UK Dangerous Dog Act Failed to Ban Breeds within Pit Bull Class

Pit Bull Type Dog Attacks Increasing
Cambridge, UK - In 1991, the UK passed the most comprehensive dangerous dog legislation in the world. Yet the legislation failed to ban the group of breeds that make up the pit bull class: Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, bull terrier and controversially, the American bulldog. As a result, the UK consistently reports attacks by each. It's unclear why UK legislators did not expand the Dangerous Dog Act to include these breeds.

The BBC news reported as far back as 1999 that American bulldogs coming into the country were being cross-bred to produce fighting breeds in an effort to side step the existing legislation (Dangerous Dogs Threaten a Comeback). They write in the article: "There's been quite a dramatic rise in newspaper advertisements offering for sale American Bulldogs, crossed with Irish Staffordshires - a well-known old euphemism for a pit bull terrier."

The US and the UK's shared problem of fighting dogs (pit bulls) also includes the issue of these dogs being used as a status symbol for criminals. Cambridge reports that aggressive dogs, owned by these types, are behind the rising number of vicious attacks. In the past two years, dog attacks in Cambridge increased 80%. The rise in dog attacks is being felt on a national level too. In 2007, there were 3,800 dog bite patients in the UK -- up 40 percent from four years ago.

Related news:

Rescued Dog Savaged by Bull-Terrier in the UK
Ballymena, UK - A dog, which had been rescued from abuse several years ago, was subjected to an horrific attack by a bull-terrier type dog in the Harryville area two weeks ago. It took three people to stop the rampaging bull-terrier which had its victim in a death-vice neck grip. The stricken dog had to be given an injection by the vet after going into shock, as well as stitches and a drip for the injuries it sustained.

Jim Greer detailed the ferocity of the attack by the Staffordshire bull-terrier which is similar to a pit-bull, but is a legal breed.

Jim Greer had been out with his dog for a walk. The two were making their way through the Shanlieve area, when he saw a dog coming at them full throttle. "It looked like a Staffordshire bull terrier. I tried to shield it from my dog, Prince. But there was no stopping it. It immediately began attacking Prince. "It was choking Prince to death. It took three of us to get the dog off Prince. It was a brutal attack and it came very close to killing my dog."

UK Police Taser Staffie After it Attacks Owner
Blackburn, UK - Armed police used an electric stun gun on a Staffordshire terrier after it went for its owner then turned on officers and paramedics when they tried to help. The 45-year-old woman was rushed to Royal Blackburn Hospital with puncture marks and bite wounds to her feet and legs. She had been walking the animal across wooded land when it attacked her. She was able to call for an ambulance while the dog retreated briefly.

Speaking from her home later, the dog's owner (the woman's boyfriend), said: "I didn't see it coming. It was really scary. The whole thing has been very distressing." He added that they only got the dog a few days ago and it had been as good as gold around the house. "I think the dog got confused when she was trying to put a muzzle on it. It went for her legs...when the paramedics came the dog was trying to protect her so it went for them too."

Dog Will Strike Again, Warns UK Attack Victim
Islington, UK - A woman who says she was attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier fears it will strike again if action isn't taken. The woman says she was attacked as she walked her Pomeranian dog in Finsbury. She says the dog charged her Pomeranian so she picked it up and held it above her head to prevent it from being killed. The bull terrier jumped up at her. "I went up against a wall to try to protect us but got bitten on my arms," she said.

The woman reported the incident to the police, but says she has not had a reply. The woman said that it's not the first time that dog has been out of control and next time it could be worse. "The dog is known for biting other dogs," she said. A police spokeswoman add that a Staffordshire bull terrier, is not a "dangerous dog" as defined by the Dangerous Dogs Act and can only be treated as a dog which is "out of control in a public place."

Related articles:
03/22/08: Dog Walker Mauled by Bull Terriers
03/05/08: Pit Bull Attacks Another Horse in the UK
03/04/08: Staffordshire Bull Terriers Going Berserk in the UK
02/07/08: Woman Brutally Savaged by Pit Bull