Is it me or is there been a big increase in dog attacks since the pandemic? Seems like every other day someone is seriously attacked & sometimes killed by out of controlled dogs
There does seem to be a lot more than in the past, whether that’s greater reporting or greater attacks I do not know.
There does also seem to be a lot more of the large bull type breeds around, especially the large American bull dogs and cane corso have become more popular.
some breeds need experienced handlers to avoid these situations, as always it’s 99% the owner/handler that’s the issue.
the dangerous dogs act needs a complete review really as well.
"Dangerous dogs" is a theme that the media like to return to every now and again. They will get bored with it again in the near future.
There has been an increase in attacks in recent years: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64798162 but I'd guess that, per capita* canine population, attacks haven't changed much.
*More than 3 mn UK households bought a pandemic pet.
It suggests the increase in attacks mainly has adults rather than children as victims. It also suggests there is a strong association with social deprivation and that Liverpool is "Dog Bite Capital" of the UK.
Weirdly, in my view, the BMJ says dog attacks are more prevalent in July/August but less so in January/February. I can only assume that more attacks happen when dogs are out and about in unfamiliar surroundings rather than asleep up against a radiator.
I have always been wary of dogs due to being attacked by two rottweilers when I was a kid on the way to school. Had to jump a fence like an Olympian to get away from them. Never saw them before or ever again. Never reported it, maybe nowadays they do.
I suspect that the massive increase in dog (especially puppy) ownership that happened during the pandemic has now resulted in adult dogs that have not been trained properly, have not been socialised and are not being exercised enough or appropriately as fewer and fewer owners are working from home. It was entirely predictable.
Also many of these were probably bought on a whim by people who hadn't thought through the responsibility which goes with having a dog.
Breeding, selling and "owning" really needs to be better regulated, for the welfare of dogs and for the humans that adopt them and the general public. Being able to go on Gumtree and buy a dog is ridiculous.
When I was working in London and my wife in our local school, we dearly wanted a dog but knew it wasn't fair on the dog to get one. I then went self employed and the opportunity opened as I could take the dog to work and between us we could give a dog what it needed. So we got JJ and he didn't ask us to buy him so we have a responsibility to give him his best possible life. He gives us more back! I wish everybody thought this way.
Dogs are not a weapon or status symbol, they are not a nuisance and they require love and attention. A well adjusted dog of any breed is just that.
When I was working in London and my wife in our local school, we dearly wanted a dog but knew it wasn't far on the dog to get one. I then went self employed and the opportunity opened as I could take the dog to work and between us we could give a dig what it needed. So we got JJ and he didn't ask us to buy him so we have a responsibility to give him his best possible life. He gives us more back! I wish everybody thought this way.
Dogs are not a weapon or status symbol, they are not a nuisance and they require love and attention. A well adjusted dog of any breed is just that.
I was walking my dog in a park recently and there was a guy walking 2 dogs which looked like a pitbull type breed. One definitely couldnt be let off the lead given how the bloke was struggling to control it. Both had their ears cut which in my view means the owner should instantly be banned from owning dogs.
I was walking my dog in a park recently and there was a guy walking 2 dogs which looked like a pitbull type breed. One definitely couldnt be let off the lead given how the bloke was struggling to control it. Both had their ears cut which in my view means the owner should instantly be banned from owning dogs.
I was walking my dog in a park recently and there was a guy walking 2 dogs which looked like a pitbull type breed. One definitely couldnt be let off the lead given how the bloke was struggling to control it. Both had their ears cut which in my view means the owner should instantly be banned from owning dogs.
I've never been comfortable with dogs. I don't have a dislike., just zero introduction and probably consequently, interest.
It's funny how I'm meant to be happy and smiley around them,when I'm not, but it does not mean I'm against them! The Dog loving community are a passionate bunch!
I've never been comfortable with dogs. I don't have a dislike., just zero introduction and probably consequently, interest.
It's funny how I'm meant to be happy and smiley around them,when I'm not, but it does not mean I'm against them! The Dog loving community are a passionate bunch!
We are but I absolutely don't let our run up to someone (especially if they don't have dogs themselves or especially if they look nervous). People that say "he/she is fine, she's just being friendly!" when their dogs come tearing up out of control drives me nuts.
You have question why people get particular dogs who are known to be potentially aggressive and are meant to be kept on a lead, either because of what they’ve been bred for or are unpredictable?
I’ve been aware of an increase in Akitas who do have a reputation and have experienced my own dog being attacked by one despite the owner saying he was a big softie, clearly not!
As I was told yesterday by a teacher in school her near neighbour bought a Rottie puppy to keep the kids amused during lockdown. WTAF Yes, you can blame unscrupulous breeders but without the punters there is no business. Every breeder I know suspended breeding programs during lockdown, why because they couldn't socialise the puppies before they went to their new homes teach them about life. You cant just turn up with a wheelbarrow of cash and drive off with a puppy, you will get told to **** off. The dogs once again will be sacrificed because someone thought it locked cute to lay a baby on the chest of a sleeping dog to take a photo, its not cute its F******* stupid, irresponsible behaviour. I have 1000s of cute photos of children with my dogs not one has a child hanging off its neck. Bowyer came home 3 weeks before the school told me no unnecessary school visitors, 5 before lockdown and yes he's a bit loud when he first goes out the door and even louder if he sees another dog, but he remains 18" from leg and no sooner we walk in the school he knows he's working. So using lockdown as an excuse for poorly trained dogs is pathetic, but again when a baby loses half its face and the dog is destroyed the same excuses will be trotted out. Just under 200 2/3 year old puppies in German Shepherd Welfare as I write this, yes puppies a Shep doesn't mature 2.5 or 3.5 for males so they are adolescents, pushing all your buttons etc, anyone with adolescent children knows this the case. Every puppy comes into this world a blank canvass, the work we put into that puppy will dictate what the dog matures into.
As I was told yesterday by a teacher in school her near neighbour bought a Rottie puppy to keep the kids amused during lockdown. WTAF Yes, you can blame unscrupulous breeders but without the punters there is no business. Every breeder I know suspended breeding programs during lockdown, why because they couldn't socialise the puppies before they went to their new homes teach them about life. You cant just turn up with a wheelbarrow of cash and drive off with a puppy, you will get told to **** off. The dogs once again will be sacrificed because someone thought it locked cute to lay a baby on the chest of a sleeping dog to take a photo, its not cute its F******* stupid, irresponsible behaviour. I have 1000s of cute photos of children with my dogs not one has a child hanging off its neck. Bowyer came home 3 weeks before the school told me no unnecessary school visitors, 5 before lockdown and yes he's a bit loud when he first goes out the door and even louder if he sees another dog, but he remains 18" from leg and no sooner we walk in the school he knows he's working. So using lockdown as an excuse for poorly trained dogs is pathetic, but again when a baby loses half its face and the dog is destroyed the same excuses will be trotted out. Just under 200 2/3 year old puppies in German Shepherd Welfare as I write this, yes puppies a Shep doesn't mature 2.5 or 3.5 for males so they are adolescents, pushing all your buttons etc, anyone with adolescent children knows this the case. Every puppy comes into this world a blank canvass, the work we put into that puppy will dictate what the dog matures into.
I agree with most of what you say - as experienced dog owners we looked at dogs on gumtree as the pandemic hit just as we were looking for a new dog after our Collie cross had died 2 years previously (it took that long for us to feel "ready") and rescue centres were simply not responding to enquiries due to the demand from people who had decided that as they might have a bit of spare time on their hands a dog was the perfect solution ffs. There was a very noticeable increase in the number of people selling dogs and I doubt that many of them were ethical breeders. Again I have no evidence for this but where the hell did all the extra dogs come from?
Surely some kind of competence evaluation should be taking place and an enforceable commitment to owner / dog training for new owners needs to be a requirement for dog "ownership".
BTW we didn't go with the Gumtree option, we got a Romanian rescue picked up off the street and almost certainly heading for a kill shelter. She wouldn't have survived long on the street anyway, nowhere near tough enough. She is one happy dog now, nearly 2 years later.
I was walking my dog in a park recently and there was a guy walking 2 dogs which looked like a pitbull type breed. One definitely couldnt be let off the lead given how the bloke was struggling to control it. Both had their ears cut which in my view means the owner should instantly be banned from owning dogs.
If this was Hall Place, then I have seen that too - was walking my 2 Springers, bloke comes along with 2 dogs with their ears cut - he looked a real low life - despite my Wife telling me not to, I asked why the dogs had their ears cut (of course I know why) - he started giving it the big one etc, and then stormed off when some other dog walkers near us joined in with me
Our friends re-homed an Italian Mastiff - dog had been rescued by Dartford Dog Warden - some Eastern Europeans had been trying to make her into a fighting dog - cut off her tail, cut back her ears, stubbed cigarettes out on her, kicked her, beat her up - she will limp for the rest of her life
She is a lovely dog, so soppy and loving
Our friends have done a fab job with her, and she is as happy as a pig in poo now - but gets frightened if a delivery man comes to the house and they have Eastern European accent
How I would love to be in a locked room with the bastards who tormented her, them tied up, and me with a baseball bat…..
Nobody should own a dog that they, their wife (I know, it’s sexist) or their kids couldn’t control or fight off if the dog turned for whatever trigger. Anybody saying they’ve need the dog for protection should get the same sentence as for shooting a gun
Nobody should own a dog that they, their wife (I know, it’s sexist) or their kids couldn’t control or fight off if the dog turned for whatever trigger. Anybody saying they’ve need the dog for protection should get the same sentence as for shooting a gun
I know what you are saying but a small person who knows what they are doing is safer than a big person who doesn't....some 16 stone 6 footer (me) lumbering after a panicking dog or an 8 stone 5 footer (my partner) with excellent recall? My dog can probably do around 30 mph plus when she is going for it, luckily she will stop on a sixpence for a treat, the chance of a treat or a signed peice of paper with "IOU 1 treat" written on it.
easy solution .. anyone owning or in control of a dog that kills a human gets 5 years in prison .. if seriously injuring rather than killing, 3 years, no parole .. anyone breeding or found in possession of a banned breed of dog, 2 years .. as said the number of dog attacks causing fatal and serious injury is on the rise, there is NO excuse for this, it's simply moronic owners of illegal and dangerous dogs being on a power trip .. stop it
I was attacked by two dogs when I was a kid, once when playing football in a field by I think a half GS half lab that just singled me out and bit me a number of times. Had to go hospital and have tetanus. The second by some crazy street dog that I guess sensed my fear.
I’m sure there’s probably far less attacks now than in the 70s and 80s. The vast majority are absolutely amazing dog owners who take their dog ownership more seriously than some people do with parenting. Just been Cornwall where we seemed to be the only people there without a dog, and everyone was loved and trained brilliantly. There’s a very small number that shouldn’t be allowed to own dogs, let alone breed them. Just a shame not everyone is to @T_C_E levels
I was attacked by two dogs when I was a kid, once when playing football in a field by I think a half GS half lab that just singled me out and bit me a number of times. Had to go hospital and have tetanus. The second by some crazy street dog that I guess sensed my fear.
I’m sure there’s probably far less attacks now than in the 70s and 80s. The vast majority are absolutely amazing dog owners who take their dog ownership more seriously than some people do with parenting. Just been Cornwall where we seemed to be the only people there without a dog, and everyone was loved and trained brilliantly. There’s a very small number that shouldn’t be allowed to own dogs, let alone breed them. Just a shame not everyone is to @T_C_E levels
I have always been scared of dogs despite not being attacked by one. What really annoys me is when people can’t get in their heads that some people are scared of dogs and not everyone likes them. The other day I saw quite a large dog on one of those very extending leads and I walked as far away from it as I could when going past for the owner to say he’s friendly and then I say I’m scared of dogs and they still say he’s friendly like just accept that I don’t like dogs and be done with it.
I was attacked by two dogs when I was a kid, once when playing football in a field by I think a half GS half lab that just singled me out and bit me a number of times. Had to go hospital and have tetanus. The second by some crazy street dog that I guess sensed my fear.
I’m sure there’s probably far less attacks now than in the 70s and 80s. The vast majority are absolutely amazing dog owners who take their dog ownership more seriously than some people do with parenting. Just been Cornwall where we seemed to be the only people there without a dog, and everyone was loved and trained brilliantly. There’s a very small number that shouldn’t be allowed to own dogs, let alone breed them. Just a shame not everyone is to @T_C_E levels
Dog bites as a kid can lead to stunted growth.
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Took 3 inches off my legs. Could have been worse I suppose: -)
I was walking my dog in a park recently and there was a guy walking 2 dogs which looked like a pitbull type breed. One definitely couldnt be let off the lead given how the bloke was struggling to control it. Both had their ears cut which in my view means the owner should instantly be banned from owning dogs.
It has been touched on already but as a dog lover and owner I believe that the recall command must be perfected if you are to let your dog off the lead in any public space. It is no good telling somebody who is terrified of dogs that it is alright, your dog is friendly or indeed another dog owner whose dog may have been attacked in the past and be very nervous about other dogs that your dog only wants to play.
It has been touched on already but as a dog lover and owner I believe that the recall command must be perfected if you are to let your dog off the lead in any public space. It is no good telling somebody who is terrified of dogs that it is alright, your dog is friendly or indeed another dog owner whose dog may have been attacked in the past and be very nervous about other dogs that your dog only wants to play.
Some owners especially these young gang members actually enjoy watching their dog attacking other dogs & people so much so they train them to do so They use them as a weapon to intimidate & mug people it's tailed off a bit now but it still happens far to often no wonder these dogs are out of control
It has been touched on already but as a dog lover and owner I believe that the recall command must be perfected if you are to let your dog off the lead in any public space. It is no good telling somebody who is terrified of dogs that it is alright, your dog is friendly or indeed another dog owner whose dog may have been attacked in the past and be very nervous about other dogs that your dog only wants to play.
Some owners especially these young gang members actually enjoy watching their dog attacking other dogs & people so much so they train them to do so They use them as a weapon to intimidate & mug people it's tailed off a bit now but it still happens far to often no wonder these dogs are out of control
useless trivia..
Tiny at millwall had his dog trained to attack at the command of 'Chelsea'.
I have always been scared of dogs despite not being attacked by one. What really annoys me is when people can’t get in their heads that some people are scared of dogs and not everyone likes them. The other day I saw quite a large dog on one of those very extending leads and I walked as far away from it as I could when going past for the owner to say he’s friendly and then I say I’m scared of dogs and they still say he’s friendly like just accept that I don’t like dogs and be done with it.
The other day I was walking through my local park and a schoolgirl was running screaming from a small dog who was off the lead. The dog wasn't exactly chasing her, but it was trotting after her to follow her, likely to see what the fuss was about. But the girl was terrified. The owner was just walking behind, making no effort at all to call his dog back. He looked amused at the situation.
Comments
There does also seem to be a lot more of the large bull type breeds around, especially the large American bull dogs and cane corso have become more popular.
some breeds need experienced handlers to avoid these situations, as always it’s 99% the owner/handler that’s the issue.
the dangerous dogs act needs a complete review really as well.
There has been an increase in attacks in recent years: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64798162 but I'd guess that, per capita* canine population, attacks haven't changed much.
*More than 3 mn UK households bought a pandemic pet.
This is an interesting article in the British Medical Journal. https://www.bmj.com/content/381/bmj.p879
It suggests the increase in attacks mainly has adults rather than children as victims. It also suggests there is a strong association with social deprivation and that Liverpool is "Dog Bite Capital" of the UK.
Weirdly, in my view, the BMJ says dog attacks are more prevalent in July/August but less so in January/February. I can only assume that more attacks happen when dogs are out and about in unfamiliar surroundings rather than asleep up against a radiator.
Never reported it, maybe nowadays they do.
Also many of these were probably bought on a whim by people who hadn't thought through the responsibility which goes with having a dog.
Breeding, selling and "owning" really needs to be better regulated, for the welfare of dogs and for the humans that adopt them and the general public. Being able to go on Gumtree and buy a dog is ridiculous.
Dogs are not a weapon or status symbol, they are not a nuisance and they require love and attention. A well adjusted dog of any breed is just that.
(Pun intended).
He should have his ears cut the c***
It's funny how I'm meant to be happy and smiley around them,when I'm not, but it does not mean I'm against them! The Dog loving community are a passionate bunch!
As I was told yesterday by a teacher in school her near neighbour bought a Rottie puppy to keep the kids amused during lockdown. WTAF
Yes, you can blame unscrupulous breeders but without the punters there is no business.
Every breeder I know suspended breeding programs during lockdown, why because they couldn't socialise the puppies before they went to their new homes teach them about life.
You cant just turn up with a wheelbarrow of cash and drive off with a puppy, you will get told to **** off.
The dogs once again will be sacrificed because someone thought it locked cute to lay a baby on the chest of a sleeping dog to take a photo, its not cute its F******* stupid, irresponsible behaviour.
I have 1000s of cute photos of children with my dogs not one has a child hanging off its neck.
Bowyer came home 3 weeks before the school told me no unnecessary school visitors, 5 before lockdown and yes he's a bit loud when he first goes out the door and even louder if he sees another dog, but he remains 18" from leg and no sooner we walk in the school he knows he's working.
So using lockdown as an excuse for poorly trained dogs is pathetic, but again when a baby loses half its face and the dog is destroyed the same excuses will be trotted out.
Just under 200 2/3 year old puppies in German Shepherd Welfare as I write this, yes puppies a Shep doesn't mature 2.5 or 3.5 for males so they are adolescents, pushing all your buttons etc, anyone with adolescent children knows this the case.
Every puppy comes into this world a blank canvass, the work we put into that puppy will dictate what the dog matures into.
Surely some kind of competence evaluation should be taking place and an enforceable commitment to owner / dog training for new owners needs to be a requirement for dog "ownership".
BTW we didn't go with the Gumtree option, we got a Romanian rescue picked up off the street and almost certainly heading for a kill shelter. She wouldn't have survived long on the street anyway, nowhere near tough enough. She is one happy dog now, nearly 2 years later.
Our friends re-homed an Italian Mastiff - dog had been rescued by Dartford Dog Warden - some Eastern Europeans had been trying to make her into a fighting dog - cut off her tail, cut back her ears, stubbed cigarettes out on her, kicked her, beat her up - she will limp for the rest of her life
She is a lovely dog, so soppy and loving
Our friends have done a fab job with her, and she is as happy as a pig in poo now - but gets frightened if a delivery man comes to the house and they have Eastern European accent
How I would love to be in a locked room with the bastards who tormented her, them tied up, and me with a baseball bat…..
EDIT .. a pensioner in Warwickshire was killed by a dog yesterday .. Bedworth: Pensioner dies after being attacked by dog - BBC News
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like just accept that I don’t like dogs and be done with it.
They use them as a weapon to intimidate & mug people it's tailed off a bit now but it still happens far to often no wonder these dogs are out of control