Isn't it about time that we banned dangerous dogs and had *all* dogs leashed and muzzled around children ...

Question

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6931680.stm

I don't want to hear all of these arguments that "it's not the dog it's the owner" - I just think that we should protect our children - these are *animals* for God's sake!

I know Robert C but I don't care - the *children* must come first no matter how "cute" their wild *animals* are.

doobiedrm - yes that's disgusting.And I could tell you of what I had to put up with on my boys' shoes if they forgot to take them off at the door too before the days of "poopscoops" and even then who regulates that? They are unhygeinic too - I should add that they should wear nappies too - or preferably banned altogether except for *working* dogs in the countryside.

"Disrespectul" to *dogs* = animals,RL? Have you completely lost all perspective?My nappy suggestion was a joke (although I heared that tourist horses in New York had to wear them - correct me if I am wrong).Anyway leashes and muzzles are a must if it only saves *one* child from being savaged - and as Moonstone says the nappies aren't such a bad idea anyway - I am sure that my boys got worms from picking up dirt from the park from other people's "pet" droppings and that can cause *blindness* so don't make light of it.

So I left the "f" out of disrespectful above - just as well maybe!

Answer 1

I agree fully there are too many instances of dogs attacking children, even family dogs when the owners can't believe it. Why take the chance? Why should my kids be at risk because someone else wants a dog and because they trust it?
Everyones opinions are different and maybe they think their dog is great and will never attack but I dont want to take any chances with my children and any dog!
All dogs should be muzzled in public and dangerous dogs need to be banned. I mean what exactly do people keep dangerous dogs for? there are plenty non dangerous pets after all!

Answer 2

The suggestion of an obedience class is an excellent one. Read here https://tr.im/chP70
It will help your dog learn to behave around other dogs, and help keep your training moving forward as you'll want to be prepared for the next class. Also, a good instructor can be a wonderful resource, someone to help you with any questions or concerns about your dog. Leash training can take a LOT of time and patience, depending upon the dog. I'm not sure what you mean by 'horrible on a leash' but my basic suggestion is that you take a lot of yummy treats with you on walks. When your dog behaves well on the leash (not pulling) praise her and give her treats. Change direction a lot so that she learns to pay attention to YOU and where you are going. It's also helpful to teach a "Watch Me" command such that whenever your dog looks at you you praise her and give her a treat. About chewing, yes a Kong is a great chew toy. Some dogs also like Nylabone brand bones. I suggest also teaching a "Leave It" command. You use this when she shows interest in chewing on something she shouldn't. Then immediately give her something she is allowed to chew, such as the Kong stuffed with somethig yummy. This same command will be helpful on walks when she wants to sniff or eat something she shouldn't. Again, when she does leave the item alone, be sure to give lots of praise. I would look into an obedience class right away. I think that you'll find that a good obedience class can help enormously! Good luck and enjoy your new dog.

Answer 3

I think a stop should be put to dogs roaming about on their own all day when owners are at work. These dogs tend to form packs and can be very frightening if not dangerous. If the dominant one decides to get vicious then the rest follow suit. Then there is the problem with the excrement all over the place and the health risk especially to children from the worms in their dirt is this not the cause of a certain kind of blindness? I have no problem with well looked after dogs that are with their owner with or without a muzzle and a poop scoop to hand

Answer 4

I was surprised to read that both animals and children would be alowed in a pub.There is a public health issue with animals in a public place where both food and alcohol are served at least in Canada.Secondly a pub is not an appropriate place to take a young child.You may not want to hear it but more often than not it is an irresponsible dog owner who has a bad dog.You read about family pets that turned on children and the owners were surprised.Just because it is a pet does not mean it is not capable of causing harm.Muzzles may be of some benefit in public places but would you want your pet to wear one in the home? Dogs such as seeing eye dogs, hearing aid dogs,companion dogs for residents in nursing homes , search and rescue dogs are trained to do specific tasks and do them well. It is usually the poorly trained "guard" dog or mistreated family pet, whether large or small breed that will attack.Usually these attacks did have some cause, at least in the animal's eyes.

Answer 5

I agree that the dog owner has a large part to play, but i also agree that there are dogs whose instincts will tend to take over more often, and have a higher chance of being aggressive. I think the problem is that *MOST* of the time its not the owners that get attacked, its somebody else. So MOST of the time there isn't a problem in the everyday house, because the dog takes a liking to the children, and becomes protective. Even over protective to the point that it can become dangerous.

I don't think banning the dogs is the right idea. I think there should be more education on how to treat dogs, and maybe some kind of procedure to follow if people wan't to own certain breeds of dogs, to ensure that they are going into good houses where they won't be abused.

Answer 6

Your question has two parts.

The first one, about banning particularly dangerous breeds, like pit bulls, makes sense. This is especially the case when there is a child in the home.

I'd say a compromise would be that each owner has to register traditionally dangerous dogs, signing an affidavit that they understand the risks of taking in those breeds.

Having ALL dogs leashed and muzzled is too harsh. I know of dogs that acted as guardians of babies and children, and even pregnant women. I have a friend who, even before she knew she was pregnant, was guarded by their dog when anyone, even the husband and other owner, approached her. I had a daschund growing up, a dog that is definately not known for violence. A friend of my sister's, when they were about nine, had a chunk bit out of her cheek by the dog. It wasn't because he was a bad dog, it was because he was egged on while she was eating a piece of ham less than a foot from the dog. If all dogs were banned, there would be no need to have a pet in the first place, so the requirement of leashing and muzzling dogs would be ridiculous. Why take in a dog if the dog would be miserable?

Personally, I think people can do what they want, but I don't understand the need or desire to have a pet. No other species routinely takes another into their home, providing food, healthcare, toys, a bed, treats and now clothing.

Answer 7

I think ALL dogs should be on a lead, I hate seeing dogs running round loose it frightens the life out of me and I am a grown up. Children have no fear so they will approach a dog and god only knows how the dog will react....

I don't understand why its so difficult for some owners to put a lead on the dog, or if its that vicious put a muzzle on it aswell, at least then we would all feel a lot safer..

I love dogs and have always owned a dog. I had a lovely Doberman dog and he was vicious but not once did I ever let him off his lead around people or children not once. And thankfully he never bit anyone....

Answer 8

Where I live there are rules in regards to dogs on the dangerous dog breed list. Some have been banned altogether. Our school has just bought in the rule no dogs in the yard which is due I believe to an incident that happened last term. Most of us have dogs that are well behaved and kept under control on a leash (a must everywhere) but one person brings a dog who does not like other dogs and last term he broke off his leash and attacked another dog right next to where the kids were lined up. If a dog does not like other dogs or in your case kids you do not take them where they will encounter these. That dog I talked about attacked mine as the owners child ran past my puppy and I and then went on to attack another dog. So i am glad this rule has been bought in, even if it does effect me because yes, the kids come first. That child will be scarred for life both physically and mentally.

Answer 9

I get tired of hearing this - there are many dogs that should not be kept in the home - let alone around children -
but overall no, dogs and children should not be kept apart and no, dogs should not as a rule be muzzled

If you believe they should be I think you have a very unhealthy attitude - we cannot mollycoddle against everything!!

Of course our children come first - but we need to give our children a healthy attitude towards everything.
I think keeping pets - and in particular a dog is one of the best ways to teach a child respect of all living things.
Putting it in a muzzle is not respecting - it is cruel - if you do not understand this you are a poorer person for it.

All that you say about dog poo and all that is obviously right but - putting them in a muzzle won't stop this and to suggest nappies is just disrespectful.

As for "these are animals" - so are we, and unlike dogs and other animals we kill each other en mass and pollute and destroy our environment, I think youre concern is over the wrong species of animal!!!

I do think however there are an awful lot of human beings who would benefit from being permanently muzzled!!!

Those who say they were not brought up around dogs prove my point - you do not understand or respect these creatures - and so you need to teach youre children to understand and respect - to be afraid of dogs is a shame and is not necessary - be aware - but do not be afraid - I actualy think that is quite sad - you don't know what you are missing out on!!

Answer 10

Part 1 of your question:
If there was a way to prove which breeds were "dangerous" then I would agree with you 100% to ban them. However, dogs' behavior is molded by their owners. You could have a pit bull who is a sweet heart and is raised in a loving home from birth. You could also have a supposedly "safe" dog, like a poodle, a Westie, etc that is abused by their owner and becomes violent.

When my sister was 7, she was bitten by a Yorkie. Yes, a Yorkie attacked her and drew blood. It turned out that its owner was an alcoholic and would kick and beat the dog when he was drunk, causing its violent outbursts. Even if Pit Bulls/AmStaffs/etc were banned, this still would not have prevented my sister's attack.

Part 2:
There are a lot of laws, both local/state as well as those made by homeowners association, that require dogs to be leashed when on public or common property. Dog owners who disregard these laws should be held accountable. If enough people were fined/etc for this, they might get the hint and start leashing their dogs. We don't need more laws, just better enforcement. The article you linked indicates that the dog was at the pub with its owner. I don't know the laws in England, but in America, dogs are NEVER allowed inside buildings other than private homes, veterinarians offices, and groomers. The attack on the child could have been prevented if the pub owner had reported the owner to the police for having the dog on the premises!