Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonnii
Okay so this is something which I feel strongly about and wanted to see what you all think about it.
As you know there are a handful of dog breeds that are illegal to breed/sell/own here in the UK under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act:
- Pit Bull Terrier ("types")
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Braziliero
Now, do you agree that these dogs should be BANNED from the UK or do you believe that the law should come down much, much harder on those who choose to breed these dogs as 'status' dogs and breed them to be abused, mistreated intensively and then used to fight?
One of the above breeds, Pit Bull Terrier, is relatively speaking just a larger version of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier which we all know can be one of the most loving breeds of dog you can own (personal experience) and the PBT is one of the most common household, children-friendly dogs being owned in the States, as Staffy's are here in the UK.
At the end of the day it's all down to TRAINING. As I say, you don't get "dangerous dogs" you get "dangerous owners".
Okay sure some dogs, especially "terrier types" (e.g. Jack Russells, Westie's etc) are KNOWN to be not so welcoming of other animals but if trained and socialized with other dogs/strangers/kids from a puppy they turn out fine.
I just believe that certain dogs have such a bad stigma these days when it's only really a handful who have been cruelly treated and abused which end up acting aggressively and therefore add to the negative perception of their breed.
Y'know, if you buy a Labrador from a puppy, mistreat it, beat it, lock it away from other animals and people and then one day it happens to get out of the yard - guess what will happen?!
But yeah I'm waffling a hell of a lot here but what's your views on the dangerous dogs act etc?
/rant.
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I agree with it. If any dog has a naturally inbuilt instinct to fight or attack, has been bred for that purpose, etc: they should not be allowed.
Have you seen the mess that some unfortunate people have been left in after being attacked by a dog (never mind fighting dogs). That's only the ones that have been maimed for life, never mind the (thankfully) rare deaths? I only ask because of your comments (bolded above). I don't feel that that is the case that
it's only a handful due to abuse/neglect.
any animal who has been abused or neglected will of course try to defend itself. It's called natural instinct to survive mixed in with utter fear. Humans do that do - even the most placid ones.
Dogs that are classed as dangerous have been classed as such for very good reasons.