Advice please

[Headfry]

How can I deal with dogs (stafford bull terriers) that are getting out and killing cats and going for people?

[TEB]

Report it to the police and the RSPCA

[lottie dolly]

How can I deal with dogs (stafford bull terriers) that are getting out and killing cats and going for people?

AS TEB says,we do not own a dog,but of all the staffies we know of are as daft and sloppy as can be,as DH says the only dog to own,the family had one when we were courting,as daft as tripe and very friendly,maybe the heat has got to the ones where you are,
are they yours,or a neighbours,
if they are yours headfry,maybee a vet would be a good call,

[Headfry]

No not ours.!!!!! sorry I should have made it more clear. I am so upset and angry that I dare not send the full version as it might seem like a total rant or worse.
have done police, RSPCA, council, dog warden, about to try housing association.
Staffs are lovely but these belong to a group of not lovelies.
The poor gentleman who's cat was killed, a long time family pet, a really nice family- wife is so worried that he may have a heart attack- its just awful and no one seems able to help. We just need the dogs removed from the village - let people calm down and then sort out ALL the other issues.
I was so worried saying good bye to my two old boys (cats) this morning when leaving for work, they would not stand a chance - been with us 15 years now. I am worried for all other village pets, kiddies and people, as we know the dogs will go for you- they have shown that already.
It upsets me so much- been up since 4am - feel quite sick really - not a happy HF at all - sorry folks x

[binley100]

It sounds like you're reporting to the right people. The police are taking a strong view on aggresive dogs and are trying to remove them . Any dog can b aggressive if its trained that way and unfortunatly there is a section of society that thinks its ok to have an aggressive dog. Hopefully the authorities will get things sorted out.

[lizzylemon]

If I've read your post corrcetly, you've already been to the Police/ RSCPA etc and they've not done anything?

Perhaps you need to explain the situation to a local rag journalist if the others aren't listening and then go back to the RSPCA. I'm amazed they've done nothing, they're normally very proactive especially when another animals have already been injured / killed by the dogs. Maybe their stumbling block is the local police - I believe they have to have a police order to remove dangerous animals.......not sure though.

Whatever happens, I wish you the best off luck - what a scary situation for everyone.

[Nicos]

I'd go with LL- contact your local paper- better still- can you nip into their office?
Piccies of the cat (before it died) etc

xx

[Patchninja]

I would also contact the police again to ask them what they've done! I am a mad dog person but I hate seeing dogs out of control - it's the owner's fault. They must be moved. I feel for you!

[Headfry]

Lizzylemon - the RSPCA were very blunt and almost rude to me! I was quite knocked back.
The bluntly told me that 'it is not a un lawful act for an animal to kill another animal'
And as no one has been bitten...... This is why I cry for your help - we seem to fall on all deaf ears. How long before a child is hurt and how any pets will best lost in that time.
Patchninja - Police are coming round tonight.
Yes the papers....a good idea thank you.
Have had email from kindly gentleman who was cats owner - he will take it to court if nothing done. He is in such a worried upset state. I do worry for his health. His family are worried too.

[teakdesk]

The poor gentleman who's cat was killed, a long time family pet....

Do you actually have proof that the cat was killed by this particular staffie or is it just a witch-hunt against the staffies that are assumed to be responsible?

Was the attack witnessed?

Lots of other animals enter a village.

Lots of other dogs in a village.

[Headfry]

Nobody has a dislike of the dogs at all. Yes the dogs were seen.

[lindyloo]

i think you would need to be very careful about getting the local papers involved; you could concievably get sued for slander. i would have a calm word with the police again, voicing concern that the dogs are not being kept under control. this might work, because a loose dog can cause accidents on the roads; it is against the law to have a dog lose on the road. ( which law i wish more dog walkers paid attention to! ) i do love dogs, and the staffies i have met are all lovely, but all dogs can be potentially destructive and harmful if left to thier own devices, and the right situation crops up. i would try again with the police, but before that, i would try to talk to the dogs owners, not accusing, but stating concern that thier dog will get run over or cause an accident for which they would be liable. (not too surprised ie. the rspca- they are generally selective about what they do!)

[ginger ninger]

HF are you boys OK...you sounded distraught earlier on in your thread. I wouldn't hesitate in going to your local paper about this disgusting act. AND I'd tell them what the R.S.P.C.A said, my Niece is an R.S.P.C.A inspector and she said that they should have been to see the the owner of the dog what did the dead. The police should have been to see them as well, also the Elderly Gentleman who's cat was killed. I really can't believe the R.S.P.C.A didn't want to know...you would have thought they would want to prosecute the culprits.
It's not all that long ago they prosecuted a lad for dealing's a cat for his dog to...well you can guess the rest, he was jailed & banned from owning another dog...his dog was destroyed.
I'm a big animal lover and I wouldn't want anyone's pet destroyed, but when they kill other peoples pet's...then we have to draw a line.

[swansea girl]

Could you ask other people in your area to write to housing association? lots of letters from different people may hold some weight.
It is a criminal offence (for the owner and/or the person in charge of the dog) to allow a dog to be ‘dangerously out of control’ in a public place. A dog does not have to bite you to be breaking the law the owner is responsible for ensuring his dog does not intimidate and frighten.
Hope you get it resolved soon,best of luck

[lizzylemon]

Lizzylemon - the RSPCA were very blunt and almost rude to me! I was quite knocked back.
The bluntly told me that 'it is not a un lawful act for an animal to kill another animal'
And as no one has been bitten...... This is why I cry for your help - we seem to fall on all deaf ears. How long before a child is hurt and how any pets will best lost in that time.

Saddened but not terribly surprised to read this. However, I would have another go and speak to either another area branch or someone higher up the ladder than the last person. Sometimes just speaking to another person in the same department can make a world of difference. Even if they're not bothered by the dogs killing local cats, they must at least speak to the owners as the dogs are in danger themselves of being run over etc and that must come under their jurestriction (sorry bad spelling).