I'm confused pit-bull cross

ester

ester

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with regards to the report of the dog killing the chap having the epileptic seizure the following statements are made:

'iam Hewitson, 22, was attacked by his male pit bull-cross called Trigger in his Preston home on Friday and sustained injuries to his face and neck.'
'The dog, which was not a banned breed, has been put down.'

Is a pit bull cross not a banned breed?
 
Lots of reporters don't know one end of a breed from the other.
There's different legislation in different parts of the UK. Some dogs after assessment can be kept under strict controls and some can be ordered to be destroyed.

It's tragic but not unheard of for dogs to attack dogs and even humans they have lived with their whole lives, in these circumstances.
 
In theory, in England and Wales, there should be no Pitbull Terriers, their cross breeds, or, and here's the rub, Pitbull Terrier Types, left in this country since the introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act in 1991. As all were supposed to be, most importantly, neutered, (and microchipped/tattooed, and muzzled & kept on a lead in public). If this was the case, the oldest Pitbull would be about 24 years old! and couldn't have produced any offspring because it was neutered.

Since 1991 legislation has been updated to the 2014 act. It still uses the term Pitbull Terrier Type being illegal but as CorvasCorax said, most news reporters wouldn't have a clue what breed of dog it was but then again, who would? There is no definitive breed standard for the Pitbull and our Legislation makes it an offence to keep a Pitbull, a Pitbull cross and even a Pitbull type. Just image what a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a Labrador cross may look like - yep exactly - a Pitbull (type) maybe?

If a case is taken to court, the Magistrates or Judge will be looking to a vet, council dog warden, an expert in dog breeding or even an RSPCA officer for their expert opinion as to whether they think it is a Pitbull Type. I've noticed an awful lot of American Bulldogs in the country now being bred and sold (not illegal) they look nothing like the English Bulldog but appear very much, to me, what could be called a Pitbull Type) So who can really tell?

However, with this updated legislation, I believe, there is now more emphasis on a dog (whatever its breeding) being allowed to be 'dangerously out of control' or appearing to an individual to be so. Whether that be in it's own home, garden, or on any private property or in any public space. Owner of said dog, can be fined, imprisoned, and an order made for the dogs destruction. It is now also a separate offence if an owner/handler of any dog, allows it to attack any service dog, such as a guide dog.

I understand from the reports made in this instance, the guy, who sadly died, had owned the dog since a pup (it was 6 years old) and had/was suffering an epileptic fit at the time the attack occurred. I have previously read an article regarding a Labrador that caused horrific damage to it's owners face, when they collapsed unconscious. I can only presume in these instances, the dogs involved, were alarmed by the situation and attempted to instigate, what they perhaps would consider, a 'normal' response from their owner. I wonder how many dog owners have pretended 'playing dead' with their dogs then witnessed first hand, just how distressed they can act attempting to get a response?
 
I think they said no one had been questioned/arrested etc. I think I just assumed that someone must have told them that was what it was but I guess we don't know that source and it just seemed a bit of an oxymoron to say it was a pitx and not illegal.
 
ester said:
I think they said no one had been questioned/arrested etc. I think I just assumed that someone must have told them that was what it was but I guess we don't know that source and it just seemed a bit of an oxymoron to say it was a pitx and not illegal.
Click to expand...

Yes, it does seem that way, but heaven knows what the actual truth is, I'm guessing we'll never know.
 
I think the reference was towards the ridiculous law known as the dangerous dogs act (DDA). Pitbull is deemed to be a "type". What this actually means is that there are a set of measurements (yes, really) and if your dog fits these measurements, then it is deemed to be "of type" and can be seized and destroyed as a "Pit bull type". This could be a Stafford x Lab. Even worse, if you believe your dog could fall into this category and want to take pre-emptive action (ie register it, muzzle in public etc) there is no method to do this currently. Your dog need have no record of ever showing any sort of behavioural issues towards people or other animals, it is sufficient that it is deemed to be "of type". You would need to follow a court procedure and quite frankly, I would not want to risk my dog. If anyone has a dog that the police wish to seize, then please spread the word that they must not, under any circumstance, sign paperwork - they must stick to their right to obtain legal advice. If you sign police paperwork, you give the police the immediate right to destroy your dog. There is an excellent charity body called DDA watch and that is whom you should contact. The law is truly an ass in this instance.
 
Chillipup - how sad for all, but your explanation does make sense. Wasn't there a case a couple of years ago where an elderly man collapsed and his dog was seen, apparently, biting him and everyone jumped to the conclusion that the dog had attacked him, when with later thought it was decided that the dog was trying to wake him up.
 
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