dangerous dogs

[Alan]

Hi,

I'd be interested in knowing what happens about the rules concerning the keeping of 'dangerous' dogs in your country. There is a Dangerous Dogs Act in force that prohibits the keeping of certain dogs (listed in the regulation) in the UK. One dog, the rottweiler, is not on the list. I mention this because yesterday a13 month old child was mauled to death by this breed of dog in the home of his grandparents. There have been a few examples of this happening over the last few years.

Alan
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[Jamie (K)]

In the US, it's different in every state and every county.

As far as I know, in my state of Michigan there's no law against owning a specific type of dog, including a Rotweiler, pit bull terrier or even a German shepherd / wolf mix. However, if the dog attacks someone, there are penalties to both the dog and the owner:

[Prezbucky]

...if only the sentences were so severe for those who kill dogs without provocation.

(dog person here)
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[Prezbucky]

and the people who starve them and/or leave them in isolation to "prepare" them for dog-fighting... ought to be pistol-whipped whilst tethered to a tree -- and then sent to prison.

(I'm not a member of PETA -- just a big fan of canis familiaris)
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[Prezbucky]

oh, almost forgot -- I hope y'all had a Merry Christmas.

...and here's to a Happy New Year in a couple of days!
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[Jamie (K)]

[Prezbucky]

cool

...though for just tethering it on too short a leash, three months might be a little bit harsh.

for that they could give the person a fine and probation, in which the parole officer shows up once a month to check on the mutt
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[Fan Of Arabian Horses]

In Germany, there is no strict prohibition of any breed of dogs. Primarily, some years ago, the government tried to establish such a law but lots of dog-keepers defended their right to choose a breed. So, instead of a prohibition, the government concieved another possibility of ruling the dog keeping.

1st - they classified dogs to their usual degree of exposure. As much as I know there are three classes:

-attack dogs: as there are pit bulls, Great Danes, Staffordshires, Rottweilers and all other that are expected to be dangerous

-great but no attack dogs i.e. dogs from a height of more than 40 cm (measured at the shoulder) or a weight of more than 20 kilogramms

-all the others (Westies and so on)

to hamper keeping attack dogs they raised higher taxes for the first class I mentioned above. (everyone who knows me here can imagine what I think of such taxes )

2nd- (and to me more sensible sounding) keepers have to get attestations of their character and ability of keeping and leading a dog and additional they need an attestation concerning the character of their dog (innocuousness). The degree of the certificates depends on the breed of their dog.

3rd- attack dogs must wear a muzzle and be leashed outside of fenced in area.

All these rules cannot assure a safe cooperation between humans and animals (since even animals are individuals with their own feelings and daily behave) but anyhow I think, they might help to minimize the risk. Finally, dogs aren´t crocodiles or wildcats; the huge majority of them are social beings and can be taught and educated (they even expect that from their keeper). In that sense I agree with Tom´s recent post.

Regards

Michael

[Prezbucky]

yeah, they've had thousands of years to learn to hang with us.

it all started when the first caveman tossed that first scrap of meat to the wolves waiting in the distance, staring at the fire and wondering what on earth those pelt-garbed beings were doing so close to the flames.
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[Prezbucky]

I wonder if the wolves -- who would become dogs -- first became our pets (EG, hanging out with us, letting us pet them, etc.) or our protectors. Which job came first on the wolf-dog timeline?
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[Prezbucky]

or did they first help us by aiding in the hunt?

I wonder what happened the first time a man and a wolf grabbed hold of the prey at the same time. hehe

I suppose the preceding stuff foments the following question:

In which way did wolves first serve man?
a) Hunting
b) Security/protection
c) Social capacity -- petting, licking, playing, etc.
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Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

[Jamie (K)]

[NinaZara]

In Malaysia, any dogs can be vicious. Unlike in Japan, dog owners bring their dogs for a walk, so the dogs are friendly and don't attack people for unknown reasons. But in Malaysia, the dogs are trained to be vicious. One Chinese fellow told my father, they deliberately mix the dog food with human phlegm to make the dog that eats it even more vicious. I know, eww.

I am not a dog person, for one reason. I have been chased by dogs so many times and attacked by one German Shepherd one time. Me and my sister were walking to our Koran class and suddenly I felt something tugging my skirt. And then I saw this HUMONGOUS thing eating my skirt! My sister was frozen and I was struggling trying to get my skirt back, crying. In the midst of all that the owner finally came and pulled the dog away from me. Since then I HATE dogs.

My father reported it to the police but nothing happened because I was unharmed. Emotionally, yes. Now, I freeze when I see a dog, one of the reason I cannot jog on a jogging track, too many people bring their dogs jogging. I get sweaty and nervous and I won't be able to move, let alone to jog.

Come to think of it, I don't like any animals for that matter. Even cats scare me.

[Prezbucky]

Jamie, that makes sense. I figured it either would have been hunting or protection, with the companionship coming later.

Probably food first

Then protection (gotta guard the food, which means guarding the people who get the food)

Then companionship

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Nina

You poor thing!

My little dog Molly (15 pounds -- probably a schnauzer/papillon or schnauzer/silky terrier mix) loves her mama and I, but barks or growls at everyone else . She also barks and growls at other dogs. Pardon my language, but she can be a bitch -- literally, of course, and figuratively. hehe

At the same time, she has a ton of spunk -- will run in circles and figure-eights for play, dig holes, and try to hump cats if any are around -- we don't really get that last thing, but that little bugger likes cats. If you utter the phrase "kitty cat" she'll bolt for the door. She knows how to sit, shake, lay down (crap, I've forgotten the lay/lie rule), and dance on her hind feet.

We put treats into an eight-ounce milk carton and close the carton. She will open the carton with her paws and teeth and then throw the carton around until the treats fall out. She's something. When I get home, she's at the door, overjoyed that I'm home. I squat down and she jumps up, puts her front paws on my shoulders, and starts to lick me. then i pet her for a minute, start making weird noises,, and she freaks and starts running back and forth across the living room. sudden movements or noises (or both) trigger this playfulness in her. she's a great dog.
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[NinaZara]

Wow, Tom. Molly sure has a personality. Still, she is liable to make me cry like a babe. I am afraid of all dogs, big or small.