“Bringing a dog into another's territory is asking for trouble. The owner appears to be looking at compensating the victim.”

“Totally agree with that Chris.”

“Bonkim2003...........sorry, that's twaddle.
A major part of training, growing up etc is socialising.
Same as children. They socialise as there are plenty of other humans that will inhabit their worls in the future.
With dogs, it's important to socialise, then note any aggression or negative traits early on.
The more they mix, the better they are.
I walk my dog twice a day in public areas. The number of times I get asked if it's a dog or *****, as theirs 'doesn't like other dogs, and can get nasty'. Strange how they then get upset when I say if theirs even thinks about biting mine, it'll have my boot down it's throat.”

“Chris, I too agree with the slant of the story, and the smug picture.”

“BANG ON CHRIS.”

“Chris well put, it's a bit like a counsellor just getting a warning for a firearms offence!”

“I think the real issue is whether or not the dog has attacked a human before which as far as I know, he hasn't. Given that Fuji was provoked by having another male dog brought into its patch, I'm glad he was given the benefit of the doubt, he's a beautiful animal.The victim of the attack was offered financial compensation which is the only redress available and so it's all a non story now.”

“Bonkim, the story appears to say that Helen Blomfield was attacked outside her house. That shouldn't have been considered as Fuji's territory. He clearly considered himself to be top dog everywhere.”

“The point about insensitivity towards the victim is well made. FreeRadical if you check back - there was something about the couple staying on the estate and failure to bar other dogs being kept. Not being a specialist in dog psychology, will not speculate on the causes for the particular attack. Dave_Kemp has a point there. Yes the story should have been about the victim rather than the owners of the dog.”

“Mr Apperley's reporting style is disgraceful...why is he still employed by the citizen.
He is the most biased journalist in the county please rid the wonderful local pages of this man.”

“In Scotland there is the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 which gives out dog ASBO's to the owner(s) or keepers of the gog(s). The 2010 Act also makes a change to the existing criminal offence of allowing your dog to be dangerously out of control. This change is designed to ensure dog owners can be held to account when they fail to take control of dogs who become dangerous and attack. Dog owners who allow their pets to become out of control in a public or private place could be issued with a 'dog control notice' from today as new legislation comes into force designed to crack down on delinquent dogs and their owners. (Scottish Office)
The Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act aims to judge dogs on their behaviour, not breed, and gives powers to impose penalties on irresponsible owners (BBC News).

It seems that Scotland are ahead when it comes to dogs, their control and to wage an offensive on poor or bad dog owners. Pound for pound, given that the bull-terrier has a greater bite ratio, smaller, muscular and more able to move in tight compared to the German Shepard (even police trained dogs have their limits), then I would not wage any bets on the outcome.
The UK government are in the process of putting through to law that ALL dog owners will and must have their dogs micro-chiped in order to quel the poor behaviour of certain breeds and those of owners.

Training your dog, training yourself to control your dog and to do so with compassion and yet being firm enough. I am for the issue of microchips. However, I refuse to go as far as what some Tory MPs wish, to chip or barcode us. That's a step too far!”

“Bonkim,
The victim lived and worked on the estate. I really hope that she gets good compensation for this terrible experience.

I see from another story that the Thorntons have sold up and will be moving to another county - lucky Herefordshire!”