Dog Community

So mad I could spit! (PBT news)

Posted : 4/19/2007 7:55:56 PM

[linkhttp://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/6573595.stm]http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/6573595.stm[/link]

I hope that link works ok.

Argh!!

Angry

Edit to explain one of the reasons I'm so cross - the news idiots can't even get their facts right!
This breed is NOT illegal in this country! It's fine to own one - but not to breed them, sell them, keep them intact or use them for fighting. I'm not sure if there is also something on importing them too - but the breed itself is not illegal, I could own one as a pet and I would not be breaking any laws, so long as s/he's neutered and always muzzled when in public.
The whole report on the TV tonight made out the breed were "dangerous killers" (exact words!) which is a big pile of BS, anyone who knows ANYTHING about the breed knows that (properly bred) they should be super-human-friendly and that any aggression is usually towards other dogs, if it manifests at all.
It also fails to mention that this trait (being dog aggressive) is pretty typical of any dog in the terrier group, not just the bull breeds.
What makes them "dangerous" is the sheer potential for damage because of their strength; their dodgy "let up" switch when an opponent submits; the idiot humans that breed and train them for this disgusting purpose.
I hope their next $h*t is a hedgehog.
There, rant over. Sorry.

Edit again - ok so it looks like they are illegal - but how confusing is legal jargon???!!!!!! I give up. Too confusing.

badrap

Posted : 4/19/2007 8:43:02 PM

you're right, chuffy, they can't get their facts straight: there is NO SUCH THING as a locking jaw!!!! only a dog that's so game he won't let go. and dogs who are bred for fighting should NEVER attack humans, so that reference to locking on to humans is simply there for inflammatory purposes.

that is an absolute tragedy.

however...... if the owners had adrenaline on hand, then clearly the dogs weren't going to be leading a "wonderful life".

amstaffy

Posted : 4/19/2007 8:50:22 PM

I didn't read the article the link addy was enough for me.

APBT & Am Staffs are not permitted in the UK, I know this for a fact because Markie's win at the Euk classic qualified him to go to Crufts. We couldn't go
1) because he's an Am Staff and banned
2) because he has cropped ears

Am Staffs/APBT do not have locking jaws nor is it because they are "game". The dogs have incredible jaw STRENGTH which allows them to hang on..remember before fighting, these dogs were bred to bait bear and bulls

badrap

Posted : 4/19/2007 9:37:39 PM

i apologize if i misspoke. when i used the word "game", perhaps i should have used the word "tenacity" since game is so loaded a word. to qualify "tenacity", i will say that it is my understanding that not only did they develop through breeding incredible jaw strength, but also a willingness to "hang on" until the job was complete no matter what the punishment, even if that punishment was death. is that correct?

and i'm wondering about the "ear cropping" thing.... if you had a lab with cropped ears, would that be illegal? or is it because the UK uses ear cropping as an indicator of a "fighting" dog?

amstaffy

Posted : 4/19/2007 9:44:33 PM

Gameness is willingness to fight and win. The dogs were bre to latch on and hold their charges, jaw strength

The issues with the cropping is accross the board, the UK does not allow cropped/docked