Staffy on death row for two yrs.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/melbourne-staffy-izzy-takes-death-row-appeal-to-high-court/story-fnstek7z-1227302804883

This is ridiculous!  What actually happened was....Their small dog attacked Izzy! Izzy defended herself! (Which was not shown in this article,) While I will not defend any dog attacking out of malice...this! was on the nightly news). I will defend self preservation of both myself & my dogs, but I don't condone viciousness.

It has cost $600,000.00 in court costs by the council +near $12,000 to house her for the last two yrs, all that is rubbish! Return Izzy! Check her dogs training.

I don't like any untrained dog running towatds us, but... staffies can do far more damage than a small dog but, small dogs are not less aggressive than there counterparts.

Saying that, Izzy has been in a cage for 2 yrs. Izzy will not be they same dog when it arrives home.

It always makes me so sad when I see articles like this. I can't help thinking about what sort of personality the dog would have had at home - probably cuddling up to his family every night and playing with toys. The articles only ever portray them as man-eating beasts, instead of beloved pets.

Don't get me wrong - I hate that a dog has been hurt, but obviously the article isn't telling the whole story. Hopefully Izzy will end up alright.

How interesting that they used a dark, grainy picture of Izzy with his mouth open. You can barely see that his tail is wagging.

All that for a dog attack? Sorry but dogs are dogs and they fight and bite. It's nature. I wouldn't be going so ott but that's me.

Yeah, I get what you mean, Hayley. Don't get me wrong; I wouldn't ever encourage a dog to bite. As you said, though, dogs are dogs. Sometimes a dog will take a dislike to another dog and, if the owners don't read the situation and react properly, conflict can occur.

Dogs do bite! But it is also the responsibility of the owner to have control either by training or lead. I do not excuse Izzy in the respect that it had happened before. The owner should have ensured others safety, but.... I bet Izzy is a beautiful dog at home. The owners just need to train, secure & take heed! Izzy dose not need to be put down! Just managed.

To be fair, you can't predict a dog's behaviour 100% of the time. The dog may never have shown any obvious signs of aggression before, so the owners may have felt that he was adequately trained. I do think it's important to respect a dog's body language and vocalisations. Biting is a no-no for me; any domesticated animal needs to be able to fit safely into society. Accidents do happen, though.

Poor Izzy.

Hayley wrote:All that for a dog attack? Sorry but dogs are dogs and they fight and bite. It's nature. I wouldn't be going so ott but that's me.

Yes, dogs DO bite & DO fight!

Surely they would do better to get the owners to learn how to manage their dog (training, muzzling in public etc)?

tracyp wrote: dose not need to be put down! Just managed.

Yeah this absolutely

Caryll wrote:

Hayley wrote:All that for a dog attack? Sorry but dogs are dogs and they fight and bite. It's nature. I wouldn't be going so ott but that's me.

Yes, dogs DO bite & DO fight!

Surely they would do better to get the owners to learn how to manage their dog (training, muzzling in public etc)?

Yeah definitely!

Eleanor wrote:To be fair, you can't predict a dog's behaviour 100% of the time. The dog may never have shown any obvious signs of aggression before, so the owners may have felt that he was adequately trained. 

But it had happened before. Along with her other staffies. She should have secured her property.

Without shame, I will say....I am quite obsessive about both training & socialization with mine. When I speak, mine MUST listen. I do not accept a dog taking the lead. I know many believe in freedom of expression for their dog... so do I. In the right place, at the right time!... dont bombard me with emails!  Mine run free, play, socialize,  act the fool (while I watch shaking my head in embarrassment. What idiots they can be.) but! ...

When I give them a command, I demand a correct response. ie. When Tyson bolted to play with kids in the park... I didn't yell at him... I ran, got him & after telling him NO! You come! I didn't let him play for awhile. He was made to sit, drop & watch. Then as he played, I called him. He came! Lucky for him...life if quite unpleasent here if you don't listen & agression from mine would be dealt with by force & my withdrawl of acceptance. I DO NOT accept either trait in mine, bar.... ie: the malamute attack. I did not tell Jess off for defending herself or myself, but I also maintained control of her. She didn't attack, she only retaliated/reflected against their bites.

Training & socialization is the most important thing in controlling any dog, no matter the size or breed.

I don't believe Izzys owner has met her duty of care. However, I do think Izzy should be returned on the three strike rule. I also believe she should be forced by law to secure her property, dogs & be mandated to train them all.

We all do have issues to deal with as far as our dogs are concerned. However.... I will not back away from the fact that, if you have a dog...no matter the breed... it IS your responsibility to train & socialize them. To secure your property & neighbours. Off lead.. is only a privilege if you know that if they happen to bolt they will not start a fight. Get a longline!

Again, I think Izzy should be spared but maybe a better owner is called for?

I always say..., if a dog is troublesome, ( troubled rescues aside) look to the other end of the lead.

Just my opinion.

Since it's happened before, then yes, she definitely should have been more careful. Every owner should take responsibility and train their dogs, regardless of which training methods they choose, to allow safety of all involved.

Perhaps rehoming should be considered. I don't know the people involved, but perhaps they're swimming out of their depths with this one.

Tracey, I agree that she should definitely secure her property & take steps to ensure that it CANNOT happen again!

Train in is a must & so is socialisation - but neither will stop a dig aggressive dog from getting involved. Only planning (ie securing her property) and restraint (ie muzzling in public and kept on lead) will prevent a DA dog from expressing aggression.

Dempsey was heavily socialised as a puppy and young dog, but he is still DA (same with Bandit, my Stafford). But I am fully aware of it, and I can tea him like a book so he doesn't get into trouble.

Caryll wrote:Tracey, I agree that she should definitely secure her property & take steps to ensure that it CANNOT happen again!

Train in is a must & so is socialisation - but neither will stop a dig aggressive dog from getting involved. Only planning (ie securing her property) and restraint (ie muzzling in public and kept on lead) will prevent a DA dog from expressing aggression.

Dempsey was heavily socialised as a puppy and young dog, but he is still DA (same with Bandit, my Stafford). But I am fully aware of it, and I can tea him like a book so he doesn't get into trouble.

No it won't. I completely agree. You should be aware of it...& "off lead" is not an option for DA dogs, a long line is.