Incident in Hillsborough 13/9/11

[mike84 23]

This is a US study, but I doubt that there's any material difference between a US dog and a UK one.

Is that evidence enough?

 

 

That's great, I'll have a read of it. I haven't seen or been able to find any "official" figures on dog attacks so was curious. Pit Bull terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are different breeds though so the figures may not be appropriate.

 

It seems as though one side of this debate is pretty certain that Staffordshire Bull Terriers are inherently vicious and dangerous, the other side seems to think that they are no more dangerous than other breeds. An objective and neutral view or study would be good.

[Sheff Chick 10]

Staffys have a bad reputation because of the frequency and ferocity of their attacks on children and other dogs. To blame people like me who highlight this fact is preposterous.

 

I suppose you think paedophiles have a bad reputation because of people who report them to the police?

 

What sort of planet do you live on??? how can you compare a DOG to a PAEDOPHILE!!!!!!!!

 

Granted some staffy's CAN and WILL attack, just like any other dog around! the difference being that there is a lot of stigma surrounding this certain breed of dog which is normally fueled by people which have NEVER even owned one!! and wether they attack because at that moment in time they feel threatened or feel the need to protect their owner or what ever who knows! The truth remains they are animals and its down to how the owners handle them that makes all the difference, I personally walk my dog off the lead I know that she is trustworthy enough to do that, however should I see another dog off the lead in the area I automatically put mine straight on due to not knowing what reaction the other animal wll have, which in turn may cause an out of charector reaction from mine, thats me taking charge of my pet and being a responsible owner.

 

There are just as many NON DOCUMENTED fatal attacks from other breeds of dogs even FOX'S have killed or mauled children however we dont see a fox and think run the horrid creature over it may get into an house and attack a child!

 

If you really feel to air your judgement on a breed of dog you can only comment on due to what you read on the internet I suggest you come back with full and solid facts, ie.. look at other breed charecteistics and statistics.

[jo_jo* 10]

A very similar attack happened to my dog last Sunday whilst we were doing the RSPCA sponsored dog walk in Attercliffe / Tinsley area.

 

The attack actually happened just behind the Meadowhall South/Tinsley tram stop as we were walking up to the canals.

 

The dog owner was a youngish bloke, late teens early twenties with shaggy brown hair, his pitbull cross bull mastiff looking dog was a cream beige colour with brown markings. The dog was on a lead and so was my springer spaniel, as we walked past eachother his dog bit my dogs face and locked his jaw, it was stuck on my dog for at least 5-6 minutes. It was so awful, luckily my family were with me, they kicked this dog so many times, to try and get it off but it wouldnt budge! The owner was completely useless, just stood and watched it happen .. it eventually took a blow to the stomach - at the same time as a blow to its throat to make this dog release my dog. It was so horrible and my young daughter witnessed it all.

 

This vicious dog needs to be muzzled when out in public.

 

As soon as his dog had let go of mine he scarpered, never apologised, just went! My dog is ok thank goodness, he has a really nasty wound, actually a hole in his face, he is on a combination of anti biotics and anti inflammatorys and the vet expects him to make a full recovery.

We think this dog lives around the Tinsley area as this owner and his friend were on foot. I have reported it to the police, but i dont think anything will come of it.

It worries me as it attacked my dog for no reason, it could easily be a child next time.

[rickiethecat 10]

Can you provide any factual evidence to back up your wild accusations that Staffordshire bull terriers are any more dangerous than any other breed of dog?

 

The problem is that as far as I know there are no official statistics regarding which is the most dangerous dog breed in the UK, so in the absence of those we have to go on media reports and personal experience and both these make it clear that staffy/pit bull dogs attack most frequently.

 

Another statistic is that the staffy is now the most unwanted dog in the UK, as staffy owners are abandoning them in their droves as they realise just what a dangerous pet it is and the hype about them being good with children is untrue. See the link below.

 

http://www.people.co.uk/pets-animals/stories/2011/09/11/staffordshire-bull-terriers-bad-rep-means-they-are-britain-s-most-unwanted-dogs-102039-23410510/

[mike84 23]

The problem is that as far as I know there are no official statistics regarding which is the most dangerous dog breed in the UK, so in the absence of those we have to go on media reports and personal experience and both these make it clear that staffy/pit bull dogs attack most frequently.

 

Another statistic is that the staffy is now the most unwanted dog in the UK, as staffy owners are abandoning them in their droves as they realise just what a dangerous pet it is and the hype about them being good with children is untrue. See the link below.

 

http://www.people.co.uk/pets-animals/stories/2011/09/11/staffordshire-bull-terriers-bad-rep-means-they-are-britain-s-most-unwanted-dogs-102039-23410510/

 

The problem with media reports and personal experience is that neither are reliable sources of information. Also, just because Staffordshire Bull Terriers are being abandoned doesn't automatically mean that they are dangerous. The link you have sent also seems to be a pro-staffy story, explaining, as others have in this thread that they suffer by association and that that the majority of them make good pets if looked after well. I'd imagine that Battersey Dogs home is one of the most well known in the UK.

 

I have found an interesting quote from a report from the University of Pennsylvania - "A 2008 analysis of dog attacks by the University of Pennsylvania revealed an astonishing conclusion – dachshunds are the most aggressive breed."

Edited September 16, 2011 by mike84

[Sheff Chick 10]

Looking through numerous websites they all state the same that the Bull Terrier / Staffy breed is a good-natured, amusing, extremely loyal and affectionate family pet, which is good with children and adults. Almost always obedient, it is always eager to please its master. It is an extremely courageous and intelligent guard dog that is very full of vitality. Highly protective of his owners and the owner's property, it will fight an enemy to the death. It is usually very friendly, but has an uncanny ability to know when it needs to protect and when everything is okay. Excellent with children in the family, they have a high pain tolerance and will happily put up with rough child play. As with any breed of dog, they should not be left alone with unfamiliar children.

 

They do go onto say that They are very friendly, but not recommended for most people, because most people do not understand how to properly raise and treat a dog. Problems arise when one does not understands dog psychology.

 

Which concurs that like any other animal it is and always will be the reponsinility of the DOG OWNER to teach and control their animal regardless of breed!

Edited September 16, 2011 by Sheff Chick
added

[yummymummy88 10]

Wow this has turned into yet another staffy bashing thread. Before any one asks I am not a staffy owner nor have I ever owned one. I grew up with my family fostering animals, mainly dogs but we had all sorts. I have been bitten by a dalmation and a husky any dog can and will bite. The husky that bit me was my dog that I bought myself from a breeder and was a very placid dog I just took him by surprise one day and he turned and snapped at me. I have also fostered a bichon frise who was quite snappy. Ive seen people bitten by Gordon setters, Basset hounds and cross breeds. There are loads of staffy type dogs. Go to any rescue centre and they are over run so of course there will be more people bitten by this type of dogs simply because there are more of them around. If we were over run with any type of dogs they too would be seen as being a problem because they would make up most of the bad animal press.

[helhol 11]

just to let you know, pit bulls are a different breed than staffies, same as english bulls are , all dogs should be socialised from early age, and treated as member of the family not a guard dog , i used to take my staffie everywhere with me and my children, she would walk off lead, be obedient, walk on lead with the kids holding it, she was a 'family member' even go to ice cream van and get one free from him every day . yes people have been attacked by the odd one or two staffies but other breads have attacked people too but it only seems to be the bull terrier attacks that make media news more than other breeds(because of peoples ignorance with the breed) oh and to let you know i lived next door to a pub in leicester when the 2 rotweillers killed baby cadey-lee deacon and all of a sudden rotweillers were seen as the devil dog too in the media, ps, i am not a chav either and my dog never warranted a smack, it is how you raise them and treat with respect, i stand by my earlier comment, i trust them 100%

[helhol 11]

one more thing, a wolf is a wild animal too, but i know someone in leicester who 10 years ago bought a wolf cub legally from america , as a family pet, it has lived through 3 of owners children and has never had an issue with visiousness, obviously it is the upbringing, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cyclone 10]

Nobody is claiming that all Staffies are viscous killers, but neither does the fact that some are not prove that the breed does not have aggressive tendencies.

 

The evidence suggests that they do. So whilst in the hands of a competent owner they may make a good pet, in the hands of an incompetent one they are more likely than other dogs to become vicious.

[mrseggy 10]

Have heard that this poor dog died of the injuries , info was given second hand but i have no reason to believe that its not true.

 

As for everyone saying its how you bring them up, well this in part is very true, however breeding also has a massive impact on this. Sadly staffie's are often being bread by idiots that will purposely breed 2 aggressive dog and not give two hoots where the off spring end up. Staffs are often not KC registered and therefore there is no guarantee that the dog is not interbread.

[Zepp 10]

I'd rather not be savaged at all thank you

 

Of course you wouldn't, who would? People don't choose to be attacked by animals.

 

But if you were attacked by a dog, wouldn't you rather be attacked by a chiuaua than a staffy?