God Almighty, Just How Stupid Can People Be?

[Cycleops]

I'm glad people focused on Essex. Normally dangerous dogs get associated with Liverpool.

I used to live near Harlow and I can assure you there are plenty of knuckle draggers there.

 

[KnittyNorah]

Re 'drug dealer's dogs'.
Back in 2017, when I lived in the village, a nice young couple from the village rescued a young dog at the same time as they rescued the sister of the young bloke from a drug dealer in Blackpool (long story, of his turning up at the dealer's place with 6 big blokes from the brickyard and the abattoir in a neighbouring small town, with the police fully aware of what was going on and not exactly condoning it, but not condemning it either ...). The lass was crying and saying she wouldn't go back with them unless they took the dog too. So they did. It was only young, about 6 - 8 mo old and kept tied up under a table, kicked every time it sh@t or wet itself, teased to 'develop' its aggression and never taken out or socialised.
They got the dog (and his sister ...) in the nick of time I think.
The sister went to live with her other brother many miles away and last I heard was doing well, holding down a decent job and doing a college course, and the young couple worked hard with the dog to turn it round, which they did very successfully indeed with the aid of the local vet (needed to get to full health after a very poor puppy diet) and advice from a dog behaviourist recommended by the vet. The vet took a personal interest in him, and had his DNA done to see just what he was dealing with, as the dog was obviously intended to look threatening - but equally obviously, had a very compliant nature, and despite almost total lack of proper early socialisation, and all the teasing and physical 'punishment', never showed the slightest signs of aggression towards people or other dogs. All he wanted to do was play, even though he just didn't know how to at first.
DNA showed he was almost half either English or Bull Mastiff, almost half a large Spitz breed - husky, malamute or another draught dog breed - with a small amount of some (probably Golden, or yellow Labrador) retriever. He has the heavy brows and aggressive-looking pose of the mastiff; the Spitz gives him narrow, odd-coloured eyes - one dark and one yellow - with a somewhat-unnerving stare into the distance, and a very dense coat that makes him look even bigger than he already is. He was also extremely energetic, wanting to run like a husky which was a problem when combined with the mastiff weight and physiology/anatomy, especially given his poor nutritional foundation when he was still growing. Fortunately there is a canal reservoir near the village and he took to swimming very eagerly, so everyone was happy - the vet that he wasn't doing anything that would damage him physically while he was still growing, the husky in him which just wanted to run and run and run, and his owners that it didn't involve yet more expense ... I understand that he has mellowed with age wrt his swimming, and only swims once round the reservoir now, instead of half a dozen times!
His true nature, though, is neither husky nor mastiff nor even a soppy, water-loving retriever, but that of a teddy bear.
Because he is so large and imposing, for everyone's safety, including his, they taught him to sit immediately on being approached by any small child or small dog, and not get up until specifically permitted to do so. He has trodden on my toes by accident and it HURTS! They were planning on taking him forwards, hopefully, for PAT dog training and testing, as he is so big that he actually enjoys 'harder' pats and hugs than 'normal' sized dogs but C-19 put an end to that idea. I've not seen them for a couple of years now but a friend who still lives in the village says he is still around and still just as good a boy as ever, but the couple who own him have sadly been warned by the vet that he is likely to age very rapidly at some point, and not live as long as he ought, mainly due to his poor start in life.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Re 'drug dealer's dogs'.
Back in 2017, when I lived in the village, a nice young couple from the village rescued a young dog at the same time as they rescued the sister of the young bloke from a drug dealer in Blackpool (long story, of his turning up at the dealer's place with 6 big blokes from the brickyard and the abattoir in a neighbouring small town, with the police fully aware of what was going on and not exactly condoning it, but not condemning it either ...). The lass was crying and saying she wouldn't go back with them unless they took the dog too. So they did. It was only young, about 6 - 8 mo old and kept tied up under a table, kicked every time it sh@t or wet itself, teased to 'develop' its aggression and never taken out or socialised.
They got the dog (and his sister ...) in the nick of time I think.
The sister went to live with her other brother many miles away and last I heard was doing well, holding down a decent job and doing a college course, and the young couple worked hard with the dog to turn it round, which they did very successfully indeed with the aid of the local vet (needed to get to full health after a very poor puppy diet) and advice from a dog behaviourist recommended by the vet. The vet took a personal interest in him, and had his DNA done to see just what he was dealing with, as the dog was obviously intended to look threatening - but equally obviously, had a very compliant nature, and despite almost total lack of proper early socialisation, and all the teasing and physical 'punishment', never showed the slightest signs of aggression towards people or other dogs. All he wanted to do was play, even though he just didn't know how to at first.
DNA showed he was almost half either English or Bull Mastiff, almost half a large Spitz breed - husky, malamute or another draught dog breed - with a small amount of some (probably Golden, or yellow Labrador) retriever. He has the heavy brows and aggressive-looking pose of the mastiff; the Spitz gives him narrow, odd-coloured eyes - one dark and one yellow - with a somewhat-unnerving stare into the distance, and a very dense coat that makes him look even bigger than he already is. He was also extremely energetic, wanting to run like a husky which was a problem when combined with the mastiff weight and physiology/anatomy, especially given his poor nutritional foundation when he was still growing. Fortunately there is a canal reservoir near the village and he took to swimming very eagerly, so everyone was happy - the vet that he wasn't doing anything that would damage him physically while he was still growing, the husky in him which just wanted to run and run and run, and his owners that it didn't involve yet more expense ... I understand that he has mellowed with age wrt his swimming, and only swims once round the reservoir now, instead of half a dozen times!
His true nature, though, is neither husky nor mastiff nor even a soppy, water-loving retriever, but that of a teddy bear.
Because he is so large and imposing, for everyone's safety, including his, they taught him to sit immediately on being approached by any small child or small dog, and not get up until specifically permitted to do so. He has trodden on my toes by accident and it HURTS! They were planning on taking him forwards, hopefully, for PAT dog training and testing, as he is so big that he actually enjoys 'harder' pats and hugs than 'normal' sized dogs but C-19 put an end to that idea. I've not seen them for a couple of years now but a friend who still lives in the village says he is still around and still just as good a boy as ever, but the couple who own him have sadly been warned by the vet that he is likely to age very rapidly at some point, and not live as long as he ought, mainly due to his poor start in life.

Sounds like they are decent owners and though the dog may not have a long life it's had a very good one since being rescued from those cruel @#~ts!

 

[Fab Foodie]

This! Border collies are the most intelligent breed (YMMV) and absolutely need mental stimulus and attention at least as much as exercise.

Nonsense!
Whippets are the most intelligent breed.
They're smart-enough to know that lazing and chilling all day on the sofa and refusing to go out in the rain is better than all that having to think and do this-and-that exhausting stuff to keep their owners happy....

 

[Poacher]

Nonsense!
Whippets are the most intelligent breed.
They're smart-enough to know that lazing and chilling all day on the sofa and refusing to go out in the rain is better than all that having to think and do this-and-that exhausting stuff to keep their owners happy....

It was thinking of you that prompted me to type YMMV!
Lovely dogs, but weird the way they scream rather than bark when excited.

 

[I like Skol]

A pet puma savaging its owner for food. Check out those claws....

I was lucky to escape with my life that day

 

[Time Waster]

A pair of Aussie shepherd dogs were found in a drugs raid on a dealer Ulverston way I believe. Years ago now. They were often kept in a tiny cupboard with little room to move.

I was looking at a rescue dog and saw the last one still at the centre poor thing kept jamming itself between the plastic bed and the concrete back wall. On hard concrete floor too. Apparently it felt secure when in a confined space because that's all it knew, a tight space and it's litter brother.

A lovely grey marl with lovely, distinctive blue eyes.

I also got told about his brother that was rehomed to a nice family with a decent sized house and garden a month earlier. Apparently they were told not to walk it off a lead for at least a month, preferably longer so it can bond and start to get over it's early years. It was a cold February when they took it for a walk up loughrigg fell and let it off the lead a week after taking it home. It ran off and was never seen again. Poor thing probably froze to death afraid!

The kennels owner who looked after RSPCA rescues for the local area as well as running his kennel business was absolutely angry about it. I can understand. The litter brother was apparently the spitting image and it looked beautiful and intelligent but scared. The family, well the parents, were apparently a nice family with the best of intentions and considered a perfect home for such a dog. Except they knew better! Ignorant of how little they really knew about rehoming such a rescue dog but the arrogance to think they know better than RSPCA staff and the kennel owner who had a life in the dog care business.

Ignorance comes with confidence and arrogance not just the usual lack of knowledge or care.

 

[Time Waster]

Nonsense!
Whippets are the most intelligent breed.
They're smart-enough to know that lazing and chilling all day on the sofa and refusing to go out in the rain is better than all that having to think and do this-and-that exhausting stuff to keep their owners happy....

You're obviously talking about border terriers with that description judging by ours. The look of disgust when you try to take it out in the rain is hilarious!

 

[Reynard]

Nonsense!
Whippets are the most intelligent breed.
They're smart-enough to know that lazing and chilling all day on the sofa and refusing to go out in the rain is better than all that having to think and do this-and-that exhausting stuff to keep their owners happy....

I think you're describing cats here, me old bean

 

[KnittyNorah]

A pair of Aussie shepherd dogs were found in a drugs raid on a dealer Ulverston way I believe. Years ago now. They were often kept in a tiny cupboard with little room to move.

I was looking at a rescue dog and saw the last one still at the centre poor thing kept jamming itself between the plastic bed and the concrete back wall. On hard concrete floor too. Apparently it felt secure when in a confined space because that's all it knew, a tight space and it's litter brother.

A lovely grey marl with lovely, distinctive blue eyes.

I also got told about his brother that was rehomed to a nice family with a decent sized house and garden a month earlier. Apparently they were told not to walk it off a lead for at least a month, preferably longer so it can bond and start to get over it's early years. It was a cold February when they took it for a walk up loughrigg fell and let it off the lead a week after taking it home. It ran off and was never seen again. Poor thing probably froze to death afraid!

The kennels owner who looked after RSPCA rescues for the local area as well as running his kennel business was absolutely angry about it. I can understand. The litter brother was apparently the spitting image and it looked beautiful and intelligent but scared. The family, well the parents, were apparently a nice family with the best of intentions and considered a perfect home for such a dog. Except they knew better! Ignorant of how little they really knew about rehoming such a rescue dog but the arrogance to think they know better than RSPCA staff and the kennel owner who had a life in the dog care business.

Ignorance comes with confidence and arrogance not just the usual lack of knowledge or care.

Why on earth would even the most stupid person let any dog off the lead somewhere like the fells - especially in what amounts to early spring with lambing fast approaching - AND without its recall being absolutely 100%? Why is so-called 'common' sense so sadly lacking? Words fail me.

 

[Time Waster]

Why on earth would even the most stupid person let any dog off the lead somewhere like the fells - especially in what amounts to early spring with lambing fast approaching - AND without its recall being absolutely 100%? Why is so-called 'common' sense so sadly lacking? Words fail me.

Recall? The dog was new to the family and vice versa! It might have had recall but not for a family it had only recently been introduced to. That's the most idiotic part of it.

I will correct you, February is usually the coldest month in the lakes, firmly into the winter category. What's worse it went missing in the afternoon without much time to try and find it. If they'd lost it in the morning there's a chance it would be found but not with a few hours left of daylight.

Having said that, we got our puppy at about 8 or 9 weeks old. It hadn't started vaccination so it was something like 11 or 12 weeks older when we took it on its first proper walk. We let it off the lead with the three of us surrounding it. The puppy took a couple of steps, sniffed then looked at us with a "what next? " look. We walked off and it trotted alongside like it had been pre-trained to walk to heel. It's had its moments since but it mostly trots along near to us. Closely near or on roads, but in off road areas it'll explore a little bit more. So you can let dogs loose with care when they're new just not rescue dogs with sketchy pasts.

 

[Bollo]

This! Border collies are the most intelligent breed (YMMV) and absolutely need mental stimulus and attention at least as much as exercise.

When I was about 12 and we moved to Northumberland I had a Border Collie. The local farmers used to sell off pups as pets that they didn’t think would make the grade as working dogs, which often didn’t work well. People didn’t realise how much exercise and stimulation collies needed, and offspring of working dogs weren’t always the best pets as they can be quite dominant. They’re not good with small kids and we knew two people who’d had to have their collies euthanised after biting their kids.

Our Moss was slightly different in that she was the product of a locally well-regarded working dog and a pet collie. The sire’s farmer owner was after breeding his next generation of working dogs and wanted to widen the gene pool a bit. Sox (Moss’s mum) was owned by the skipper of the Amble lifeboat. She was a slip of a thing but very independent minded. Her owners’ garden backed on to the coastal path, so Sox would often pop over the fence to join walkers for a couple of miles, share a few sandwiches and then stroll back.

Moss was like her dad and a bit of a unit for a female collie. Really she would have been a good working dog but the owner farmer only wanted the males. Even with all the walking she could be quite a handful as a pup, so I started having to take her to training classes, which were easy.

Moss had a few party tricks and was especially good at associating names to people, something collies have a knack for. Her intelligence was also channelled into the noble art of the acquisition and consumption of food. Her various exploits were better described as heists or capers than straight theft. Her best effort was when we’d moved to Norwich.

A few streets away there was an old-school butcher. Despite his trade he was a bit of an animal lover and kept a few rescue donkeys and not-for-retail pigs. Anyways, Moss had worked out that (a) my mum went out to work between certain hours and (b) if she showed her smiley collie face at the butcher’s door, that face would be filled with a big handful of mince. So, for six months until we found out from the butcher, once or twice a week she’d hop over the garden fence, walk to the butchers, mince, ear stroke, walk back, hop over and no one was any the wiser.

She’s been gone for decades now. I’ve not had another dog since as collies certainly teach you about the commitment required.

 

[KnittyNorah]

Recall? The dog was new to the family and vice versa! It might have had recall but not for a family it had only recently been introduced to. That's the most idiotic part of it.

I will correct you, February is usually the coldest month in the lakes, firmly into the winter category. What's worse it went missing in the afternoon without much time to try and find it. If they'd lost it in the morning there's a chance it would be found but not with a few hours left of daylight.

Having said that, we got our puppy at about 8 or 9 weeks old. It hadn't started vaccination so it was something like 11 or 12 weeks older when we took it on its first proper walk. We let it off the lead with the three of us surrounding it. The puppy took a couple of steps, sniffed then looked at us with a "what next? " look. We walked off and it trotted alongside like it had been pre-trained to walk to heel. It's had its moments since but it mostly trots along near to us. Closely near or on roads, but in off road areas it'll explore a little bit more. So you can let dogs loose with care when they're new just not rescue dogs with sketchy pasts.

I know February is winter but the days are significantly lengthening and that is the harbinger of 'Spring' and lambing would be starting soon. It was a rescue and how could anyone with even an iota of 'common' sense have even imagined it could possibly have had ANY recall at such a stage. Poor, poor dog - just goes to show that what might appear to outwardly be an 'ideal' home is very very far from that ...

 

[Fab Foodie]

I think you're describing cats here, me old bean

It's often said that Whippets àre cats in dogs clothing....

 

[Fastpedaller]

I'm wary of dogs until i've 'got the ok' from owners. I was due to go to a customer and they said to me "drive your van to the electric gates and they'll open - make sure your windows are shut and DO NOT get out of your van until we have come to you because if the dog is out HE WILL EAT YOU" ! When I arrived they had it on a choker chain and could just about hold onto it (a huge alsatian - looked like a lion to me). On a subsequent visit a couple of years later it wasn't there - I didn't ask!.
Another dog story...... I cycled to a friend's house to help him fix his bike. As I arrived there was a huge commotion and an alsatian (which he insisted on calling a german shepherd) launched itself at the plate glass window, and splat, just like a cartoon, spread itself over it. I refused to even walk along the garden path. My friend was bemused that I wouldn't go inside. two weeks later my friend came home to find his Mother in the corner of the room with her hands torn to shreds. the dog was destroyed.
Talking of the 'ok from the owners' I entered a customer's house to be asked "are you ok with dogs" to which I replied "as long as they don't try to eat me". The owner opened a door and a small dog emerged - I held my hand out, it sniffed and was ok. Then a larger dog bounded out at speed, jumped up, put its front paws on my shoulders and as I fell back it grabbed my lower leg between its jaws to stop my fall
"he's never done that before," said the owner. In fairness, it may have only 'been playing' as it didn't draw blood - but a bit unnerving all the same.