Another baby killed

Sadly I can't see it happening either - and clearly enforcement is a problem. But can we simply leave things as they are and watch the tragedies and dangers continue? Should there not be some attempt to try and regulate all this? Do we just turn way because the solution is challenging?

A child being mauled to death is almost too shocking to contemplate. We cannot do nothing.

seacliff

The truth is that some people aren't fit to look after animals properly. They are unlikely to listen if forced to attend a course on dog behaviour. Unfortunately they seem drawn to the tough fierce looking dogs. Perhaps we should licence owners and remove dogs from unlicensed owners. But could that be instigated properly, doubtful.

We need to look at why some people feel the need to be seen with an aggressive dog because that’s a social problem. I agree that something needs to be done. We walk our dog down to the beach and there’s dog poo everywhere. Some of the dog walkers we see have several dogs running free and they definitely don’t clear up after them. It infuriates me.

Jaberwok No system is perfect. How many 100s of thousands drivers are driving untaxed and uninsured?

Chipping dogs should be compulsory. The chip can contain, as well as ownership details, whether the owner has taken the test and details of the dogs provenence could also be included.

Vets could check the chip is present and report if an unchipped dog is brought in.

It is compulsory to chip dogs I believe. It’s also against the law for a dog to not have a disc with contact details on it’s collar when it’s away from it’s home. A lot of these things aren’t well enough publicised though. We only found out about name discs at training classes.

There needs to be a clear line of authority and responsibility here. If tighter rules come in to control dog ownership they need to be policed by people who know it is their responsibility. The vague rules we have at present are policed by no-one and only come to light after a child has been mauled to death, when the police arrive. No preventive work.

Every town should have a dog warden who polices whether people are abiding by whatever rules are enacted: e.g. checking a dog walker for evidence of a licence and having undertaken a training course; stepping in if a dog is being a nuisance and issuing an on-the-spot fine like a traffic warden. People should have a number they can ring if they are being harassed by a dog, and a warden should arrive to deal with it. I can think of some estates where a full-time warden would be kept very busy.

First we need the laws, then we need the teeth, in the form of wardens on the spot.

Come on dog-owners - start lobbying for this with your MPs - it is in your interests as well as those of the innocent bystanders who bear the brunt of dog misbehaviour. It is not good enough to just say ..... well, I'm a great dog-owner, I am doing everything right.

Good to read your point to view again Luckygirl, and again, and again

The dog was an American XL Bully. This is a legal breed it looks a bit like a stuffy and has wide jaws. A neighbour of mine has recently got one along with an Akita. The have a 2year old, a 5 year old with learning diffs and a 9 year old. They only walked the dogs for a few weeks and now they are confined in the house apart from toilet times in the garden. I live in fear for those kids.
I am so sorry for the lovely little girl what a terrible way to die RIP little angel

Akita were originally called Japanese Fighting Dogs I believe
There are only four banned types in U.K. I do believe there should be more banned breeds Ie the dogs with lock on jaws for a start
These are the breeds that are banned, I ve only heard of the first one

Pit Bull Terrier.
Japanese Tosa.
Dogo Argentino.
Fila Brasileiro.

There are several people that you can contact if you are concerned about a dangerous dog in your area. When our dog was attacked we were supported by the police and a safe neighbourhood officer at our local council. This was after getting a crime number from the police. A dog doesn’t actually have to attack anyone for a report to be made: if you are afraid in your own neighbourhood you can contact the council. He, along with the police, visited the owner of the dog. We only met him by accident and he has told us to contact him if we have any further problems. If you get a crime number the police can then notice if there’s a pattern forming with a particular dog. There are lots of ways you can air your complaints but unfortunately they aren’t very well publicised. We didn’t contact the dog warden but we could have done. My daughter didn’t report a dog that attacked her dog and it attacked another dog soon after: the same thing had happened with ours and the owner of the other dog felt awful that she hadn’t reported her dogs attack to the police. Every incident needs to be reported.

Jody1234

Good to read your point to view again Luckygirl, and again, and again

Gosh - I am not really sure that sarcasm is appropriate on a thread about children being killed.

Good points, Luckygirl3. It would take a huge effort to properly control dog ownership as there are so many dogs and it has all been so casual for so long. But it should be done, as it should have been done many years ago. Few people are brave enough to tackle the dog brigade, who will set on them like a pack of wolves. There are many who would rather have children killed than agree to proper dog controls.

By the way, it's not always dangerous breeds who attack children. At least one of the links I posted involves a supposedly non-dangerous dog breed.

I think you would need more than one dog Warden in an urban situation . Probably in the countryside too. One Warden would be hard put to police one housing estate never mind other areas of the average town, never mind city. I don't think the average vet would want to be expected to report people for non microchipping! Why on earth should they, checking that people are obeying the law is not their responsibility.

But who knows? - they might feel a sense of responsibility for children's safety.

There needs to be a working party looking at the options and a white paper. The situation as it is is not tenable.

Chestnut

Good points, Luckygirl3. It would take a huge effort to properly control dog ownership as there are so many dogs and it has all been so casual for so long. But it should be done, as it should have been done many years ago. Few people are brave enough to tackle the dog brigade, who will set on them like a pack of wolves. There are many who would rather have children killed than agree to proper dog controls.

By the way, it's not always dangerous breeds who attack children. At least one of the links I posted involves a supposedly non-dangerous dog breed.

Seriously - you’re accusing the responsible dog owners who contributed positively here of setting on others ‘like a pack of Wolves” ?

MayBee70

There are several people that you can contact if you are concerned about a dangerous dog in your area. When our dog was attacked we were supported by the police and a safe neighbourhood officer at our local council. This was after getting a crime number from the police. A dog doesn’t actually have to attack anyone for a report to be made: if you are afraid in your own neighbourhood you can contact the council. He, along with the police, visited the owner of the dog. We only met him by accident and he has told us to contact him if we have any further problems. If you get a crime number the police can then notice if there’s a pattern forming with a particular dog. There are lots of ways you can air your complaints but unfortunately they aren’t very well publicised. We didn’t contact the dog warden but we could have done. My daughter didn’t report a dog that attacked her dog and it attacked another dog soon after: the same thing had happened with ours and the owner of the other dog felt awful that she hadn’t reported her dogs attack to the police. Every incident needs to be reported.

Hello! Is anyone bothering to read the options I’ve given if anyone is concerned about a dog behaving dangerously. Especially as I have been at the receiving end of a dog attack? Or doesn’t it matter that it was my nasty horrible dog that was attacked and not a person…(I give up….)

I agree with you Maybee all situations regarding dog attacks should be reported. I did mention further up the thread that the Dog Warden should be brought into these situations but was told that they no longer existed.

I don't understand where you say "it was my nasty horrible dog that was attacked and not a person".

No on one this thread has disputed that something needs to be done, we are all in agreement with that.

I am sorry your dog was attacked what a dreadful thing to happen. I can understand how upsetting it was for you. Legislation should be brought in, I agree with you, but I think the policing of it, as Jaberwok has mentioned, could be problematic.

I hope your dog is better and has recovered.

Thankfully she wasn’t hurt because DH had his walking boots on and kicked it off. It had almost killed another dog the week before though which hadn’t been reported which is why I feel so strongly that all dog attacks should be reported. The man from the council was the most helpful one though as he was an ex policeman and I got the impression that he had dealt with dog attacks ( I could be wrong). But no one seems to realise that these community safety officers exist.

Jody as I said before Dog wardens were removed from my area a few years ago and they no longer exist here obviously each area spends its money on what it considers necessary and it seems the large area I live in has got rid of them

Yes, I understand that Bluebelle. I suppose the answer is to ring the council and find out what is available in the area you live in.

We have a dog warden who responds within hours to emails or phone messages. He visits, takes your complaint and acts. A neighbour has not spoken to me since I reported her aggressive dog and she was warned that because of previous complaints she’d be taken to court if there was another report. She got 1-1 training for her and the dog -no further problems

Out CSO works closely with residents and the dog warden
Their hands are tied

Lucky what makes you assume the ‘dog brigade’ aren’t already campaigning, in touch with councilors and mp’s. Many of us are, as well as supporting charities or the kennel club in its efforts

Chestnut I don't think anyone who has commented on this post has said anything to indicate they would rather have children killed than agree to proper dog controls. That is totally unfounded and unfair.

There has been balanced discussion and everyone - whether pro or anti dog - has been horrified about the attacks on the poor children and thoroughly behind better controls on dogs, owners, breeders, sellers, walkers and trainers.

I don't like the phrase "dog brigade" and have not used it.

I am not aware of any dog lovers of my acquaintance who have taken action about getting some proper legislation in place to try and resolve this situation - but if there are people on the case with it then I am delighted to hear that.

I think there needs to be a proper government study and a white paper leading to tight enforceable legislation with teeth in place. No-one can possibly want to see the continuation of fatal attacks and injuries and dog nuisance.

One of the difficulties with progress is that often bringing up the subject results in more than a little flack as dogs are an emotive topic.

Coastpath

Chestnut I don't think anyone who has commented on this post has said anything to indicate they would rather have children killed than agree to proper dog controls. That is totally unfounded and unfair.

There has been balanced discussion and everyone - whether pro or anti dog - has been horrified about the attacks on the poor children and thoroughly behind better controls on dogs, owners, breeders, sellers, walkers and trainers.

I never accused anyone on this thread of anything!

But there is a 'dog brigade' who will fight tooth and nail to stop licensing and anything they see as anti-dog. I never said any posters here are like that, but there are such people.

I think true dog lovers do support tighter controls. It is dog exploiters that don't want them!
Dogs are expensive to keep. There are far too many dogs ..especially in dog shelters & being euthanased because they are unwanted.

We need to limit breeding..both legal & illegal...

The two year old boy bitten in Worcester by three dogs has now died. Just horrific.