Devil Dogs!!!!......Or Are They?
Following the recent tragic incident in Leicester in which a five month old baby was killed by two Rottweilers in a pub, there has been a huge amount said and written about such animals. I do not intend to talk about the specifics of this case as it is still under investigation, a inquest has yet to be held and therefore it would be inappropriate to do so.
Having said that, one thing is clear. There were three victims in this case, the baby and the two dogs. All three victims are now dead. Whenever dogs are confused and are given the role of 'Decision Maker' in their family group or 'pack' the likelihood of confrontational situations is increased. When the dogs are large dogs then that confrontation can turn to tragedy.If you are going to own a dog you have a responsibility to ensure that your dog is safe and under control at all times. NEVER leave a young child alone with a dog whatever its size.
As soon as news of this tragedy became public we had the expected knee-jerk reaction. Put down all rottweilers, Outlaw all large dogs, Muzzle all dogs, All dogs must go 'for training', Bring back Dog licences etc. etc.
We need to think this through. We should have learnt by now that law made in haste is almost always 'bad law'. What is going to be classified as a 'Large Dog'. What are the Police, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Gamekeepers, to name but a few essential groups going to use? "Police Officer with a dog! Put the knife down now or I'll send the Pomeranian!!!". No, I'm sorry it doesn't have quite the street cred about it. Visually impaired people bent double being guided by Chihuahuas? It's a non starter.
If all dogs are to be trained then to what standard? Who is going to do it? How are we to be sure that these people have the skills and experience needed. At the moment anybody can set themselves up as a dog trainer with nil credentials (and many do). A local hall can be hired and away you go. If the dog does not respond well you can just tell the owner that the dog is 'over the top' or 'untrainable' and should be put down. The usual remedy for failed traditional methods is castration, they never seem to have an answer if you ask what you should cut off of a bitch to improve their behaviour. Let us be clear on this matter. Castration will never cure behavioural problems, in most cases it will make it worse. Why not save your dog from a needless surgical procedure with all the attendant risks, the resultant imbalance in testosterone in his body. If that doesn't influence you then why not just save yourself a large vets bill?
Dog licences. How is that going to help? Is the tattooed neanderthal who uses his poor dog(s) as an extension of, (or substitute for), his manhood going to line up at the post office to comply? Only the responsible owners will dutifully pay a few more pounds in yet another tax. The irresponsble will carry on as before.
Who is going to police all this new legislation? The Police don't have the resources to do it. The R.S.P.C.A. have nowhere near enough staff. One Government Minister when asked this question said that the local Council Dog Warden could take on the job!! Of course there would be no more money or resources from central Government the cost would have to be borne by the council tax payer. No change there then.
We need to cut through all the hysteria and make it clear to everybody that if they have a dog of any age, breed or gender, neutered or intact then it is their responsibility to ensure that the dog knows his place in the scheme of things and is never allowed to think that they are the decision makers. that way lies tragedy. Ask any postman which breeds are most prone to bite, you might be surprised. Trying to pin the blame on specific breeds will not work. Any dog can bite, any dog can be a sweetie. The only reason that breed makes a difference is that a bite from a large dog will cause more damage than one from a small dog.
Is there a way that a responsible dog owner could understand why a dog acts and reacts the way it does in every aspect of day to day life? It's funny that you ask that, the answer is as always Amichien Bonding. Please read the rest of my blog and visit my website to learn more.
Having said that, one thing is clear. There were three victims in this case, the baby and the two dogs. All three victims are now dead. Whenever dogs are confused and are given the role of 'Decision Maker' in their family group or 'pack' the likelihood of confrontational situations is increased. When the dogs are large dogs then that confrontation can turn to tragedy.If you are going to own a dog you have a responsibility to ensure that your dog is safe and under control at all times. NEVER leave a young child alone with a dog whatever its size.
As soon as news of this tragedy became public we had the expected knee-jerk reaction. Put down all rottweilers, Outlaw all large dogs, Muzzle all dogs, All dogs must go 'for training', Bring back Dog licences etc. etc.
We need to think this through. We should have learnt by now that law made in haste is almost always 'bad law'. What is going to be classified as a 'Large Dog'. What are the Police, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Gamekeepers, to name but a few essential groups going to use? "Police Officer with a dog! Put the knife down now or I'll send the Pomeranian!!!". No, I'm sorry it doesn't have quite the street cred about it. Visually impaired people bent double being guided by Chihuahuas? It's a non starter.
If all dogs are to be trained then to what standard? Who is going to do it? How are we to be sure that these people have the skills and experience needed. At the moment anybody can set themselves up as a dog trainer with nil credentials (and many do). A local hall can be hired and away you go. If the dog does not respond well you can just tell the owner that the dog is 'over the top' or 'untrainable' and should be put down. The usual remedy for failed traditional methods is castration, they never seem to have an answer if you ask what you should cut off of a bitch to improve their behaviour. Let us be clear on this matter. Castration will never cure behavioural problems, in most cases it will make it worse. Why not save your dog from a needless surgical procedure with all the attendant risks, the resultant imbalance in testosterone in his body. If that doesn't influence you then why not just save yourself a large vets bill?
Dog licences. How is that going to help? Is the tattooed neanderthal who uses his poor dog(s) as an extension of, (or substitute for), his manhood going to line up at the post office to comply? Only the responsible owners will dutifully pay a few more pounds in yet another tax. The irresponsble will carry on as before.
Who is going to police all this new legislation? The Police don't have the resources to do it. The R.S.P.C.A. have nowhere near enough staff. One Government Minister when asked this question said that the local Council Dog Warden could take on the job!! Of course there would be no more money or resources from central Government the cost would have to be borne by the council tax payer. No change there then.
We need to cut through all the hysteria and make it clear to everybody that if they have a dog of any age, breed or gender, neutered or intact then it is their responsibility to ensure that the dog knows his place in the scheme of things and is never allowed to think that they are the decision makers. that way lies tragedy. Ask any postman which breeds are most prone to bite, you might be surprised. Trying to pin the blame on specific breeds will not work. Any dog can bite, any dog can be a sweetie. The only reason that breed makes a difference is that a bite from a large dog will cause more damage than one from a small dog.
Is there a way that a responsible dog owner could understand why a dog acts and reacts the way it does in every aspect of day to day life? It's funny that you ask that, the answer is as always Amichien Bonding. Please read the rest of my blog and visit my website to learn more.
Labels: Amichien-Bonding, Dogs-in-the-news
posted by Robin Glover at
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
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