Leelaa17

What a great story! When I was in primary school we were able to bring in our dogs for show and tell (which I did) which was so fantastic! All the kids enjoyed it and it seemed to break down the barriers of 'groups' - I was the bullied kid but when my dogs went in it didn't matter because there were cute fluffy things there! I think it is a great initiative (especially now that some schools are actually putting in a 'no dog' policy so dogs aren't even allowed on the grounds). It's also good because (as previous posts have said) the kids are able to learn how to treat dogs and how to behave with them (to an extent of course) which gives them more knowledge about the animal and hopefully more respect for the animal - especially if they don't or aren't allowed to have a dog. Great story! Very cute!

PS: Great news for Busta!!!! Love the great photos of him! Hopefully this will start becoming the norm for dogs that attack - hopefully they will all go through some sort of assessment process and hopefully we can save some more lives!!

Actually I called myself 'no kill without first investigating all circumstances' which is quite different to 'no kill regardless of circumstances'. I have a reasonable and balanced approach and like to know all the facts before I suggest whether I think a dog should be PTS, and given that we are discussing these cases on an internet forum, based on media reports, I will therefore never have adequate information to make that call, and nor, in my opinion, does anyone else, which is pretty much my entire argument. Greytmate, firstly, let me say that I mostly find myself agreeing with or liking your posts around DOL, I'm not quite sure why you've singled this out as needing your attention, but please take my post in the context it was meant, in answer to this: "a lot of it is based around putting the dog down and everyone on that particular thread agrees with putting the dog down... yet on this thread I think the majority of us want Buster to at least get an assessment to see if he is an 'aggressive dog'." This is from a relative newbie who believed until recently that she was the only person on this forum that did not advocate the immediate PTS of a dog that has been involved in an 'attack', except for in Buster's case where it seems to have a different slant. My reference to 'the good ole days' was VERY tongue in cheek. Sorry you think 'pro kill brigade' is a nasty label, I am long-winded enough in my posts without having to spell out 'those who advocate PTS without knowing all the facts first'. I was merely trying to be concise, and given the length of my post, failing as usual. I think it is clear given my stance that I am in favour of having Buster assessed for temperament so would suggest that was inherent in my reply and didn't need stating. I only remember one name and have no idea whether that person is even still a member of DOL. I do vaguely remember a few choice comments but have no recollection of who said them as I don't hold grudges, so the best way to answer your question is to say that the people I refer to as the 'pro kill brigade' is anyone who states that a dog should be PTS without question as soon as they read the media coverage. Unless they witnessed the incident and have a fairly good knowledge of dog behaviour, then to call for the death of a dog they've never met for a crime that may or may not have been misrepresented and/or sensationalised IMO is simply baying for blood, an example of human pack mentality. If you discriminate, or wish to know all the facts before imposing a death sentence, then you have no reason to be offended by my post or the label/shorthand. I'm not pretending to any silent majority, nor ever said I was, but I do know that I am not the only person on this forum who does not claim to know whether or not a dog should be PTS within 5 minutes of reading a news story. See above, you already asked, I already answered...in depth (as usual ) And now we have wasted enough of everyone's time (those who bothered to read), back to Buster... Thank you hotfurball for making me a feel a little better about my views and now I understand that there are a lot more people out there like me!! I'm sorry to both you and Greytmate for possibly causing this post!! I see where everyone is coming from and I do understand that not most people (but some that I have seen) aren't advocating for PTS immediately after reading the news. I am a journalist and I pride myself on NOT being a sensationalist - I hate it and disagree with it completely and when I write a story I make sure I talk to everyone involved and get all the facts before that story is published. So I do understand that the news can sensationalise and not give all the facts which annoys me as much as it does everyone else on here... Don't really know what my point was but thought I should let you know!

How could anyone think that gorgeous little thing is ugly!!!!! I hate it when people say a dog is ugly because they are all beautiful in their own ways!!! So happy the little one found a new home!!

Quote amended by me by addition of word "just". Don't know where you've been, Leelaa ..... but there are many people on DOL who don't condone killing a dog just because of an attack, and before proper assessment. I actually said in a previous post (the one directly before this post you've quoted) and I specifically said that I haven't been a member for very long and I don't know what everyone else thinks but what I have seen is that people tend to not agree with my views (which is fine of course)... So I haven't read every single post and every single response to a thread so I didn't know that there were others out there who agreed with my 'no kill' thing. And it is nice to know there ARE more people. Maybe you should read the previous post before you ask me where I've been because clearly I haven't been anywhere much.

I completely agree with you. And it is nice to (FINALLY) see that someone doesn't agree with the killing of a dog because it has attacked. I have never met anyone else who agrees with me and I am sure you do get criticised as well because a lot of people on this forum do think it is ok - and everyone of course is entitled to their own opinions! Including you and i! And I agree with everything else you said as well - you pretty much said exactly what I did in my previous post except in a simpler, non-rambling way. I think that everyone's reaction to this is because of the breed which is not a good thing unless we all start supporting the assessment of other breeds that attack as well.

I have read some of this thread and please, please correct me if I am wrong... but it seems that everyone is extremely supportive of Buster (myself included) and I think that is great. However, when I read a lot of other threads when this sort of thing happens - such as a bully breed or huskies attacking - it seems to much less supportive...... I have NEVER (and I haven't been a member for very long so this is only in my experience) but I have never seen a thread where people are talking about getting help for the dog... a lot of it is based around putting the dog down and everyone on that particular thread agrees with putting the dog down... yet on this thread I think the majority of us want Buster to at least get an assessment to see if he is an 'aggressive dog'. I dont know.. I just think that a lot of the time dogs don't get the kind of support that Buster is getting and I would love to see that change. I am a bit funny... and I think very different to a lot of the dog lovers on here because whenever I hear about a dog being put down because of an attack I disagree with it (that is me and I see where people come from when they DO want to dog to be put down)... but I just hate to think that a dog is being put down for something that MIGHT not be its fault... I'm strictly a 'no kill policy' kinda person... and I do respect that others have different opinions to me and that is perfectly ok... But I would much rather see a dog at least have a second chance at life instead of everyone (not people on this forum) being like 'oh, its attacked someone for the first time in its life with no previous signs of aggression, it needs to be put down immediately.' I do realsie that some attacks aren't provoked etc.... This thread just seems different that's all - and to be perfectly honest I think it DOES have something to do with Buster being a GR. If this sort of thing happened with a bully breed I am sure that most people would be like 'definitely put it down'... which is sad because I think every dog deserves a second chance - not just 'generally good natured' dogs.

I think charges should have been laid....against the drunken idiot for abusing the dog!!!!! I agree!!

LOL!!!!! hahaha good on the dog for not sitting there and having to deal with the idiot! So glad her got bitten in the face. maybe he'll think next time he tries to make a dog extremely uncomfortable and distressed!!! really glad no punishment for the dog and the owner.

That's a great story!!! So good that the dog was able to find food and water to stay alive! The poor owner - thinking she had lost her little Lola and then to have her back again! Lovely story!!! Makes me smile!

I agree. I had a look at K9Force's facebook page. I wonder why he is willing to attempt to intervene on behalf of this particular dog. The reasoning he has provided could be applied to many other cases just as easily. Has he attempted other interventions of this nature with the council after dog attacks on humans in the past ? Yes he would. The k9 pro behaviourist is extremely professional and works with all kinds of dogs - this I know because I have talked to him before. Just because it is a GR doesnt mean anything - He would do the same if it was a gsd or any kind of bull terrier.

What a beautiful, wonderful story!!!! It is so nice to hear that this beautiful little puppy got a home with a clearly incredible family. Shame on the person who left this puppy.

This is ABSOLUTELY ridiculous!!! What p****s me off the most is the fact that there ARE people out there who would complain about a dog (even if it wasnt a nuisence barker) just because they have a grudge against their neighbour. The family that lives behind me have NEVER had animals (that I know of - no cats or dogs at least) and they complained about our next door neighbours dogs because they don't have the guts to go and talk to them about it. Albeit, the next door neighbours dogs WERE very annoying but everyone dealt with it, and they were lovely people - all we needed to do was ask and they would do everything they could to stop it. There have been occassions when these stupid neighbours (the no-pet ones) would write letters and stick them in peoples mailboxes about things they didnt like - they NEVER talked to anyone. It is people like that who complain about dogs barking. FFS... they're DOGS!!!! they bark!!! that is what they do!! its like if someone talks too much - are we going to cut out their voice box???? seriously. what makes the natural behaviour of dogs ANY different to humans and other animals - like cats... who are let to roam the streets and sit and scratch cars and have cat fights... seriously. stupid effing councils.

Thank you very much. I wrote it.

I want to ask a question about GSD and the ones in the shows.. this might sound very amatuer-like... I am a first time owner of GSD - I have two, one is a year and a half and the other is 6 months and they are my life. But it really makes me upset when I see GSD will the sloping back (roached back is the term I have heard - when the back slops down towards the ground and their back legs are stretched out behind them)........... some of the ones I have seen dont seem to walk or run properly - and I know that the show people prefer this and they wouldnt take on my boy or girl because their backs are so straight and dont slope at all... but it isnt normal for their backs to do that and me particular vet said it isnt good for them when they get older... is it wrong of me to hate the look of it?? It just upsets me - I feel that making their backs do that is in the same class as docking tails and clipping ears?...... what i also want to know is WHY they do it???

Thought I would pop up this story. http://macarthur-chronicle-campbelltown.wh...advises-expert/

How horrible! That poor little girl. who would've thought a water bowl would pose any risk at all. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

That is the saddest and most beautiful thing I have ever heard. I hope they both rest in peace and spend the rest of eternity together, happy.

I have worked at the Yagoona Shelter and it is falling apart. There is not enough room for the animals and they have tried building a new building but had to stop halfway through because they didnt have enough money. I don't know where the money is, but personally I don't care - as long as the animals get the space and support they need then that's all that matters to me. I think they do need to completely redevelop the place because the kennels are so so old. They are concrete blocks (big enough of course), but it definitely needs to be changed. Everything is extremely old. And there arent a ton of staff caring for the animals - thats why they take volunteers... there also arent a lot of people in the media dept as far as i know. Im all for it to be honest. All I want are for the animals to be comfortable in their transmissions to new homes. If that means getting 7.5m off the govt then I hope they get it and spend it responsibly. I think the govt spends money on things that arent as important as what they SHOULD be spending money on.

thats horrible! the poor boy! i hope he recovers fully and isn't completely traumatised by the experience. the owner should've had the dog in secure fencing, especially if the house is near a park where children are near!!! no one wins.

Thought I'd just post this up as I am working at this paper and thought people might be interested. http://macarthur-chronicle-campbelltown.wh...ee-dog-mauling/ A TODDLER is in hospital after a dog that escaped from a Macquarie Fields back yard mauled him in a park yesterday. The dog has been impounded and its owner left facing a possible court appearance after a boy, 16 months, was mauled in a park about 7.30pm yesterday. The toddler and his parents were playing in a Clematis Rd park, when an alaskan malamute ran towards the child and attacked him. The child sustained multiple bite wounds and remains this morning in The Sydney Children’s Hospital where he is listed stable. The owner of the dog has been identified and early investigations suggest the dog escaped from a back yard. Legal action is being considered by officers from the Macquarie Fields Local Area Command. I hope the toddler is ok and recovers fully. I would like to know more about the situation in regards to the dog though?? I mean, was there even secure fencing around the property? awful story. there is way too many of these stories coming to light.

Im confused?? Did he go to the animal or did the animal go to him? I hope he recovers fully the poor thing. But I still fail to see why the dog was outside a school in the first place - wouldn't it have shown tendencies towards not liking children? And then wouldn't the owners get the point of not having it outside the school? I don't know - I think I read the report wrong. But then this raises the issue again of 'you shouldn't go up and pat strange dogs unless you get the owners permission or unless you know the dog personally' - this was a big thing in another forum topic... where the mother pulled over and her two kids got out and one of them was attacked by two huskies or malamutes or something that were on the side of a road in Galston. sad story. no one wins.

Thanks heaps guys!!!

I understand where everyone is coming from and I apologise for getting defensive. I think the reason is because I am very sensitive when it comes to me doing something wrong with my dogs. I pride myself on trying my best to be the best owner I can be and all I want is for my dogs and all other dogs to be safe. It did feel like I was getting attacked tjhough because I have never posted on a forum before and I don't know how to take other peoples reactions. I hope you can all understand that I DID want advice. But I didn't know how to take the seriousness of the advice I was getting. I will make sure I get professional help straight away for my little girl. thank you.

Thank you for being much nicer about telling me I was doing the wrong thing!! I will use the technique of putting her outside if she does someting wrong and I will make sure I don't sit down anymore at the dog park. I will also make sure she needs to come to me for attention. Thank you very much.