We had to use batons and fire extinguishers to keep Staffies at bay, say police

6:00pm Sunday 14th October 2012 in News

Insp Gary Chapman with vet Rosanna Mulholland from Colne Valley Vets. Insp Gary Chapman with vet Rosanna Mulholland from Colne Valley Vets.

POLICE used batons and fire extinguishers to keep four Staffordshire bull terriers who had ripped a dog apart at bay, it has been revealed.

Insp Gary Chapman said all available officers were sent to Bromley Road, Greenstead after reports four out-of-control Staffies had killed another dog on Wednesday.

An armed response unit was also put on alert in case officers were not able to gain control of the dogs.

Flossy, a tiny Lhasa Apso, was killed and Sam, a border collie, was rushed to the vets with serious wounds.

FULL STORY IN MONDAY'S GAZETTE

Comments(42)

Sdapeze says...
7:49pm Sun 14 Oct 12

All bull terriers are vicious. The appearance of them and the name gives a bit of a clue. That is the nature of the breed. That is why certain inadequates own them. Certainly they can be trained to be passive but it is much easier to bestialise them. They are trophy dogs, commonly owned by drug dealers and the tattoo and piercings brigade. I am always ready for trouble when I see one. The key signal is whether their tails wag. Be very wary. But the bottom line over this is that the law protects the owner of these dogs rather than the owner of the dog or cat that is killed by these evil animals.

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mummy250271 says...
8:28pm Sun 14 Oct 12

Sdapeze wrote:
All bull terriers are vicious. The appearance of them and the name gives a bit of a clue. That is the nature of the breed. That is why certain inadequates own them. Certainly they can be trained to be passive but it is much easier to bestialise them. They are trophy dogs, commonly owned by drug dealers and the tattoo and piercings brigade. I am always ready for trouble when I see one. The key signal is whether their tails wag. Be very wary. But the bottom line over this is that the law protects the owner of these dogs rather than the owner of the dog or cat that is killed by these evil animals.
I totally agree with every comment you make. Made me go cold reading the article the sooner the police make sure these **** dogs have to be muzzled the better

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Dug says...
8:56pm Sun 14 Oct 12

Am I reading this right, from an earlier article? These dogs haven't been put to sleep? Outrageous if true...

Also, is the staffordshire dog owner being prosecuted and is he being compelled to pay the vets fees? A negative to both questions is, again, outrageous!

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Boris says...
1:31am Mon 15 Oct 12

All dogs should be muzzled and on leads when out in public. Owners unable to control their dogs should be banned from keeping dogs. All dogs which take part in attacks such as that mentioned in this report should be put down, and their owners should be prosecuted and made to pay compensation. And if a dog kills a child, its owner should be prosecuted for murder.

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wellnow says...
10:09am Mon 15 Oct 12

interesting,very interesting ramadm.

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Hampton23 says...
10:23am Mon 15 Oct 12

I need a Licence to own my Shotgun,to drive my car,both potential lethal weapons in the wrong hands.A dog that is potentially dangerous.........it
's a free for all without any culpability, enough said.

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PROOFREADER says...
10:24am Mon 15 Oct 12

A few weeks ago I took in and looked after a stray staffie until the owner came to collect her. The dog was was lovely and so soft and gentle. The only thing I was in danger of was being
licked to death!

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PROOFREADER says...
10:24am Mon 15 Oct 12

A few weeks ago I took in and looked after a stray staffie until the owner came to collect her. The dog was was lovely and so soft and gentle. The only thing I was in danger of was being
licked to death!

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Haleyboo85 says...
2:29pm Mon 15 Oct 12

OK, I am not a drug dealer, a tattooed thug an all that rubbish! its the sterotypes that purchase these dogs. I OWN an English bull terrier and if anything she is pertified of other dogs as she was badly attacked by a labrador and Collie! Its not about the breed! its the owners! I dont understand how its ok for a common suposidly cute well loved common breed dog to bark or bite other dogs but when its a bullie or staff all hell brakes loose! I just dont get it its idiots like previous comments that wind me up! and the key with dogs is to not show fear! if your weary and act strange the dogs pick up on it! Dont get me wrong its tragic how these dogs have been brought up and mauled another dog! thats awful and i think the owner/owners should be punished!

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GreensteadResident says...
3:27pm Mon 15 Oct 12

It's not the dogs that should be put down but the scum who train them to behave that way.

Get the scum out of Colchester - we don't want them here.

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rhetoric says...
4:48pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Oh, now we know!
.
We must not be weary or "act strange" because then we deserve to be savaged?
.
We have been warned - post op and when you're simply worn out or worried, don't go on the streets, because if a dog then attacks you, it's your own fault. Haleyboo says you must keep away from dogs because they can't help attacking you under such circumstances.
Dogs rule ok!
.
By the way, Haleyboo, I think you will find that it's definitely not ok for any dog to bite or attack, whatever the breed.

.

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Liz_rose94 says...
5:36pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not born vicious as some of you are saying. I too own a Staffie and he is the most loving, caring dog and wouldn't hurt a fly. I was there when this attack happened and if anything that poor dog was more scared than anything. It's obviously the owners that have caused this dog to behave this way. Why is it always Staffies that come under scrutiny when they attack other dogs but when it's another breed no one seems to be bothered.
I believe the dogs shouldn't have been put down, and the owners fined and have them taken away.
Stop agreeing with this stereotype that all Staffies are vicious, they are family dogs and are very loving. Any dog can turn when they are scared and out of their comfort zone.

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Soldier252 says...
6:31pm Mon 15 Oct 12

It's dog owners like this that put Staffies to shame! It should be the owners that are put down.

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corporate says...
8:25pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Staffies aren't inherently dangerous, no more than most other breeds. Like another poster, I had a huge Staffie apporach me from across the road, no owner in sight. I was wary at first but it nuzzled me and was obviously in some distress. I took it into my house, where my own two dogs were, and they all got on like best pals. A few enquiries with local vets, and it turned out this Staffie had just wandered out of its garden and got lost. While I waited for its owner to come and collect, I did have to put it into a cage - but only because it was so friendly and boisterous, it was (with the help of my own two dogs!) in danger of having a wild doggy party! Very friendly dog, and not called 'The Nanny Dog' for nothing.

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andypandy1952 says...
10:01pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Liz_rose94 wrote:
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not born vicious as some of you are saying. I too own a Staffie and he is the most loving, caring dog and wouldn't hurt a fly. I was there when this attack happened and if anything that poor dog was more scared than anything. It's obviously the owners that have caused this dog to behave this way. Why is it always Staffies that come under scrutiny when they attack other dogs but when it's another breed no one seems to be bothered. I believe the dogs shouldn't have been put down, and the owners fined and have them taken away. Stop agreeing with this stereotype that all Staffies are vicious, they are family dogs and are very loving. Any dog can turn when they are scared and out of their comfort zone.
a truer word never spoken. l to own a staffiecross. she is half staffie n lab.
She is the most loving caring dog and wouldn't hurt a fly. She is marveloous with children and humans and if another dog comes near her when out just sits down . these dogs are always given bad flak by some people but l agree you couldn't wish for a most caring loveable dog.

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Boris says...
2:05am Tue 16 Oct 12

ramadm@hotmail.co.uk wrote:
Boris wrote:
All dogs should be muzzled and on leads when out in public. Owners unable to control their dogs should be banned from keeping dogs. All dogs which take part in attacks such as that mentioned in this report should be put down, and their owners should be prosecuted and made to pay compensation. And if a dog kills a child, its owner should be prosecuted for murder.
No Boris all dogs which take part in attacks such as this should be put in the hands of responsible owners and there owners should be put down. Dogs do what there trained to do and act on instinct, the owners make the dissections, as someone on hear once said bull terrier, it's in the name if these dogs were bread to bring down bulls no thing or person has a chance it's not the dogs fault it was bread for this.
I took care not to blame any specific breed of dog, precisely because I know that many other breeds can also be vicious. The point is that a lot of people are just unfit to own dogs. Maybe if they had to have licences to keep dogs the standards would be raised.
.
Meanwhile, sadly, any dog that has been trained to attack needs to be put down, because it will never unlearn the lessons it was taught.

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Bengreen1980 says...
7:29am Tue 16 Oct 12

I have owned many breads over the last 12 years. Just like children, dogs are the product of their upbringing...

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Haleyboo85 says...
8:19am Tue 16 Oct 12

rhetoric:

I was not saying that its ok for anyother dog, I was pointing out the fact that when I take MY bull terrier out for a walk it seems as though its ok for other common breeds to bark at her, but if she barks people run a mile! Any dog is cabable of attacking its in there nature,

And yes dont show fear to dogs or act weary as they will sense it, if people simply dont like a dog just avoid it.

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Haleyboo85 says...
8:27am Tue 16 Oct 12

Yeah i totally agree with the musle when a dog is out in public, I mean, even if a dog hasnt been ill treated, there can always be somethig that goes on around them that can trigger it off.

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Haleyboo85 says...
8:28am Tue 16 Oct 12

When a dog is old i dont think they should have to wear musles either

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wormshero says...
9:14am Tue 16 Oct 12

Agreed with most of Sdapeze's original comment until the unnecessary dig at people with tattoo's and piercings, especially as I don't actually know anyone with many tattoo's and piercings who own such a dog! More of the lager-for-breakfast type.

And yes, in general it is down to how the dog is brought up and trained by the owner, although some breeds are known for having a sudden unexpected snap, and that's partly why these breeds are being singled out. Generally no matter whether it looks like the owner is responsible or not I can't help but get an uneasy feeling when passing such dogs in the street. A muzzle should be necessary, I think.

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bev52 says...
11:13am Tue 16 Oct 12

The reason its this breed that people worry about most is because they are owned very sadly by the highest amount of irresponsible owners. Unfortunatly for the responsible owners of the breed, those idiots that want to look hard with them and never have them on a lead have made people want to tar all with the same brush.
We have lots of them in this area and my previous dogs have all been attacked only by staffies owned by idiots without a lead who say while their dog is attacking mine "chill out love you have to let dogs be dogs".
I have owned a very aggresive Rottie x GSD in the past and all her life she never bit anyone or anything because I was responsible and even went to the trouble to pay to hire a private fully fenced field and do a 20 mile round trip daily to let her have an off lead run, just so there was no risk to anyone else.
If your dog is not keen on other dogs or people then keep it on the lead its not rocket science..

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lovesdogs22 says...
4:35pm Tue 16 Oct 12

I am a dog owner and resident of Longridge where this horiffic attack took place, am now too frightened to take my dog out for a walk, its seems everyone has forgotten what the actual story was about. Four out of control staffies attacked and killed a small dog and maimed another, together with trying to attack a mother walking with a baby in a buggy only stopped by quick thinking local residence (as stated in the paper). The owner know where to be seen only to turn up a bit later trying to blame everyone else and from what is being said locally he was covered in tattoos and holding stud laden harnesses so its no wonder some owners get labelled. Not all staffies are aggressive there are some lovely ones in the area its just the ones with rotten owners who have no regard or understand of the breed who keep far too many to boost their own ego so they act like packs and think its funny to put fear into the community. The police should never have given these dogs back to such an irrisponsible owner. They should be taken away the owner prosicuted, and never to own a dog again.

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star90 says...
6:27pm Tue 16 Oct 12

Here we go again, with Staffies all being tarred with the same brush. I totally agree with the above comments that the behaviour of ANY breed of dog, not just a Staffie, depends on the upbringing by the owner. Unfortunately there are too many irresponsible, mindless idiots who would rather walk the streets looking 'hard' with their dog, than taking them out for a nice, chilled out walk minding their own business like most normal owners do. It angers me that there are so many of these people nowadays who use their dogs as a weapon, rather than a loved, family pet! It's times like these when all the stereotypical comments start being thrown about, when it's 80% of the time probably not even the dogs fault, but the irresponsible owner who encourages aggressive behaviour, because to their small minds it's 'fun'. I have been bought up around Staffies for the last 12 years and never, have any of our Staffies behaved like this. They have always been happy, fun, loving family dogs that have had the kindest nature and have been especially great with children. If anything, lick you to death and like to be treated like babies. Now just to set the record straight.. The owners of these poor dogs who have been wrongly trained should have been prosecuted and had the dogs taken off them.

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Boris says...
8:02pm Tue 16 Oct 12

star90 wrote:
Here we go again, with Staffies all being tarred with the same brush. I totally agree with the above comments that the behaviour of ANY breed of dog, not just a Staffie, depends on the upbringing by the owner. Unfortunately there are too many irresponsible, mindless idiots who would rather walk the streets looking 'hard' with their dog, than taking them out for a nice, chilled out walk minding their own business like most normal owners do. It angers me that there are so many of these people nowadays who use their dogs as a weapon, rather than a loved, family pet! It's times like these when all the stereotypical comments start being thrown about, when it's 80% of the time probably not even the dogs fault, but the irresponsible owner who encourages aggressive behaviour, because to their small minds it's 'fun'. I have been bought up around Staffies for the last 12 years and never, have any of our Staffies behaved like this. They have always been happy, fun, loving family dogs that have had the kindest nature and have been especially great with children. If anything, lick you to death and like to be treated like babies. Now just to set the record straight.. The owners of these poor dogs who have been wrongly trained should have been prosecuted and had the dogs taken off them.
This all makes sense. Unfortunately it seems we need changes in the law to bring these aggressive owners under control.

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mummy250271 says...
8:18pm Tue 16 Oct 12

Bev52, Please could you let me know if you could where you hire a private field, I have a rescue lurcher and we have been desperate to let her off for a run but she has no recall so we would really like to hire somewhere safe for her. Hope to hear from you xx

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brooks says...
9:17pm Tue 16 Oct 12

the breed of the dog is only relevant when the dog is a muscular and very strong or big dog. Then it is harder to control if you do not have the necessary equipment or have learnt how to control it. Even some little dogs can do damage if they attack something smaller than it. But this is probably why it is better to be wary of certain types of dogs. An owner should be made to be responsible legally. This is so sad that a little dog lost its life and another is injured cos some stupid person is unable to look after their dogs. Why on earth has this person got four of them also. It is just asking for trouble.

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bev52 says...
9:32pm Tue 16 Oct 12

mummy250271 wrote:
Bev52, Please could you let me know if you could where you hire a private field, I have a rescue lurcher and we have been desperate to let her off for a run but she has no recall so we would really like to hire somewhere safe for her. Hope to hear from you xx
I'm afraid the owners of the field have moved and the new owners are using it for horses. I now have 2 rescue greyhounds and am trying to find a place for them to run off lead.
I don't know how to contact you privatly if I find somewhere.

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mummy250271 says...
9:39pm Tue 16 Oct 12

Thanks anyway Bev52. I have just found out about the greyhound walks there is one this Sunday 10.00am at East Mersea so hopefully will be going to that. It is a nightmare not being able to let her off the lead lol

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The old see dog says...
10:30pm Tue 16 Oct 12

A few weeks ago my sister was walking her dog in Bourne wood and she came across a woman walking her two dogs that were on retractable leads, my sister said to the woman that she would go a different way but the woman replied that it would be OK to carry on. My sister did so but as she got within range of the other dogs they attacked my sisters dog hanging onto both sides of its face. My sister tried to separate the dogs but she got knocked over and the dogs attacked her biting her thigh down to the bone, her screams bought others who lived near by and they got the dogs off. The ambulance and police where called. The ambulance took my sister to hospital, my nephew took her dog to the vets the woman carried on her way and the police were nowhere to be seen. The out come was a hefty vet bill and a nervous dog, my sister had to have time off work because of infection to the wound and bone, the other woman's partner says that his dogs were under control and will be muzzled from now on, their insurers say they dont want to know as its my sisters fault, and the police say they cant do anything because they were not there at the time. So the moral of this and any other story is, It is not the dogs fault regardless of breed, its not the owners fault regardless of control or lack of it, its your fault for being there.

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Eachtotheirown says...
8:01am Wed 17 Oct 12

Another sad story provoking heated debate. As a dog owner this is a terrible story to have your dog mauled to death. As a staffie owner it is sad to hear such narrow minded comments. I agree with many that its the owners not the breed. My staffie was attacked by a golden retriever and suffered injuries.
It's outrageous that the owner of the staffies allowed his dogs to act this way and should never be allowed to own any dog.
I also think using stereotypical phrases of the tattoo brigade raises prejudice.
I am tattooed, I own a staffie. I am also a mother, I work full time in the law professional and my dog is soft and loving. Please stop the stereotypes and unite in stopping irresponsible dog owners and finding a way to stop tragedies like this happening

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Eachtotheirown says...
8:03am Wed 17 Oct 12

It would help if I could spell profession! Don't tell the boss

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The old see dog says...
10:44am Wed 17 Oct 12

This is not more fuel for a heated debate this story is fact and I did not name the breed of the dogs. It does not matter what type of dog it is, it`s to do with how they are brought up, and it does not matter what type of owner it is it is also how they are brought up. Also what has been revealed is that these dogs have attacked in the past and nothing was done then. I have owned dogs in the past and they were brought up with various other pets and young children and they were always walked on the lead, never let off to run wild and I had no problems with them.

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Haleyboo85 says...
11:34am Wed 17 Oct 12

Eachtotheirown wrote:
Another sad story provoking heated debate. As a dog owner this is a terrible story to have your dog mauled to death. As a staffie owner it is sad to hear such narrow minded comments. I agree with many that its the owners not the breed. My staffie was attacked by a golden retriever and suffered injuries. It's outrageous that the owner of the staffies allowed his dogs to act this way and should never be allowed to own any dog. I also think using stereotypical phrases of the tattoo brigade raises prejudice. I am tattooed, I own a staffie. I am also a mother, I work full time in the law professional and my dog is soft and loving. Please stop the stereotypes and unite in stopping irresponsible dog owners and finding a way to stop tragedies like this happening
Couldnt have said it better, i too have tattoos and have a successful job, pejustice needs to stop! My bull teriier is loving and affectionate in everyway. its the owners that are the porblem and appearences can be decieving...

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star90 says...
12:01pm Wed 17 Oct 12

I just think it's a sad sad world when everything comes to blaming eachother anyway. I know a little girl who got viciously attacked by her neighbours dog, which was not a Staffie, as she knocked on their door. This resulted in her needing surgery on her face because she was pinned to the floor by the dog and was not able to defend herself. The moral of this story is; the owners knew full well that their dog was a potentially aggressive dog as it had also gone for others in the past. It is then their responsibility to ensure their dog is kept well under control and most certainly not let loose around vulnerable individuals such as young children. At the end of the day, any breed of dog can turn if they want to, which is why all dogs should be kept on the lead and by your side, as it may be safer for yourself and your dog, to stay away from others whom you don't know and what they are capable of. I was walking in the dark a few nights ago, when somebody turned a corner with their dog off the lead, it wasn't a small dog either, it was an Alsation.. It came running over to me and I was wary, because I don't know it. The owners weren't particularly bothered that it had approached me, but I was! It then ran into me and nearly knocked me over. Unfortunately, some people mistreat their dogs/pets and use them as a way of intimidation. But I do agree that judging people and their pets on their appearance is stereotypical and wrong! I know enough people with tattoos who are the loveliest of people and would never dream of putting anyone in danger, so please also stop with the stereotyping!

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Eachtotheirown says...
4:40pm Wed 17 Oct 12

The old see dog wrote:
This is not more fuel for a heated debate this story is fact and I did not name the breed of the dogs. It does not matter what type of dog it is, it`s to do with how they are brought up, and it does not matter what type of owner it is it is also how they are brought up. Also what has been revealed is that these dogs have attacked in the past and nothing was done then. I have owned dogs in the past and they were brought up with various other pets and young children and they were always walked on the lead, never let off to run wild and I had no problems with them.
For some inexplicable reason you seem to feel I have directed my post at you, but if you read previous postings I think you will find its more directed at previous comments.
It also said "provoking" the debate and did not disputing the fact the story is true. Unfortunately when something is not read carefully it leads to misinterpretation. Unfortunately these kind of stories are always going to raise heated discussion.
On reading your sisters plight surely you must agree we need something to be done in allowing irresponsible people being allowed to own dogs without understanding how a dog should behave in a public place. I am a strong believer that if you are not sure you have complete control of your dog off a lead then ensure it is always on a lead in public places.

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Sdapeze says...
9:19am Fri 19 Oct 12

Well! I was taken aback by the letter in the Gazette yesterday from a staffie, having a go at me for having a go at him and his kind. Clearly, this is a staffie of a special kind, a throwback to when his ancestors were Jack Russells and therefore lovely well balanced, sweet natured little rascals - like mine are incidentally. He has clearly been brought up with good values by his master. Perhaps he can have a word with his mates about their agressive tendencies.

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wellnow says...
9:29am Fri 19 Oct 12

if you feel your dog can't be trusted it should be muzzled when in public.if you feel your dog will not obey your call it should not be let of it's lead.if you feel ok on both points i can see no reason for a dog not to be able to run free in suitable area's of countryside.however the article that started the thread was about a pack of dogs that were clearly out of control and free to roam that is not the norm nowadays for any breed.

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jut1972 says...
1:27pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Any dog can attack any other dog but owners of staffs are kidding themselves its all down to the owners, staffs are more likely to attack other dogs (compared to most other breeds) due to their inherent characteristics.

Also their jaws are so powerful that a bite from them will do far more damage than most other breeds of dogs.

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Walt Jabsco says...
9:25am Sun 21 Oct 12

Haleyboo85 wrote:
OK, I am not a drug dealer, a tattooed thug an all that rubbish! its the sterotypes that purchase these dogs. I OWN an English bull terrier and if anything she is pertified of other dogs as she was badly attacked by a labrador and Collie! Its not about the breed! its the owners! I dont understand how its ok for a common suposidly cute well loved common breed dog to bark or bite other dogs but when its a bullie or staff all hell brakes loose! I just dont get it its idiots like previous comments that wind me up! and the key with dogs is to not show fear! if your weary and act strange the dogs pick up on it! Dont get me wrong its tragic how these dogs have been brought up and mauled another dog! thats awful and i think the owner/owners should be punished!
Totally right about being the owners fault, although you are way off the mark with it being the trick to not show fear to a dog, that may apply to its owner trying to train the dog, but what demographic do you think is most likely to show fear to a dog???? I think you'll find that's small children - try telling them to not show fear, and is it their fault if they do and get bitten?

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bev52 says...
9:42am Sun 21 Oct 12

jut1972 wrote:
Any dog can attack any other dog but owners of staffs are kidding themselves its all down to the owners, staffs are more likely to attack other dogs (compared to most other breeds) due to their inherent characteristics.

Also their jaws are so powerful that a bite from them will do far more damage than most other breeds of dogs.
I agree there is a higher incidence of dog on dog attacks caused by staffs, but in general staffs are the lovliest dogs with people and not often would any want to attack a person..
However a dog is with others though is down to the owner totally, because if the owner has it on a lead under control then it however much it may want to attack another dog the owner won't let it, so there is no problem.
As i said in an earlier post, my aggresive RottiexGSD was never a threat to another person or animal because she was always on a lead in public places and kept away from them. We also made sure before the front door was opened at anytime she was securely shut in another room so she couldn't slip out and the back gate was always firmly bolted top and bottom.
A few simple precautions and taking responsibility for what your dog could be capable of is all thats needed. Its not hard!

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jut1972 says...
11:28am Sun 21 Oct 12

True enough. Your last sentence is an excellent summary. I would add and society needs to be tougher on the idiots who don't show this sort of common sense and basic decency to others.

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