This is such a tragic event; my heart goes out to the small boy and his family. This story has really got to me, not because I’m an American Bulldog owner who doesn’t want any negativity about the breed of dog I own but because a small boy died and some of the facts mirror my family. I have two boys aged 5 and 1. On any normal weekday my son who’s 5 would be at school, I would be at work and my youngest would be at home with his mother and Lola, our AB. It makes my sick to the pit of my stomach to think what if…Temperament wise we have no doubts about Lola with the children, however we also never leave Lola or any dog for that matter with the children alone.

I would never let Lola run free in a busy park, not because she is aggressive, totally the opposite, she is fantastic with children, adults and other dogs. The reason I don’t is, just in case. With a powerful dog I think it’s irresponsible not to think ahead and what might happen. If you don’t it may be too late.

If there’s anything, which can be taken from this horrible story is that people need to educate themselves about dog ownership. I believe the media has a big part to play in this. Most of us on here would have heard off, or know the difference between food, fear and dominance aggression, likewise most of know that you should never leave a dog alone with children. I think that’s because we are dog enthusiast. Unfortunately we’re only small number of dog owners and the general dog owner wouldn’t possible know things which we see as common sense.

Something else we need to seriously think about is the topic of breeding. Now I know this is a contentious issue, and should probably saved for another time but I think the whole subject needs discussing.

I dont think breeding is the issue bad breeding goes on everywhere, in everyday life with every single breed and theres not an awful lot people can do to stop it

One thing that does need highlighting is with the AB or any other Bull Breed responsible dog ownership is the key, I am not saying the parents of the poor child were bad owners but its possible they knew absolutley nothing about the American Bulldog, they are a big strong powerful breed and novices to the breed should cetainly not even contemplate taking this breed on without doing extensive research.
Responsible Breeders need to take heed where there AB puppies end up and who with - There lies the problem.

hi kimberley - No sweetie - i didnt mean to sound as if I am having a go - aI just get really angry with these type of stories - so was going all forth to make my point - I didnt take offence to what you said - was just trying to make a point !!! I am very tactful NOT !!LOL

i agree with Whiz and afc101 - its a responsibility to make sure you have the right dog to suit your environment and again whilst without soudnign unconcerned for the fact that a child died - as this is horrific - I do also get angry with the Sun's usual reporting style and also the fact that the details are 1:25pm - enjoying the sun in the garden - sorry but it was soo hot yesterday Bruno was indoors with a fan !

You just dont know the circumstances about whats happened and I just wait for all the horror stories about bull breeds to come pouring out again.

Its just sad all round

Hi Whiz,

I agree with you about bad breeding goes on everywhere, (although do we know that this AB was badly bred, Kirsty is there a way we can find out the ped and breeder of this dog?)

Over the last couple of years I have been really interested in dogs & learning loads of new things. However the one thing that I've noticed is the closed clique (not so much on this website) when it comes to breeding, how to brred the right way. Now someone who is determined to breed will breed regardless. so instead of saying don't breed. how about educating on how to breed the right way.

With whole AB thing, alot of people do not realise what they have at the end of the lead... they are not for the first time dog owner. At least with me and Ian is that we had experience with bull breeds before getting our boy.

The problem is with some (and I mean some) AB breeders is they don't care where there dogs end up, they only think of the ££££'s.

I think with the AB is that stricter contracts should be drawn up and be tougher on who these dogs go to. Some people think its great to put a couple of dogs together for mating without doing any sort of research on there history or temp.

I agree people who are dead set on breeding will do it anyway regardless of what people say, I was not saying as such the dog in question was badly bred it may not have been, but without knowing the full circumstances no one apart from the owners will know why the dog did what it did.
Sadly those parts to the tragedy do not make the news

I feel very sorry for the family and the little boy I also feel for the dog. Breeders of the AB need to make a stand now because this is just the kind of news our dogs didnt need Or any breed of dog for that matter.

Kirsty, thats excatly why I think maybe we (well not me as I'm not an expert) should educate people into who, what why choose certain dogs to breed, instead of refusing to help, hoping this will discourage people from breeding as it won't. In the long run it these people who will ruin the breed

me too ive been told im as suttle as a brick i do try to think before i speak but sometimes it doesnt work and i put my foot in it and upset peeps

I must say I have to agree also. The sun is always blaming attacks on bulltype breeds and every picture they show is this tan type pit looking aggressive on a lead. And for a large dog to be out in the sun all day is just asking for trouble, the heat can do a lot to an animal, not just dogs. I remember taking my old horse out one morning and it wasn't even that hot but she thought it was and she went crazy, like a bucking bronco. We know how we feel in the heat, animals must find it even more difficult.

Dogs can sometimes have a mind of their own but it is a lot to do with responsibility, socialising and training. And yes AB's are not always a dog for first time owners, just because they like the look of a dog doesn't mean its going to be the right one for them. And yes, its a lot to do with breeders selling to anyone, just breeding for the money. This is such a sad story but I bet there could have been precautions. Prevention is better than cure. I would NEVER leave a child unattended with a dog, ANY dog. And bull breeds are very strong and powerful animals, they are also a little stubborn so this shoudl be dealt with when they are younger ie dog training classes, etc.
I love the AB as a breed and I sure hope this doesn't start another 1991. I think this is the only reported AB attack though? Correct me if I'm wrong.
Shame.

Sarah
PS The other dog was picked up by the family I read.