LETTERSFrom Mr W. P. Elems, Ryde:
I READ on a regular basis in the CP of dog attacks on other dogs, often with serious injury and even death as a result. It is a fact that such attacks occur on a daily basis around the country, this evening (Sunday) I learn from the national news of a young girl being seriously mauled and losing an ear.
Last week’s Letter of the Week (CP, 20-01-12) from Mr Hughes, who owns two Staffies, echoed my sentiments that we do not have bad dog but some just have bad owners.
Ownership of a dog is a privilege that is unregulated. Unlike driving a car or owning firearms, no licence is required. Most dog owners are responsible but, sadly, a minority are not, and do not keep or treat their animals with respect. Before we witness a fatality again, God forbid it be a young child, should we not debate the introduction of a licensing system?
The original dog licence was scrapped many years ago and, as I remember, did not carry any regulation short of name, address, and the fee. A modern licence could qualify a person as "fit and proper" and providing an appropriate and suitable environment for their dog.
A fee is never popular and should only cover the costs involved. If dog owners shy away because of this, their consciences will have to bear responsibility for any future harrowing attacks and deaths. Responsible dog owners owe it to themselves to do something to change the status quo or accept being tarred with the same brush as their less caring counterparts.
From Mrs S. Johnston, Ryde:
Blame owners: As a dog lover and owner of two dogs, I was very saddened to hear about poor Charlie being killed by a Staffie and that two dogs lost their lives because of one person’s irresponsible behaviour as a dog owner.
This is an excerpt about Staffies from a book, The Encyclopedia of the Dog, by Bruce Fogle, a vet.
"A true split personality dog, a genuine Jekyll-and-Hyde character. It thrives on affection and devotes itself to being accepted as part of its human family. However, when it sees another dog — or any other animal — it can quite suddenly reveal a different side of its character. Sweetness and light become a force of darkness, as it becomes overwhelmed by a desire to destroy. Selective breeding has successfully reduced, but not eliminated, this tendency."
However, I do know several Staffies that are perfectly well behaved and properly socialised by sensible caring owners, dogs that can be let off their leads and trusted to play with other dogs with no problems, which only proves that it’s the owners at fault, not the dogs.