Baby Killed By Rottweiler

[Happylittlegreensquirrel]

I understand what you [and Dr M] are saying Sam. I do however appreciate that the police when faced with an out of control animal and a dead or dying child have to react according to what they see. A tranq dart may be the answer but would need a specialist to administer. I really don't see what options they have when faced with something like this to be honest and what future for any animal who kills a child? it wouldn't make the slightest bit of difference what caused the attack, if someone dies as a result of it who is ever going to take that animal on? very very few people I should think.

 

 

I can see your point Mel , and of course I don't know what mental condition any of the dogs were in when the police arrived to the various incidents and of course the police have to protect every one else who is attending and if they did not shot the dog and it bit someone else they would be equally criticised

 

I do agree that even if a dog was removed alive for assessment that it would almost certainly be euthanized at a later date but I do think that it could prove helpful in some cases for the dog to be assessed by professionals if only to rule out some elements ( neglect/cruelty on the part of the owner or illness* ) or to build up a more complete picture of what happened and why as to help prevent further deaths or injury's

 

sorry I am not explaining myself very well at the moment

 

Sam

 

 

* I am not suggesting that any of the those are relevant to this tragic case and was talking on general lines

[sproggie14]

I thought that was a good point too. I'm sure the dog would still be euthanased but it does seem odd not to take the opportunity to try to find out why the dog attacked in order to prevent future attacks. If they can call in specialist police to shoot the dog then why not someone able to dart the dog?

[Mrs Mop]

Sky News is showing Mel a lot more than anyone else and Mel is getting the point across about the owners. Well done Mel

[depurple1]

I've just seen the interviews on Sky - I though Melp, Roger Mugford and another guy (Ryan?) came across well. I was so disgusted with the attitude of the Sky presenter, though, that I've emailed in to say so. He just seemed to ask the same question over and over again, and get irate when he got the same answer. He is clearly not a dog lover.

[ReikiAnge]

I have my thoughts about Sky(!) but I am grateful that they have chosen to interview people like Melp, Roger, Ryan and Chris Laurence so that a sensible anti-BSL point of view is getting across from one "side" at least.

 

I guess also that the questions Sky is asking are ones that many members of the general public will be thinking, so it is again a good opportunity to explain, in dreadful circumstances, why BSL is not good/does not work.

[ReikiAnge]

Press conference on Sky News now.

[greyhound pal]

From the BBC News website

 

 

Death puts spotlight on dog laws

 

The fatal attack on a one-year-old boy by a pet rottweiler comes almost exactly a year after five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson was killed by her uncle's dog.

 

It is certain to reignite the debate about how to deal with dangerous dogs and the legisation covering them - which was introduced after a series of attacks and has been widely criticised as rushed and ineffective.

 

Indeed, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was cited in a BBC Radio 4 poll last January of laws the public would most like to see revoked.

 

It bans the breeding, sale or exchange of four kinds of dogs: pit bull terriers, Japanese tosas, the dogo Argentinos and the fila brasileiros. Cross-breeds of these are also covered by the law.

 

Other dogs which appear bred for fighting are also banned.

 

A dog classed as dangerously out of control in a public place can be destroyed and the owner fined or jailed for up to six months.

 

Owners can be imprisoned for a maximum of two years if their dog injures someone.

 

The RSPCA says it is wrong to "criminalise" individual breeds of dog, but this latest death will put rottweilers firmly in the spotlight - particularly coming just a fortnight after the amputation of kennel worker Mandy Peynado's arm after she was mauled by a rottweiler at Knightwood Kennels, near Salisbury, Wiltshire.

 

Chris Window, from the Rottweiler Club, said there were tens of thousands of rottweilers in the UK and it was very uncommon for attacks to take place.

 

 

"The vast majority of rottweilers never get involved in any incidents," he said.

 

But Mr Window said the rottweiler is "a very strong dog" and added: "When these incidents do happen the injuries sustained are quite significant."

 

And he stressed that young children should never be left alone with any breed of dog.

 

Ellie Lawrenson's death in St Helen's, Merseyside, on New Year's Day 2007 was the only other fatal attack by a dog this year.

 

She was mauled by an illegal "pit bull terrier type" called Reuben at the home of her grandmother, Jackie Simpson, who was later found not guilty of manslaughter through gross negligence.

 

Ellie's uncle Kiel Simpson, 24, was jailed for eight weeks after admitting owning a banned dog.

 

Plastic surgery

 

But while deaths by dangerous dogs are extremely rare, serious attacks, which can leave victims - often children - scarred for life, are occurring on an almost monthly basis.

 

 

In October this year a six-year-old suffered serious face and arm injuries when he was attacked by a pit bull terrier in Winson Green, Birmingham

 

Just days later a 12-year-old boy was taken to hospital after having "chunks of flesh" torn from his arm when he was attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier in Gateshead

 

In the same town six weeks earlier, an 11-year-old girl was taken to hospital with facial injuries after she was attacked by a bull mastiff

 

In August, six-year-old Sophia Kimpton, from London, needed plastic surgery for 17 injuries to her head, arms and back after an attack by two rottweilers while on holiday in Northern Ireland

 

In December last year a man in a wheelchair suffered serious injuries after a mauling by a pit bull-type dog in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The dog was destroyed after tests proved it was an illegal breed

 

In September 2006, 12-year-old Kerry Neary from Birmingham, needed 30 stitches when a rottweiler bit her right arm while she was playing in a park - the same month

 

The Princess Royal became the first British royal to have a criminal record when her English bull terrier, Dotty, bit two children in Windsor Great Park.

Edited December 29, 2007 by greyhound pal

[Sherlock Bones]

That's the link i published earlier - it's good! they're saying people want the law changed - too flipping right! It needs focussing on dangerous owners not the dogs - it's what DNB is isn't it?

[Happylittlegreensquirrel]

Press conference on Sky News now.

 

I thought the press asked some typical and leading questions but the policeman gave very clear answers and would not be drawn into speculation

[ReikiAnge]

I thought the press asked some typical and leading questions but the policeman gave very clear answers and would not be drawn into speculation

 

And he made a point of saying that there are "families all over the country with similar dogs who cause no problem" which I think is a very good thing to remember at a time of such tragedy.

[Mrs Mop]

I have complained to the BBC about the way they have only put up the attacks of certain breeds and nothing about the attacks by dogs of other breeds which there are a lot more attacks and more people put in hospital. I am waiting for a reply from them. I also said that it was the media that was causing a lot of hype over these dogs and that is irrisponsible reporting which was making it a lot harder for this family.

[hollyhardwick]

Just want to say WELL DONE MEL You got your point over very well even though the bloke from sky kept repeating himself,dont think he was a dog lover

 

 

Sue

xxxx

[DitzyLips]

I haven't managed to see mel yet but i've got the telly on in hope.The little boy has now been named.

[Shazzy]

My condolences to the family of this beautiful child

 

This does it seem to be a terrible accident/incident.

 

We as dog lovers know but generally forget that we are living with animals that can inflict terrible injuries and/or death but in 99.9% of homes this doesnt happen., so when a tragedy like this happens it is reported as front page news.

 

We also as the human race know but generally forget that putting all our family in a car and speeding around a motorway or road because we may be late or just because the car will go that fast can also inflict terrible injuries and or death but in 99% of cases this doesnt happen., so when a tragedy like this happens it is reported as front page news.

 

How many children in foreign countries are killed by poisonous spiders and snakes? Although these are not kept as family pets (in general) they are native to these countries and are free to roam wherever. We have domesticated the dog and is still primarily mans best friend.

 

This topic Im sure will be part of this evenings conversation whilst out tonight and I will uphold my argument regarding speeding cars, particularly with one of the gentlemen who is anti dog but has lost his licence twice in the past few years because of speeding points.

 

Melp I thought you did exceptionally well - I couldnt have done such like and kept my cool.

[meandmy4?]

I guess it makes me angry as is a needless death, and no matter which angle you put on it a childs death is just inconceivable especially one that could of been avoided. My friend lost her brother when he was 10 and another friend lost her 4 month old baby. The impact a childs death has on a family never ends its for life, every minute of every day for the parents. I have seen 1st hand the impact this has and it is unbearable to watch.

And as for the mental scars of the children who observed well you cant imagine.

I work in a pub and this was talked about lots today and must say the general concensus was 95% were very anti rotties now. I explained that the owners were just as responsible as the dogs, but was shot down in flames most times.