Vicious

by Wayne Leon Learmond

Created on: September 03, 2010   Last Updated: November 15, 2010

It has been said that you might as well keep a lion on a leash - as much as a dangerous dog like a Rottweiler. The Rottweilers were originally bred in Germany, with the males weighing in at around 140-160 pounds. The Rottweiler is classed as part of a 'herding breed' and was used for just that purpose, to pull carts - and also to protect livestock.  They are a 'hardy' dog, capable of working in nearly all weather conditions - and also working with different kinds of livestock too.

Their history dates back to ancient Rome. The Roman soldiers, because of their travelling on the road, required the dogs to herd the cattle. Despite their long and ancient history as a 'herding breed', the Rottweiler these days, are kept by many people as a 'family pet'. However, 'pets' they are far from.

Vicious,savage and unprovoked attacks on people - especially children - have blighted this dog's image to such an extent that people have clamored to include this breed within the  Dangerous Dogs list in the United Kingdom. This list contains just four breeds of dog classed as 'dangerous'.  All four dogs on that list, are totally unsuitable as family pets and indeed, should be classed as one would a wild animal. But the list contains the breeds of only four dogs which, at present, people cannot keep as pets.

Indeed, dog attacks on people in the United Kingdom has reached epidemic proportions - with people calling for the Rottweilers to be destroyed outright. Children have virtually been ripped apart by these so-called 'pets'  - the frightening thing about this is that the attacks are done without prior warning.

Every single year over 9,000 people are attacked by a dog in the United Kingdom, but why do they attack in the first place?  What makes a dog that a family has had since a puppy, suddenly 'turn'?  There are no hard answers to this, but what seems certain is that the 'breed' is inherently vicious. That no matter how much training, or how much introduction to human influence, if the breed is genetically and historically vicious, then nothing and no amount of training will change it.

Despite the horrific attacks by Rottweilers on children in the United Kingdom, they are not on the dangerous dogs list and one has to ask the question why? The breeds that do make it on the list are as follows: The American Pit Bull Terrier,  the Dogo Argentinas, Fila Brazileros, and the Japanese Tosa.  Four, just four banned and dangerous dogs - even though the list should be much longer. This list should also include the Rottweiler, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier [the two dogs with the most attacks on children in the UK] and many other breeds too.

One could say it is the way the dog has been handled, or 'brought up'. But it seems that no matter how good and how well one has trained their dog, unexpected attacks can and do happen, time and time again.  The fact of the matter is that dangerous dogs kept as so-called 'family pets' are an accident waiting to happen. It is equal to keeping a loaded gun among children. The sooner people realise that putting their 'trust' in a dog whose history is littered with savage and lethal attacks is not a good idea, the sooner more lives can be saved.

Indeed, the UK government [and goverments worldwide] need to be much much stronger in enforcing the law. In fact, the 'Dangerous Dogs Act'  in the United Kingdom [1991] does not cover dangerous dogs who attack on their owners private land. Also, the act does not take into account other dangerous dogs, [as mentioned above] such as the Rottweiler and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier among others.

Until this 'Act' is brought up-to-date, then there are going to be more deaths in the future by dogs that are dangerous and out of control. However, it can be looked at that the Rottweiler - whose history was as a 'herding breed'  - was never meant to be kept as a 'familly pet' in the first place. They are traditionally, outdoor dogs, built for power and endurance - and they were also used for guard duty,

They are naturally alert,  'good natured',  very devoted to their owners, placid, brave, and self-assured.  They do not make friends lightly, and it takes an owner with an immense, and strong will to control this breed of dog - even to  gain its trust. It is naturally protective of its territory and family, [who it also classes as its 'territory'.]  Before introducing any stranger into the home [as this breed does not welcome strangers]  the dog must be properly introduced.

One must also take into consideration the strength and power of the Rottweiler, if you plan on owning one as a pet that is?  However, despite all of the positive things mentioned in the paragraph above, the dog has now become notorious for savage attacks on humans. There is no doubt whatsoever that they are simply not suitable as a family pet.

The dangerous dogs list, in the United Kingdom at least, needs to be brought up-to-date to not only include this breed of dog, but to bring greater measures in the Dangerous Dogs Act, to protect innocent people and children from being killed. In the United Kingdom alone, during the year 2005, there were over 3,785 hospital admissions due to dog attacks.on people.

During the year 2009, there were over 1,942 dangerous dog attacks on children within the United Kingdom. [ this equaled a 14 per cent rise.] Over 1,942 children, who were under ten years of age, were mauled and savaged by dangerous dogs [including Rottweilers] in that same year.

Politicians have now got to stop beating about the bush and bring out laws once and for all that will ban Rottweilers totally, from being kept as a 'family pet'. Heavy punishments, should be issued, which would include, huge fines, as well as jail sentences, for anyone owning such dogs.  Only then will we make the streets and parks safe enough for people...as well as our children.

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