I've noticed that there seems to be a current trend, or fashion, for the keeping of aggressive breeds of dogs - particularly in urban areas. Years ago one rarely encountered Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Mastiffs, Bull Terriers etc, but it's notable that they seem increasingly popular in the inappropriate role as suburban family pet.

I agree that certain breeds have innate tendencies - indeed, many are bred for precisely that purpose. However, I also think that in the vast majority of cases it is the owner who is to blame for the dog's misdeeds. It's a bit of a cliche that dogs often resemble their owners, and you'd really have to be some kind of latently aggressive boofhead to have an attack dog as a family pet in a suburban household.

While the dog owner in this awful case deserves sympathy for the loss of their baby, they should nonetheless be prosecuted for negligently contributing to the child's death by having the bloody dog in the first place.

Belly, while not wishing to make light of the tragedy you reference, savage dogs did help in breaking up the criminal stranglehold of the MUA on our docks, and not before time. Just wait till Della looses the dogs on the Teachers Fed. in 6 months time, along with his lapdog, the near illiterate Cheif Educatre Michael Legg-rooter.

I recall our old "pal" above once accusing me of being a "hater".

While I won't speculate about the motivation for the obviously mischievous attempt above to derail Belly's interesting discussion into a union-bashing exercise, one does wonder about palimpsest's consistency.

I wouldn't dignify that one with a response if I was you, Belly :)

Morgan, I'll cherish the 29 minutes of peace between us.

I will admit to mischief for it's own sake, born out of another Belly no-brainer.

By your own hand,"it is a measure of their humanity how they treat and regard them (humans and their pets)". Care to apply your lofty wisdom to this real world situation?

Personally I find Belly's timing in raising this repugnant; and I'd rather fire a shot across his brow than moralise on this subject right now.

Actually, old pal, I won't - but not because I'm being churlish. I was just marvelling at the unfortunate timing of my swipe at you above in the context of your collegial comments on the other pet thread :)

I won't speculate about Belly's motivation and timing for this thread either, except that I know he's a big old softy who loves his foxy.

Anyway, the very best wishes to Belly, palimpsest and everybody else for the New Year!

P.S. Loved the "29 minutes of peace" comment... I'm sure we can manage better in 2008 - 30 minutes maybe :D

Palimpsest I can understand your post, it is a chance to express your pain at the position your party finds it self in.
And you may well have been looking for a chance to have a go at me.
Weak not truly amusing but if that is your best?
Dogs some people do actually use them as status symbols, why would talking about them now be a set up?
Children are dieing and remember some owners have lower IQs than their dog, what breed do you have palimpsest?
I know a nice young single mum two nice young teen age daughters two great big Rottys.
Living in the house.
New boy friend came to visit left with hole in his leg police shot 2 dogs, truth is the dogs are victims of idiot owners.
Yep big old softy but please do not think I walk away from idiots, your post was not the product of a reasonable person palimpsest.