Yet Another Dog Killing.

[Canary42]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-22672602

When is it going to be made compulsory for all dogs to wear muzzles at all times when outside owner's home ?

It doesn't affect the dog, but ensures the safety of the general public.

Self-styled dog lovers have had it their own way for far too long.

[friedgreentomato]

I currently don't have dogs but have in the past and would not muzzle any of them - the were all well behaved on and off the lead and did as they were told!

[viv38]

Because you were a decent, responsible owner, like the vast majority of us, fried.

[Maydup]

But any punishment is too late after the event.

The dog owner I encountered in the park the other day was neither a chav nor a moron. She was a middle aged woman with a big over excited dog. Its enthusiasm and friendliness was overwhelming and unwelcome. It nearly had me over and almost crushed the toddlers. It wanted to play ball with the baby and with the picnic bag. No doubt the woman would have been devastated had anything happened, but why should we be at risk in the first place?

Once the event is over and we all sigh with relief there seems little point in reporting her; she might set the dog on us! oh its only being friendly say dog owners! I had to walk away for fear I'd push her in the river.

[viv38]

But the dog was friendly maydup, it wasn't attacking anyone! Yes, the owner should have been more responsible, I agree.

[seadogg]

It worries me that dogs like yours, viv, are in danger of attack by pit bulls and other misused dogs and it can be difficult to get redress, (apart from the grief suffered by loving owners).

I happen to live in a "safe" area but on some estates there are packs of dogs roaming loose and its a damn shame for the decent folk who live there.

[daisya]

I agree with seaddog, it's not just people who suffer from these dogs and irresponsible owners, it's other dogs too which all in all is horrendous and should never have been allowed to get this bad imo.

[Ratty2E]

I'm not sure what a 'self styled dog lover' is but I do think there needs to be some sort or regulation on dog ownership. I have been around dogs (showing and breeding) all my life and have rarely met one that needs to be muzzled. Saying that I have mostly been around responsible dog owners which makes all the difference. All breeders should be licensed and inspected regularly, puppies chipped and a complete record kept throughout their whole life, so any dog can be scanned and it's history instantly available. All new puppy owners should have to take their dogs to socialising and basic obedience classes as part of them being entitled to have a dog licence. There also needs to be a lot more dog wardens patrolling, but it will never happen.

[friedgreentomato]

all dogs in northern ireland have to be liscensed and all puppies microchipped

[seadogg]

I bet many of us know owners who had to go through the trauma of having their animals savaged, daisy. I also wouldn't be surprised if the dog warden service isn't one that will suffer in the present round of financial cuts.

[daisya]

Personally I would prefer it if only licenced people can breed dogs and those who buy dogs have to have them neutered or speyed. It might just help reduce the unwanted dogs that are put down year after year...poor animals don't ask to be born do they. Agree with licencing the owners too and micro chipping the dog.

[seadogg]

Agree with every word Ratty but I dont see why you need to use the pejorative "self styled" about dog lovers.

[daisya]

Wouldn't surprise me either about the warden service seadogg. Poor animals and poor victims of irresponsible people.

[Baldric]

///self styled///

see the OP

[viv38]

seadogg - my dog has been attacked by a staffie and only recently. It saw us and just ran at my dog growling and grabbed him by the face. My poor lad only whimpered and just stood there. I don't know where I got the strength from and don't remember much about it, but I grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and held it up screaming out for somebody to help me. To cut a long story short, it attacked three other dogs that morning, one badly enought to go to the vet. It was a lone dog with no collar and no owner in sight. I know the police were called. Luckily, apart from a cut tounge, my dog was unhurt.

[daisya]

Oh viv how horrendous for your poor dog and you having to deal with it, also of course the other dogs it attacked. I must say I know what I would like to do with the owners of these poor animals...but as this is a family site I daren't say! Hope you and your dog aren't too traumatised by the attack, we never used to hear of such things that many years ago, just shows how society has changed (and not for the better in my opinion).

[viv38]

Thank you daisya. Luckily my dog wasn't traumatised at all and I thought he would be. When we got away from the dog that morning, he just carried on sniffing and cocking his leg! It could have been much worse I know, but my adrenaline was pumping and I got it off him, don't know how really ! About an hour after the attack, I started shaking and couldn't stop -delayed reaction. I agree these type of things never used to happen and I don't know how it will ever change.

[Purple_Popple]

Im a firm believer in 'deed not breed' !
Some people dont think before they buy a dog, they just dont realise the hard work that is required to own a dog on a daily basis, especially from a puppy, they cant be bothered with discipline and training the dog and routines and consistency and so many 'dog owners' wonder why there dog pulls on the lead, or is destructive. It is a shame these attacks happen, but the owners are to blame.

[brionon]

What about the self styled Car lovers ? The kill Thousands a year !!!

[Canary42]

This thread is about dogs, not cars. I doubt you would like my solution to the car problem.

Thank you to all contributors to this slightly provocatively-worded question, and while I realise muzzling is not a popular solution in many circles, it is still one I believe in even though it wouldn't overcome the fear generated in small children by over-friendly exuberant dogs. It makes me joyful when I go to dog-free places like the Woodland Garden in London's Bushy Park to see little children playing happily where there are no dogs to frighten them or pollute their environment.

[DaisyNonna]

Why were dog licences abolished?