Caveat

MAIL CARRIER BITES DOG

Just kidding.  It's just that Dog Bites Mail Carrier isn't news.   Or is it?

I watched Global  for a change last night because I get tired of the pro-Liberal bias on the other major networks.

They had a report about a mail carrier who had been bitten by a dog.    The story was  about the increase in chases and bites to posties nationally this summer.  Summer is historically when there are more bites and chases, for a variety of reasons, just as we see in warm climates.

I really felt sorry for the woman, her arm was wrapped up and she was trying not to cry.  She is new to the job and was only subbing in the neighbourhood.  She said the dog pushed the door open, ran out and nailed her, then the owner came out, grabbed the dog and took him in and didn't even come out to see how she was , let alone call paramedics. Nice.  I think that's what bothered her the most.  It sure bothers me and I wasn't even there. 

I thought the report was handled well.  It was a chocolate Labrador retriever-type who bit the mail carrier. They showed him on TV with his dogwalker, wagging his tail. The police said it was "an accident" and "not a malicious act" and "no charges would be laid"

 Gee, what a surprise.

Remember mail carrier Darlene Wagner, one of the two victims of severe dog attacks whom the Fibs trotted out to testify in favour of banning "pit bulls" in 2005 (except she didn't favour a ban)?  This incident is similar to hers, except there were two dogs in that one and she was really worked over, mostly due to the dog owner's stupidity. No charges were laid in her case, either.

I wonder when the House debates will begin to talk about a ban on a) retrievers, b) Labrador retrievers, c) Chesapeake Bay retrievers, d)  Golden retrievers and any mutt that is substantially similar in appearance and physical characteristics?

I'm betting never. Anybody want to bet against me?

 *

Global also mentioned an attack out west involving two mastiff types running at large who seriously injured a mail carrier.   They said the dogs "looked like" the picture they showed of a Dogo Argentino. Points for a) knowing that the breed is indeed a mastiff type; b) helping to educate the audience that not every short-haired dog is a "pit bull" and c) not mentioning "pit bulls" once, not that they had to, wink-wink, nudge-nudge.

Here's the video from last night's newscast.

 

DOG CONTROL BILL TO REPLACE BRITAIN'S DDA PASSES HOUSE OF LORDS

DOG CONTROL BILL TO CONTINUE TO COMMONS

As Bill successfully passes through the House of Lords

 

The House of Lords gave its full backing to a long awaited overhaul of the Dangerous Dogs Act today (Wednesday 26 October) as the Dog Control Bill successfully passed through all stages in the Lords.

 

Lord Redesdale’s Bill, which proposes to replace failed dangerous dog legislation with effective preventative regulation, including Dog Control Notices, and extending legislation to cover both public and private places, was supported by the Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group (DDASG).

 

DDASG represents animal welfare groups, local authorities and veterinary professional organisations which include Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, The Blue Cross, British Veterinary Association, Dogs Trust, the Kennel Club, Mayhew Animal Home, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Wandsworth Borough Council and Wood Green Animal Shelters.

 

Wandsworth Dog Control Service Manager and DDASG Chairman, Mark Callis said: “Our members all know from personal experience that the aggressive, problematic dogs are always the ones which have been treated badly, neglected, or, in some of the worst cases, deliberately trained to intimidate others. This Bill would give us the powers we need to tackle the root cause of the country's dangerous dog issues - bad owners.”

 

The Commons will now continue the debate as the Bill moves on in its passage through the parliamentary process. 

 

Following the success of the Third Reading of the Bill, Lord Redesdale commented: “I am delighted to have been part of this movement to push for the revision of existing dangerous dogs legislation. By introducing preventative measures, such as dog control orders, problem behaviour can be addressed before more serious incidents take place. This will go a long way towards protecting the public and ensuring responsible dog ownership for the benefit of all.“  

 

In support of the Bill, DDASG launched a petition which has now received over 10,000 signatures. The petition can be found at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/repeal-and-replace-the-dangerous-dogs-act.html. The Bill forms part of a call by all leading animal welfare organisations, trade unions, and enforcement bodies to urgently review failed dog control legislation and find solutions to irresponsible dog ownership.

 

For more information on DDASG, Lord Redesdale’s Dog Control Bill and current legislation visit http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/928.

 

ENDS

 

26^th October 2011

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