my email (pic included) and a letter is on its way and a quite a few of my friends (staffie and non staffie owners) are doing the same

I will be interested to see if I get a reply I asked for one

so did i but i dont think i will

Me too Mini I asked for a reply and lots of answers, havn't heard anything back....................think I'll email again, boy are they gonner be sick of me

i have just told my vet about this when i was there this morning and she cannot believe the woman ! she said that at the practice where she used to work there were loads of Staffs and NONE were EVER aggressive towards humans !! she said it was an outrage that this article even went to press !!

Maybe your vet could email them, getting a letter from a vet might make them sit up and listen.

I didnt think after reading the article it really makes you think of the Stafford as a people aggressive dog, infact at the start of the article she admits what great and gentle pets they make. Its the owners she is trying to trash and the dog aggressive tendencies.

Obviously there are so many inaccuracies in the article and its terrible press but I do feel if we are writing complaints it should be focused on what the article implies rather than going on about what great pets they are and how good they are with kids - the article does not challenge that fact really what we need to get accross is the stereotype they present of the owners is not accurate and that while the breed can fall into the hands of bad owners that can be said about most dogs. Sending an email off with pictures of Staffords and children and telling of what great pets they are is fantastic but it is not really of any use as it does not challenge anything that the article provokes.

I know what I am trying to get accross but its perhaps not coming tgrough right, do you follow where I am going?

I can see where your coming from Laura but someone just browsing the paper and seeing that picture and reading the caption under it gives completly the wrong impression.

especially when they are claiming that a child was killed by a staff when it wasnt !

PRESS COMPLAINTS COMMISSION.

I dont know much about the media or how it works but this commission was mentioned elsewhere - are we able to use this to our advantage?

Has anybody had a reply yet - here is my letter (the picture is of Cassy & Kip lying over each other in bed together).

To Whom it may concern:

I am writing with regard to an article published on 12th January 2004 "Little Bruisers that Make Me Quake" by Cassandra Jardine.

As a Staffordshire Bull Terrier owner it fills me with great sadness that in this day and age we are faced with such bad press for a breed that is world renowned for its friendly and gregarious nature. I was disappointed that many facts within the article seemed to be falsified and that certain individuals were quoted out of context, namely Mr David Levy whom I believe has complained also about the article.

The breed, has and always will be one of the most popular breeds in the United Kingdom. Not because they are "tough" or "aggressive" but because for the most part they make loving and loyal pets - faithfully and bold, fearless and gentle. If the author had bothered to do any research she would have found out that for the most part the dogs are owned by respectable and upstanding people who do their best to promote the breed in a good light. It is undeniable that a small minority of owners are unscrupulous and use these dogs merely as an extension of their "manhood" these people come in all walks of life and their choice of dog is not always limited to the Stafford, I am pleased to say that they are in the minority rather than the majority but yet we never see stories of how the Stafford is one of the UKs most popular dogs and how they are excellent pets and if socialised properly can live alongside other dogs & pets quite happily. How for the most part owners are responsible and enjoy socialising with other Stafford owners, how large and friendly the Stafford community within the United Kingdom actually is, how they unite with fellow Stafford owners in various countries to help fight Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) - I suppose that would not sell papers. For the few words printed I really hope the article was worth the terrible damage that it will do to this wonderful breeds reputation. I will be taking this further I hope Miss Jardine fully realises what she has done and the offence she has cause to Stafford owners throughout the United Kingdom and further afield, I don't feel an apology would suffice at this time, people have been sacked for less.

Back in 1991 the Dangerous Dogs Act came into place banning the American Pit Bull Terrier (along with 3 other breeds) from entering the United Kingdom, this law is widely recognised as having been ineffective and a great part of the persecution of this breed was down to the media and the massive hype they made about these dogs. Whilst I don't ever think the same could happen to the Staffordshire due to its undeniable popularity I feel that in times like this when the breed is already under threat the world over it would be of more benefit for our own media to do positive articles rather than to further punish a breed which does not deserve this. When there are so many disasters in this day and age and with so much going on in the world it is truly baffling that a whole page can be dedicated to such lies and muck.

Attached you will find a picture of my two Stafford's showing their obvious aggressive nature.

Lastly I look forward to a response from the paper, should I not receive a response I will continue to call and mail (snail & email) letters until I get at least a reply - preferably a public apology on behalf of all Stafford owners. Otherwise along with other Stafford owners in the same position I shall look at my options and whether I can take the matter further/higher.

Regards,
Laura Baggley