There has been a story of a Staffordshire bull terrier killing his owner . Are they so dangerous?

Question

Apparently the owner was with some friends and with his dog who was very devoted to him. At some time the man turned his back to the dog, when suddenly the dog jumped on him and tore off the back of his neck. The man died in the ambulance on its way to the hospital.

Can you offer an explanation for this? Are these dogs so unpredictable?

This story was from the Times in UK, a very good newspaper. I have no doubt it is true.
The owner was described by friends as very loving to his dog, but some times teasing him. He was always with him.

Answer 1

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are small dogs - I doubt that they could kill and adult man the way the article described it.

The Bull Terrier and Pit Bull breeds are rarely aggressive towards humans unless some fool tries to attack train them or repeatedly teases and harasses them. They ARE aggressive towards other dogs and animals.

Answer 2

I have a Staffy, these are a breed that require a very educated owner. They are loyal and are great dogs. They are also one owner dogs (or one family). Most of the time they have a very even disposition but you need to be fully aware of what you are signing on for. My dog was the pick of the litter however he went to a friend of ours first. This friend only had him for several days but it was college time and had parties constantly. Tex never came out of hiding because he was too scared. Once my boyfriend took him several days later his original litter kicked him out when he was brought back. It took almost a full year before he would let you move quick around him without running off. He has also taken down a bull and two cows but that was a mistake on our part. He never likes to be left alone, they always want to be where you are. He refuses to get on any furniture, even if you pull him up on it and he has never chewed up anything other than his bone (with the exception of a food bowl one time). He is not good around other people but that is something that we know and will not put him or anyone else in a situation where he would be uncomfortable. This by far is the best dog that I have ever owned, I swear he understand english and is in tune with my emotions.... but the truth is, unless you can devote a lot of time and attention then you will have the results of the man in your question.

Answer 3

Most of your answers come from very much uneducated people. The second guy who answered was talking about bull dogs--completely separate breed! American Pit Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Terriers have a good temperament. You can check www.atts.org They scored above average, well I know the APBT did.

Did you get this from a news article? Sometimes people don't get all the facts, or the story is very biased. Maybe the people were rough-housing and the dog was trying to protect his owner and misjudged. You don't know *for sure* he was nice to his dog.

I have a pit bull. He has never once been unpredictable.

Answer 4

It's not that these dogs are that unpredictable. Staffy's are one of those breeds that backyard breeders just love. Many people breed them for fighting dogs and others breed them just to make a few bucks or because they are too ignorant to know better. The problem is ignorant owners that don't know anything about the breed of the dog and/or how to treat them. It's like with Chows....Chows were bred to guard the children of whatever Emperor was around at the time. They are great dogs, great with family, but they have to be kept in the house, around people, or they become protective over their territory rather than people. I don't care how much a dog licks your face, once they become territorial, you may become a threat. Set down the food bowl, and then you're the one who's lunch. People need to take the time to research the different breeds before they invest (and yes, a dog should be an investment!) in one. They need to take the time to check out the breeder and their references. Sometimes people just piss me off.


And this is from Dogbreedinfo.com
"Staffordshire Bull Terriers are very people friendly. They are not particularly wary of strangers in almost all circumstances - although I've heard a few anecdotes about some being wary of particular people. My dogs are always happy to meet new people!" The breeds reputation with children is second to none. Adored and adoring within its own family circle.

Answer 5

It's not the dog that is a problem in cases like this. It is the owner. People will ignore bad behavior and not correct it out of fear, guilt or laziness. Bad dogs are not born they are made. Another explanation is that the dog may have a chemical imbalance or genetic disorder where the dog was a good dog but something went wrong wrong.

Answer 6

All dogs are capable of turning on their owner and no one knows why. Staffs are not as closely related to the pitbull family as you may think. They are actually very loving dogs, and are good with children. We know nothing on how the owner previously treated this dog, so far all we know the dog could've been abused, and when he wasn't looking attacked him(they are smart too). It may have even been jealous that someone else was getting more attention than him. But any dog is capable of this behavior, and Staffs are not widely known for attacking, as pitbulls are(but they aren't that dangerous either)

Answer 7

As an owner of over 4 Doberman's over the years, I have been subjected to the "Dobermans outgrow their brains and then they attack their owners" stories for years.

The research I have done has more than proven this to be false.

I personally don't believe this story. Ask Cesar Milan. He is the biggest Pit Bull lover I have ever heard speak. He can explain to you it isn't the breed that attacks.

Best of luck. Sami

Answer 8

I have two pit bulls, and they are loyal. I had another one that turned on me and my other dog. luckily my other dog protected me. any dog can turn on its owner. its not just the bull breeds, so dont let anyone tell you that. little jack russell terriers can bite.in fact, smaller breeds are known as ankle biters. the problem with the bull breed is their jaws are the most powerful of all breeds, so automatically they are murderers. i love my pit bulls and will debate with anyone on whether they are deadly or not. ive seen a chihuaha meaner then my pit.

Answer 9

that is authentic. i have considered a staffie and in the start they're scary because they appear as if a pit bull. there's a distinction to my awareness, excellent? besides, i have been in contact with poodles and they are terrible canines, and rated between the worst for babies. The owners are responsible. i became attacked by a jack Russell once and that i have a scar down my nostril to ring a bell in me. i have had an american eskimo, german sheppard (I cried even as she died she became the superb) then 2 Australian Sheppard and a touch mut that had pit blended with it. each and every of the canines were solid except for the single which became blended with a pit. when we were given her we did not recognize what she became blended with, reason we were given her even as she became a puppy(5wks) and on the pound. as quickly because it were given a touch older i got here across it chewing on my babies arm fortuitously she did not get damage notwithstanding it scared me and my daughter. We were given rid of her the subsequent day. each and every now and then i also imagine its breed into them to have such an aggression in route of others.

Answer 10

I have known staffordshire terriers all my life and have never experienced them as anything other than muscly hyperactive balls of affection. Very unlike the similiar looking pit bull terriers.