Another tragedy

According too todays paper the guy could have been haveing a fit or some type of seizure at the time the dog attacked him.This is a possability as he was only 22 years old and should have been able too fight the dog off under normal circumstances. A friend of the deceased did say that the dogs behaviour had changed and become more aggressive over the last couple of months.A tragic case.

peter.

Indeed Peter tragic - I believe dogs react to what they consider weird sounds - and having a seizure would be one.  I am truly concerned that my son and DIL are not careful enough with the new babe - they have two Cavapoos (cavalier KC x poodles both boys) and the babe has been left in the small rocker - easily within reach of the dogs.  On the surface the dogs look quite fond of the baby but who knows if he gives off the wrong signals in the dogs minds? 

Well Pippah thats the problem with animals we dont know for sure what they will do in any given situation and in this case it seems the poor lad was in no position too defend himself and there was nobody there too help him.

peter.

Awful for the poor man, an undoubted tragedy. Pit bulls are on the DDA list, however, no one seems to check who buys/owns a listed dog, nor is there likely to be much law enforcement given that our Police forces are stretched to the limit. They are a known problem, so why take one on? Only the owner will know that, and has to live with any consequences. Given that they are supposed to be neutered, and that it is illegal to sell one, then you have to wonder to what lengths people go to obtain a Pit Bull.

Not to be confused with Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or English Bull Terriers, totally different breeds. 

It is sad to see so many of the owners of Dogs(any breed) coming out with the statement-'but it wouldn't bite or be aggressive to anyone' either before or after an attack. NO Dog is predictable anyone who thinks otherwise is courting tragedy. Never ever should a Dog be left alone with the vulnerable of any age. These painful tragedies are avoidable.

yes

As Martin Clunes said in his programme about dogs,"you are living with a wolf" no matter what breed it is

Absolutely true.... and if anyone notices a difference in the behaviour of their dog, then a trip to the vet is not a bad idea! (yes I know it costs, but that's much better than someone being injured/scarred/killed)

I fell downstairs a few years ago and mine all descended on me in a pack thinking I was playing!  I was very glad I hadn't injured myself!  I am cautious about the epileptic labrador and the other dog - as she pokes her nose in when a seizure is on.  It is of course natural for fit dogs to kill off what they consider an injured one or weak one - such a tragedy - with the Wolf in any breed and of course they are animals too.  My father was always convinced that my GSDs would kill me - only injuries from the two he didn't trust was a concussion in a play incident! 

As Martin Clunes said in his programme about dogs,"you are living with a wolf" no matter what breed it is

Write your comments here...absolutely right, this pedigree thing is just a manmade misnomer for inbreeding! 

Also like us human 'creatures' I'm sure there are dogs which are mentally/socially/emotionally different to the rest of the pack. Both nature and nurture play there parts. Thankfully all my dogs have been excellent faithfull friends and companions but I've always been aware of the fact that even the most placid ones could behave unpredictably even though I never witnessed the likes.