...

I can't quite describe it

I spent boxing day with family, at the home of a Rott who will be 1yr old on New Years Eve

He's a lively soul. He 'belongs' to my 'auntie', not my uncle as their previous dogs have done

My uncle comes from a dog family. My auntie does not

Previous Rotts he's had have been perfectly well behaved enough to walk off lead by this age. This dog apparently can't

This dog goes to a training class. It's agility, and he's emulating the lunatic yelping and howling displayed by the collie crosses in the class, although the trainer is a 'rott person' herself

I'd brought roasted bones for all the dogs Christmas presents, so he retreated to his bed in the recess under the stairs, but I was concerned that he growled when not only I approached (he met me a few weeks ago for an hour), but he also growled at his owner. I commented that my auntie should ask my uncle to address this problem, as any dog should trust his owner enough to hand over a possession, and that behaviour isn't acceptable (which I know is how my uncle would view it too), and I went and stood the other side of the gate barring the dog from joining the party, as I knew my presence was likely to cause more angst than was already present. My auntie was a little unnerved by the situation, and was given a lip curl for trying to stroke him again

This dog is from a farm, not a reputable breeder or rescue (they tried rescue, but there wasn't a dog young enough available for a period of time, so they gave up), so it's likely he's been fed from a communal dish and consequently is possessive over food


If I was able to spend more time with them, and talk to my uncle (who usually holds the same views as I do), I'd raise the concerns I have quietly in conversation without fuss. As it is, I'd have to make a specific phone call, which I know won't have helpful results, so I've been chasing this horrid feeling round for a few days...

.... then I saw the news...

... and then there were more details on the radio today...
( http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7163696.stm )


How does a one year old child come to be molested by such a powerful dog?



Am I right to be critical of how my family choose to bring their dog up?

How easy would it be for my own family to be splattered all over the papers?

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Jeez strix
I feel gutted today about this article.

Its obviously an accident as it seems the rottie was out in the garden, normally lives in the house
grandparents seem to be out, leaving 16 yr old upstairs and 7 yr old and 1 yr old downstairs

the 7 yr old opens back door to show baby the big dog

what i was shocked about is that this was a bitch, and not a dog, and from the story - she normally lives in the house
but obviously - not used to a 7 yr old or baby standing at the back door.

whenever i have children around - mine are out of the way - with the doors LOCKED

i feel heartbroken for the family , the child, the dog and all other dogs who will feel the knock on effect of this horror.

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Strix it's a right awkward situation do i say something and risk upset and potnetially damaged relationships with family, or not say something and risk something happening in the future and knowing i kept quiet

I am not sure what i would do i would like to think i could be honest with my family i have said things to my mum about our family dogs now i know better and she has always taken my advice well but then we talk about the pets all the time so it is different.
I spose you could you use all the rottie incidents of late as a way to start the conversation and air your worries. I have a neighbour with a yorkie with messy eyes and i keep trying to show her how to sort them out and come out and say it but i can never quite get their. Our pets are such an emotive subject and raising concerns is so awkward,

Good luck.

My thoughts are also with the poor family who lost a child and a loved family pet

you know I'm not one to keep quiet, and I did express concern about the food guarding (especially in relation to Rotts), but as this dog was purchased against my uncle's wishes (everybody is out at work most of the day), and my auntie seems to think it's great that he's so enthusiastic about agility (not that he's out of control emulating the collies), I'm on a hiding to nothing

the only thing that can come of me sticking my oar in is family fall out - it won't change anybody else's perception of the situation

I'm gutted for the family involved in this incident

I sincerely hope that this dog hasn't had any previous 'issues' - it is, after all, a rehomed dog - so if somebody else got shut because they didn't trust it, they've got alot on their conscience right now

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Its not easy Strix - and to be honest - you are on a hiding to nothing I think

Hopefully they will read the article themselves and be more aware of the dangers - but we can't help everyone - they have to want help themselves enough to ask.

I just hope nobody does get hurt.

The worst thing about it is that there are so many lovely rotties out there. Little Billy that we have just rehomed that Kay fostered, had been so neglected and abused by people in his short life and yet even as he came to us, and looked like he was so poorly he was going to die - he wagged his little stump that someone had cut the end off his proper tail of.

He was such a darling, and very trustworthy. Due to some bad breeding - allowing these dominant strains staying in the line and going into normal family households - these rotties shouldn't be in family homes. They get upset when they get handed around and often the new owners don't stick with the rules the previous owner had, and then they get more confused.

I know you have had issues with this dog from the start , but you jst have to think - its not really your issue.
Hard tho it is

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well - thank god the kids in our family are all VERY dog savvy

it's a breath of fresh air visiting them with Brude - I know nobody is going to do anything stupid with him (beyond feeding him all kinds of stuff that he shouldn't have in big dog portions ), and that I don't have to behave like I'm neurotic like I do elsewhere

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Hiya -

I don't know what I'd do in your shoes Strix - I guess in a situation like this you've gotta weigh up the dog would gain, against what you could potentially lose. If nowt would change from your direct involvement, apart from falling out with family, I'm not sure what good it would do? I guess it also depends how close you are to her/them, and whether her being 'off' with you for a while if is something you are ok with. Those sort of family things do usually blow over in time...??

unfortunatley, not being local to them so having not much contact any more means that anything that happens wouldn't have a chance to settle or blow over - so I guess I'm going to have to just cross my fingers

The attack in South Anston on the 9 year old at a new year party is a little too close to where we live to just ignore as another news item too

how the heck does a dog get the chance to bite somebody in that situation?

when a dog's home is disrupted with lots of people it's not used to being there, and the beer's flowing, everybody knows the best/safest (mentally, for the dog) place for a dog to be is in a room away from the festivities. At least the Rott in our family was shut in the kitchen, and the only people traipsing though there were it's own family (and me, who specifically went to see the dog)

when we have people round at our house, we put a lead on Brude so any excitement can be contained. And when we've taken him to parties at my sister's house, he's been crated until he's settled down, then only allowed out on a lead so no drunken partygoers can do anything stupid with him (though our main concern is what he winds up being fed )

when will people get their heads round the idea that dogs are not houseplants?

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Hi -

Thats what gets my back up about 'dog owners' in general - ignorance. A dog bites someone, in general it seems to be viewed as the dogs fault. How is that possible??!! Certain breeds get a bad rap because of this - its so unfair!

I saw a woman in 3 inch heels at the park the other day trying to walk a Mastiff. The dog was all over the place and scaring people, although it was obvious that he was lovely and friendly. Mind you, his collar did match the shoes, so I guess all wasn't lost...!!!!!!!

I was out walking Dolly and Betty a couple of weeks ago when we were confronted by two Dobermans who went nuts at us - their owner simply couldn't control them and had them running around off the lead - jumping up and barking at anyone nearby. How can people be so irresponsible?? I don't get it...

Next to having the responsibility of a child, surely dogs are 'up there' in the level of consideration you'd give to the kind of breed, training, exercise etc???

There's only one conclusion I can come to really...... There's alot of stupid people out there.

Good luck

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