Woman attacked by dogs and killed in Liverpool

[Tiddlypom]

We'd always have dogs anyway, but the additional security of having a resident dog, or a dog accompanying you on a walk, is not to be sneezed at.

Casual thieves are deterred by noisy dogs within a property's confines, even small JRT sized ones.

 

[HashRouge]

We'd always have dogs anyway, but the additional security of having a resident dog, or a dog accompanying you on a walk, is not to be sneezed at.

Casual thieves are deterred by noisy dogs within a property's confines, even small JRT sized ones.

I used to work for a show jumper and he had a house on his parents' large arable farm, so I got to know his parents quite well. They had three dogs - a JRT, a Rottie and, bizarrely, a Boerboel. His mum told me that they got the Boerboel so that she would feel safe when walking out round their property, as it had a few footpaths through it. Apparently the Rottie wasn't intimidating enough! The Boerboel was actually a really lovely dog, and very well trained, but the first time I met him I was just terrified by his size as he came charging down the yard towards me! I can't imagine anyone ever challenging you if you were out walking a dog like that.

The scariest dog I have ever encountered out walking was a Kangal Shepherd dog. It's the only time I've ever seen one in the flesh and he really did scare me quite a lot, even though the guy walking him was very sensible and knowledgeable (it was a rescue dog that had ended up with him as he worked with the rescue and they knew he was knowledgeable).

 

[Books'n'dogs]

I am very petite in stature and a certain type of male seems to think I am an easy target for harassment. When I got Willow she wasn't chosen with the idea that she would deter this type of attention but I was pleasantly surprised that they left me alone when she was with me. This summer has been a bit of a nightmare, a Miniature Schnauzer doesn't seem to inspire the same respect as a German Shepherd, as a result my mom and I are seriously considering getting another German Shepherd even though we had previously decided to go with a smaller breed. I don't expect my dog to actually protect me but just deterring the unwanted attention is a boon.

 

[blackcob]

That's another aspect - although I usually live in a small town, with streetlights and everything, a few times a year I have farmsitting duties. If I am opening the door to investigate mysterious thief-y noises in the middle of the night, halfway up a bleak bit of moorland with the nearest neighbour a mile away down an unmade track, I know what size and appearance of dog I'd rather have with me. It is not an ankle-high fruitbat dog, however menacing a front he can put on. Neither is it the spaniels, who managed to sleep through having bits nicked off the Land Rover without raising the alarm. ?

I'm glad it's not just me that has noticed the contrast in 'respect' to large dogs of a certain type and small dogs. It's not foolproof - as CC, eejits are still going to eejit - but enough that it has affected my enjoyment of having a small dog.

 

[cauda equina]

I used to work for a show jumper and he had a house on his parents' large arable farm, so I got to know his parents quite well. They had three dogs - a JRT, a Rottie and, bizarrely, a Boerboel. His mum told me that they got the Boerboel so that she would feel safe when walking out round their property, as it had a few footpaths through it. Apparently the Rottie wasn't intimidating enough! The Boerboel was actually a really lovely dog, and very well trained, but the first time I met him I was just terrified by his size as he came charging down the yard towards me! I can't imagine anyone ever challenging you if you were out walking a dog like that.

The scariest dog I have ever encountered out walking was a Kangal Shepherd dog. It's the only time I've ever seen one in the flesh and he really did scare me quite a lot, even though the guy walking him was very sensible and knowledgeable (it was a rescue dog that had ended up with him as he worked with the rescue and they knew he was knowledgeable).

I knew someone with a Rhodesian Ridgeback which looked intimidating but was actually the sweetest dog, so much so that he visited care homes as a Pets as Therapy dog

 

[skinnydipper]

"Ms Dunn required hospital treatment in August last year after suffering a number of bites from a large dog, although her injuries on that occasion were not life-threatening. It is unclear whether the dog that attacked her on that occasion was involved in her death."

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/tragic-nan-treated-dog-bites-25189004

 

[Morwenna]

My trainer told me about a friend of their who has three Staffies. She’s taught them to line up on the stairs when people come to the door (to stop them being licked to death). Her front door opens onto the stairs as as a single, older, female she finds it really helps stop cold callers in their tracks when they see the dogs lined up. We are all drawn to different breeds and there’s nothing wrong with buying a breed that makes you feel safer as long as you understand its needs and the training requirements to keep you, the dogs and the general public safe.

 

[Moobli]

I am another with GSDs. Loved them for as long as I can remember. Probably attracted by the looks initially. I’ve lived alone in various places and walked in remote areas in the dark with my dogs and never felt unsafe. Their look and reputation as a fearsome police/prison/military dog seems to unnerve lots of folk.
I now live in a remote shepherd’s cottage on the moors, nearest neighbour is about a mile away and the other farms dotted around the hills have had thefts of motors , quads etc but (touch wood) we haven’t had any problems. It may or may not be due to my two GSDs who bark loudly and ferociously when anyone comes near our property. So while I don’t have GSDs to look “hard or tough”, I do like the added security just the appearance and reputation offers.

 

[Clodagh]

"Ms Dunn required hospital treatment in August last year after suffering a number of bites from a large dog, although her injuries on that occasion were not life-threatening. It is unclear whether the dog that attacked her on that occasion was involved in her death."

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/tragic-nan-treated-dog-bites-25189004

Although sad I am struggling to feel the same level of sympathy for the situation as I would if she was a neighbour or visitor.

 

[Moobli]

And I don’t quite understand it when I’ve heard people say that their job is to protect their dog and not the other way around. I’d like to think that, god forbid, when the chips were down and if I was being attacked/raped/assaulted that my dogs would absolutely jump in to help me out.

 

[some show]

In the US today: https://people.com/crime/2-children-killed-pit-bull-attack-tennessee-mother-hospitalized/

A ten-minute attack, such an awful thought. I wonder when a baby/child is involved whether sometimes it's just a noise they make that sets the dogs off - my greyhound used to react and go into 'prey-drive mode' when he heard certain shrieks/high-pitched sounds that only babies can manage, before he got used to them (being around nephew/nieces growing up, CAREFULLY).

 

[CorvusCorax]

In the US today: https://people.com/crime/2-children-killed-pit-bull-attack-tennessee-mother-hospitalized/

A ten-minute attack, such an awful thought. I wonder when a baby/child is involved whether sometimes it's just a noise they make that sets the dogs off - my greyhound used to react and go into 'prey-drive mode' when he heard certain shrieks/high-pitched sounds that only babies can manage, before he got used to them (being around nephew/nieces growing up, CAREFULLY).

Five days ago, story has already been linked a couple of times.

 

[marmalade76]

In the US today: https://people.com/crime/2-children-killed-pit-bull-attack-tennessee-mother-hospitalized/

A ten-minute attack, such an awful thought. I wonder when a baby/child is involved whether sometimes it's just a noise they make that sets the dogs off - my greyhound used to react and go into 'prey-drive mode' when he heard certain shrieks/high-pitched sounds that only babies can manage, before he got used to them (being around nephew/nieces growing up, CAREFULLY).

:'(

Nanny dogs, isn't that what some folks call them?

 

[some show]

Five days ago, story has already been linked a couple of times.

Apologies

 

[marmalade76]

Apologies

Your link was more detailed than the previous one, that one did not give any details of the attack, only that two small children had been killed and mother badly injured by family pet pits.

 

[honetpot]

I am another with GSDs. Loved them for as long as I can remember. Probably attracted by the looks initially. I’ve lived alone in various places and walked in remote areas in the dark with my dogs and never felt unsafe. Their look and reputation as a fearsome police/prison/military dog seems to unnerve lots of folk.
I now live in a remote shepherd’s cottage on the moors, nearest neighbour is about a mile away and the other farms dotted around the hills have had thefts of motors , quads etc but (touch wood) we haven’t had any problems. It may or may not be due to my two GSDs who bark loudly and ferociously when anyone comes near our property. So while I don’t have GSDs to look “hard or tough”, I do like the added security just the appearance and reputation offers.

I got our rottiX for the same reason, she looks the part, is very reactive to noise,a woof that deafens you, and snarling through the glass front door, you would think she was vicious, but her temperament is more like Nana from Peter Pan, she snoozes with the cats. We live on a small holding, and the dog is an alarm, it makes people think twice before coming through our gate, and its amazing how many tough looking men are wary. She hates being told off, if she doesn't want to do something she just glues all 45kg of her to the floor.

 

[skinnydipper]

I knew someone with a Rhodesian Ridgeback which looked intimidating but was actually the sweetest dog, so much so that he visited care homes as a Pets as Therapy dog

My dog would be well suited for this but when I looked into it they would not accept raw fed dogs.

 

[skinnydipper]

I too can see where you're coming from as I had significantly fewer problems with loose and rude dogs (and their rude and ignorant humans) when walking two oversized almost 30kg Siberian huskies than I do now walking a single 7kg fluffy spitzy thing

I've been told, several times, that the reason someone's dog is kicking off at mine is because she is so big.

I am pleased when we can complete a walk without being harassed by another dog.

ETA. Another excuse is that it is because she is on a lead.

 

[MurphysMinder]

:'(

Nanny dogs, isn't that what some folks call them?

No, staffies are sometimes called nanny dogs. This attack was by Pit bulls.

 

[Nasicus]

No, staffies are sometimes called nanny dogs. This attack was by Pit bulls.

Pitnutters love to trot out the 'nanny dog' lie about pitbulls all the time unfortunately. Lets just completely ignore the fact they were bred and still are often bred to fight to the death.

 

[Clodagh]

Actually (from someone who lived in a country where there were many and they didn’t have the same labels as here) a well bred pit should be a delight to handle. Even, or especially, the bred to fight ones as they have to be able to be bought ‘up to scratch ‘ and lifted away from another dog when in full ramped up fight mode.

 

[Clodagh]

I still don’t think the average pet owner in the UK needs them.

 

[skinnydipper]

To get back to the original subject of the post, someone being attacked by their own dog.

I wonder how these dogs are trained and if they use aversive techniques.

 

[marmalade76]

I still don’t think the average pet owner in the UK needs them.

Agreed, and I can't understand why they'd want them other than to look hard or participate in illegal dog fighting.

I read the mother of the poor lady killed said these massive, ugly dogs were "her babies", there's endless breeds & types that could easily have filled that role without having the physical ability to end her life.

 

[Clodagh]

Tbh anyone who describes any dog as a baby is a worry to me. Especially when it’s one like an American Bully.

 

[skinnydipper]

Tbh anyone who describes any dog as a baby is a worry to me. Especially when it’s one like an American Bully.

Somebody sent me a message and referred to my dog as my "baby girl". Nope.

 

[stangs]

Pitnutters love to trot out the 'nanny dog' lie about pitbulls all the time unfortunately. Lets just completely ignore the fact they were bred and still are often bred to fight to the death.

The ‘lie’ stems from the fact that they spent the late 19th century and early 20th century in the US being considered the epitome of a family dog, featuring in popular media as a kid’s dog. They were not bred for dog fighting any more than other breeds of a similar type.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

For a start I don't see why any dog over a certain size shouldn't be required to be muzzled if off lead in public, with heavy penalties if they aren't and they damage a human or another animal.
.

YCBM, sorry to pick on you specifically when so many of the above posts have angered me but this really made me angry, and sad, if Im honest. I have Great Danes, they are huge, gentle giants who do not deserve to be muzzled just because they are a certain size or weight. I'm sick to the back teeth of the size related comments. There are breeds that need to be more tightly controlled yes, banned?? Absolutely not. We are seeing more deaths and injuries from dogs for numerous reasons:
* So called "status" dogs owned by people who shouldn't be allowed near a hamster let alone a dog
* Too many idiots who bought dogs during lockdown and had no way of properly socialising and training them
* People being unrealistic about the breeds that suit their living situation (did you know that one of the main reason Great Danes are given up is because they get "too big"?!?!?)
* The pressure dogs are under in our modern society. We (generalised) expect WAY TOO MUCH from pet dogs nowadays. They are expected to live in smaller areas/houses as more smaller homes are built. They are expected to be home alone all day as more people work in the average household. We expect them to put up with all manner of abuse from children whose parents should know better. We expect them to fit in with our busy lives....too many dogs are under walked and under stimulated.

You simply cannot decide that all of any breed and/or owners are terrible. I don't have a solution, I admit that. Too often the legislation we do have simply ends up targeting the innocent and those who should be culpable get away Scott free. We do need a way of policing things in order for it to have any real effect and sadly that's unlikely to happen. But when you start banning breeds it becomes a slippery slope, as someone said above.

 

[DabDab]

Breed specific legislation is problematic anyway, but particularly when a breed like the Pitbull is concerned. The Pitbull terrier is not some exotic, niche fighting breed - they are basically just oversized staffies and are one of the most popular pet dog breeds in the US.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Here's my boring repetitive ramble about 'protection'.

There's actually surprisingly few dogs that will protect 'a person', they're usually protecting their own space, IME.

Any dog can run at a moving object with a visual target going in the opposite direction (prey) but when the aggressor comes at them with no gear on (even hidden sleeves smell of sleeve, and bite suits/jackets are a wee bit visual ), out of context, a lot of dogs will initially run or avoid conflict.

I include ££££ 'personal protection dogs' in that, no matter what is shown in the fancy sales video...and even some police dogs, unfortunately.

And the type of dog that **does** naturally spark up at anyone and everything, and/or when it is not appropriate, isn't conducive to family/normal pet dog life.

As for training, I don't think there's much 'training' involved, to be honest.