Yet Another Attack

[inez]

Yes I agree.

On a different note, since when are "Staffies" hunting dogs? Last time I looked, the hunting breeds were generally accepted as hunting dogs, never heard of any Staffy breed being included in that list though.

When my hunting dog gets whacked whilst hanging onto prey, she will generally let go and adjust her grip to stop it happening again, not hang on tight until she is possibly dealt a fatal blow/bite, which would be stupid

Does this answer your question ?

http://www.ozziedoggers.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=32605

[inez]

American Staffordshire Terrier

BACKGROUND

The American Staffordshire Terrier is not a new breed. Although it gained American Kennel Club registration and recognition in 1936, it has been developed since the early 1800s as a result of crosses between the bulldogs of that time and game terriers.

Although the early ancestors of this breed came from England, the development of the American Staffordshire Terrier is the story of a truly American breed. This dog was instrumental in the success of farmers and settlers who developed that country. They were used for general farm work, hunting wild pigs, bears, and other large game, guarding the homestead and for general companionship.

A number of the early ancestors were also developed for the "sport" of dog fighting. The extraordinary vitality of this breed is a direct result of breeding for successful fighting dogs. This now illegal activity is, unfortunately, more often cited as the early purpose of the dogs rather than the general farm work, and although ancestors of the American Staffordshire were fighting dogs, the selective breeding since the 1930s has been away from the fighting heritage. The American Staffordshire Terrier today is a companion and show dog.

AVERAGE LIFESPAN

The American Staffordshire Terrier usually lives up to nine years of age but can easily last 11 years if given plenty of loving attention and a good diet.

AVERAGE SIZE & WEIGHT

44cm - 49cm

19kg - 23kg

BREED PERSONALITY, CHARACTERISTICS & TEMPERAMENT

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a stoic and powerful breed. It's nature tends to be courageous and training is recommended.

COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER PETS

The American Staffordshire Terrier can, under some circumstances, show aggressive tendencies towards cats, rabbits and other household pets. With other dogs, it needs to be socialised correctly over a period of time to establish a lasting relationship.

The owner of an American Staffordshire Terrier should be ever aware that it will respond to a challenge offered by another dog, and for this reason great care should be taken in the surrounds of an unfamiliar dog, especially if both are male.

CARE REQUIREMENTS

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a relatively low maintenance dog, requiring minimal grooming of its coat, dry shampooing or bathing only when necessary and rubbing its coat will bring out a good shine. It requires daily exercise.

It will also seek and demand attention from its human family, but it will require training to become a good member of the family. A home with a fenced yard or kennel is essential.

IN CONCLUSION

If you have decided that the American Staffordshire Terrier is the dog for you and you are prepared to keep this animal under close supervision, contact one of the groups listed below:

Somehow I suspect the meaning of the word "essential" isnt too well understood.

Since this does appear to be the element missing it seems, in just about every incident that hits the headlines. Someone doesnt seem to be doing their breed homework before they get them.

I spotted a similar warning in the breed description for American Bulldogs. Somehow it doesnt seem to be a priority to the owners of the dogs that end up in the headlines.

Edited June 10, 2013 by inez

[inez]

Good luck getting yourself to do anything but face the dog and fend off each attack as it comes.

I have been attacked seriously by a serious dog once. There is absolutely no way I could have turned my back on that animal. I spent the time protecting my face and throat with my hands and arms.

If they hadn't dragged him off with chains, it would have been far worse.

While I agree that in theory getting into a tight ball helps protect critical organs, I think it would be very difficult to do while under attack.

Different I think when it's your dog being attacked, rather than you. I agree with earlier posts - get in their face and warn them off before it starts if possible. Much harder once things are under way.

The trouble with the tight ball theory is the majory of people that die before the ambulance arrives is an artery in either the neck, arm or leg bleeds out before help arrives all of which when down on the ground are within easy reach, regardless of the breed they upset.

Edited June 10, 2013 by inez

[Cat]

Isn't that a totally different breed

[Santo66]

Very close to home. And again, its the bloody owners fault for allowing their dogs to roam.

Absolutely and totally true, the owners of these dogs are to blame however, the other side of the coin is if these roaming dogs were not aggressive dogs, the people encountering them may have escaped with a good licking instead which creates the breed factor and let's guess the breed.....Bull breeds again, what can you say in their defence when it's the same type of dog over and over again??

I don't advocate to ban the breed, what needs to be done is investigate who bred this crap and who's got them........the old breeding free for all strikes again......law needs to stop these BYB's and random breedings in the hands of people that haven't a clue how to breed a stable dog fit for community habitation.

Edited June 10, 2013 by Santo66

[BlackJaq]

Very close to home. And again, its the bloody owners fault for allowing their dogs to roam.

Absolutely and totally true, the owners of these dogs are to blame however, the other side of the coin is if these roaming dogs were not aggressive dogs, the people encountering them may have escaped with a good licking instead which creates the breed factor and let's guess the breed.....Bull breeds again, what can you say in their defence when it's the same type of dog over and over again??

I don't advocate to ban the breed, what needs to be done is investigate who bred this crap and who's got them........the old breeding free for all strikes again......law needs to stop these BYB's and random breedings in the hands of people that haven't a clue how to breed a stable dog fit for community habitation.

Here you go, some attacks by non bull breeds. Happy now?

Ridgeback:

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2013/06/05/243376_local-news.html

Cattle Dogs:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-03/dog-attack-victim-27let-down27-by-justice-system/4606616

Great Dane x:

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/16434983/call-for-action-on-dog-attacks/

Rottweiler:

http://www.caboolturenews.com.au/news/dog-mauls-five-year-old/1806453/

Great Dane x Mastiff:

http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/family-pet-killed-by-vicious-dog/1845614/

In my googling, I have discovered that attacks by other breeds are seldomly reported more than once and usually stay in the local news. Bull breed attacks get nation wide attention and often multiple articles are written on the same incident.

The BH incident involving cattle dogs has been reported on repeatedly though, mostly because of the piss weak sentence the owner received.

Edited June 10, 2013 by BlackJaq

[Pailin]

Isn't that a totally different breed

Yep!

The article linked didn't mention breed at all but if you take the Topic heading at face value it would be Stafforshire Bull Terriers that Inez should have googled. Different breed to the Amstaff. Back to Google, quick!!

[inez]

Very close to home. And again, its the bloody owners fault for allowing their dogs to roam.

Absolutely and totally true, the owners of these dogs are to blame however, the other side of the coin is if these roaming dogs were not aggressive dogs, the people encountering them may have escaped with a good licking instead which creates the breed factor and let's guess the breed.....Bull breeds again, what can you say in their defence when it's the same type of dog over and over again??

I don't advocate to ban the breed, what needs to be done is investigate who bred this crap and who's got them........the old breeding free for all strikes again......law needs to stop these BYB's and random breedings in the hands of people that haven't a clue how to breed a stable dog fit for community habitation.

Here you go, some attacks by non bull breeds. Happy now?

Ridgeback:

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2013/06/05/243376_local-news.html

Cattle Dogs:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-03/dog-attack-victim-27let-down27-by-justice-system/4606616

Great Dane x:

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/16434983/call-for-action-on-dog-attacks/

In my googling, I have discovered that attacks by other breeds are seldomly reported more than once and usually stay in the local news. Bull breed attacks get nation wide attention and often multiple articles are written on the same incident.

The BH incident involving cattle dogs has been reported on repeatedly though, mostly because of the piss weak sentence the owner received.

So is it safe, if they get discussed?

Or is that breed bashing too?

Or is it only breed bashing if the subject is a bull breed?

Again its obvious there is a very common thread. Stay off the streets, they are not safe.

"Figures for the 12 months to April revealed 88 people in our region suffered dog attack injuries.

More than 50 of those were admitted to Cairns Base Hospital."

"There is nothing more terrifying than a stray dog on the street because you don't know if it's going to have a go at you or the kids."

"The City of Melville has dealt with 22 dog attacks so far this year.

Last year, there were 100 reported dog attacks, including five in which a person was seriously injured and seven in which an animal was hurt.

This was up on the 94 reported dog attacks in 2011 and 83 in 2010.

Dog attacks also rose in the City of South Perth, which dealt with 51 last financial year, compared with 45 in 2010-11 and 26 in 2009-10.

The City of Bayswater had 59 dog attacks last year, including 27 alleged attacks on people. The City of Vincent recorded 44 dog attacks last year - 23 on people.

In the City of Mandurah, there have been 48 dog attacks this year, including four where people were injured.

"

Edited June 10, 2013 by inez

[mantis]

Very close to home. And again, its the bloody owners fault for allowing their dogs to roam.

Absolutely and totally true, the owners of these dogs are to blame however, the other side of the coin is if these roaming dogs were not aggressive dogs, the people encountering them may have escaped with a good licking instead which creates the breed factor and let's guess the breed.....Bull breeds again, what can you say in their defence when it's the same type of dog over and over again??

I don't advocate to ban the breed, what needs to be done is investigate who bred this crap and who's got them........the old breeding free for all strikes again......law needs to stop these BYB's and random breedings in the hands of people that haven't a clue how to breed a stable dog fit for community habitation.

Here you go, some attacks by non bull breeds. Happy now?

Ridgeback:

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2013/06/05/243376_local-news.html

Cattle Dogs:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-03/dog-attack-victim-27let-down27-by-justice-system/4606616

Great Dane x:

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/16434983/call-for-action-on-dog-attacks/

In my googling, I have discovered that attacks by other breeds are seldomly reported more than once and usually stay in the local news. Bull breed attacks get nation wide attention and often multiple articles are written on the same incident.

The BH incident involving cattle dogs has been reported on repeatedly though, mostly because of the piss weak sentence the owner received.

I wouldn't waste your time with these posters, who won't ever stop bashing Bull Breeds. To them, they are all "landsharks".

[Pailin]

Very close to home. And again, its the bloody owners fault for allowing their dogs to roam.

Absolutely and totally true, the owners of these dogs are to blame however, the other side of the coin is if these roaming dogs were not aggressive dogs, the people encountering them may have escaped with a good licking instead which creates the breed factor and let's guess the breed.....Bull breeds again, what can you say in their defence when it's the same type of dog over and over again??

I don't advocate to ban the breed, what needs to be done is investigate who bred this crap and who's got them........the old breeding free for all strikes again......law needs to stop these BYB's and random breedings in the hands of people that haven't a clue how to breed a stable dog fit for community habitation.

Here you go, some attacks by non bull breeds. Happy now?

Ridgeback:

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2013/06/05/243376_local-news.html

Cattle Dogs:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-03/dog-attack-victim-27let-down27-by-justice-system/4606616

Great Dane x:

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/16434983/call-for-action-on-dog-attacks/

Rottweiler:

http://www.caboolturenews.com.au/news/dog-mauls-five-year-old/1806453/

In my googling, I have discovered that attacks by other breeds are seldomly reported more than once and usually stay in the local news. Bull breed attacks get nation wide attention and often multiple articles are written on the same incident.

The BH incident involving cattle dogs has been reported on repeatedly though, mostly because of the piss weak sentence the owner received.

Don't forget Buster the Golden Retriever who attacked and injured 4 people and did NOT get PTS as any bull breed would have. A decision that I agreed with and applauded in some ways and despaired over the unfairness of the double standard treatment in another.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/four-injured-in-sydney-dog-attack-20110325-1ca3w.html

[Pailin]

Very close to home. And again, its the bloody owners fault for allowing their dogs to roam.

Absolutely and totally true, the owners of these dogs are to blame however, the other side of the coin is if these roaming dogs were not aggressive dogs, the people encountering them may have escaped with a good licking instead which creates the breed factor and let's guess the breed.....Bull breeds again, what can you say in their defence when it's the same type of dog over and over again??

I don't advocate to ban the breed, what needs to be done is investigate who bred this crap and who's got them........the old breeding free for all strikes again......law needs to stop these BYB's and random breedings in the hands of people that haven't a clue how to breed a stable dog fit for community habitation.

Here you go, some attacks by non bull breeds. Happy now?

Ridgeback:

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2013/06/05/243376_local-news.html

Cattle Dogs:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-03/dog-attack-victim-27let-down27-by-justice-system/4606616

Great Dane x:

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/16434983/call-for-action-on-dog-attacks/

In my googling, I have discovered that attacks by other breeds are seldomly reported more than once and usually stay in the local news. Bull breed attacks get nation wide attention and often multiple articles are written on the same incident.

The BH incident involving cattle dogs has been reported on repeatedly though, mostly because of the piss weak sentence the owner received.

So is it safe, if they get discussed?

Or is that breed bashing too?

Or is it only breed bashing if the subject is a bull breed?

LOL, you cannot even get the breed right to bash!

[Santo66]

Here you go, some attacks by non bull breeds. Happy now?

The Bull breed is under the microscope like it or not, so highlighting other breeds will do what to save the Bull breeds?

The Bull breed supporters if they were sensible IMHO is admit to the fact that people are out there screwing the breed up and some action needs to be taken to stop them doing it. We all know that there are scores of well bred Bullies out there even Pitbulls that WILL NOT ramdomly attack people, there a scores of good dogs out there so: nail the people breeding crap and help get the rubbish off the street. Leave Bully breeding to people who know what they are doing??

[BlackJaq]

Yes, I read Buster's story as well. And suddenly, everybody asked "Why". But not "why did he do that" but rather "why would a Golden Retriever do that". I also found the bias appalling.

[inez]

Here you go, some attacks by non bull breeds. Happy now?

The Bull breed is under the microscope like it or not, so highlighting other breeds will do what to save the Bull breeds?

The Bull breed supporters if they were sensible IMHO is admit to the fact that people are out there screwing the breed up and some action needs to be taken to stop them doing it. We all know that there are scores of well bred Bullies out there even Pitbulls that WILL NOT ramdomly attack people, there a scores of good dogs out there so: nail the people breeding crap and help get the rubbish off the street. Leave Bully breeding to people who know what they are doing??

Isnt going to happen, read the stats over 58 percent of dogs in this country never found their new home through a pet shop or a registered breeder. Eliminate petshop sales and registered breeders and you still have some 200,000 comming from no known source. That source will never be subject to any forms of control.

Edited June 10, 2013 by inez

[Mum to Emma]

Well, at least we know how will this thread go on.

First, people will talk about victims and idiot owners.

And then, somebody will say something about the breed involved.

That will follow with posts that would defend the breed and accuse everybody else for breed bashing.

And, that is how the thread will end, just like every other thread that involves bull breed or bull breed cross.

Thread closed.

Maybe the injoured wanted to get their names in the papers?

Maybe they shoved themselves and their dogs into the mouths of those poor unfortunate puppies?

Maybe its about time people stoped stressing these poor dogs, kept right away from the poor things, if you see them, have a heart, keep away, stop provoking them, dont put them at risk of being villified through no fault of their own, if their owner wants them to be free to roam where they please who are you or I to be so mean as to expect to use their streets and paths when they are going about their business?

Sureley its about time everyone realised the only way to protect them is to stay off their streets until they decided to go home, surely a bit of patience is all thats needed so they are safe from being upset instead of whats been happening by the up to now uncaring public.

Dont know why we ever didnt realise how easy the solution is, stop setting up these poor dogs for bad press, get a concience people, stay home and off the streets, its their turf, stop being so arrogant and think you have the right to walk down their streets, then they can live their lives in peace surely?

Brilliant post! Sadly many on this forum won't see your post as 'tongue in cheek'. DOG is GOD spelt backwards, right?!?

[spikey]

BEFORE the dog attacks. Go towards dog, with threatening posture, growl at dog in nasty voice. Throw stones if you have any. Take a walking stick, whether you need it or not, and whack the dog before it attacks .... a bit of pain always turns their attention. Whack it again if it doesn't work.a

By standing in front of my dogs and growling is how I've stopped most dogs but not all.

Agree, I pretty much start menacing the dog a soon as it starts to look like trouble, if it comes within reach it's basically agreeing to me beating the sh*t out of it and I go for it. Most will turn back once you take on a stiff, angry posture and start advancing on them though. I keep my animal(s) behind me and they know the drill, that includes the dogs as well as the horse lol.

If there is more than one then good luck to ya. I find others are more likely to help with multiple dogs if you tell them (in very simple terms) what to do i.e. "grab his backlegs" or whatever.

Yep, any dog approaching us gets stamping feet and yelling and if it still approaches it will get a kick. This has stopped any dogs trying to have a go at us.

All of the above are good advice ... IF you get the chance to see the attack coming. I was walking my 10-year-old Belgian several years ago, middle of the morning, quiet suburban street, and we were attacked - from behind - by two large Mastiff/Staffy Xs. I had seen one of the dogs out on the verge on the other side of the street we were walking along, so crossed to the other side of the road then started crossing ANOTHER road to go a different way, so we were well away from the house by this stage. It was only when I heard what I thought was someone running up behind me that I turned around to see two dogs running at us - there was no warning, they were just running at us silently at full speed. One of them launched himself into the air and straight at my girl. Luckily I managed to spin her away as he grabbed her in the middle of the back and he was "thrown off". As soon as he hit the ground, he leapt up and launched himself at her again. Unfortunately I was by myself and had nothing I could use as a weapon - we were out in the middle of the road, so there was nothing I could pick up to throw, or to hit the dogs with. I was screaming at the dogs at the top of my lungs, kicking and lashing out at them, all the time trying desperately to keep my girl safe. They just kept circling around and lunging in - and when they couldn't get at her, they went for me instead. It was just a nightmare and I knew that if either of us fell or were knocked down, it would have been all over. Thankfully a car came along the street and the driver blew the horn, and I managed to get the car between us and them and then got to the other side of the road and up someone's driveway. Another couple of cars drove past and the attacking dogs must have decided they'd had their "fun" and went back down the street.

By the way, DON'T rely on someone coming to help you either. This was a Saturday morning, and I'd passed numerous people out in their front gardens etc just moments before. During the attack, I was screaming and yelling, the dogs were snarling and growling, there was so much noise that people must have heard what was going on - and yet NOT ONE PERSON came to our aid. Not one. If that car hadn't come along when it did (although the driver didn't actually stop, or get out), I don't know how it would have ended up.

Turns out the dogs had just been left to their own devices in the front yard, which had NO gate on the driveway, and just a low picket fence. I reported it all to the Council rangers, the owners were fined (they denied the attack, so I had to go around there and identify the dogs), and they've since moved - the ranger told me the dogs had been picked up wandering loose at least once before - so now some other unfortunate street/suburb has probably been landed with them.

As I mentioned, I wasn't armed with anything that I could protect myself and my dog with - I won't EVER make that mistake again. I carry more than one method of defence and won't hesitate to use them.

[Diva]

That sounds horrific spikey. I have been lucky, on two occasions people driving by have stopped to help, and chased the attacking dogs off. I have been so grateful, but it should never come to that, not in an ordinary suburban street.

[spikey]

It was a horrific experience Diva - it took me months to get over it. For several weeks afterwards, I couldn't even take our girl for a walk - not just up that street, but anywhere at all - as I was terrified it would happen again. Our dog has never been the same again - she was always dominant with other females and boisterous when she played, but still friendly with other dogs, but after that attack, she would immediately go on the defensive as soon as she saw another dog running at us (which happens far too often for my liking, with owners who have no recall control over their dogs) and attempt to defend not just herself but me as well, bless her.

To be blunt, I wanted the attacking dogs PTS, and I make no apology for that whatsoever - it was a totally unprovoked attack, and as I said, if either myself or my dog had ended up on the ground, we'd have been seriously injured, or worse. However, as there was no physical injury to myself or my dog, the ranger said the most they could do was give the owners a fine. What if it had been a child or an elderly person who happened to be walking their dog past that house at the time? I could barely defend myself and my dog, they would have stood no chance.

Edited June 10, 2013 by spikey

[Silvawilow]

It made the news again tonight but couldn't heard a word over the kids. Makes me so mad that the small minority of idiots ruin it for everyone else.

[sandgrubber]

Kudos to the reporter, or headline writer. The fact that these were ROAMING dogs is much more important than the breed. If you want to high drive dogs who may be DA and/or HA, I think you're an idiot, but that's your own business. You can't outlaw idiocy. However, if you let your menacing dog roam, or don't invest heavily in preventing the dogs from getting out, you are a serious public nuisance and you deserve to be treated as a criminal. I think the owner deserves a felony on his record, and his dogs should be confisgated until he (or she) can prove that containment is adequate. If the owner's dogs are ever found roaming again, I think the owner should face a LONG jail term. Castration (of owner and/or dogs) might also be appropriate, but that's based on my personal warped sense of humor/justice. Don't think the law will ever take that line...well, maybe for the dogs.