What to do if you are attacked by an XL bully

[skinnydipper]

The only way to effectively control the situation is to manage the owners not the dogs - but of course that will never happen because it’s on the ‘too difficult to do’ pile for most governments.

In the meantime something needed to be done fairly swiftly to try and prevent any more deaths caused by XLBs.

 

[Cortez]

Sorry I thought I’d been perfectly clear - anyone who wishes to own a dog must be licensed, otherwise the dog is removed from their ownership, whatever the breed.

And anyone selling/giving a pup to an unlicensed owner would face prosecution with decent penalties (not just a small fine/ban from owning animals that they will probably ignore anyway)

As an example, it’s a personal thing but I’d never wish to own a Malinois or Dutch Herder - perfectly legal breeds - because I know I’m not interested in providing them the stimulation they need to keep them occupied and ensure they have a good life. It also makes me very cross and sad the amount of little old ladies/gentlemen locally who have frustrated, bored, snappy and angry border collies who don’t get enough exercise.

If you cannot provide for the needs of your dog, you should not be entitled to own it. “Society” in England appears to have a huge sense of entitlement about dog ownership which is severely misplaced in my opinion.

Thank you, I completely agree. But I also agree that fight and bait dogs should be at te very least controlled by law.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I also agree but I do think looking at the statistics and witness statements, there does appear to be in a genetic element influencing the rapid 'switch' in the personalities of some of these dogs once they reach a certain age, and/or inability to deal with stress or stimulation or unable to switch off once they have gone into the red zone.

There are plenty of big, powerful breeds which are not killing anyone, never mind in such numbers.

 

[SkylarkAscending]

Thank you, I completely agree. But I also agree that fight and bait dogs should be at te very least controlled by law.

I have never suggested otherwise - I suggested that I agreed with scruffyponies assertion that dogs are seized improperly by the police, which was met with requests for “evidence” or suggestions that these were apocryphal stories.

I have worked for two police services - I am a supporter of the police - but they are by no means perfect and sometimes they interpret a situation in ways which someone who is better informed might not. Thats natural, we can’t expect them to be total experts on every matter they encounter

 

[marmalade76]

It would be a good start if current dog laws were enforced but it seems that some police forces aren't interested. Good for West Mercia, keep it up

 

[dreamcometrue]

It also makes me very cross and sad the amount of little old ladies/gentlemen locally who have frustrated, bored, snappy and angry border collies who don’t get enough exercise.

I always call out ageism and sizeism when I see it.

 

[SkylarkAscending]

I always call out ageism and sizeism when I see it.

Bless ya - it’s a fact not an opinion, I work in HR, do you not think I know all about the Equalities Act, embracing diversity and inclusion?

Where would you like me to start - photos of the lady whose border collie attacked my greyhounds in an unprovoked attack (while my dogs were all on a lead minding their own business) whilst the owner stood by and called pathetically at the dog which totally ignored her? My black greyhound had a lifelong hatred of border collies after that, can’t imagine why

 

[SkylarkAscending]

It would be a good start if current dog laws were enforced but it seems that some police forces aren't interested. Good for West Mercia, keep it up

I’m guessing with the selective ability of social media users you are ignoring the post where I clearly stated that this was before the law changed. Never mind, no bother

 

[marmalade76]

I’m guessing with the selective ability of social media users you are ignoring the post where I clearly stated that this was before the law changed. Never mind, no bother

What, more than 30 years ago? How long has it been an offence for a dog to be "dangerously out of control"?

 

[scruffyponies]

Why would it have been put to sleep? It's either been found a home or they've got an exemption,

It is illegal to rehome an exempt dog, so the rescue had a deadline. If no home is found they have to PTS because they can't afford to keep it in kennels for the rest of its days, or help anything else if they do.

If the dogs were properly registered/exempted or were not in fact a pitbull type then they'd be fine, non?

Have you read the DEFRA description of 'type'. I'm not saying it's vague and generic, but as a thought experiment I 'assessed' my Dartmoor pony. Definitely meets the description. Luckily he's good on a lead, but he doesn't like his new muzzle.

 

[tristars]

those dogs are bred and born to kill, no way of stopping them from living out their inbred urge no way of predicting when it will emerge, predicting the outcome when they do flip is is pretty well certain



the only way i can think of to save yourself is carry a gun or a small canister of C S gas, both prob illegal, but poss effective, everything else takes too long to operate or is too uncertain in the outcome and may make things worse even

they are what they are, there is no escape for them or the people whom they attack

 

[Cortez]

It is illegal to rehome an exempt dog, so the rescue had a deadline. If no home is found they have to PTS because they can't afford to keep it in kennels for the rest of its days, or help anything else if they do.

Have you read the DEFRA description of 'type'. I'm not saying it's vague and generic, but as a thought experiment I 'assessed' my Dartmoor pony. Definitely meets the description. Luckily he's good on a lead, but he doesn't like his new muzzle.

I thought you said this was months ago?

Yes I’ve read the DEFRA thing, it’s ridiculously vague but I’m a bit surprised your Dartmoor pony meets the description for an XLBully ! Ponies soon get used to wearing muzzles, and dogs will too.

 

[Keith_Beef]

It is illegal to rehome an exempt dog, so the rescue had a deadline. If no home is found they have to PTS because they can't afford to keep it in kennels for the rest of its days, or help anything else if they do.

Have you read the DEFRA description of 'type'. I'm not saying it's vague and generic, but as a thought experiment I 'assessed' my Dartmoor pony. Definitely meets the description. Luckily he's good on a lead, but he doesn't like his new muzzle.

Is it the one today begins like this?

Large dog with a muscular body and blocky head, suggesting great strength and power for its size. Powerfully built individual.

XL Bully conformation standard

www.gov.uk

 

[scruffyponies]

I thought you said this was months ago?

It was November. Big dogs can take months or even years to find a home.
His chances were not helped by exemption, public vilification of anything which looks like him, or the law now criminalizing his owner if they so much as accidentally drop his lead.

 

[scruffyponies]

I didn't find a DEFRA definition, but the CPS definition wouldn't match a pony.

That's a slam-dunk for everything in your quote except 'dog'... which was kind of my point.

"muscular body and blocky head, suggesting great strength and power for its size. Powerfully built individual."
He is 12.2 with a small but very deep-cheeked head, massively muscular, takes an XXXW saddle.

 

[skinnydipper]

Own up guys, who can't tell the difference between a pony and a dog?

For anybody struggling, the teeth are a bit of a giveaway.

 

[Cortez]

It was November. Big dogs can take months or even years to find a home.
His chances were not helped by exemption, public vilification of anything which looks like him, or the law now criminalizing his owner if they so much as accidentally drop his lead.

Oh, for heaven’s sake: emotive over-catastrophizing much? If people want to own those types of dog it’s a pretty straightforward process, and they should take as much care to keep a hold of their leads as anyone else who cares about their dog.

 

[I'm Dun]

Dunno why you are all giving scruffyponies a hard time, I’ve seen West Mercia Constabulary seize dogs that are ‘of the type’ because they could.

If you want examples, they will be on the WMC Facebook page/website

Can you link to this please because I cant find it.