Another child mauled to death...

[jonnydog]

11 month old...

http://news.sky.com/story/1209725/dog-mauls-baby-girl-to-death-in-blackburn

It's time for harsher laws and/or dog licenses to be brought back IMO. There seems to be more and more of these stories coming on the news. Something needs to be done.

[SoundbiteBarmyArmy]

Who's to blame? Humans or Dog?

[roversdude]

Answer has to be humans - why on earth would you leave an 11 month with a dog
Agree with Jonnydog it has to be made harder for people to get dogs then they will only bother if they really want one rather than as a status symbol
Interesting to note that Italy has set wheels in motion to have all dogs on a DNA database, even to extent of fining owners for dog fouling via DNA

[nightporter]

More details..    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-26131934

[Dare to dream!]

It's no coincidence that all these dog attacks are from the pit bull breed's. You won't ever see one of these attacks by a Border Collie.

[colin cramb]

You should have to keep these types of dogs in the garden in secure kennels/fenced off areas, shouldnt be anywhere near kids..

[roversdude]

Thought they were banned never mind keeping them secure!!

[SoundbiteBarmyArmy]

I don't like Staffies at all, not a nice breed at all, and yes an 11 month old chlild has sadly died - you've got to feel sorry for the dog in a sense though after it has been 'destroyed'. It has only been destroyed because of some careless, thoughtless chavs who have probably bought it in the first place to keep up their 'hard' appearance, if a careful and thoughtful human/set of humans had the Staffie as a 'pet', it would more than likely be trained, looked after and used correctly.

Shame we're not in USA, the careless, thoughtless humans could be quite easily 'destroyed' too!

[Nudga]

You should have to keep these types of dogs in the garden in secure kennels/fenced off areas, shouldnt be anywhere near kids..

Wrong! When a new born baby arrives home for the first time, it is wise to introduce your dog to the baby straight away. It's the very first thing that should be done. Whilst holding the baby, let the dog have a sniff and if it wants, let the dog lick the baby but not on the face. Don't chastise the dog for licking a baby, it will give the dog a bond to the child. The baby will become part of the dogs pack.

This should apply to lets say Grandparents dog or close relatives. You obviously wouldn't leave a child alone with a dog that is unknown or doesn't really know the kid.

[Nudga]

I don't like Staffies at all, not a nice breed at all, and yes an 11 month old chlild has sadly died - you've got to feel sorry for the dog in a sense though after it has been 'destroyed'. It has only been destroyed because of some careless, thoughtless chavs who have probably bought it in the first place to keep up their 'hard' appearance, if a careful and thoughtful human/set of humans had the Staffie as a 'pet', it would more than likely be trained, looked after and used correctly.

Shame we're not in USA, the careless, thoughtless humans could be quite easily 'destroyed' too!

Exactly, Staffies are brilliant with kids if trained in the right manner. I don't have staffies by the way, I do have German Shepherds though.

[BillyStubbsTears]

I used to go out with a lass from Old Denaby. Her aunty in Meccy had an Alsatian the size of a f**king wolf. When we visited, three of them had to shepherd (see what I did there?) the hound into the back room while I waited outside. Then I had to go into the front room and sit, stationary with my hands visible on my knees while they let the f**king creature into the room. It used to lie at my feet, never taking its eyes off mine. If I so much as scratched my balls, it was on its feet baring its teeth at me.

What the f**k do folk get out of sharing their lives with a creature like that?

[scaley back rover]

I have a staffie and he is extremly well behaved around kids and adults alike they are actually called the nanny dog so good is there temprement around kids. Not all staffies are as bad as the press makes out. What about the Yorkshire terrier that attacked and killed a baby not so long back? And did you know more people are admitted to hospital by getting bit by a lab than a staffie.

Bottom line is all dogs are dangerous regardless of breed, people forget that they are animals and always need to be supervised round children but in a calm and managed way

[jucyberry]

We had an German shepherd/lab when I was a kid, she was the most gentle soppy dog I've ever known.. with us kids... If anyone came near us though she was ultra protective.. When I think of how we used to pull her about I shudder but she was so devoted. such a beautiful girl.

We were lucky though, I don't think I would ever trust a dog around a small child now that I am an adult. kids can be spiteful without realising, they can be loud, tread on tails.. Yet the poor dog is the monster when it turns. By that time it's too late, for the dog and tragically the child too.

Personally I don't think dogs and babies go together, Plenty of time when the child is older and less boisterous if you want a dog. But that's just me..

[bobjimwilly]

It's the owners fault. Simple.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

Owners fault. Majority of dogs have a tendency to be aggressive, they are descendants of wolves after all. Its how they're trained.

[Orlandokarla]

It's true that breeds can be known for a tendency towards certain behaviours, if not adequately trained. That said, a properly trained, well-disciplined dog would not do such a thing, irrespective of breed. I've only ever had Pits, Dobies and Rotts, and never had an issue with any of them. My current pitbull/rottweiler mutt has watched over my daughter since she was born.
Legislation won't make a damn bit of difference to irresponsible owners, and those "dangerous dog" laws have always been ridiculous. South Florida has a ban on pitbulls, and all it does in reality is force the local authorities to put down any they happen to come across, regardless of temperament.

[Donny Dub]

Keep dogs away from babies and always supervise them with children.  That's my advice.  Any dog can do a lot of damage with its bite.  Don't spoil them and don't trust them either.
Oh, and by the way it's Border Collies that are responsible for the majority of biting injuries seen in A&E in Galway!
Good luck.

[roversdude]

Sound bite agree certain dogs are an important must have for some chavs who then can't be arsed to look after them correctly
Used to live near someone who had/has 2 big f**k off pit bull type things - totally left outside barking all day and trying to attack anyone who walked by, if they had got hold of a kid they'd have ripped it to bits.
Although the dogs are bred with certain traits I still blame owners

[Jenny]

So a 6 day old baby has been killed by a dog... I can't for the life of me fathom why parents would allow dogs around their kids regardless of the breed. Such a tragic waste of life.

[jonnydog]

So a 6 day old baby has been killed by a dog... I can't for the life of me fathom why parents would allow dogs around their kids regardless of the breed. Such a tragic waste of life.

Just seen it. Shocking, just shocking, and totally preventable.

[ctay]

Dogs are kind of what you want them to be as well, using training.

A relative had a German Shepherd that was used as guard dog...it petrifield me. I have since got one that is as soft as sh1t! However, anybody with a dog will tell you he is as mad as a hatter, because he just barks and doesnt like other dogs. I trust him with humans and with my family but I dont ever leave him with my two young lads because we are careful.

Even with a German shepherd, pitbulls, staffies are a frightening experience. I have lost count the number of times dogs come running up to him in Cantley Park, and those two breads are scary.

One thing that really gets my goat is owners who let the dogs run up to others without checking what kind of reaction they will get. Some laugh and say he will be fine, only to set my dog off going loopy! Yes...but mine wont!

[Nudga]

Dogs are kind of what you want them to be as well, using training.

A relative had a German Shepherd that was used as guard dog...it petrifield me. I have since got one that is as soft as sh1t! However, anybody with a dog will tell you he is as mad as a hatter, because he just barks and doesnt like other dogs. I trust him with humans and with my family but I dont ever leave him with my two young lads because we are careful.

Even with a German shepherd, pitbulls, staffies are a frightening experience. I have lost count the number of times dogs come running up to him in Cantley Park, and those two breads are scary.

One thing that really gets my goat is owners who let the dogs run up to others without checking what kind of reaction they will get. Some laugh and say he will be fine, only to set my dog off going loopy! Yes...but mine wont!

But is your dog crap on the lead? Most dogs are, but if you let them off and run they will be fine.

[ctay]

He is better now, but your right he is better off the lead. We use to let him run around with a couple of other Sheps, and to be fair they bullied him in to behaving. Sadly they have gone now, but he has got worse over the years.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

People just have to be more careful.  I was got at by a dog when I was a child when supervised (and have the scars to prove it), so I'm quite wary with them anyway.  We never had a dog and I can't ever imagine having one in future.

But what grates me is when I'm out running.  Why can't dog owners control their dogs?   I've been bitten 3 times in the last 6 months when running on the street.  It's just very frustrating that people can't control their dogs (some even when on a lead).  One woman had the cheek to have a go at me for kicking her dog in the head, I'm not at all anti dogs but the thing had it's teeth stuck in my leg what did she expect me to do?

I think some just have to be that bit more responsible and realise that it isn't funny when their dogs are running after you and jumping on you etc, it definitely isn't funny when the thing has bitten you either.  How people can leave them with kids I don't know, they're animals doing what they naturally do.

[ctay]

Your right, people do need to take more responsibility. If I see people running, I tend to walk the dog next to the fence and his head would be next to my knee. Common sence really.

I was attacked by a Rotty at work years ago.....I too have the scars to prove, but I went the other way. I never had dogs before, but after that I was more confident with them...no idea why!

[Orlandokarla]

Dogs should always be kept on a leash in public places.