Well, for a start, the KC are meant to support responsible dog ownership regardless of the breed. Just because a dog is a cross doesn't mean they take nothing to do with that said dog. Afterall, plenty of registered agility dogs and such like are crossbreeds and take part in registered KC competitions and demonstrations, don't they?

It doesn't matter if it's a Heinz 57 or an expensive pedigree, all dog owners should be responsible, of course.

The KC can fight for legislation regarding tighter dog controls such mandatory obedience classes etc, many of which are involved with the KC and don't forget the Good Citizen scheme is a KC sceme.

The KC have a lot to do with it. It seems that they'll register almost any pedigree dog where possible, regardless of the type of breeding the pups have come from sometimes.

I didn't say that the KC will stop incidents like this one happening full stop, but they can campaign for tighter restrictions and legislation regarding tighter dog controls such mandatory obedience classes etc, many of which are involved with the KC and don't forget the Good Citizen scheme is a KC sceme. which is included in many training clubs. And many other activities also. They can work with the police and the local authorities to try to enforce it. It wouldn't be easy, but in the long term I think it would benefit dogs.

Same as I think a licence with a yearly fee and yearly training classes etc might put certain folk off owning dogs as perhaps, hopefully they wouldn't and couldn't be bothered with the "hassle". If it helps a handful of dogs ending up in the wrong hands and one accident like this happening, then it's worth it.

I know it's difficult and complex but I do feel it's something for the KC, the police, the local authorities and of course us responsible dog owners to work together to achieve. Though I know it probably won't happen! It would be great if it could though.

Predictably, the next post right after I posted this refered to Deed and not breed.

Its much of the reason I don't come on this forum anymore, people just don't seem to be able to read and digest what is printed in front of them.

Nowhere did I refer to AB's being tarred with the same brush, but refered to the two I knew and felt them to be untrustworthy.

I think too much faith is placed in the deed and not breed reference, some types of breed and importantly BREED BLOODLINES are more likely to have unsociable tendencies and only years of careful breeding and handling can make certain types of dogs "safer" whatever the breed. Sorry but a bunch of dodgy types breeding dodgy dogs just doesn't cut it.

I know a Jack Russel that attacks a larger dogs throat, a GSD that would likely rip your face off, a Staffy that would attack your dog as soon as look at it. 3 others of the same breeds are as good as gold.

Some dog owners are not fit to be dog owners, some dogs are not fit to be called domestic dogs, its the way it is and will be.

This poor young lad has been subjected to a horrific death at the jaws of a dangerous dog, and cannot believe anyone could defend the dog in anyway, shoot it? I would have clubbed the evil little **** to death and wouldn't have batted an eyelid in remorse. Defend this demented mutt if you will, shame on you if you do.

Disgusting, on so many levels.

The dog was the result of humankind, it was failed by human, as was the kid. It didn't know any better, even though we as humans know what it did was wrong, it didn't. For you to want it die so inhumanely.....words fail me.

It's those responsible for the dog and the kid that need a damn good seeing to, it's their fault, IMO.

I may be mistaken, but I thought I heard one of the tv news progs say that the dog had been trained to attack........
Dunno which channel it was. Anybody else hear it?

Snorri

for the sake of the forum i think this thread needs moderated

what an awful thing to say! And from someone who owns Dobes - once the 'devil dog' of the tabloids. This dog was a product of it's environment. The child died because the parents were negligent. End of. Humans at fault all the way. Your breed is considered dangerous and subject to legislation in some areas, as is mine. It doesn't matter what the breed was created for or how it looks, it's the individual dog and the way it has been handled that makes the dog who it is.

Why? We are all dog owners on here - I think! - and when something like this happens we NEED somewhere to let off steam however we feel.

I bet every one of us has looked at our dog at some point today and wondered: Would/Could mine ever do that?

And the sad thing is, that even though this may have nothing to do with us in terms of how we keep our dogs, you can bet there will be a backlash that does include us!

Have to agree.

humans , again failed both the child and the dogs. they were breeding these dogs and they had been reported. again human failure as the police didnt act.

Human fault.

this poor little boy suffered at the hands of those who should have had more sense.
RIP little man.

Sadly I think its yet another case of badly brought up dog( judging by the reports regarding dog breeding etc), lack of supervision - Why exactly was a 4 yr old child up at midnight ???.

It is however another attack to fuel the fire of people who want our bullies banned, that will be all of them.

Its quite clear that the DDA does not work, that the current animal legislation does not work regarding legalities of breeding/owning. The relevant authorities do not have enough legal means to remove dogs ( RSPCA/SSPCA etc), as the law isnt specific or wide enough to cover animal cruelty on the most basic level of neglect... which ultimately can lead to so many of the attacks we see where animals have never been socialised or trained but have been "fed and watered with a roof over their head"

I find it incredibly sad that the wee boy has lost his life, but I also find it really sad that on a dog forum there are people relishing in the death of this dog and claiming they would "club it to death themselves". That disgusts me.

I do agree to a point with what JOhn is saying regarding nothing will be learnt from this, however the dog will have been PTS regardless and I feel personally its fairer to do that straight away than cause the dog more distress being taken away in a police van and kennelled.

However - nothing will be learnt as although the grandmother will never forgive herself - will the uncle learn anything, will it stop them breeding ?? will they be prosecuted and banned from ever owning a dog again - will this be followed up ? Will anyone check??
NO probably not, our laws DO NOT WORK. Until that changes this will continue year on year until the government will once again be MADE to do something due to pressure and more dogs will be added to a stupid piece of paper which does nothing to tackle the problem.. which isnt the dogs themselves but the people breeding, owning and handling them ......badly.

Very very sad all round, and will wait with baited breath to what horrific photos the media will dig up to represent this "evil dog".

As an aside, my friend has a beautlful American Bulldog who adores her child, and who luca regularly plays with. Its Deed not Breed as to tar all dogs of one breed with the same brush is just fundamentally wrong.