And another toddler mauled to death by a dog?

[i-need-a-martini]

2 years old and killed by a mastiff cross.

The grandmother managed to free the boy from the dogs jaws and rushed him inside. The dog followed her in and grabbed the baby right out of her arms because he wasn't finished.

By all accounts a well cared for dog with no history so we can't blame the owners here.

Why do we continue to allow these dogs to be kept in homes??

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/town-unites-behind-family-of-mauled-toddler-20130806-2rc22.html

[mugssy65]

As most of you know I own English Staffordshire Bull Terriers, yes these dogs were bred to fight when bear baiting became illegal in the uk BUT because dog fighting was the "sport" of the common man the dogs were not often fought to the death, they were taken home to their very large families where they stayed in the house with the family. I don't believe it's in their nature to attack but it is becoming more common because of the way individual dogs are being brought up. A Staffy (and most dogs) need to live inside with her pack! Don't like it? Don't get one!

[*mrgrizz*]

i had 2 staffies before my current 2.

they were part of the family.

used to plonk themselves in front of the heater everynight.

never show any agression towards anyone, in fact would lick you to death if that was possible.

then roll over for a belly rub.

i now have 2 manchester terriers. they are breed for ratting.

the oldest was abused by someone as a pup. but i have put in a lot of work and he is so much better now.

my yard is secure and locked so they can't get out.

i muzzle him when people come around or take him out cause he can get a little growly when you touch his rump.

the younger dog is excellent with everyone. and loves everyone.

but at the end of the day when my young neice and nephew come around the dogs aren't left alone with them.

[crystal**flake]

These dogs are breed to be aggressive so the aggression will show its ugly side.....................eventually and in some form.

[azureline**]

Mastiff's are not bred to be aggressive?

The grandmother said she was outside with the child getting the ice block, she threw the ice block to him but he ignored it.

[polksaladallie]

---

@*mrgrizz* wrote:

but at the end of the day when my young neice and nephew come around the dogs aren't left alone with them.

---

That, mrgrizz, is at the heart of the problem   The boss of the Australian RSPCA once said that "dogs and young children do not belong together".  He recommended that parents wait until their children were at least school age before introducing a family dog.

[chinchuckchick]

I wouldn't own anything else but a Staffy anymore, but I agree some people buy the for the wrong reasons. They might look tough, but are the biggest softies. Ours is an inside dog, beautifully behaved and socialised and a much loved member of our "pack"

A Staffy is happiest when they are with their family, as close as they can be.

[katydidthat]

We had a border collie/kelpie cross which I got when my son was 2. My son was a typical toddler ... put his fingers in the dog's eyes and mouth, tried to ride him ... The dog put up with all of this pretty cheerfully, but when she got fed up, she would give a little warning growl. That was time for me to act.

I might have been in the kitchen when they were in the living room, but I was always in hearing distance. There was never any sign that the dog would have taken any action ... but it just seemed logical to keep alert.

[crystal**flake]

When I had my kids I had 2 Chi's, the kids weren't allowed near them. When the kids were outside the dogs were put away. I don't think any child under 7 should be allowed around any dogs without continued supervision.

[*mrgrizz*]

anyway my next pets are going to be meercats

[i-need-a-martini]

As much as a staffy or mastiff owners goes on about how much of a softie they are, there can be no denying that UNLIKE other dogs, their instincts are different. And once those instincts kick in, then UNLIKE any other breed there is no way of stopping them once they attack.

So they can be as loved and well cared for as your average german shephard but the fact is that a german shepherd (despite registering quite high on the list of animals that bite) will not bite to kill. These other breeds (mastiffs, staffy's, huskys) will.

And that is why they cannot be trusted to be kept as pets at all, let alone trusted with children

As a child we owned a staffy cross (crossed with something harmless, can't remember what) who was well loved and well cared for and well behaved. However, he turned on a neighbour one day for no reason. Neighbour (who was well loved by the dog) was chatting to my dad. Dog sitting at dads feet. 10mins into conversation, dog grabs the neighbours leg and refuses to let go. He was put down immediately. Other dogs just don't behave like this.