Life for owners of dangerous dogs

Saw this today

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/owners-killer-dogs-face-life-5601253

Very controversial Claire. Thank you for drawing our attention to this article.

I dont see it ever happening. End of the day a dog has a mind of its own and sometimes people behave around a dog inappropriately and it attacks. The dog pays for it, and if the owner has been proven to have trained it to be aggressive sure go for it, but normal owners who perhaps rescue a dog with unknown history could be sent to jail for life for something that is not their fault.

Interesting article .. I do wonder if it will actually happen though, and if it were to whether it would be any more effective at punishing those owners that really need it.

My tuppence-worth is - "life" is the sentence for murder, wilful murder by a human being who knows what they're doing.

I would find it hard to believe that any dog owner would wilfully intend that their dog actually kills another human being.

only about 20 years to late.... this will happen i'm pretty sure

It annoys me that the BBC article on the home page features pictures of Staffies only! Grumble, I thought the point of the article was about dangerous dogs not Staffies.

Meiko wrote:It annoys me that the BBC article on the home page features pictures of Staffies only! Grumble, I thought the point of the article was about dangerous dogs not Staffies.

i think the pic look more like crossbreed pitbull type to me

And look who's heading this article on the Telegraph today. Doesnt he/she look like a happy chappie, not a threat at all?

Most of the time we're out walking I do think about protection, but it's not about protecting the public from my dog; it's about protecting my dog from the prejudices of the public.

I worry that the current hysteria is going to make it even more difficult for the rescue centres to get good homes for  staffies. On the other hand, there is an issue with people who think that a dog that is intentionally made dangerous will enhance their status. The blame needs to go where it's deserved.

I do think some dog owners intend/encourage their dogs to be vicious and frightening.

At the moment irresponsible or sadistic owners can do what they like more or less. There are also quite a few dog owners who use their dogs purely as guard dogs, don't let them in the house, never socialise them with other dogs or people ...

i get sick to death of the media constantly berating Staffies, what about other breeds? they never seem to get teh poublicity, any dog could be dangerous, it really makes me sick. Having rescued Oz, i get loads of demeaning looks when out walking, thsi kind of publicity does not help. GRRR rant over!!!!  

Wow, wondering if it will ever happen...hmm...interesting article, thanks for sharing

I also feel I get demeaning looks but then I think maybe it's also in my head a bit and b) so what if I do. I love my dog and if some people are a bit frightened of him then that's their loss.