Woman killed/Belgian Mastiff shot in attack

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20101224/...d-45dbed5.html

BBC: Woman killed in dog attack in south London

I just saw on the news that a Belgian Mastiff has attacked and killed its owner and was then shot by armed police
What on earth happened? They had a puppy too but that has been taken in to rescue
poor woman must hae been terrified
wonder what happened to the dog to turn like that?

i just posted about this too...
its awful! wonder what happened? what spurred this?

All very sad. As I'd never heard of this breed before I googled it, and apparentley The Belgian KC believe it to be extinct!

I had never heard of it either I googled images of it and not sure if it is an actual breed in existence or just they are "claiming" that's what it is (either the owners or authorities?)

So sad that two lives lost. Wonder what details will filter out over the next few days

You have to remember that a) whoever informed the media of the breed may have no knowledge of any breeds in particular! b) the misinformation may be deliberate as at the time of broadcast the next of kin had not been informed............

I had to google it too, very varying pictures came up. It isn't in my book - The Ultimate Book of Mastiff Breeds...

I`ve been expecting this. Mastiff crosses seem to be the new `hard` dog. I doubt it was a family pet.

the other thing Ive wondered about is why broadcast it when relatives havn't yet been informed

Have to say i agree, I saw a poor Mastiff x being hauled around the busy city centre the other day - yes with all the christmas shoppers etc, it is horrible to stereotype and I am prepared to admit I may be wrong but huge chain type lead with massive studded collar and the 2 legged end of the lead was drinking from can of lager and shaved head with loads of tattoos (again I do not mean to cause offence to anyone who fits that description but when combined with all the factors it makes me jump to conclusions ) Anyway the dog looked extremely unhappy and on edge and it was surrounded by hundreds of bustling jostling shoppers