[LaLaLand]

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.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

why is that japanese tosa illegal its really cute

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Scott

why is that japanese tosa illegal its really cute

It was originally bred in Tosa (present day Kochi) as afighting dogand still is today.

Ownership of Tosas is legally restricted in certain jurisdictions. In the United Kingdom ownership is regulated under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. A specific exemption of a British court is required to own and import Tosas legally in the UK[1]. Some insurance companies will not insure homes with dog breeds deemed dangerous. The Australian Customs Service prohibits the import of Tosas, along with other dog breeds considered dangerous, into Australia.[3]
The Tosa is one of eleven breeds of dog recently banned by the Dublin City Council from their properties, including council houses, flats and estates.[4]
The breed is illegal in Norway[2], Denmark[citation needed] and Iceland[5][6]. Additionally, the breed is banned in New Zealand[7] and Malaysia, where the country's government claimed that the Tosas are specifically bred for fighting; the step was made in order to combat the increasing number of dog attacks on humans, especially children. They are also illegal in Malta and Australia.[3]


Yep, sounds really cute.

[Niamh.]

The problem with the dangerous dogs that you listed is that if they're not trained/treated properly they could kill someone. Yes, a jack russell or lab could be aggressive but they can't do as much damage to a person as a Pit bull could, that's the problem.

[LaLaLand]

^ Because sadly some people see that dog as a powerful machine and bred it for dog fighting. You can just imagine that dog above being huge cuddly lap dog but sadly people have decided otherwise.

[Pyramid*]

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.

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.

[joeysteele]

We have a dog at home, a staffie,he is really gentle and would 'lick' you to death but even when playing with him,if he just lightly catches your hand as he jumps for a ball whatever, he pulls right back and puts his head down,knowing he may have done something wrong..

All dogs can be dangerous and particularly can do harm to Children,however people make dogs bad, irresponsible and uncaring owners.
I am aware that Staffies have a bad name from some people but just as they can be trained to be vicious,they can also be trained to be the total opposite.

Anyone who has a dog either too big for them to handle or that they are not willing to train properly, then if problems come from that I would say the owners should be the ones who get the book thrown at them, the dog will end up losing its life probably anyway.

I would never like to say, someone cannot ever own any type of dog,however I think especially for the breeds listed above and maybe some others too,owners should be made to show they can control the dogs outside and always have them on a lead and/or harnessed.

Dogs sense fear in people, if they pick that up they will move towards the person if not on a lead,that can lead to great danger especially if it's a Child.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

We have a dog at home, a staffie,he is really gentle and would 'lick' you to death but even when playing with him,if he just lightly catches your hand as he jumps for a ball whatever, he pulls right back and puts his head down,knowing he may have done something wrong..

All dogs can be dangerous and particularly can do harm to Children,however people make dogs bad, irresponsible and uncaring owners.
I am aware that Staffies have a bad name from some people but just as they can be trained to be vicious,they can also be trained to be the total opposite.

Anyone who has a dog either too big for them to handle or that they are not willing to train properly, then if problems come from that I would say the owners should be the ones who get the book thrown at them, the dog will end up losing its life probably anyway.

I would never like to say, someone cannot ever own any type of dog,however I think especially for the breeds listed above and maybe some others too,owners should be made to show they can control the dogs outside and always have them on a lead and/or harnessed.

Dogs sense fear in people, if they pick that up they will move towards the person if not on a lead,that can lead to great danger especially if it's a Child.

Staffies though are known for their good character and temperment. The problem is not the Staffie breed: it arises from those who have pit bulls but refer to them as Staffie bull terriers: pit bulls being a world away from Staffies.

Staffies are recognised as being a good breed around children by the K.Club - its not that breed that is the problem. It's people who don't know the differnce between it and pit bulls.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

Staffies though are known for their good character and temperment. The problem is not the Staffie breed: it arises from those who have pit bulls but refer to them as Staffie bull terriers: pit bulls being a world away from Staffies.

Staffies are recognised as being a good breed around children by the K.Club - its not that breed that is the problem. It's people who don't know the differnce between it and pit bulls.

Once again Pyramid, I agree with you, it is surprising the number of people who ask us is that a pit bull.As you say not having a clue as to the difference.

[joeysteele]

Oh,I meant to add, our Staffie runs away if he sees a cat, the other way down the garden back to the house.

[Kerry]

I find the biggest problem with dogs - any dogs - is human ignorance

[InOne]

Well the only people who seem to be attracted to those dogs are the one's who use them for bad. So may as well ban them

[Kerry]

I'm currently looking for another Staffie pup

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by InOne

Well the only people who seem to be attracted to those dogs are the one's who use them for bad. So may as well ban them

I'm confused..... are you meaning the ones in the OP or the Staffies? I take it's the former. (in fact... reading it again, you probably do mean that!)

[Kerry]

That Japanese Tosa looks like a bloody donkey

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by ~Kerry~

That Japanese Tosa looks like a bloody donkey