Someone Muzzle that Idiot!

It seems that some people just can't help themselves when it comes to talking garbage. Especially to a child, erm adolescent. Thinking an adult should know best certainly isn't the always the case.

Blaine took me out the other night and whilst walking off the lead a man with a Staffy decided to point out that as a dangerous dog I should be on the lead and stated that is what it says on the dangerous dogs act.

Well, dad's a bit more responsible than that. Even as he first brought me home he did his research to find out what the score was with the dangerous dog act. I just wish others would do a bit of homework too, before trying to claim knowledge of things they have no clue about.

There are currently only four types of dog listed as prohibited in the UK. These are as follows:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Braziliero

A Rottweiler does not appear on that list, nor is considered a "pit bull type".

However, the act also prevents owners from having a dog which is dangerously out of control in a public place. Which is defined as:

Any dog is dangerously out of control if:

• it injures a person, or
• it behaves in a way that makes a person worried that it might injure them.

Which could be hugely misinterpreted by the lay-person, that if the person is afraid of dogs that any dog could be considered dangerously out of control. This is not the intention of the act.

Now, if you're the type of person that owns a dog and walks over to another dog owner, with their dog, and believes the dog to be dangerously out of control, wanting to make your point about it. Do you really think the sensible course of action is to bring your dog with you and launch into a tirade about how dangerous someone else's dog is, just because of their breed?

So please if you're in any doubt feel free to visit the UK Government website DEFRA and you'll find all the information you need.

DEFRA - Animal welfare: The Control of Dogs

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

I'm sure most visitors here won't be affected or require such literature and I guess my little rant is preaching to the converted, but for the sake of completeness the link is here anyway.