other week, in front of people, obviously! Smallest root ever, nearly did it again talking to the jrt owner, a bramble this time. I spend my time walking the dogs staring at the ground!

 

[skinnydipper]

Dog attack Stratford station.

https://x.com/CrimeLdn/status/1733978594051842551?s=20

 

[SilverLinings]

Dog attack Stratford station.

https://x.com/CrimeLdn/status/1733978594051842551?s=20

Thank god he didn't fall onto the railway line as the train was just coming into the station The woman (presumably the owner?) didn't appear to have much control over either dog*, and IMO didn't go to help the man as quickly as she should have. I hope the owner has the sense to muzzle the dogs when out in public in future.

*but I appreciate it is only a relatively short video clip.

 

[Clodagh]

In all the years and all the many miles I have walked in areas popular with dog walkers I have never felt threated, been threatened or attacked by dogs.

Any problems I have experienced have been dog on dog with nuisance or aggressive dogs bothering or attacking mine.

I think you are very lucky. I rarely venture into places with many dogs (apart from the shooting field) and I have felt uncomfortable and intimidate. Maybe your experience of dog behaviour means you can easily tell if it’s just being uppity or is a real threat? I tend to assume the worst and don’t know enough to tell.

 

[skinnydipper]

….

 

[skinnydipper]

I think you are very lucky. I rarely venture into places with many dogs (apart from the shooting field) and I have felt uncomfortable and intimidate. Maybe your experience of dog behaviour means you can easily tell if it’s just being uppity or is a real threat? I tend to assume the worst and don’t know enough to tell.

I have had 2 dogs attacked and bitten and a third badly mauled by dogs that have left their owners and ran and attacked mine.

I wouldn’t call that lucky.

I know some people aren’t comfortable around dogs. I take the big girl off the path or walk her on the other side of me.

People need to learn how to behave around dogs. It is not okay to approach someone’s dog and shove a hand in its face – its very rude. Even worse is hugging and kissing. It’s a good job she has better manners than them and is tolerant of idiots.

 

[Clodagh]

People need to learn how to behave around dogs. It is not okay to approach someone’s dog and shove a hand in its face – it’s very rude. Even worse is hugging and kissing. It’s a good job she has better manners than them and is tolerant of idiots.

I meant you were lucky you had never felt intimidated yourself.
And I have no interest in other peoples dogs and never approach them, it isn’t me instigating contact.

 

[skinnydipper]

And I have no interest in other peoples dogs and never approach them, it isn’t me instigating contact.

I didn't think you would but people do and some of them might be reading this thread and get the message.

I have posted in the past about the woman who made a beeline for the dog in my avatar and as she approached I asked her not to touch him. She said 'but he's so lovely' and tried to hug him. He told her quite loudly what he thought of that idea.

Some people are drawn to the big girl and want to meet her. She is calm and not pushy, she enjoys the attention, but even so I think it is going a bit far for a stranger to kiss the top of her head or her nose.

I meant you were lucky you had never felt intimidated yourself.

I do watch dogs who are approaching and if I don't like the look of them/the way they are staring at my dog* then I have no problem in taking a different path or turning round and going back the way I've come.

I'm out dog walking so obviously I have a dog with me, I'm not walking on my own. The target of the aggression has always been one of my dogs, not me.


ETA

* I used to sometimes see a bloke with Ovcharkas. When I saw him I had no hesitation in getting out of Dodge pdq.

and Akitas

On the whole not a breed I am fond of. There are three I sometimes come across on one of our routes. Two I avoid, one a small bitch who grumbled at my dog as we past - just as the owner was telling me she was friendly. A large male, the first time I saw him was on the other side of the beck, he stood motionless with a fixed stare at my dog and his owner couldn't get him to budge. Looked predatory to me and I was uneasy especially as he is walked on a Flexi. I turn and walk the other way if I see him. I have heard since then that he doesn't like some dogs and that's a good enough reason for me to keep avoiding him.

The third is a youngster of about a year and he and the big girl hit it off straight away with invitations to play from both sides. I hope he doesn't change as he matures.

 

[skinnydipper]

Mum opens up on heartbreak after baby dies following XL Bully type dog attack

Samantha Robinson had moved to Belfast from London weeks before the attack

www.belfastlive.co.uk

 

[SilverLinings]

Mum opens up on heartbreak after baby dies following XL Bully type dog attack

Samantha Robinson had moved to Belfast from London weeks before the attack

www.belfastlive.co.uk

That sounds like an unpleasant attack on the puppy, but the reporting isn't great:

While ownership of the animals has been banned in England, Scotland and Wales earlier this year, the breed is still legal in Northern Ireland causing concern that Northern Ireland could become a dumping ground for the animals.

If they can't get a main fact like that correct (the ban won't come into place until the new year, and ownership will come with restrictions it won't be 'banned') then I am wary of trusting other details in the article. I appreciate their concern that dumped XLBs may end up in NI though.

It is also a worry that the owner of the injured puppy can't afford surgery; I wish more people would take out vet insurance if they know they wouldn't be able to afford a big bill, and I wish they would think about things like this BEFORE they acquire a dog. If there was any serious consideration of re-introducing dog licenses in England then I think a minimum of third party insurance should be mandatory.

I am sorry that she miscarried though, and that she witnessed the attack and is now trying to decide the best treatment for her injured dog.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Isn’t insurance difficult in NI or have I got that wrong?

 

[SilverLinings]

Isn’t insurance difficult in NI or have I got that wrong?

I don't know, I had thought it would be as easy as in England, but I may be completely wrong on that!

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

I don't know, I had thought it would be as easy as in England, but I may be completely wrong on that!

Perhaps I’m mixed up with Ireland and it may just be horse insurance

 

[Cortez]

Perhaps I’m mixed up with Ireland and it may just be horse insurance

It's not difficult, it's just a lot less common, for both horses and small animals.