Angry Is Not The Word

[broadway]

My staffie has just been attacked by 2 pitbull's over the park, she has a gash on her face and her ears are sore, just off to the vets now.

I’ve seen this woman many times before and she’s ok but these dogs just went today, she couldn’t handle them.

My dilemma is do I report it to the police or go and find her and tell her that unless they are muzzled I will report her or much more?

My staffie is my baby, wouldn’t hurt a fly, my concern is next time I she this woman/dogs I might flip and it wouldn’t be very nice for them.

[shirlthegirl43]

Hope your dog is okay. I thought all of those type of dogs had to be muzzled by law now? I would check the law relating to muzzles and tell her if you see her dogs without them again you will report her to the police.

[pdblake]

I thought that 'proper' pitbulls were illegal these days anyway. I'd report it myself, especially if she can't handle them, next time they might go for you, or a kid.

[broadway]

I thought they were illegal as well but you see loads of them in London attached to so called gangsters!! I'm going to ask the vet for advice.

Thanks for your comments and kind words.

[FionaH]

I would report them. How would you feel if next time they go it is for a child?

[HeyWayne]

Hope your dog feels better soon and it hasn't been too traumatic.

If they are Pit Bulls, they must be muzzled at all times it would appear:

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (c. 65)

[zazen999]

You have to report them.

Hope your dog is ok, and gets patched up by the Vet.

I know why you are livid....and as Fi says, it could be a child next time.

[winstonwobble]

Defo report them it might be a child next time and believe me there will be a next time these dogs arnt on the dangerous dogs list for no reason hope your dog recoves quickly

[bluemoon]

I hope your dog is feeling better and not too distressed. I always wonder why someone would want a pit-bull in the first place. In my, admittedly limited, experience they seem to be owned by a certain 'type'. I have also heard recently that, far from being something that passed away with Queen Victoria, dog-fighting is actually on the increase, and if we're honest that's all a pit-bull is for, they're not exactly your average family pet. Also that these people will steal pets for their dogs to 'practice' on, which I find truly horrifying and I'll admit to a few sleepless nights about my own dogs since I read that. Are these genuine pets? And why does this woman feel the need to keep this breed if they are (there are breeds of dog far better suited to protecting her and her home, which are largely calm and gentle and which will not attack without good cause, so keeping them for protection is a non-starter). Only you know all the details of the person and the situation, but like others have said, next time it could be a toddler.

[vicky]

Sorry to hear about your dog, I can understand how upset you are - hope she is ok.
We had a dog round here (specifically bred as a guard dog) that kept attacking other dogs - like everyone has said you have to report them as it could be a child next... We reported to the local dog warden at the council (it did take a few attacks for action to happen!) and the dog has now been castrated and the fencing around it's field is totally secure - no problems since.

[phil the shed]

I thought that 'proper' pitbulls were illegal these days anyway. I'd report it myself, especially if she can't handle them, next time they might go for you, or a kid.

i would re-iterate you wouldn't forgive yourself if you heard they had mauled a child because she couldn't hold tem

[OverWyreGrower]

Actual PBT's are illegal, and have been so for quite a while... pit-bull 'types' however crop up all over the place. PBT-Types can be crosses of staffies, mastiffs, american bull dogs etc, so they might not be actual PBT's... and the majority of the dodgy owners have no idea what they've bought, as it won't be a pure-bred PBT.

Any aggressive dog - whatever breed etc, should be muzzled and under control at all times. There is no excuse for not doing this if you know that your dog will attack other dogs.

And, just cos I'm feeling a bit like that this afternoon, a dog-aggressive dog is not necessarily a people-aggressive dog. In fact, many dogs who dislike others of their own species get on just fine with humans. OK, off my soap-box now....

But in all seriousness - speak to your local dog warden (the police don't always deal with these things). Take pictures of your dogs injuries, and if necessary, get an itemised vet bill/report. Out-of-control dogs are a serious matter and need sorting out.

Oh yes, and make sure you give your girl loads of TLC and hugs to make her feel better!!

[Hilary B]

IF these really are Pit Bulls, there shouldn't be any around any more (unless they are VERY old) because when they got listed as 'dangerous' it became obligatory to have them neutered, and that was a long time ago!
I don't approve of this notion of defining a dog as 'dangerous' based on its breed. There are dangerous dogs in many breeds, and if people want nasty dogs for fighting, they will find a nasty strain in some other breed and create fighting dogs from that!
These are 'dangerous dogs' whatever breed they might be, and yes, you should report it.

[Hilary B]

Actual PBT's are illegal, and have been so for quite a while... pit-bull 'types' however crop up all over the place. PBT-Types can be crosses of staffies, mastiffs, american bull dogs etc, so they might not be actual PBT's... and the majority of the dodgy owners have no idea what they've bought, as it won't be a pure-bred PBT.

Any aggressive dog - whatever breed etc, should be muzzled and under control at all times. There is no excuse for not doing this if you know that your dog will attack other dogs.

And, just cos I'm feeling a bit like that this afternoon, a dog-aggressive dog is not necessarily a people-aggressive dog. In fact, many dogs who dislike others of their own species get on just fine with humans. OK, off my soap-box now....

But in all seriousness - speak to your local dog warden (the police don't always deal with these things). Take pictures of your dogs injuries, and if necessary, get an itemised vet bill/report. Out-of-control dogs are a serious matter and need sorting out.

Oh yes, and make sure you give your girl loads of TLC and hugs to make her feel better!!

100%!
Oh, and I think 'Pit Bull Types' got added to the list a bit more recently.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

I hope your dog is okay, the few staffies I have known have been big softies who wouldn't harm a fly. Report this woman and her dogs.