GUERNSEY could face a repeat of the tragedy in Leicester that saw a baby girl mauled to death by two Rottweilers. Islanders are being warned that children here will be at risk if dogs get into the wrong hands.
But Animal Aid founder Sue Vidamour and GSPCA animal welfare officer Jenny Fox are assuring islanders that adequate training and responsible owners make a savage attack unlikely.
‘I don’t think it will happen. As far as I’m aware, there is nowhere in the island that uses Rottweilers as guard dogs,’ said Mrs Vidamour.
‘But if the wrong person gets hold of the right dog, it can happen anywhere.’
Five-month-old Cadey-Lee Deacon was savaged to death on Saturday after a fire door was left open, allowing the guard dogs access to the living quarters of the pub where she was sleeping in a Moses basket.
And on Monday in West Sussex, a neighbour had to use a hammer to fight off a Rottweiler that was savaging a 14-month-old boy.
‘Guernsey is not immune if the dog is in the wrong hands - it could bite a person in a frenzy,’ she warned.
‘In the right hands they are superb dogs,’ she said.
Animal Aid has rehomed about 15 Rottweilers locally in the last 15 years - including to families with children - without any problems.
It would never allow any to become guard dogs.
‘If a puppy is bred by a responsible family and is socialised with other dogs and trained properly, there is no reason why it should turn nasty,’ she said.
‘There is always an oddball dog, like people, but the majority of the time they are lovely. Some people see them as status symbols. Their size puts the fear into people,’ said Mrs Vidamour.
Guernsey’s animal welfare legislation - passed in the States this week - is not expected to lead to any change in the status of the breed.
This is despite some calls to classify them as dangerous dogs to be kept muzzled in public places.
Mrs Fox stressed that the recent UK attacks had to be kept in perspective.
‘This was so unusual and rare having two major incidents happening within days of each other. What I would not want to see is people starting to panic and getting rid of their Rottweilers,’ she said.
‘At the end of the day, dogs are dogs - they have evolved from the wolf.’
‘If you have one of these dogs, you don’t let it loose. Anyone encroaching on its territory could be attacked.
‘Guernsey is not immune from any kind of attack. People in Guernsey get bitten regularly and some of the time it is little dogs,’ she said.
‘Don’t take for granted that your dog is not capable of damaging a child or anybody else.
‘People just have to be aware if they have a dog and child never to leave them alone and never ever to allow their child to push, poke, kick or do anything nasty to the dog.’
Positive-based - as opposed to punishment-based - training methods were essential with guard breeds.
‘Otherwise this could lead to a breakdown of trust and could turn the dogs into a timebomb,’ said Mrs Fox.
It was down to good breeding and ensuring the animals were temperament-assessed and went into an environment that suited them.
An independent animal will be better used as a working dog - which could include security or guarding.
Article posted on 29th September, 2006 - 12.00am
Loading ...
Most Commented: