Another tragedy

I think it is dangerous in situations like this to confuse actual pit bulls and pit bull types. Any dog of any breed or combination of breeds can be deemed pit bull type if they fit a set of measurements. I haven't seen the news about this other than the headlines. Bull breeds actually tend to be very good with people (thinking about what they are bred to do you do not want a dog that is going to turn and attack their owner during a fight) but I can understand a dog being confused by a fit if that was indeed what happened.

I used to work in a vets and one of the saddest things I remember was a lab that had a brain tumour (diagnosed post mortem) and had to be put to sleep after attacking one of the grandkids - this was a dog that had spent many years as a much loved family pet with no issues at all with the kids. It was so sad seeing how upset the owners were. As AJB says changes in behaviour can be down to a medical issue so worth getting checked out.

Sad and tragic as they are, these events though extremely rare, are a fact and do/will happen. Just a thought, I'm no behaviourist but with pack animals there always seems to be an alpha adult. The subordinates will accept their position in the 'pecking order' but these betas will bide their time and strike out for leadership at any sign of weakness and will take the opportunity to overpower the 'top dog'. We as owners of dogs assume the alpha role. 

Actually we don't. The research that domestic dogs operate by pack theory in terms of alpha members etc (and in fact the original research into wolves) has long since been disproved. The research was done on an artificially created pack - the individuals did not know each other and were forcedto live together so the pack they created was nothing like the dynamic in a real wolf pack. Link explaining if anyone is interested in reading further - http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_12/features/Alpha-Dogs_20416-1.html

Actually we don't. The research that domestic dogs operate by pack theory in terms of alpha members etc (and in fact the original research into wolves) has long since been disproved. The research was done on an artificially created pack - the individuals did not know each other and were forcedto live together so the pack they created was nothing like the dynamic in a real wolf pack. Link explaining if anyone is interested in reading further - http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_12/features/Alpha-Dogs_20416-1.html

Write your comments here...yes I've seen this article before but don't forget, like my suggestion, it is just a theory, nothing more! Artificially trying to recreate a pack with already adult 'socialised' dogs proves very little If anything. The core dominant instincts may run deep and dormant until triggered.

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. 

Write your comments here...thanks TDA ,we have a Staffie in our household.She is has been professionally trained and has excellent manners and is not a "thugs" dog.However we would never leave her alone with a child or a vulnerable adult but we would not do that with any breed of dog.The problem with most  problem dogs  is at the end of the lead held by the owner.

According  to  B,B.C.  Lancashire  today  --  The  young  man  was  having  an  Epileptic  Fit.  They  also  stated  that  the  dog,  which  has  been  destroyed,  was  NOT  a  Banned  Breed.

None  the  less  its  still  a  tragedy  all  round.

Brian

My cocker goes mad if you even sneeze. I suspect this dog got very excited and then scared by the fit and then its natural self preservation instinct kicked in.

A sad lesson to us all that dogs "can" revert back to "dog" pretty quickly.

Any dog can pose a threat - doesnt have to be a 'type'. We have two GS crosses and before that we had another GS and a bull terrier, before that medium/large crossbreeds.   All could have been potentially dangerous if they decided to bite.  Breed specific legislation is inherantly flawed - some of the worse behaved dogs are the little yappy snappys. What does need controlling is the random breeding and lack of socialisation/care/training that some dogs suffer from.  Also the way some children are allowed to treat dogs like toys.

All dogs should now be chipped but whether there will actually be any enforcement I dont know - there certainly isnt in the horse world where passports and chips have been mandatory for years.

  I personally believe all dogs should also be neutered unless owned by a suitable breeder (not KC approved as a breed type but an approved breeder) but how that would be enforced I am not sure as the backyard breeders would just claim ''accidental'' breeding.

Any dog can pose a threat - doesnt have to be a 'type'. We have two GS crosses and before that we had another GS and a bull terrier, before that medium/large crossbreeds.   All could have been potentially dangerous if they decided to bite.  Breed specific legislation is inherantly flawed - some of the worse behaved dogs are the little yappy snappys. What does need controlling is the random breeding and lack of socialisation/care/training that some dogs suffer from.  Also the way some children are allowed to treat dogs like toys.

All dogs should now be chipped but whether there will actually be any enforcement I dont know - there certainly isnt in the horse world where passports and chips have been mandatory for years.

  I personally believe all dogs should also be neutered unless owned by a suitable breeder (not KC approved as a breed type but an approved breeder) but how that would be enforced I am not sure as the backyard breeders would just claim ''accidental'' breeding.

Write your comments here...not sure neutering should be manditory. We owned an intact std schnauzer who was the most placid, respectful and friendly companion. We also had a cockerpoo with all his attributes and never had an issue with him either. However, we were always mindful of the heritage of all dogs and maybe this neutering should be applied to those breeds only which have caused concerns!

Its all about training imo. But never trust any dog with vulnerable people of any age.