ILK

What a terrible position you are in Brooke. I'm sorry I don't have any answers for you, but you have clearly come to the right place for help. I hope you find a good solution. I am really impressed with the reading of this thread, the sensible advice and assistance offered. This is what dol is all about

Human welfare is everyones job. I don't care how much red tape there is in any situation, where there is any type of assistance or customer service required the person in charge has the ability to do th "RIGHT" thing. Where there is a will ther is a way!!Clearly judging by this particular article the right thing was not done. The courts imposed the penalty not the RSPCA. Whilst her intentions may have been good, the animals were being mistreated ... she would have been better to surrender them as hard as that is, but they deserved a better quality of life than she could give them .... Who took the woman through the court system Angelina?

Totally agree with JD19 and Jed's advice. This is a serious issue for everyone involved and the family needs help! It would be awful for any of your family or theirs to be hurt. I think it's really nice of you and your OH to show so much concern for your neighbours but I think it would definitely be appropriate to get the police involved. Let us know what happens, and I really hope everyone is ok in the meantime. PS. why do dogs always seem to think things that are dangerous for them are the most fun!! Agreed. You clearly care about your neighbours feelings. She doesn't seem to be able to control this child at this point in time and needs some assistance. If someone on your side of the fence doesn't get hurt, eventually someone on her side will. You will be doing these people and yourself a favour if you involve the police. Maybe even explain it to her before you do it so that she understands there is no malice involved. If my children were throwing knives I would completely understand if a person called the police. I would be horrified to find out my children were playing with knives in the first place as would most rational people.

Agree with this view....Laws only work on honest people :D

Human welfare is everyones job. I don't care how much red tape there is in any situation, where there is any type of assistance or customer service required the person in charge has the ability to do th "RIGHT" thing. Where there is a will ther is a way!!Clearly judging by this particular article the right thing was not done.

Your sister sounds very disprectful of you. I wouldn't be allowing her dogs in my home again. Thats for sure. I wonder if she'll change her views on dog ownship when she later sees your well trained & well adjusted pooch? Her home must smell really bad :D

The are plenty of dogs of various breeds that have the genetic instincts to maim and kill, the studies are wrong, nonesense infact. The difference is in the raising and training dogs of this nature that makes them safe. Did I just read that right ? There are breeds out there that are geneticallyt predisposed to maim and kill , is that right ? The studies that Poodlefan mentions are not nonsense, they highlight some very important factors that are often present, when it comes to how many dogs that are involved in attacks are raised and treated. Statistically, they are also more likely to be male, young and entire. It's complete nonesense SBT123 totally. Dogs know how to attack and bite and are born with that skill. If it surfaces or not largely depends on how the dog is raised and trained. Unfortunatlely it is not complete nonsense. Certain breeds need to have the biting instinct bred out of them. Some dogs bite, but to rip an arm off its owner or even a neighbour, that is bazaar behaviour and has to be involved with training or upbringing. edit for spelling mistake Are we saying that the dog in this incident was attack trained???. I bet it's never had a day of formal training in it's life and acted out of pure instinct. Not saying or even suggesting that the dog in this incident was attack trained. Just saying it must have something to do with upbringing or possibly lack of it. We don't know the dogs breeding background either of course, but I'm sure most of us would have to agree that it is bazaar that a family pet would go into such a vicious attack mode.

The are plenty of dogs of various breeds that have the genetic instincts to maim and kill, the studies are wrong, nonesense infact. The difference is in the raising and training dogs of this nature that makes them safe. Did I just read that right ? There are breeds out there that are geneticallyt predisposed to maim and kill , is that right ? The studies that Poodlefan mentions are not nonsense, they highlight some very important factors that are often present, when it comes to how many dogs that are involved in attacks are raised and treated. Statistically, they are also more likely to be male, young and entire. It's complete nonesense SBT123 totally. Dogs know how to attack and bite and are born with that skill. If it surfaces or not largely depends on how the dog is raised and trained. Unfortunatlely it is not complete nonsense. Certain breeds need to have the biting instinct bred out of them. Some dogs bite, but to rip an arm off its owner or even a neighbour, that is bazaar behaviour and has to be involved with training or upbringing. edit for spelling mistake

As usual too. many differing reports on the one story. It was her dog, then it was a dog she was looking after, she was 57, then 67, a Pitbull cross, then a suspected Staffy/Pitbull cross. A sad story & I feel for the lady, but you can see dog haters lining up yet again asking for all big dogs being banned. Yes mantis I can see the haters coming in here. It is the breed I feel sorry for. People are so quick to point the finger and judge without having to suffer the repercussions of their own stupidity & public outrage. These people are the detriment to our gorgeous strong breeds and unfortunately dog ownership is just not screened enough to protect the dog itself..... Yep & once again on another site I'm a member of, there will be a thread directed at me about this incident. These people never post about other breeds attacking, they just attack the Pitty, it makes me so sad that people are getting hurt by dogs owned by irresponsible owners & one breed is always the one being blamed. At least my sweet boy who is nearly 12 is safe, snoring away on his bed. The saddest part about this mantis is that even sensible dog owners are frightened of pitbulls primarlily because we have to trust the owner that is looking after the dog. How sensible were the owners of this particular dog?

As usual too. many differing reports on the one story. It was her dog, then it was a dog she was looking after, she was 57, then 67, a Pitbull cross, then a suspected Staffy/Pitbull cross. A sad story & I feel for the lady, but you can see dog haters lining up yet again asking for all big dogs being banned. Yes mantis I can see the haters coming in here. It is the breed I feel sorry for. People are so quick to point the finger and judge without having to suffer the repercussions of their own stupidity & public outrage. These people are the detriment to our gorgeous strong breeds and unfortunately dog ownership is just not screened enough to protect the dog itself.....

I heard this on my car radio driving home at 6pm tonight which has prompted me to look for a possible thread on the subject. The news report I heard stated that one of the woman's arms had been ripped off, the other was seriously injured & she also had facial injuries. Some guy commented and I don't know who it was he said something along the lines of, "No-one should own a pitbull as a pet, it is easy for them to go back to what they were originally bred for and that is attacking". It made me feel sick. Most of us know pitsbulls are beautiful loving family dogs. There has to be a reason the dog attacked. Does a pet dog really turn on it's owner like that for no reason

I don't necessarily think people are always being lazy. They are somtimes given advice that sounds rational to them by someone they believe is more of an expert on the subject than themself, so they follow this advise without having all of the facts. The option was given to me at a reputable & very popular obedience training school. Having all the facts now I would agree, but as I said earlier I tried a halti with my dog when he was younger. Had I known what I know now I wouldn't have even looked at it as an option.

I find it hard to believe that no amount of training can stop a dog from pulling on the leash. There are many trainers out there who won't use head collars and can still teach dogs not to pull... Even if you do use a halti you should still be using a training program along with it. I personally don't like head collars (I have no problem with many other training tools out there) but I wouldn't recommend them for 'any' dog that pulls on the leash... there are many pros and cons to head collars including the risk of injury that presents with their use that would make me reluctant to use them, especially with certain types of dogs (i.e. dogs that are prone to lunging). ETA: ILK I agree it is important the dog gets a walk, but head collars are so common place now I see them misused constantly, and used instead of the owner actually training their dog. Some dogs find them highly aversive (including my own dog) and whilst the walk may be enjoyable for the owner because the dog isn't pulling, it can be most unpleasant for the dog, if they are kind of dog who find head collars very aversive and spend the whole walk being 'corrected'. I should refrase that huski, I meant that owner & pooch should not be stressed.

Sorry, I will add not just a walk, but an enjoyable walk. They can't do that if their owner is stressed.

There are many reasonable dog trainers out there like there are poor trainers and great trainers, but I am yet to know of a great trainer who is formally accomplished in high level K9 activities to ever recommend or use a head collar to teach a dog to walk nicely on leash. Most accomplished trainers despise head collars and the one's recommending halti's are trainers that I would question are the right trainers to be assisting me with my dog's behaviour. Did I not say we "tried" a halti. An accomplished trainer has seen it all and is willing to try what suits the dog & owner. I also stated that my dog is now perfect on leash!! Don't be bias against one product, because what may not work for one will work for another. The most important thing is that the dog gets a walk.

When I am adding a reply I can only get a few words typed and my cursor jumps backwards. It is really annoying. Can anyone help. It never used to happen. It is happening now typing this.

Great outcome . I hope it continues. My heart skipped a beat reading this thread. That poor dog bannished from the pack for no reason at all poor little thing. They only learn to stop mouthing if they feel the natural repurcussions of it. If they mouth their mum or siblings too hard they will soon here about it. How can he learn if he is stuck away from contact.

I'd agree that attaching additional weight to a halti is unfair to the dog. When I first got my boy he was uncontrollable on leash so with trainers we tried a halti. Talk about a dog having a nervous breakdown!! He hated it. He is perfect now of course with training on a leash. Sometimes owners purchase these items without any real knowledge on what they are doing, so they don't understand the pressure a thong or two may place on the muzzle. Maybe you could have politely explained it to them and they may have removed the thongs immediately.

Occasionally my Kelpies have shown that they will go into protection mode, but there have also been times when a strange workman has entered my yard and they have run to play. I personally think when we have a companion dog it is unpredictable and can't be relied upon or expected because it is not what we got them for.

This is the best tasting pavlova base I have ever had and it is easy peasy. You can top the pav with cream and whatever you like. My kids and hubby like choc chips, I like strawberries, but as I said you can use whatever you like that is the beauty of it . It is very healthy as well full of protein. I have given this to my hubbies gym and they love it!! 6 egg whites 70g caster sugar (You can add more or less depending on how sweet you like it) 3 tblspns cocoa powder, sieved 1tsp balsamic vinegar 50g dark chocolate, finely chopped (I prefer Nestle) 500ml thickened cream Preheat oven to 180c and line baking tray with baking paper. Beat egg whites until satiny peaks form and then beat in the sugar a spoonful at a time until the meringue is stiff and shiny. Sprinkle over the cocoa and vinegar and the chopped chocolate. Then gently fold everything until the cocoa is thoroughtly mixed in. Mount onto a baking sheet in a fat circle approx 23cm in diameter. Smoothing the sides and top. Place in the oven, then immediately turn the temp down to 150c and cook for approx 1hr to 1.15hrs. When it's ready it should look crisp around the edges and dry on top. Turn off the oven and open the door slightly allowing the heat to escape slowly allowing the pav to cool slowly. If you bring it out too soon it will crack and collapse. (still edible & tasty, just doesn't look as good and you need more cream to fill the crater. Invert onto a big plate, whip cream and place ontop of meringue, top with whatever you like - Choc chips are a real hit!!

That poor dog looks as though he is begging for some human companionship --How Lovely... That guy needs his head read crossing those two animals. What a loser on so many levels for so many reasons

The pet store with the AWL Adoption Centre I visited, is well aware of impulse buying. And have measures in place to avoid it. Most places where dogs can be obtained from are equally open to impulse....given displays on the Net. I've already described how the store assistant went into a reality check routine. Started off by saying buying a dog or cat on impulse is no good for dog or owner. Then went into costs of dog ownership, responsbilities & lifestyle issues. If someone wasn't genuine & thoughtful about what they were doing, they would dip out at that point. The next step would have been the intense screening interview & other AWL checks. As the adoptions are within the AWL system, there's even follow-up advice for any specific settling in problems, from the AWL behaviourists. All of which works against future dumping. Incidentally, that pet store adoption centre, does not put the animals in a position where people walking past can see them. They have suiitable accommodation towards the back of the store. This AWL Adoption Centre is as much a destination as the main Gold Coast AWL shelter which is a couple of hours drive away...& same processes apply. I hope it works mita. In theory from all you have said it is great and a fabulous concept if all goes according to plan. I am very pro animal and wish only the best for all concerned, but to be honest I can see the cons here as well. I am realist and I am not over enthused about the idea.

Sorry Pepi I was reading backwards as I didn't read every post. Completely understand that cremating may eek you out. Again, I hope you find the right decision for you.

My mother-in-law had her heart dog cremated and put in a small ceramic box. She placed that box in the bottom of a pot plant. She absolutely cherishes that plant. It is a lovely idea and she can take it to what ever home she moves to. I believe that our memories are in our hearts and we can't fulfill that missing link with a lifeless stuffed animal in the corner of a room. I would like to wish you happiness in whatever you decide.

I don't agree that selling rescue in petshops is o.k. It will still attract impulse buyers from passers by. A rescue is normally in a destination area and requires a person to go out of there way to purchase a pet. Poor things will grow for a couple of years and end up back in rescue. Impulse animal buys are a bad thing as we all know and baby animals in a shop window create too much of it.