Shop a Dog is News Shopper's new campaign to bring justice to the victims of dog attacks and help prevent further maulings across south-east London and north Kent
9:10am Wednesday 12th October 2011 in Where I Live By Dan Keel & Kelly Smale
Part three of News Shopper's Shop a Dog campaign
NEWS Shopper is running a series of features on dangerous dogs and we need YOUR help to get the law changed to make our parks and neighbourhoods safer for everyone.
A DOG behaviourist says tougher sentences are needed for owners whose dogs attack.
Peter Singh, who runs thedogyouneed.com, has been studying dog psychology for six years.
He told News Shopper: "Unfortunately there are irresponsible dog owners, and their dogs could possibly attack a human.
"I certainly agree with tougher sentences for people. A dog in the wrong hands is lethal.
"Dogs are a product of their owners. If you get an aggressive person they will have an aggressive dog just like a happy-go-lucky person will have a happy-go-lucky dog."
He added: "You could take an aggressive dog to training but it's not going to make them balanced. You need to socialise them, give them enough exercise and make sure they are not the dominant one in the household."
Mr Singh, who owns five dogs, says people need to understand dog psychology and how to treat their pets.
He said: "In general there is a complete ignorance of dog behaviour in this country. Education is the way forward.
"Our dogs are always getting their messages from us. You can only get a dog to work for you if you show calm and leadership."
He added: "People humanise their dog and talk to them like they are kids.
"If you had a five-year-old child who was nervous you would put your arm around them and console them.
"If you get a nervous dog and do the same you are nurturing those nerves. That's why nerves or aggression gets worse. The time to give any dog affection is when they are calm."
Mr Singh, from Farnborough Village, believes owners should be punished if their dog attacks.
He said: "The main problem we have in this country is we need to have more paperwork to own a TV then we do to own a dog.
"I don't agree with muzzles for staffs. It's not the breed it's the person behind the breed.
"Unless the government looks at things seriously nothing is going to change."
He advises: "Make sure you are doing the very basics right. Give enough exercise and affection at the right time. Most importantly is the human has to work on themselves."
Woman bitten
A 25-YEAR-OLD woman says she has been left "scarred mentally" after being bitten by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Jo Wakeshore was at a stables in Chislehurst when she was bitten by the owner's dog.
She said: "The dog came running up behind me and just bit me on the backside.
"I screamed. My trousers were ripped and it was bleeding."
Ms Wakeshore went to hospital to get a tetanus jab following the attack.
She said: "I couldn’t sit down for a week and I was on antibiotics for 10 days.
“It’s left me scarred mentally. I am really nervous around dogs now and that makes it worse as they can smell fear.”
She added: "I'm definitely more wary of dogs, certainly Staffies, where as I wasn't before."
What we want
- Increase the sentence for owning a banned dog - in line with carrying a knife.
- Extend the law to include dog attacks on private land - therefore protecting workers such as postmen and carers.
- Increase the prison sentences for owners convicted of allowing their dog to attack humans.
- Force all Staffordshire Bull Terriers to wear a muzzle in public.
- Simplify the court process so that banned dogs can be destroyed immediately.
You can win yourself a free News Shopper mug by sending in a photo of a banned dog. All you need to do is email the image to newsroom@london.newsquest.co.uk with your name, address, phone number and exact details of where you took the photo.
Alternatively post them to Shop A Dog, News Shopper, Mega House, Crest View Drive, BR5 1BT. We'll pass on all the images to the police.
Statistics from NHS Information Centre
Figures show from May 2010 to April 2011 there were 25 admissions to Bexley Care Trust for people bitten or struck by a dog.
Your Say
:: Jenny Wright’s one-year-old Yorkshire Terrier Dotty was mauled to death by two American Bull dogs in Oakdene Avenue, Chislehurst, last year.
Mrs Wright said: “Owners should be responsible for what their dog has done. Sentences should be given to owners and all dogs should be chipped and licenced.”
:: ade12001 said: “I think every dog should be chipped by law and that all dogs should be muzzled with hefty fines and imprisonment for owners who refuse.
:: Excalibur said: “Humans do far more damage to each other every day than dogs will ever do.”
:: Astrid Brett said: “The only thing I can compare this campaign to is the Nazis looking for people to turn in Jews. You are as bad as Hitler and a disgrace to humanity.”
Comments(49)
emmasmith19
says...
9:59am Wed 12 Oct 11
Also, slightly one sided that you're only printing pictures and interviews of people who have been bitten by a staffie.
The ridiculous thing is, if you actually listened to the hundreds of people commenting on these articles, and adjusted the campaign so it doesn't single out staffies or any breed and focuses on the irresponsible owners, then it might stand a chance of getting some support!
Although the 'shop a dog, win a mug' idea is a disgrace, and should be binned regardless. Whoever thought otherwise does not deserve to force their opinions on to the publilc!
By the way, I've been bitten by a Dachshund and have some scars on my arm if you'd like to interview me as part of the campaign?! Thought not, they're far too cute aren't they!
Staffie owner
says...
11:16am Wed 12 Oct 11
jglass
says...
11:51am Wed 12 Oct 11
that is the problem with our stats in this country, they don't show which ones were bitten, attacked or just simply struck i.e. knocked over by (no aggression involved)
emmasmith19
says...
12:17pm Wed 12 Oct 11
jglass wrote:Exactly! I wonder what the number of admissions are for people hurting themselves when drunk, or fighting each other etc. I'm sure that dog related incidents would be well down the list of reasons for hospital admissions!
"25 admissions from people who were bitten or struck by a dog"
that is the problem with our stats in this country, they don't show which ones were bitten, attacked or just simply struck i.e. knocked over by (no aggression involved)
EverardEdbutt
says...
12:19pm Wed 12 Oct 11
"I don't agree with muzzles for staffs. It's not the breed it's the person behind the breed.
One week Staffs are the devil incarnate, the next week one is the victim of an unfortunate accident. Photographed sitting happily and defying the image of Staffs you had previously portrayed.
It is an own goal you have scored here. Your dog expert contradicts you. Commonsense contradicts you.
Ask any responsible dog owner and you will find we support extended sentences for those using their dog as a weapon just as any responsible dog owner will have their dog on a leash and under control
I would like to say to Louise Holden WHY WASN'T YOUR DOG ON A LEASH? It is owners like you that are part of the problem. In a place like Crystal Palace Park it is highly irresponsible to walk your dog off its leash regardless as to how good your recall is.
Maybe a better campaign would be to 'Shop a benefit scrounger' That is a campaign most of your readership WILL subscribe to.
EverardEdbutt
says...
12:20pm Wed 12 Oct 11
I would gladly shop those filthy lazy buggers who let their dogs foul the pavements and do nothing about it. It takes 30 seconds to pick it up! Get the council to enforce the dog fouling (surely collecting the potential £1000 fine makes it worthwhile)
Imagine the scene-
Man out walking dog through the park when it craps on the floor, he walks off and leaves it.
Warden approaches him "I saw that!" he says "You just crapped on the floor"
Man replies "That wasn't me, it was my dog"
Warden points to sign on the lamp post detailing the £1000 fine for dog fouling
"Got you!" he exclaims and proceeds to issue the fine.
Alas no-one in a position to do anything seems to care.
The Gypo
says...
12:42pm Wed 12 Oct 11
Brian Sewer22
says...
12:47pm Wed 12 Oct 11
Ash&Chris
says...
1:07pm Wed 12 Oct 11
jglass
says...
1:25pm Wed 12 Oct 11
and Brian, I don't think after that statement we are your 'm8's'
Invicta58
says...
1:34pm Wed 12 Oct 11
Tongue in Cheek
says...
1:45pm Wed 12 Oct 11
What on earth happened to Errastus Piggotts Blog ?
I know it was very controversial ,was it shut down ? ? ?
The Gypo
says...
1:54pm Wed 12 Oct 11
Local lady
says...
2:31pm Wed 12 Oct 11
Hannah44
says...
2:49pm Wed 12 Oct 11
jca111
says...
2:53pm Wed 12 Oct 11
Whilst I understand this messageboard is your property and you are free to do with it what you will, please at least have the decency to explain to a long time regular contributor what t&c I broke. I have re-read them and can see none.
So, please explain yourselves in public. Have some transparancy, like you regularly demand MPs do. If you are campaigning for new laws, you must have the same transparant standards, and not just censor the messages that do not fit in with your silly campaign.
So have some courage. If you want this campaign to succeed (god knows why) you need to talk and debate, not just hide and censor.
Please be aware, if this message gets deleted as well, then please consider this written notice that I want all of my contact details removed from all NS servers, archives and backups. I will then put a data protection request in in 7 days to ensure it has been complied with. I can't be dealing with organisations that are not transparent. I will also permanatly boycott NS and any of its parent companies publications. A small, insignificant drop in your readership - yes. But my concience will be clear.
Yours
A long term disaffected NS reader & regular contributor.
Outandabout
says...
4:19pm Wed 12 Oct 11
Marty1979
says...
4:39pm Wed 12 Oct 11
Tongue in Cheek wrote:It wasn't just the blog got deleted - I believe the "final straw" was about the Big fat gypsy weedings - but Erastus got banned
Off Topic , What on earth happened to Errastus Piggotts Blog ? I know it was very controversial ,was it shut down ? ? ?
Excalibur
says...
6:42pm Wed 12 Oct 11
Focus on proper community news, not some half-baked hate campaign against dog owners. I remember when the News Shopper used to be a proper newspaper, not some wannabe Daily Star-like rag.
amason51
says...
6:45pm Wed 12 Oct 11
dog.com/id38.html
This is the way forward not this bigoted one sided ill informed campaign.
amason51
says...
7:54pm Wed 12 Oct 11
.org.uk/what_we_do/a
nimal_welfare/give_s
taffies_a_chance
Read this especially "what will i get in return" section
the d scoffer
says...
9:39am Thu 13 Oct 11
Marty1979 wrote:...yup, she banned herself from the blog scene - quite right too!! ...'tried bullying us into submission, just as naturally, we have successfully fought off the cowards to a defeat to our name' ...can't remember who said that ? run along... rofl!!
Tongue in Cheek wrote: Off Topic , What on earth happened to Errastus Piggotts Blog ? I know it was very controversial ,was it shut down ? ? ?It wasn't just the blog got deleted - I believe the "final straw" was about the Big fat gypsy weedings - but Erastus got banned
the d scoffer
says...
9:42am Thu 13 Oct 11
HavingABarney
says...
10:02am Thu 13 Oct 11
Although Peter Singh is clearly well intentioned, he is, unfortunately woefully unqualified as a Dog Behaviourist and promoting his site could actually do more harm than good. He is not APBC (Association of Pet Behaviourists and Councillors) registered and his qualifications are sketchy at best. It is important with any dog; especially ones with behavioural issues that the right kind of advice is gained otherwise the problems can be compounded and in the worst cases escalate.
It is statements like this that I find the most worrying "...make sure they are not the dominant one in the household." Being a good leader is not about being dominant; any good behaviourist will teach you that.
Like most people commenting here, and Peter Sing, I disagree with Breed Specific Legislation - we need legislation like that being promoted by Lord Redesdale that is concerned with ensuring owners take more responsibility, not villainising specific breeds. Your campaign disappoints me as there is an opportunity to create a real force for change, but that change will only happen with well-considered, well researched arguments, not inflammatory stories like the ones you are promoting here.
You have been urged by the major dog charities and the public alike to change your campaign. Listen to what they are saying, put a bit more effort in and we could make the UK a better place for responsible owners and their dogs.
Beach Combover
says...
10:17am Thu 13 Oct 11
JuliaK81
says...
10:20am Thu 13 Oct 11
EverardEdbutt
says...
10:52am Thu 13 Oct 11
Marty1979 wrote:http://www.newsshopp
Tongue in Cheek wrote:It wasn't just the blog got deleted - I believe the "final straw" was about the Big fat gypsy weedings - but Erastus got banned
Off Topic , What on earth happened to Errastus Piggotts Blog ? I know it was very controversial ,was it shut down ? ? ?
er.co.uk/opinion_blo
gs/blogs/5082107.Mas
s_debating_makes_som
e_people_blind_to_co
mmon_sense/
EverardEdbutt
says...
11:28am Thu 13 Oct 11
.co.uk/playlist/view
/215427/Superhero-wa
ges-war-on-dog-poo/
EverardEdbutt
says...
11:31am Thu 13 Oct 11
http://www.dailystar
.co.uk/playlist/view
/215427/Superhero-wa
ges-war-on-dog-poo/
EverardEdbutt
says...
11:35am Thu 13 Oct 11
What is wrong with the commenting on here? I keep getting an internal server error then missing posts appear again.
Hoonercat
says...
12:24pm Thu 13 Oct 11
A quick look the News Shopper classified ads shows where this newspaper's priorities really lye, they accept ads from puppy farms, kitten farms, back street breeders - this newspaper is a disgrace.
Outandabout
says...
12:43pm Thu 13 Oct 11
Hoonercat wrote:How silly that the NS web server bans the word 'b i t c h'. The fact it may be used as a derogatory term doesn't detract from it being a word to describe a female dog. Unlike ****, **** or ****. (which are probably blanked out) and only ever have one meaning. Lets hope there is never a discussion about the film 'Mary Poppins' because the lead male role was played by Dick Van Dyke!
Puppy farms - breed a **** until she can breed no more then dump her on the streets, starving and mange-ridden, leaving the already skint Rescues to pick up the pieces, introduce her to the real world that they've never seen and try to socialize her with both people and dogs.
A quick look the News Shopper classified ads shows where this newspaper's priorities really lye, they accept ads from puppy farms, kitten farms, back street breeders - this newspaper is a disgrace.
reynolds821
says...
5:37pm Thu 13 Oct 11
Just so you know a little Irish terrier attached a staffie, grabbing it by the throat and then back. How did this happen you may ask! because the owner of the terrier failed to control his dog and thought that a staffie would defend itself, well £260 vet bill told him he had been wrong.
The terrier belonging to a friend still in denial, why would a little dog like that take on a staffie?
Staffies are being over breed and so more out there.
Lets have a picture of the staffies owner on the front page showing his teeth please, far more deserving of the front page.
Bingo T
says...
6:16pm Thu 13 Oct 11
jglass wrote:I read again all your horror stories regarding staffs & then notice on the next page of your paper that you are still accepting adverts selling staff pupppies. Have you investigated their background & parents? Have they bitten anyone previously??
"25 admissions from people who were bitten or struck by a dog" that is the problem with our stats in this country, they don't show which ones were bitten, attacked or just simply struck i.e. knocked over by (no aggression involved)
Perhaps you should stop this campaign & understand it is Deed not Breed that needs addressing.
thedogyouneed.com
says...
11:45pm Thu 13 Oct 11
HavingABarney wrote:Hi Havingabarney
This is a long comment but please stick with it – it is important.
Although Peter Singh is clearly well intentioned, he is, unfortunately woefully unqualified as a Dog Behaviourist and promoting his site could actually do more harm than good. He is not APBC (Association of Pet Behaviourists and Councillors) registered and his qualifications are sketchy at best. It is important with any dog; especially ones with behavioural issues that the right kind of advice is gained otherwise the problems can be compounded and in the worst cases escalate.
It is statements like this that I find the most worrying "...make sure they are not the dominant one in the household." Being a good leader is not about being dominant; any good behaviourist will teach you that.
Like most people commenting here, and Peter Sing, I disagree with Breed Specific Legislation - we need legislation like that being promoted by Lord Redesdale that is concerned with ensuring owners take more responsibility, not villainising specific breeds. Your campaign disappoints me as there is an opportunity to create a real force for change, but that change will only happen with well-considered, well researched arguments, not inflammatory stories like the ones you are promoting here.
You have been urged by the major dog charities and the public alike to change your campaign. Listen to what they are saying, put a bit more effort in and we could make the UK a better place for responsible owners and their dogs.
When i say to my clients, to make sure that they are the dominant ones in the household, i mean this in a guardian way and not in an unkind way. I have many clients in Spain and the United Kingdom and all of the problems they came to me with have now gone and they all have wonderful calm relationships with their dogs. Also their dogs are now very happy dogs rather than before, where in most cases they were dogs who number one, were not getting enough exercise and number two, WERE ruling everyone in the household by jumping up at everyone and ruling by unsociable behaviour. This type of behaviour made the dog the dominant one in the relationship, where they were jumping up on sofas for example and refusing to get off while growling at their owner. Becoming the dominant one in the relationship is, as i explain to all my clients the equivalent of being a good parent to a child, where they actually listen to you when you ask something of them. Best wishes, Peter Singh - thedogyouneed.com
Rusty67
says...
7:02am Fri 14 Oct 11
alexjm11
says...
4:25pm Fri 14 Oct 11
Clare WB
says...
12:26pm Sat 15 Oct 11
Well done for including a piece by Peter Singh. It's about time we had some facts and not knee-jerk reactions or hype.
His advice must surely demonstrate that your campaign is wrong and will not address the issue of dog attacks. Education is the way forward in preventing dog attacks, not persecution.
Leadership is key - once an owner shows real leadership (and this is about kindness, not harshness), with continued work the rest will follow.
People must be encouraged to learn about everything that dogs need, from their everyday needs to their psychology, BEFORE they consider getting a dog. They must also be encouraged to buy dogs from reputable breeders and, preferably, rescue centres.
What is also essential in having a physically fit, happy and mentally well-balanced is what we feed them. In the same way that junk food affects human behaviour, junk pet food affects pet behaviour.
Please, News Shopper, consider looking into what is put into pet food and how packages are labelled (vague terms such as "animal derivatives", "vegetable derivatives" and EC-permitted additives" should be replaced with actual ingredients), and then consider setting up a campaign for improvement. This is such an important issue. See The Campaign for Real Pet Food (http://www.crpf.org
.uk
/).
PaulErith
says...
10:07am Mon 17 Oct 11
Marty1979
says...
12:59pm Mon 17 Oct 11
But, of course, they aren't dangerous...
melissa67
says...
2:19pm Mon 17 Oct 11
Local lady
says...
9:25pm Mon 17 Oct 11
cm punk
says...
7:01am Tue 18 Oct 11
melissa67
says...
9:49am Tue 18 Oct 11
melissa67
says...
9:49am Tue 18 Oct 11
EverardEdbutt
says...
10:29am Tue 18 Oct 11
Marty1979 wrote:http://news.sky.com/
I saw in the news that a 6 year old girl needed surgery after being attacked by a dog "which has been likened to a Staffordshire bull terrier" in Twickenham
But, of course, they aren't dangerous...
home/uk-news/article
/16089707
it has a pug type face making it more likely to be a Dogue de Bordeaux or a sharpei cross or more likely a Johnsons American Bulldog
http://whitney05.hub
pages.com/hub/americ
an_bulldog
Scroll down the page and check the Foxwood American Bulldog pic
(as much as it pains me to say that as I'm an American Bulldog owner). Nonetheless it is still a dog attack.
But any attack by a bull breed is going to be labelled a Staff.
As I have posted many times before on these articles how many can actually identify a Pitbull terrier
http://www.pitbullso
ntheweb.com/petbull/
findpit.html
Its more difficult then most realise.
I have been stopped by MET Police on many occasions whilst walking my Am Bull, they say she looks like a Dogo Argentino. I have to take my dog registration papers, my insurance certificate and her proof of micro chipping whenever I go out, although many of the local plod now know my Millie and will always give her a stroke and ask how things are.
Perhaps everyone should be made to carry these documents as a point of law, no papers they take your dog until such time as you supply the required paperwork.
They do it with cars and insurance so why not with dogs?
It is the other end of the lead that needs to addressed, a dog is made dangerous.
EverardEdbutt
says...
10:48am Tue 18 Oct 11
Brian Sewer22 wrote:People like you compound the problem.
All staffs need castrating an muzzelling i got 3 wonderful blonde blue yed kids an i dont want them disfigured with a staff attack 1 of the most jealous dogs u see in public i think an i will defend me kids against any dog who comes near them m8s sorry but it has 2b said m8s
You will defend your kids against any dog that comes near, what a stupid thing to say. You will only serve to make your kids wary of animals in general.
What is food for the goose is poison for the gander!
How would it feel if I defended my dog against the hordes of children that insist on thrusting their hands in my dogs face?
You wouldn't stick your hand in a lions face would you? So why do it with a dog.
You wouldn't like someone putting their hand in your face, would you?
Just for the record anyone who attacked my dog for simply being near their child would have a BIG problem with me and would see the reason for my moniker.
I live in South Norwood just of Portland Road and can be seen walking my dog daily, you cannot miss her (Or me for that matter as I'm 6' 4") come and say hello, see my Millie and maybe she will change your mind on bull breeds.
A friendlier dog you will never meet.
Clare WB
says...
1:30pm Tue 18 Oct 11
"Dogs Trust has been alerted to News Shopper’s latest campaign – Shop A Dog by worried supporters. Having looked at the campaign details the charity is extremely concerned by the anti-dog messaging and some of the ill-advised solutions suggested to reduce the number of dog attacks.
In contrast, we are in complete agreement with the newspaper that the existing Dangerous Dogs Act needs urgent revising and the Government must act now to prevent further people and dogs from being injured. Dogs Trust also supports the suggestion that the law is extended to include dog attacks on private land; this is something Dogs Trust has been lobbying successive Governments for. However Dogs Trust is totally opposed to breed specific legislation which has shown to be entirely ineffective. The ‘Shop a Dog’ proposal to force all Staffordshire Bull Terriers owners’ to muzzle their dogs in public will unfairly penalise the majority of good natured family pets and will further damage the breed’s unjust reputation as a dangerous dog.
Dogs Trust accepts that some individual dogs may need to be muzzled and neutered but believes most of the underlying cause of aggression lies with the manner in which the owners train their dogs and that better education of owners would substantially reduce aggression. Ultimately the solution to deliberately aggressive dogs lies in resolving the underlying social issues, not just in amending dog law.
Dogs Trust believes that the current trend of having a bull breed as a status symbol or as a weapon has led to the increase in the number of Staffies crossbreeds being abandoned. We also know of cases where Staffie Crosses are being illegally bred for fighting. Because of these reasons the breed has unfairly gained the reputation of being aggressive and dangerous. In reality they can be excellent family pets as they have a wonderful temperament and are great with people. Irresponsible dog owners are buying bull breeds for the wrong reasons and don’t take the time to properly socialise them. Like all breeds of dog – in the wrong hands and without the right socialisation and training, there can be problems. Because Staffie Crosses are powerful, muscular dogs they can be potentially dangerous if not cared for properly. A tiny dog can be just as aggressive if poorly trained but is built differently so may not have the capacity to hurt to such a degree.
Dogs Trust is very concerned that this type of dog is being abandoned at such a young age. Our rehoming figures show that the majority of Staffies Crosses in our Rehoming Centres are under one year old. This means people are treating them as disposable items that can be ‘upgraded’ after just a few months – some young people will have owned their mobile phone for longer than their dog. The newspaper campaign should look at including educative solutions rather than attempting to criminalize a particular breed of dog.
We would like to invite the journalists working on the Shop A Dog campaign to either visit one of Dogs Trust’s Rehoming Centres to meet some of our Staffie Cross residents to better understand the breed, or to attend one of our City Dog workshops which give advice and practical support to dog owners in deprived urban locations, encouraging them to train their dogs in a reward based way."
Please also see this link from the RSPCA - http://www.rspca.org
.uk/getinvolved/camp
aigns/rehomeadog.
News Shopper and readers - please listen to the experts if you genuinely want to reduce the number of dog attacks.
says...