Didsbury couple mauled by dogs.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by AFireInside

No on to the topic of the thread. I think if there are any restrictions placed on owning particular breeds of dogs they should restrictions based around having to properly train the dog.

For example, don't ban pitbulls (they are actually great dogs) ensure that any owner of a pitbull has to attend training sessions with that dog for a specified period of time.

I am a strong believer that everyone should at least consider taking their dog for training. I did, and it was time well spent. Not that my dog needed help in that regard, but you learn stuff you'd never learn on your own, and you get to see what other people are doing as well.

Having said that, there are simply some breeds that can and do "snap", training or no training. I saw the results first hand, from a dog that was loved, cherished, trained, since a puppy. Those are the types of animals IMO that should never be pets, I personally would never own certain breeds. I don't want to end up losing an eye, or have terrible scars, or worse have my dog injure or even kill someone else.

I put the Akita in the above category, they are simply too dangerous, and worse they are extremely intelligent, so you may find yourself out witted to your detriment.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by AFireInside

Don't go to them. Simple.

I hate people parks where higher and mighty joggers act all healthy and kids are constantly yelling and running around.

Seriously though, your posts in this are some of the most ignorant posts I've read on this board in a long time.

Are some dog owners bad owners? Yep.
Are some owners great dog owners who have well behaved dogs? Yep.

The fortunate thing is that most dog owners are responsible when it comes their pets, if it weren't the case you would hear about these situations way more often.

No on to the topic of the thread. I think if there are any restrictions placed on owning particular breeds of dogs they should restrictions based around having to properly train the dog.

For example, don't ban pitbulls (they are actually great dogs) ensure that any owner of a pitbull has to attend training sessions with that dog for a specified period of time. Of course the problem is that this is difficult to enforce.

I think a big problem with many dog owners is that they pick breeds that may require more discipline then they are prepared for. You see this when you have a 20 year old who's first dog is a rottweiler. These types of dogs require more training and discipline, and these owners are not prepared for the work it takes.

I do agree with some of your post, people need to watch their dogs and keep them out of potentially aggressive situations. These types of incidents are not the fault of the dog but the fault of the owner.

Unfortunately a lot of dog owners think once the dog is house broken, that's really all their is to training, you always have to be aware of how your dog behaves and keep track of any potentially bad traits and constantly work with them.

I will disagree with you on this one, most dog owners in Vancouver havn't the remotest idea of how to control them, at best they just keep them on the leash and think that constitutes control, the reason you only occasionally hear of maulings is because most dogs will snarl and bark at people and not attack, they arn't any better supervised they just happen to be less aggresive, I say this as 10 year volunteer at the city pound and a dog owner.

If you are walking a dog and you meet other dogs you can instantly tell which dogs are under control and which dogs are doing whatever the hell they want and I would say one out of ten or twenty is actually under control.

Most people don't have the time or space or knowledge to look after a dog in the city but they get them anyway.

[jhunt223]

Originally Posted by zamler

Having said that, there are simply some breeds that can and do "snap", training or no training. I saw the results first hand, from a dog that was loved, cherished, trained, since a puppy.

Would you be comfortable disclosing which breed it was that did this?

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

While my Australian Shepherd is highly responsive and communicative, and thus considered a highly intelligent breed, my Borzoi is aloof and fiercely independent. He will NOT recall, nor stay, nor respond to many conventional stimuli, and thus, according to your criteria would disqualify me as a good dog owner. He is not a "dumb" dog or a poor pet; he simply just doesn't seem to care to do what someone else wants him to do. He is a sight-hound who was bred for running down small animals, and as a result is very easily distracted and sensitive to movement, which he can also detect at incredible distances. However, as like most sight hounds, he is also pretty harmless. The sign of a responsible dog-owner often has nothing to do with how "well trained" a dog may or may not be, as degrees of obedience are very frequently breed specific.

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Just curious, but do you use that dog for its intended purpose? If so, then this doesn't apply to you, but I personally don't understand why people want dogs like that as a pet. Some breeds just make lousy pets and many of those types also have skills that make them dangerous... why do people even bother?

Take pit bulls for example. They are a breed that for generations were selectively bred for strength and a fierceness. Nowadays, people think they are cute and want them as a pet. They are not the most intelligent, aren't exceptionally playful or loyal; so do they really bring the owner more joy than border collie or lab? I think at least half the time, people get certain breeds as a status symbol and not because of the quality of pet they will be.

[REDVAN]

Looks like the dogs will be out down.

Too bad this happened, it's the fault of all the humans involved that the dogs attacked. I don't disagree that they should be put down, I'm just saying it's too bad.

But to the people who say that a dog should automatically be put down if it attacks: should a tiger/lion/wolf/bear also be killed automatically if it attacks? I say no. So, why then would a certain dog breed not be treated with the same reverence? ie/ if it's dangerous, then there needs to be restrictions on how it is handled and who can own it.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by jhunt223

Would you be comfortable disclosing which breed it was that did this?

Pittbull (sorry I don't know the exact type). The dog was always loved and cared for, but it had that crazy look in his eyes sometimes. He put a giant dent one time in a screen door with his head trying to get to a cat inside. I was very cautious around it, despite being told it was a loving and gentle dog.

edit - reading the Wiki page it looked like a Staffordshire bull terrier but not sure if that was indeed what he was. It looked quite a lot like this, but brown.