Woman killed and man injured in Rotherham dog attack

[splashgirl45]

in my youth which was many years ago, german shepherds were the demon dogs as there were quite a few attacks i think people got them as tough looking dogs but obviously didnt know how to train them properly. i have had dogs all of my life but wouldnt be confident that i know enough about GSDs to be a competent owner but have known a few who were lovely friendly, well trained dogs owned by friends. staffies were considered to be good family dogs and were much smaller than a lot of the so called staffies today.. i still think its the owners not the breed, and these owners like the idea of a dog that could do a lot of damage to people or other dogs and encourage that sort of behaviour....i feel sad for those dogs as im sure they arent treated in a kind way..

 

[GSD Woman]

That's the thing, isn't it? Any dog can bite, any dog can attack. But when it comes down to it, you'd rather be savaged by a 2kg Chihuahua than a 60kg Mastiff. One would require stitches, the other a bodybag.

I think there should be some sort of test before you can own a dog.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I think there should be some sort of test before you can own a dog.

Im a member of a few Gsd groups and I despair of some of the questions people ask , when they already have the dog . They have no idea and no decent breeder should have let them have a puppy .

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I read a sm comment from someone claiming to be a friend of this person who died (also an xl bully owner, make of that what you will). 'It's the heat not the breed' Really?! Freaking really?! Like yes maybe if it was 'just the heat' I'd rather it pushed a JRT over the edge to attack me not a great big hunk of dog like that.

 

[FestiveG]

I read a sm comment from someone claiming to be a friend of this person who died (also an xl bully owner, make of that what you will). 'It's the heat not the breed' Really?! Freaking really?! Like yes maybe if it was 'just the heat' I'd rather it pushed a JRT over the edge to attack me not a great big hunk of dog like that.

And let's face it, anyone who was a responsible owner would have ensured that the dog did not get too hot!

 

[GSD Woman]

Im a member of a few Gsd groups and I despair of some of the questions people ask , when they already have the dog . They have no idea and no decent breeder should have let them have a puppy .

Sometimes I wonder if it is a good breeder that sells to these people. Or else did the people lie? Someone I know bought 2 GSDs that were ~2 weeks apart. I was surprised that a breeder sold her the second puppy. She hadn't told them that she already had a puppy.

 

[HashRouge]

i still think its the owners not the breed, .

While I agree that often the owners are at fault, it also is the breed. Because, while I agree that all breeds can and do bite, there is no denying that there are more fatal attacks linked to certain breeds of dog, and I think that bite strength/ power is a huge part of why that is.

 

[GSD Woman]

While I agree that often the owners are at fault, it also is the breed. Because, while I agree that all breeds can and do bite, there is no denying that there are more fatal attacks linked to certain breeds of dog, and I think that bite strength/ power is a huge part of why that is.

And that is why responsible owners with dogs that can pack a punch train and take responsibility with our dogs.

 

[Merry neddy man]

The police have stated that both dogs have now been pts.

 

[Michen]

And that is why responsible owners with dogs that can pack a punch train and take responsibility with our dogs.

But unfortunately many don't, and there are breeds who are not banned who are reoccuring offenders. I cannot deny I am never comfortable coming across Alsations or Rotweillers for example and I don't understand the joy in owning a dog that you have to be so careful training because, if you get it wrong, it may end up as another statistic on the list.

I bet this owner never thought the dog would do this-

"Newham, London, England – The victim was taking the dog for its morning walk when he fell over in the street. At first, the dog licked and pawed its owner, according to reports. But then, the dog turned on his owner, tearing chunks of flesh from his face. The man later died at Royal London Hospital.[28][29] "

 

[Archangel]

I bet this owner never thought the dog would do this-

"Newham, London, England – The victim was taking the dog for its morning walk when he fell over in the street. At first, the dog licked and pawed its owner, according to reports. But then, the dog turned on his owner, tearing chunks of flesh from his face. The man later died at Royal London Hospital.[28][29] "

Although ghastly and unusual it could happen I guess to any dog, as part of their instinctive behaviour. If one of their pals is having a fit they can attack them even if best friends normally.

ETS - the page that quote comes from is sobering reading isn't it.

 

[Michen]

Although ghastly and unusual it could happen I guess to any dog, as part of their instinctive behaviour. If one of their pals is having a fit they can attack them even if best friends normally.

ETS - the page that quote comes from is sobering reading isn't it.

Its not coincidence that a Rottweiler did it though and also appears several times on that list plus on the USA one. So yes any dog can do it, but we can’t deny there are dogs more likely to than others.

 

[planete]

I think we need to take into account the instinctive behaviours which have been bred into the dog. Of my three lurchers one will kill prey with one bite, one will chase down and hold but not kill or maim and one is clueless. The same graduation of the agressive instinct is in most dogs making them more or less likely to inflict fatal damage, mild damage or none. Knowing their dog and training and managing their instinctive behaviour is what clued up owners do. We cannot ignore breed (instinct) and neither can we ignore training/management.

 

[GSD Woman]

But unfortunately many don't, and there are breeds who are not banned who are reoccuring offenders. I cannot deny I am never comfortable coming across Alsations or Rotweillers for example and I don't understand the joy in owning a dog that you have to be so careful training because, if you get it wrong, it may end up as another statistic on the list.

Good genetics and understanding your breed go a far way into avoiding disasters.

Michen, don't you have an English Springer spaniel? A friend had one that attacked his very dog savvy young daughter. She had been around my dreaded German Shepherds since toddler age. I don't let children around my dogs if I'm not there or another adult that I trust. They're too big and their faces are on toddler face level.

 

[Michen]

Good genetics and understanding your breed go a far way into avoiding disasters.

Michen, don't you have an English Springer spaniel? A friend had one that attacked his very dog savvy young daughter. She had been around my dreaded German Shepherds since toddler age. I don't let children around my dogs if I'm not there or another adult that I trust. They're too big and their faces are on toddler face level.

Yep I do. And as far as I can see they don’t appear repeatedly on a list of dogs that have killed people. I believe Labradors are responsible for the most bites but they don’t kill people (from what I’ve seen of “the list”).

I am merely speaking from my own experience which is that I find the larger breed dogs with powerful jaws intimidating, and they do appear on the lists.

ps I don’t meant to offend I know you love GSDs and others on here have breeds I’d find scary. And I know it’s a minority that let the breed down for others. But I DO find them scary and whether that’s a subconscious awareness of how powerful they are or whether it’s just the media I don’t know but it is backed up by “facts” when it comes to fatal dog attacks.

tbh I can’t understand why the American bully’s aren’t banned given they appear frequently as being responsible for fatal attacks.

 

[GSD Woman]

tbh I can’t understand why the American bully’s aren’t banned given they appear frequently as being responsible for fatal attacks.

I think they're in the clump of breeds that some people are getting for the bad @$$ image since pit bulls are either banned or else so common.

 

[Gloi]

They should license dogs by the kilo. Not really serious but still like the idea.

 

[planete]

They should license dogs by the kilo. Not really serious but still like the idea.

I like that. Could also solve the problem of obese dogs!

 

[marmalade76]

I think we need to take into account the instinctive behaviours which have been bred into the dog. Of my three lurchers one will kill prey with one bite, one will chase down and hold but not kill or maim and one is clueless. The same graduation of the agressive instinct is in most dogs making them more or less likely to inflict fatal damage, mild damage or none. Knowing their dog and training and managing their instinctive behaviour is what clued up owners do. We cannot ignore breed (instinct) and neither can we ignore training/management.

Totally agree, I think anyone who ignores their chosen breed's history and heritage is a fool. People who have Staffies love to trot out the "nanny dog" line whilst totally dismissing the fact that they were bred to be relentless fighters.

 

[Odyssey]

It is the breed, though obviously the owners of "status" breeds that are prone to aggression to people can and unfortunately do intensify that tendency through training. Greyhounds for example, are at the bottom of the list of breeds that are people aggressive, they're very gentle and sweet. Mine wants to make friends with everyone we meet, and adores children. Unfortunately most do have a pretty strong prey drive towards small, fluffy animals and he would chase, so he's kept on the lead. It's an undeniable part of their make up, and I'd be a liar if I said he wouldn't kill a rabbit, cat etc, as given the chance he probably would. It's how he's wired, even without being trained to chase a lure.

 

[MyBoyChe]

I just find this whole thread so terribly sad. Ive had dogs all my life, a labrador as a child and spaniels all my adult life, Ive also owned a staffie and a jrt. As a child, our family lab bit my brother and my mother, he was quite food aggressive. Ive been bitten by my staffie (I was throwing a toy for her and she jumped up to grab it before I let go!). As a child I was also been bitten by my Uncles collie x gawd knows what whilst playing with him (again, he didnt bite me out of aggression but excitement whilst playing). I have the utmost respect for all breeds, after all they all derive from the same gene pool and over many hundreds of years our modern breeds have been developed to suit our purposes. Undoubtedly some are closer to their wild roots than others and in my opinion, are not for the average owner who wants a nice, biddable pet. However, we cannot excape the fact that all dogs have the potential to cause real damage. Whilst Im sure that as an adult I could deal with a snappy terrier, a child couldnt! Would I want to tangle with a large bull breed? having had a staffy who was an absolute sweetheart but who really sank her teeth through my hand in error, no I wouldnt!! I have no idea what the answer is but the sad fact is that there are a lot of people out there who shouldnt be allowed to own a dog or raise a child. We cant stop folk pro creating but surely we should be able to do something to stop the possession of unsuitable dogs in unsuitable homes. I suppose until we can stop unlicensed breeders and the puppy farmers and backyard breeders who will sell to anyone for the right price we dont have a hope in hell. And as always, it will be the poor wretched dog who suffers, either before or after it has done what is in its makeup. Honestly, I could cry