Throw the book at these people.

[#1]

A little lad has just died after being a bitten by a dog - these owners should have the book thrown at them with a charge of manslaughter at the very least. Anybody want to take a guess at the breed of dog?

When my daughter came to stay for a few months with our two small grandchildren I had no hesitation in finding a new home for our Jack Russell. It made me sad to do so but rather that than have the little guy muzzled 24/7 or see my kids bitten. It was a no brainer as far as i was concerned.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-37129134    

[#2]

in this case it was even worse as it wasn't an isolated incident https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/aug/19/boy-dies-dog-bite-essex-woman-arrested

On Monday David Ellam, 52, was killed by a dog that had been returned to its owner despite concerns that it was dangerous. He was out walking with his yorkshire terrier close to his home in Huddersfield when he was attacked by another dog. He later died in hospital.

West Yorkshire police said the animal that attacked Ellam had been seized by police following a visit by a dog warden in June, and had been returned to its owner on 8 August after it was determined that it was not a banned breed.

[#3]

More information about the opening post

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/essex-dog-attack-death-young-8662103

Shocked neighbours said they could hear "agonising screams for a good five minutes" coming from inside the house before the blood-soaked animal, thought to be a large white pitbull, emerged.

Chillingly, the dog was spotted sitting calmly outside the home just moments after the attack, with blood all over its paws and mouth.

[#4]

People treat a dog as a member of the family.

They never have been and never will be.

I see lots of youths walking Pit Bull type dogs and they are a status symbol to them.

As you can see I'm not a dog fan.

[#5]

I wonder if it would be more useful to have a list of dogs that could be legal to keep rather than listing those that should not be kept ?

There must be a fair list of breeds of dogs that have never attacked people.

Of course no one should be expected to get rid of a dog if this was introduced but it could be phased in over a number of years.

The only exceptions to the rule might be police or dogs used by the army.

A dog license and compulsory chipping of all dogs needs to be introduced asap.

[#6]

It's not always the dog to blame, if they're repeatedly beaten and shouted at, they'll usually turn out to be aggressive and dangerous, whether it's a pit bull or a saluki, but there are the exceptions to the rule, as like with humans, there will always be animals with mental health problems due to breeding, illness or injury, the only difference is we don't put humans who kill to sleep...

[#7]

actually there aren't - a fair list of dogs which have never attacked people that is - even Labradors which are one of the most gentle dogs and used as guide dogs for the blind have been known to

[#8]

@Oldjim

My younger sister was bitten in the face by our grandmothers Labrador and who got the blame? My sister because she had been told to "leave the dog alone when it's eating" - which is fine until you consider she was just under three years old at the time. Sixty years on she still remembers the incident..... and she still has what is now a small scar across her nose. 

Dogs, as with all animals never trust 'em and never ever leave them alone with kids.   

[#9]

I was bitten last week by some little disgrace that was the other side of someones letterbox. I was putting out lost cat leaflets on behalf of my neighbours and this one house had the flap at the back of the letterbox and a draught excluder. Naturally to get anything right through you have to push it through with your fingers. Little **** had my finger which hurt like hell, caused me to go to the doctors for a dressing and antibiotics and over a week of misery with pain. I still can't use my finger properly without upsetting the wound.

Dog warden wasn't really that bothered either saying he was just going on leave but to contact him again in a week. Called him back today he said he'd been busy with strays. I mentioned my concerns about other people like the postman or leaflet people being bitten and he really couldn't seem to care less.

Whats wose is i left a note for the owners with my mobile number at least expecting a text saying sorry about the bite. Nothing, absolutely nothing. I'll give the dog warden 48 hours and after that a complaint is going to the police.

Making matters worse last night I was cutting my cats matted fur off his back legs and he decided to take a bite at me too - six times in less than 2 seconds. Didn't hurt much at the time but 10 minutes later it was throbbing a bit.

[#10]

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Minivanman wrote:

Dogs, as with all animals never trust 'em and never ever leave them alone with kids.   

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The best advice one can give. I have even told my daughter many times not too let the dogs to close to my granddaughter yet she continues to allow them to do so. They might be seem docile and fun but can soon turn for no apparent reason.

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[#11]

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@Minivanman wrote:

Dogs, as with all animals never trust 'em and never ever leave them alone with kids.   

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Depends on the dog really doesn't it. This might change your mind:

http://www.itv.com/news/2016-08-19/family-dog-dies-shielding-baby-from-house-fire/

[#12]

I might change my mind if I viewed it anthropomorphically as the newspaper did.

But as it's a dog who really knows what it was thinking.

Perhaps it was just protecting its next meal.

[#13]

@7up

I'd have to take that news item with a big pinch of salt so no, it will not change my mind.

I do not have it in for dogs by the way as there are a lot of fellow humans I would not trust as far as I could throw them. It's a failing on my part I suppose as my hearing has never been very good so usually I cannot hear a dog growl - so maybe it makes me overly cautious when they are near my kids. 

[#14]

@gleneagles

It's been a legal requirement to have your dog microchipped since earlier this year I believe, as for a dog licence that should be a minimum at least £100. Some folks will go out and pay £500 in a heartbeat for certain breeds of dogs and yet gripe about having to pay for a licence? Sheer nonsense.    

[#15]

In the hands of a bad driver, a car can kill, so we have licences and insurance policies for them, so license and insurance for dogs in the hands of bad owners isn't unreasonable, it's just the people in charge of the country haven't go the nads to stand up and do it, but are perfectly happy to create laws against dogs, but keeping them in check, ooh, that's too much work for them...