[Ammi]

A three-year-old boy has died after being bitten by a dog in Halstead, Essex, police said.

The tragedy happened at a property in a residential street - Parker Way - at 5.40pm on Thursday.

The boy was airlifted to hospital but died from his injuries, police said.

The dog has been seized by police and placed in kennels.

A 29-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control. She remains in custody.

Two police officers were today guarding the front of the house, which was cordoned off with blue and white tape.

A silver car was parked in the driveway.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said two rapid response vehicles and an air ambulance attended the scene.

"A young child was treated for life-threatening injuries before being airlifted to Addenbrookes Hospital (in Cambridge)," a spokesman said.
"Sadly despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the child died and our thoughts are with the family involved at this time."

It comes days after a 52-year-old man was killed by a dog which had been returned to its owner despite concerns it was dangerous.

David Ellam was out walking with his Yorkshire terrier close to his home in Huddersfield on Monday when he was attacked.

West Yorkshire Police said the animal had been seized by police following a visit by a dog warden in June.

But it had been returned to its owner on 8 August after it was determined that it was not a banned breed.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has said it will launch an investigation into Monday's attack.



http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews...cid=spartandhp

[Niamh.]

Oh Jesus

[user104658]

IMO dog ownership needs to be changed entirely. Should be a legal requirement for dogs to either be bought as dogs already trained, or if you want to own a puppy, there should be a requirement to prove that it's properly trained before 1 year old.

Any improperly trained dog has the potential to be a dangerous dog, full stop, and the VAST majority of dogs in this country kept as pets are not properly trained.

[joeysteele]

These stories are awful, there is no need for anyone to be harmed by a Dog if the owner makes sure other people and indeed his Dog are safe and secure.

Adequate fencing, the Dog always on a lead when walked,only allowed off where it is totally safe to be and no one else around.

It is protection of not only other people that comes from those simple guidelines but protection for the owners and the Dogs too.
Equally however,I wish people too would instruct their children not to approach Dogs,the Dog I lost earlier this year was really gentle, the one I have now is a times more unsure of others.

However, as with my last beautiful friend, my Staffie who I lost, often I had children running up towards him and which I got abuse at times for telling them not to and pulling him away from the area.
Being called a meanie for not letting the child near him.

Absolutely no one needs to be hurt by a Dog if all the precautions and right guidelines are followed for the safety of all, others, owners and the Dogs too.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

IMO dog ownership needs to be changed entirely. Should be a legal requirement for dogs to either be bought as dogs already trained, or if you want to own a puppy, there should be a requirement to prove that it's properly trained before 1 year old.

Any improperly trained dog has the potential to be a dangerous dog, full stop, and the VAST majority of dogs in this country kept as pets are not properly trained.

The problem nowadays that I've noticed is people treat their dogs like children and they're not children, treating dogs like that only leads to behavioral issues that can be potentially dangerous

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

These stories are awful, there is no need for anyone to be harmed by a Dog if the owner makes sure other people and indeed his Dog are safe and secure.

Adequate fencing, the Dog always on a lead when walked,only allowed off where it is totally safe to be and no one else around.

It is protection of not only other people that comes from those simple guidelines but protection for the owners and the Dogs too.
Equally however,I wish people too would instruct their children not to approach Dogs,the Dog I lost earlier this year was really gentle, the one I have now is a times more unsure of others.

However, as with my last beautiful friend, my Staffie who I lost, often I had children running up towards him and which I got abuse at times for telling them not to and pulling him away from the area.
Being called a meanie for not letting the child near him.

Absolutely no one needs to be hurt by a Dog if all the precautions and right guidelines are followed for the safety of all, others, owners and the Dogs too.

That's being a responsible dog owner, it's for the dogs safety as well as the people around you

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

That's being a responsible dog owner, it's for the dogs safety as well as the people around you

It is Niamh, the owners of Dogs who have their Dog off the lead even worry me when I am out with mine.
You can never be sure what may come about,it is why I want to be in control of my pet at all times.
The only time my last Dog and now this one I have were off the lead was in their own back garden,I have a just over 6 foot fence all round it, blocking any way to the front of the house.

Again I do that for their protection and mine but for other people too.
Really simple, common sense guidelines in my view.

[smudgie]

Poor bairn. So tragic.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

The problem nowadays that I've noticed is people treat their dogs like children and they're not children, treating dogs like that only leads to behavioral issues that can be potentially dangerous

Exactly, dogs are pack animals and treating them is equals is essentially telling them that they have free will to defend themselves / the pack "as they see fit" rather than having to defer to the alpha (their owner).

Even then though you need to be careful because a "good dog" can still snap if it's in pain or thinks a member of the family is in real danger.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Exactly, dogs are pack animals and treating them is equals is essentially telling them that they have free will to defend themselves / the pack "as they see fit" rather than having to defer to the alpha (their owner).

Even then though you need to be careful because a "good dog" can still snap if it's in pain or thinks a member of the family is in real danger.

We've had 4 dogs over the years, two collies and two terriers, I've noticed that the terriers got snappy sometimes (at the Vets/when they're hurt) but no matter what the two collies never snapped at a person in their lives. I wonder if it was just a personality thing in those particular dogs or a breed thing

[Crimson Dynamo]

hmmm

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

We've had 4 dogs over the years, two collies and two terriers, I've noticed that the terriers got snappy sometimes (at the Vets/when they're hurt) but no matter what the two collies never snapped at a person in their lives. I wonder if it was just a personality thing in those particular dogs or a breed thing

Collies seem to be in a league of their own when it comes to training though, some of the things they can be taught to do are incredible and they also seem to get real enjoyment /satisfaction out of it, so I'd say there's just a good chance that the breed in general tends to have a better understanding of what's going on (e.g. That people are trying to help them when they're injured) so they won't be as scared / confused and snap?

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Collies seem to be in a league of their own when it comes to training though, some of the things they can be taught to do are incredible and they also seem to get real enjoyment /satisfaction out of it, so I'd say there's just a good chance that the breed in general tends to have a better understanding of what's going on (e.g. That people are trying to help them when they're injured) so they won't be as scared / confused and snap?

maybe so yeah, they were great dogs though, I really those two

[Cal.]

What a terrible story. I hope the woman gets a decent sentence for allowing this to happen.

Terriers I think no matter how much you train them always have a bit of 'misbehaving' in them.

And yeah I've gotten funny looks off people before for telling them not to bring their dog up to my dogs to sniff each other etc cos one of my dogs hates other animals.

[Cherie]

Keeping a dog on a lead isn't always going to stop a dog attacking I've seen people walking dogs that are so powerful you know they would never be able to hold them if they decided to go, I don't know what the answer is

[Cal.]

Oh when little kiddies are out walking a big dog and it starts barking at my dogs it's awful. Just what would you do?

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Who Is She?

Oh when little kiddies are out walking a big dog and it starts barking at my dogs it's awful. Just what would you do?

All you can do is cross the road or walk in the opposite direction

[arista]

LBC Radio 9AM (Nic)
said the news was held back by Police
We never had this before in his newspaper day


Tragic that a 3 year old boy
was not protected from a
dog that can get jelous
or something else,
Again

[Ammi]

...the dog and dog owner lady who has been charged aside for a moment..I can't imagine a parent watching their child being hurt by someone/something and being totally helpless to it all...to be able to do anything to prevent.../just horrendous and helplessness to protect their child being the worst nightmare for a parent... ...

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...the dog and dog owner lady who has been charged aside for a moment..I can't imagine a parent watching their child being hurt by someone/something and being totally helpless to it all...to be able to do anything to prevent.../just horrendous and helplessness to protect their child being the worst nightmare for a parent... ...

yeah absolutely

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Cherie

Keeping a dog on a lead isn't always going to stop a dog attacking I've seen people walking dogs that are so powerful you know they would never be able to hold them if they decided to go, I don't know what the answer is

True, when I was in my late teens I was Walking my mum's terrier and an absolutely massive dog came charging at it to attack, dragging a powerless lady junkie behind it screaming. There might as well have been no one there, it was dragging her on her heels effortlessly. I kicked it in the jaw, luckily during a phase where I wore steel capped boots and that was enough for it to back off. It could just as easily have mauled me to death though, it was genuinely like a small horse, and I wasn't for letting it eat the dog .

Just think, you fine people might never have known the joy of TS...

[Reg_Holdsworth_Fan]

I hope the stupid bitch rots in hell for allowing the dog to take an innocent life!!!

The dog should be put down for murdering the poor kid regardless whether it is a 'legal' or 'illegal' breed!!

People like this 29-year old silly **** who let dogs murder other people should never exist. They are a disgrace to humanity!!!

[arista]

So the Dog is a American Bull Dog
not ideal for Essex



Ref: LBC News headlines

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

IMO dog ownership needs to be changed entirely. Should be a legal requirement for dogs to either be bought as dogs already trained, or if you want to own a puppy, there should be a requirement to prove that it's properly trained before 1 year old.

Any improperly trained dog has the potential to be a dangerous dog, full stop, and the VAST majority of dogs in this country kept as pets are not properly trained.

Agree with this tbh, and I don't really give a crap if people think it is too strict, or that it is their 'right' to have a dog or whatever.

[Kizzy]

When you see things like this you understand why some dogs turn...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...-a7197086.html