Oh look! ANOTHER dog attack yesterday.

[i-need-a-martini]

On a 3 year old girl. This times it was (surprise, surprise!) the family staffy who has never "lashed out" before.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/family-staffy-bites-girl-3-on-face-in-richmond/story-fni0c...

What does that make it? One death and 2 serious injuries in a fortnight.

[azureline**]

Eileen Thumpkin - President Qld

[polksaladallie]

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@azureline** wrote:

Eileen Thumpkin - President Qld

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Funny name!

I did not specify a time frame.

[monman12]

TS: "*shakes head* My dogs LOVE being cuddled and kissed, they insist on it when the children are here.
Do you have a dog, one that has been around children all their life?
 Experts? hmmmmm"

"No bones" TS would place you also in the "Experts? hmmmmm" group.

TS: "The RSPCA 'boss' is someone I have no time for. The RSPCA has a lot to answer for"

They certainly do in their unending quest to  improve animal welfare and attempts to educate pet owners, and they have been recognised for their achievements in these fields.

The RSPCA boss, do you mean Hugh Wirth, the past president of RSPCA  Australia and president of the Victorian RSPCA?, An immediate Past President of WSPA and Director of WSPA since 1993 (World Society for the Protection of Animals, an organisation representing over 460 animal welfare bodies in 114 countries.
Oh and Victorian of the Year recently

I recommend one of his books: Living with Dogs: A Commonsense Guide.

"No bones" "experts" Hmmmmmmmm.

PS I have owned Great Danes, Basenjis, Burmese cats, and my boys grew up among animals. Dogs (and cats) are never 100% safe,  not from inherent viciousness, but instinctive reaction to external stimuli.

Non hmmmmmm  experienced  nɥºɾ

[polksaladallie]

I have heard Hugh Wirth say the same, but I was referring to

http://www.pethealth.com.au/Page/dr-cam-day-veterinary-behaviourist

IMO the best animal behaviour expert ever.

[twinkles**stars]

polks asked if I knew who the boss of RSPCA is....she wanted me to give HIS name. I questioned did she mean the womans name...as it is a woman from WA, the current CEO of RSPCA.

[i-need-a-martini]

ANYWAY... back to the thread instead of squabbling.

Of course dogs can be trusted with children. My husband slept with his bassett until he was in his teens. Some dogs can even be trusted when they have a bone in their mouth - my bassetts certainly could and we often had to remove bones from her fro various reasons.

But some dog breeds cannot be trusted full stop. Regardless of how well trained they are. Regardless of how well socialised they are. Regardless of how much people think they are part of their family.

And yes, you could say "blame the owners" in many cases. But the owners behaviour is neither here nor there with certain breeds - the ownership makes no difference at all when faced with a powerful breed with instincts to kill as the last 3 attacks have shown.

How many more deaths have to occur before we ban breeds that are the cause of repeated attacks?

[twinkles**stars]

Are you saying Bassetts are a safe breed?

[i-need-a-martini]

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@twinkles**stars wrote:

Are you saying Bassetts are a safe breed?

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I have yet to see a bassett on any of the comprehensive lists I have been reviewing this week on dog attack stats in Australia. You are welcome to prove me wrong.

But any dog can bite. The difference is that other dogs, like Bassetts, don't have a large jaw and they don't have a lock down instinct that a mastiff or staff or pit would have.

Ie. They will not bite to kill.

[twinkles**stars]

I have no need to prove anyone wrong....this is a discussion borad / forum is ot not?

Bassett Hounds were bred for hunting hence their abitily to  attack. There are many reported cases of Bassett Hound attacks, resulting in death should you like to look at them

[purplecarrot-top]

We have had a couple of chihauahas  (spell). They can be snappy little devils.