Another Tragic Dog Mauling

[Prudie]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2487849/Leicester-girl-dies-bitten-dog-Mountsorrel.html
Firstly I cannot imagine the pain this young mother is going through so not the time to make judgemental comments about her but I have to ask, this huge dog supposedly came from an animal charity - who seemed content for it to go to a one bedroom flat, where dogs were not allowed anyway, with a young child in the home. I hope they are feeling ashamed this morning. Poor dog too, I really don't know what the answer is with these status dogs?

[andy-hughes]

Mike25, I am sure you have considered this, but look at the upcoming sitation from your dogs' perspective -

They have happily settled into pack life, knowing their places as equals, with the 'senior' pack members in place.

Now, a new pack member is going to arrive, smaller and weaker than them, but assuming an unearned higher position in the hierarchy from day one.

It won't take the dogs long to feel usurped in their position, and to take what they see as appropriate action - a smaller weaker pack member who is taking presidence is usually dealt with in only one way.

Think about it.

[rockyracoon]

Just been on Sky News that it came from Orchards Kennel and Cattery but they've declined to comment.

[pixie373]

I read this online last night. It's horrific. I thought they were looking after the dog for a friend, although why it stayed 4 weeks, I'm not sure. Have you seen the size of it?!

[Mike25]

Andy you are looking at the worse case, many dog owners have new additions to their family/pack all the time.

[rockyracoon]

Only you know your dogs Mike.

[mrs_overall]

Large dogs of this type + small children = potential recipe for disaster

[andy-hughes]

Mike25 - of course i am looking at 'worse case'.

But who wants to be the parent of the child and owner of the dog when the 'worse case' occurs?

You'd like to think that no-one would actually be allowed to keep owning a dog that had fatally attacked a child, so by definition, this is only ever going to happen once.

But once is enough.

[pixie373]

Yes, once is too many times. But dogs are so individual. It is largely to do with breed. Years of breeding for guarding/herding /companionship does all make a difference to a dog's character, as does the way it is treated and trained. That doesn't mean all big dogs are dangerous, but you have to consider they have been bred over generations for different purposes.

[rockyracoon]

There was a case about a year ago when a new born baby was killed by a Jack Russell, so it goes to show that NO dog should be left alone with a baby.

[bednobs]

There was one dog that we were particulary concerned about, a bit uppity, top dog, but gives plenty of warnings when he has had enough. However, we were astute enough to realise you can't expect a child to know or understand those warning signals. That particular dog was re-homed. We were incredibly lucky in that our friend really had a very good relationship with him, and was about to retire and sail off on his boat, and was looking for a dog. Our dog and him went off for a 2 week "holiday" to see how they got on and it was fabulous. the dog was in fact happier with him because he had the undivided attention of 1 person (plus he was a chef, so also had loads of tasty goodies!)
the other 2 are never left alone with the child, and are in fact both as daft as brushes anyway, although andy i do take your point of view into consideration

[pixie373]

From wiki, about the French Mastiff
//Bordeaux are very powerful dogs, with a very muscular body. This brawny breed has been put to work in many different capacities, from pulling carts and hauling heavy objects, to guarding flocks and, historically, the castles of the European elite.//

so i doubt 4 weeks of living in a flat would have changed these instincts. It's down to human ignorance. And Jack Russells were bred to be aggressive, so that wouldn't be a surprise, either.

[rockyracoon]

Indeed Pixie, I was just making the point that it's not always big dogs.

[FredPuli43]

The first, obvious, difference between a mastiff or any large breed and the small ones is that an attack from a big one is more likely to be fatal. The second is that mastiffs were not originally bred as lap dogs or house pets; they were bred for protecting property or people or for fighting other dogs. This element will persist, regardless of how much they are bred for show; they have a stronger sense of dominance, and are equipped with the jaws and muscles to assert it.

Wolfhounds were not, but I would never let mine in company of a child whether alone or as a group. It is sheer madness to do so, because you never know what the child may do, innocently or not, which will trigger the attack response. Having seen two of mine fighting once, you wouldn't want any child involved in that aggression, though normally they are as mild and as friendly to each other as kittens, and are always utterly friendly to humans; they can do serious damage, but, being evenly matched, no real harm comes of it.

And keeping a big dog in a small flat is never going to be conducive to it being calm.

[rockyracoon]

I don't let my dog near kids, he's a big wuss with us but he's over protective of the family and looks for potential threats everywhere.

[corylus]

It's not the dog at fault here, it's the irresponsible supplier and owner.

[daffy654]

The dog that killed the little girl wasn't the french mastiff she was originally pictured with on news sites, it was a different bulldog type breed.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-24839612

[andy-hughes]

daffy - is that important?

[Maggoty]

All dogs, regardless of breed and usual temperament, can bite.

Its just easier to fight off, and protect against, a Chihuahua than it is a mastiff. Hence a poodle or Jack Russell may be more inclined to be snappy but its the Dobermans, Rotties, staffs, mastiffs etc that get the press because of the damage they do. (sorry if I have upset poodle and JR owners - just used them as examples as they are small dogs :-) )

I just adore mastiffs (tho Russian Terriers are my faves) and came close to getting one - but knew that I just wouldn't be able to control it.

So, if blame is to be apportioned, the rehoming centre and the parents must shoulder that - not the dog.

There are no lessons to be learnt here surely? A large dog, previously abused, small flat, small unattended child. Bad idea. Hardly an epiphany.

x

[daffy654]

It is only important in that people are assuming it was the huge mastiff pictured with the girl on many articles that killed her.

[Maggoty]

Daffy. I did not know that! You just assume that it was the dog in the picture.

So one can only assume that they are 'used' to large breeds then, if they either have or are on friendly terms with the mastiff.

So sad tho,,,,