Another fatal dog attack

[Asha]

I was chatting to the local RSPCA inspector yesterday. I asked if they were getting an influx on bullies . Apparently not , but they are getting asked for help with neutering a lot of them . She said she’s met a lot of the bullies ( smaller and XL) and the one thing that strikes her is that there’s always a tense atmosphere around them . She’s seen many in normal family homes but sadly even more that are kept in flats in cages . Usually one dog and multiple bitches .
She recalled one visit where she was in a pickle , a large aggressive GSD . She couldn’t run or turn her back on him , but firmly told him no and wait as she managed to back up and get into her van . As soon as she got in the van the GSD jumped at the windscreen. Bullies she said wouldn’t have been the same . They dont wait and they don’t listen . They are wired different, and are basically bred to fight .

 

[marmalade76]

I was chatting to the local RSPCA inspector yesterday. I asked if they were getting an influx on bullies . Apparently not , but they are getting asked for help with neutering a lot of them . She said she’s met a lot of the bullies ( smaller and XL) and the one thing that strikes her is that there’s always a tense atmosphere around them . She’s seen many in normal family homes but sadly even more that are kept in flats in cages . Usually one dog and multiple bitches .
She recalled one visit where she was in a pickle , a large aggressive GSD . She couldn’t run or turn her back on him , but firmly told him no and wait as she managed to back up and get into her van . As soon as she got in the van the GSD jumped at the windscreen. Bullies she said wouldn’t have been the same . They dont wait and they don’t listen . They are wired different, and are basically bred to fight .

That's the difference, isn't it? For all the memes saying "they blamed the GSD, then the Rotts and the Dobes.." the bully is just something else.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Controversial coming up!

What I’m interested in hearing is why people want this type. They’re not good looking (imo) and for me, looks are quite important, although temperament is key, above all, not guaranteed in my breed, but pretty assured, I’d say. who deliberately goes looking for a type with pitbull mixed in? (And yes, I watch a ton of animal rescue videos with lovely pitbulls who seem to be fabulous pets but I wouldn’t take one). Who buys a cropped eared dog that only a drug dealer would want? The one coming at me in the park made me run away, squat, cropped ears, looking terrifying.

 

[AmyMay]

Controversial coming up!

What I’m interested in hearing is why people want this type. They’re not good looking (imo) and for me, looks are quite important, although temperament is key, above all, not guaranteed in my breed, but pretty assured, I’d say. who deliberately goes looking for a type with pitbull mixed in? (And yes, I watch a ton of animal rescue videos with lovely pitbulls who seem to be fabulous pets but I wouldn’t take one). Who buys a cropped eared dog that only a drug dealer would want? The one coming at me in the park made me run away, squat, cropped ears, looking terrifying.

It’s an interesting question. Especially as I don’t find all of them unattractive

(Cropped ears not withstanding).

 

[bonny]

Controversial coming up!

What I’m interested in hearing is why people want this type. They’re not good looking (imo) and for me, looks are quite important, although temperament is key, above all, not guaranteed in my breed, but pretty assured, I’d say. who deliberately goes looking for a type with pitbull mixed in? (And yes, I watch a ton of animal rescue videos with lovely pitbulls who seem to be fabulous pets but I wouldn’t take one). Who buys a cropped eared dog that only a drug dealer would want? The one coming at me in the park made me run away, squat, cropped ears, looking terrifying.

Why is it controversial ? Lots of people including several who write a lot on here like owning big powerful dogs.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I don't like the look of them but I don't like the look of/have no interest in owning lots of breeds, likewise people don't like the look of/don't want to own the type of dog I do, it's just personal taste, the same way as we all have different tastes in food or decor or the same/opposite sex.

I was kinda born into the breed I have and am not really that interested in owning anything else, but within that I have certain likes and dislikes, for example I'll never willingly have a white/blue/liver, I'll probably never have a showline again, the dog has to live with me and I have to look at it and interact with it every day so I do want something I like the look of.

My old male is small and his daughter is tiny for her breed, it doesn't bother me at all, in fact I don't like big/heavy/oversized examples (BIG HEADS! BIG BONES! BIG PAWS! OLD FASHIONED...IE incorrect lol) but I know other people (all men) who worry their dogs look too small beside them

 

[skinnydipper]

The fact they keep killing people and dogs is a bit off putting.

 

[meleeka]

A friend owns a bully type dog. He’s crossed with a staffy I think, but is much bigger. She bought him as a puppy because she wanted him to save him from his sad life with travellers. I have never met such a jolly dog who loves everyone and everything. He’s old now, so I think it can be safe to say he doesn’t have any aggressive tendencies at all. If she hadn’t have bought him, he’d probably be owned by someone who wanted a status dog. I struggle to see how he’d be that type of dog (even when other dogs have attacked him he doesn’t react) so I will assume that aggressive dogs aren’t happy dogs. Would I own one? No, just because he’s so jolly. We wouldn’t be a good match

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I suppose people like the look the way some like to see people who have built up lots of muscle. Personally I don't.

 

[maisie06]

Yet another one bites the dust. https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/c...xN1WejjUq-tqFljnDXrIyzh5SnG_CES88FIJqn7gtE294

Makes me feel sick, poor little Chi, These XL's are a menace and I'm glad it's been PTS another one off the streets. That poor lady having the guilt that she couldn't protect her dog - heartbreaking.

 

[fankino04]

Controversial coming up!

What I’m interested in hearing is why people want this type. They’re not good looking (imo) and for me, looks are quite important, although temperament is key, above all, not guaranteed in my breed, but pretty assured, I’d say. who deliberately goes looking for a type with pitbull mixed in? (And yes, I watch a ton of animal rescue videos with lovely pitbulls who seem to be fabulous pets but I wouldn’t take one). Who buys a cropped eared dog that only a drug dealer would want? The one coming at me in the park made me run away, squat, cropped ears, looking terrifying.

I agree that aesthetically these are not my type of dogs ( I'm all about the big chunky, hairy northern breeds), but I think and may be wrong that alot of people possibly started off with staffies ( who I've never met a nasty one of) and probably got those because they knew a one who was a lovely family pet and because of the nanny dog reputation, it seems perfectly reasonable to be that if that then is "your breed" an American bull dog is just a bigger version of it so they fall into the category of your type and then by extension so does the xl bully. I think that's why there's so many idiot owners out there who don't manage their dogs behaviour because their staffie was the same silly goofball who just loved everyone and they had him for 14 years and he never showed any aggression. It does seem with a lot of these dogs they have been a loving family dog (goofball) until suddenly they snap with little to no warning. There does not seem to be any idea in these owners about the different genetics that these bigger dogs have or their responsibility to the wider public when out with a dog that has the capacity to cause so much harm. I used to walk a lovely akita x malamute who was the friendliest dog you could meet, however he was never off lead in public, when we ventured further a field into the countryside he was allowed a bit more freedom on a lungeline but then had a muzzle added on for extra safety, he went a couple of times a week to a private field to get some off lead running time. I managed this dog this way because although he never did anything to worry me those akita genes always made me careful.

 

[YorksG]

We had rottweilers, partly because they are big, quite off putting dogs. Sister and I share this place and I was here alone quite a bit of the time. We had previously rehomed a rotter here and she was a lovely dog. We knew parents were very good,steady dogs and they were trained and managed. We would have had rotters again, but their health issues are too ingrained and we want our dogs to have long lives, so we returned to working line labs.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I don't like the look of them but I don't like the look of/have no interest in owning lots of breeds, likewise people don't like the look of/don't want to own the type of dog I do, it's just personal taste, the same way as we all have different tastes in food or decor or the same/opposite sex.

I was kinda born into the breed I have and am not really that interested in owning anything else, but within that I have certain likes and dislikes, for example I'll never willingly have a white/blue/liver, I'll probably never have a showline again, the dog has to live with me and I have to look at it and interact with it every day so I do want something I like the look of.

My old male is small and his daughter is tiny for her breed, it doesn't bother me at all, in fact I don't like big/heavy/oversized examples (BIG HEADS! BIG BONES! BIG PAWS! OLD FASHIONED...IE incorrect lol) but I know other people (all men) who worry their dogs look too small beside them

I relate to a lot of this. I have likes and dislikes in my own breeds (Lab and Cane Corso). Both of mine are a bit small for their breeds. Some of the Labs are too heavy/blocky for my taste and some of the CC's get too big, beefed up, or droopy in the face. I have color preferences too, and prefer dogs with ears that aren't butchered! I also don't necessarily want a huge dog.

Many people love Spaniels and JRT's but I don't want either, it's just preferences.

I also like a certain amount of intelligence, drive, and willingness to connect with their person. I like a good natured dog, but I'm not opposed to one thst will alert me if something is amiss.

I love a good Malinois, but won't own one because I don't have the employment for one. They're 110%

I do think some lean toward certain dogs for looks or to appear tough. It feeds their ego or something.

Edit: additional thought...not quite the same but some get a rush from being able to tame, ride, or "control" a huge powerful animal such as a horse, I guess that could go for dogs too? Having a sense of control over this powerful creature? Idk, I don't think or feel that way, just a guess.

 

[splashgirl45]

I just don’t like the look of any bull breeds although I have know some lovely staffies . I love pointy faces which aren’t to a lot of peoples taste. We all like different types and no one is wrong..

 

[Keith_Beef]

Thoae who will obey muzzle and lead laws are likely to own dogs who are perfectly safe. Those whose dogs will attack other dogs and people which actually need a lead and a muzzle are not the type of people who will obey such laws. They can’t hold them on a lead half the time anyway.

This is like the classical argument against having laws of any kind.

"Reasonable people don't need laws to guide their actions, and unreasonable people will not observe the laws."

 

[Cortez]

I grew up with a staffie in the village who was the most loveable, goofy guy, but I wouldn't own one: I am a confirmed longdog lover.

I have a friend who has had a parade of "fierce" dogs one after the other (they don't seem to last long under his "care"); English Bull Terrier, several pitbulls in various guises including XL, Precio de Canario, Glen of Imaal (they are also "difficult" dogs unless properly handled), Cane de Corso, Rottweiler, Rottweiler crossed with a Great Dane, etc. He has them because they are aggressive "manly" dogs, and proceeds to treat them appallingly, and yes of course they are dodgy, unpredictable and bite people, kill things, including a full grown sow - Glen of Imaal's party trick, and get seized by the dog warden and put down. He is precisely the type of person who should not own any dog, and especially not the type of dog he likes.

 

[Smitty]

The only thing I like about them is their short hair.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Once in awhile I do see a Staffie that I think is cute. All of the ones I've known personally have had wonderful temperaments and have been nice to be around. Might also just be the circles that I'm in.

I generally don't like droopy eyed dogs with long jowls and extra skin, but the Cane Corso is an exception for me. Although, as I've said, I still have a preference within the breed and don't like anything too excessive. There's a Neopolitan Mastiff that I've seen on Instagram before that people (followers) just love, but he's disgusting to me. He's got a ridiculous amount of extra skin. It's ugly and unhealthy, IMO.

I have met some fun Boxers (fun personalities), but they're not really for me either.

I find some Labs ugly too. So it's just a preference.

I generally don't like Pitbulls, but have met some that were actually nice and well behaved dogs (in the US).

I don't have any real attraction to a XL Bully. I only have some level sympathy for them in that they exist, are poorly managed, and were brought into existence by dumba** humans. They're a bargepole breed/type for me though.

I could possibly see a good natured person wanting to take one on to give it the best chance or take one out of a bad situation in an attempt to better the dog's life. So I don't think ALL XL Bully owners are necessarily "terrible" people. A bit of a fool's errand though.

 

[paddy555]

I was chatting to the local RSPCA inspector yesterday. I asked if they were getting an influx on bullies . Apparently not , but they are getting asked for help with neutering a lot of them . She said she’s met a lot of the bullies ( smaller and XL) and the one thing that strikes her is that there’s always a tense atmosphere around them . She’s seen many in normal family homes but sadly even more that are kept in flats in cages . Usually one dog and multiple bitches .
She recalled one visit where she was in a pickle , a large aggressive GSD . She couldn’t run or turn her back on him , but firmly told him no and wait as she managed to back up and get into her van . As soon as she got in the van the GSD jumped at the windscreen. Bullies she said wouldn’t have been the same . They dont wait and they don’t listen . They are wired different, and are basically bred to fight .

That's the difference, isn't it? For all the memes saying "they blamed the GSD, then the Rotts and the Dobes.." the bully is just something else.

I agree with both of you. Dogs have attacked pre bully days but nothing like this and they have a different mindset. If you look at the stats that I think I'm Dun posted a while ago of deaths from attacks there were few and across mixed breeds. Some dobermans but that was in response to an owner's epileptic seizure for which I don't think the dog can be totally blamed. Otherwise there was order in serious dog attacks.

IMHO laws need to be introduced for muzzling whilst in public spaces NOW. Not waiting whilst others get killed or maimed be it dog or person. If some are unnecessarily muzzled then tough.
Everyone muzzles. The muzzle is not just to stop deaths it is also to make the public non dog owners and public walking smaller dogs feel safe.

No muzzle and an attack and then it is instant "chips" for the dog. No defence.
If the dog is leaded and muzzled then we can start listening to the reasons why.


No muzzle the dog is seized and you pay the kennelling costs to obtain release.

Most won't like it but the situation needs to be brought under control now not when we have wasted endless time deciding what breed a dog might be.

 

[fankino04]

The other thing that I find worrying is the amount of owners defending their bullies ( on Facebook) by saying that they are so soft and scared of other dogs if they bark at them etc. They have no comprehension that a scared / unconfident dog is far more likely to attack and when it's a dog of their dogs size and strength the result of that attack, as we have seen can be deadly. Maybe the media is slanting my view here but I don't seem to see any other group of big dogs ( dobes, gsds etc) having such clueless owners.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

The other thing that I find worrying is the amount of owners defending their bullies ( on Facebook) by saying that they are so soft and scared of other dogs if they bark at them etc. They have no comprehension that a scared / unconfident dog is far more likely to attack and when it's a dog of their dogs size and strength the result of that attack, as we have seen can be deadly. Maybe the media is slanting my view here but I don't seem to see any other group of big dogs ( dobes, gsds etc) having such clueless owners.

There are other groups of big dogs with clueless owners, but they're just more "harmless" or not quite as hardwired to bite/attack/fight/be aggressive. More tolerance with some breeds. Plus, you have the trend factor. People buy, own, or adopt what's trending.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Oh I get 'he's just defending me, he's so protective'. All. The.Time.

 

[splashgirl45]

I met a giant schnauzer out today that was scared of my tiny terrier who looked at her.. although she didn’t look like she was going to kick off I made sure mine were close to me just in case ..

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Glen of Imaal (they are also "difficult" dogs unless properly handled)

Bit puzzled here. They are small terriers hardly up to killing a sow.

 

[SilverLinings]

Bit puzzled here. They are small terriers hardly up to killing a sow.

Maybe it was an XL Glen of Imaal..?

I'm obviously being silly, but TBH these days it probably wouldn't surprise me all that much if someone thought it would be a good idea to breed giant terriers, and then we really would be in trouble

I would like to know how one killed a full grown sow though, that must have been a very determined dog (or one very lucky bite).

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Why is it controversial ? Lots of people including several who write a lot on here like owning big powerful dogs.

Because I’m implying that they’re ugly! I like a nice looking dog. I’m quite fussy about having the ‘proper’ springer stripe, for example and an athletic looking dog.

I keep going back to a Keeshond puppy advert and comparing it to the mum-proper looking-and then looking at another advert and dismissing it as not proper. Superficial, that’s me!

 

[Cortez]

Bit puzzled here. They are small terriers hardly up to killing a sow.

There were two of them, they're not small, they are long, weighty, and very muscular with short legs, and they are VERY tenacious. It took them several hours, during which they disembowelled the poor thing and basically ripped her throat out. I arrived in time to pull them off and finish the sow, it was one of the more horrific things I've seen. Not the dogs' fault, just a stupid, stupid owner. He was inside watching the football the whole time this was going on and "didn't hear a thing". It was neither the first nor the last thing they killed. Neighbouring farmer shot both when they came in to his calf shed.

ETA they're about 14" at the shoulder and the dog weighed 45lbs. Also dog aggressive. Fine with people.


Another friend of mine describes them as "Irish Wolfhounds with the legs chainsawed off"

 

[MurphysMinder]

There were two of them, they're not small, they are long, weighty, and very muscular with short legs, and they are VERY tenacious. It took them several hours, during which they disembowelled the poor thing and basically ripped her throat out. I arrived in time to pull them off and finish the sow, it was one of the more horrific things I've seen. Not the dogs' fault, just a stupid, stupid owner. He was inside watching the football the whole time this was going on and "didn't hear a thing". It was neither the first nor the last thing they killed. Neighbouring farmer shot both when they came in to his calf shed.

Originally bred to hunt badger so needed to be tenacious, and as you say chunky , around 15 kg .

 

[cauda equina]

Maybe it was an XL Glen of Imaal..?

I'm obviously being silly, but TBH these days it probably wouldn't surprise me all that much if someone thought it would be a good idea to breed giant terriers, and then we really would be in trouble

I would like to know how one killed a full grown sow though, that must have been a very determined dog (or one very lucky bite).

Are XL bullies not an extreme form of bull terrier - so in effect giant terriers?

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I thought Bull Terriers are a different, smaller, Roman nosed thing?