Former Labour party MP, now leader of the Respect party George Galloway has courted controversy by calling for the outright ban of all Staffordshire Bull Terriers. The politician’s hardline stance has provoked outrage amongst dog lovers and the Kennel Club; The Kennel Club has condemned the comments of George Galloway MP, who has called for all dogs to be muzzled in public places. Mr Galloway’s colourful and provocative language, which included a call to ban “several more” breeds of dog, is an affront to the overwhelming majority of dog owners in the UK, who understand the responsibility that dog ownership brings. In an interview with TalkSport on 6th August, Caroline Kisko, the Kennel Club Secretary, was invited to join programme presenter and Respect MP, George Galloway in his discussion on Staffordshire Bull Terriers and his call for an outright ban on the breed. The interview was prompted by the shocking attack on a girl in Plymouth by a dog last weekend. Numerous listeners called in to support the Kennel Club’s stance, which is that a dog’s behaviour is the responsibility of the owner, and a whole breed cannot be blamed, judged, or condemned for the action of one dog. Caroline advised Mr Galloway that a dog’s behaviour, in any breed, can be good or bad, but that it is down to the way it is treated, arguing that the fault lies with the owner and their irresponsible treatment of the dog. However, Mr Galloway suggested that the only ‘sensible’ way to tackle the problem of attacks on children is to outlaw all terriers, ban all dogs from cities and for all dogs to be muzzled in public places. None of these unenforceable suggestions would make society a better or safer place with dogs, as Mr Galloway was reminded during the interview. The Dangerous Dogs Act has done very little to protect the public from attacks by pit bull terriers, and is currently under review between the government, the Kennel Club and the major dog welfare organisations Said Caroline Kisko: “Mr Galloway’s suggestions are ill-considered and would do very little to prevent further attacks. The only issue here is that of irresponsible dog ownership, something of which the Kennel Club is more than aware. We run two active schemes, the Good Citizen Dog Scheme and the Safe and Sound Scheme, both of which are aimed at combating any potential danger for people around dogs, and encouraging responsible dog ownership.” Add your own views to this story with a comment and: “Don’t let Galloway kill Staffies” 
Articles and Opinion on Dog Attacks Breed Legislation in the News
194 Responses
Gina
August 16th, 2007 at 6:40 am
1Mr Galloway is outrageous I have worked with and owned dogs for many years. You can not just ban certain breeds in rescue I have met agressive golden retrievers, labradors, collies, shepherds to name but a few and none of them are terriers.
If I had to muzzle my dog, who totally ignores people, then she wouldn’t be able to play with her ball which would lead to her becoming frustrated and in turn this could lead to her trying to bite someone.
Gazza
August 18th, 2007 at 8:56 am
2I think George Galloway has a very valid point. It may be the case that aggressive dogs are made aggressive by their owners, but aggressive staffs are more dangerous than aggressive labradors. They are used as fighting dogs because of their ability to fight, their physical strength, their gameness and endurance. The vast majority of other breeds do not have the same level of fighting spirit. Why do you think that ppl use these dogs in fighting rings - why do you think they dont take labradors poodles or spaniels??
You can educate owners on how to bring up a dog properly, but there will always be a percentage of the population who don’t listen, don’t want to listen or even will have acquired one of these dogs specifically for fighting. You will never be rid of these people, only in a fairy tale utopian dreamworld. Why don’t you approach this girl and her family and all the other people and families of people who have been killed or maimed by these dogs and tell them that there is no need to muzzle or ban these dogs.
You need a license to own a firearm because of the danger to others, you need a license to drive a car because of the danger to others, it’s illegal to own a 3 inch knife, yet its legally possible for the biggest idiot in the country to raise killer dogs and walk the streets with them as their status of power - yes, they are killer dogs and again, if you think thats bnan unfair description, tell it to the families of the victims.
It would be unfair on the dogs if there was a ban, it would be unfair on the dogs to muzzle them, but if you want someone to blame, blame the idiots listed above. It’s unfortunate but true that you can’t get rid of the idiots, but you can get rid of the dogs.
Personally, I would muzzle all the dogs which are potentially dangerous - German Shepards etc and ban ownership of the ones with lethal capabilites. The sooner the better and I’m a dog lover too. The only other option i can think would be a license acquired once you can demonstrate under thorough examination that you are in complete control of your dog and that it displays no aggressive tendencies when put under pressure just in the same way that you have to demonstrate that you are in control of a vehicle before you are allowed to drive it
gr8gsd
August 19th, 2007 at 8:07 am
3gazza, you may be a dog lover but you are not as well informed as you would think you are. do you really think banning a breed would work? well how many pitt bulls are still walking around- quite a few! these sorts of people allways find a way, and belive it or not most dog attacks happen in your own home by family dogs, and yes that includes labradors. as a dog trainer i am shocked at the amount of aggressive labradors, golden retrevers, cocker spanials and so on. as an owner of sevral different breeds inc labs and shepherds i have to tell you my working lab is a very powerfull dog indeed that could do a hell of a lot of damage if he wanted, like most labs.
yes some breeds were bred for higher levals of agression than other dogs, but that has now been bred out of them, it is the people who turn them. i have seen kids beat there dogs to make them agressive!
i work my dogs in security yet you really couldnt meet nicer dogs, they have been well bred to a high standard, and trained and yet they are extreamly well balanced dogs.
the problem lies with people who dont care about the breeding and just want to make a quick buck, which means most of these dogs dont have great temperments then some yob buys the dog, and his main aim in life is to beat it to make it agressive! the dogs are not to blame in the right home they would be great. i think staffies make better family dogs than labs (and i own a lab).
you will be suprised how many of these so called dangerus breeds are not the ones attacking people as much as you would think. labs collies goldies mongruls and so on are! but it just doesnt make great news when your own lab rips your face off but when a so called dangerus breed does well front page news!!
we need to stop the over breeding of all breeds of dogs and put an age limit on buying such dogs, but do you really think good breeders are going to sell there prized pups to thugs! i dont think so
somthing needs to be done but not this we wouldnt detroy a whole race of humans for the bad a small few have done (well unless your bush that is)!!!
John
August 19th, 2007 at 8:37 am
4This stance by George Galloway is nothing but a kick in the teeth for all responsible dog owners, its not so long ago that the government had another kneejerk reaction and banned hand guns, this has done nothing to reduce the number of shootings around the country, if anything gun crime has increased at a rapid rate. As a workingdog and pet dog owner I take great care with my dogs, I have grand children and even thought my dogs are very friendly with them I would never leave them alone. I agree something needs to be done to combat those that keep dogs but have no understanding of them and use them as a fashion accessory or to intimidate others. There are already laws in force for dangerous dogs and those that flaunt it should have the full wieght of the judicial system brought down on them, after all it is the responsibility of the dog owner to ensure thier dog is correctly behaved. If Geortge Galloway was to get his wish then what breed next, the german shepheard, the labradour, how about the yorkshire terrior, where will it end. This of course is just my own personal opinion.
Peter
August 19th, 2007 at 10:19 am
5I would suggest George Galloway’s comments might also be designed to appeal to his core voters. (Think about it)
There is a trend in this country that when a dog attacks somebody it is immediately put down.
Why we don’t carry out blood tests (looking for steroids or amphetamines in “fighting breeds”) and behaviour tests. This seems a real waste and could help us understand if there is something abnormal about dogs that attack.
If you look at research, freely available on the internet, most dogs that bite people are male, and are inadequately trained and most lethal attacks contain an element of poor supervision of the dog. Most attacks occur in the home on the owners family or visitors - particularly children.
In my experience the vast majority of the public have no idea how to train dogs. Often it is informed owners of larger breeds that actually take the effort to train their dogs to ensure the safety of the dog and the people it socialises with.
Quite often the worst encounters I have with other dogs attacking mine are male labradors. But I don’t suppose anyone would want to ban labradors now would they?
Louise Wilson
August 20th, 2007 at 4:02 am
6I cant believe such a comment would be said by someone that should know better. I am a dog trainer as well as a staffy owner. I train and operate detection dogs, and in all the time I have been around dogs the one’s I get Bite by are Springer spaniels (always handler error let me say) . It absolutely furiates me that stafforshire bull terriers get such bad press, they are such loveing loyal and obiedient dogs. It is 99% up to the handler when a dog goes bad, whether its a laso Apso a Jack russel or a staffy. This is out right discrimination and angers me so much. Maybe people should start taking notice of all the Asbo kids that are so dangerous running around our streets, they should be muzzled and put on a leash , not our dogs.
Stafflover
August 20th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
7I own 3 staffordshire bull terriers, they are the most gentle, loving dogs I could possibly wish to own! They are absolutely fantastic with my children and anyone else they may come into contact with! How dare you tarnish all bullbreeds with the same brush! It isnt the dog to blame but the prat on the other end of the lead! I have been bitten by a springer spaniel and a beagle why arent these breeds being punished. Labradors are the top offenders for biting why arent they being punished?! I cant believe you are so naive all dogs are capable of biting and causing injury regardless of breed or size. Perhaps you should spend some time with this beautiful breed before you condemn it!
Freddie
August 21st, 2007 at 2:07 am
8Many of you are still missing the very salient point made by Mr Galloway. If a Labrador attacks my children in a park the Labrador would be dead from a broken neck within five seconds, that or I would use my pocket knife to slice through its neck.
With the bull-terrier breeds it is a different proposition. As mentioned above the gameness of these breeds allows them to go on fighting while spurting gouts of blood from large puncture wounds.
I helped pull a bull-terrier type dog off a West Highland terrier some years back. It took both dogs owners and two others to subdue the beast which left a two inch rip along my friends thigh. The Westie was lucky to have an ear partly ripped off.
Owners of bull-terrier type dogs should be aware that people like me will not hesitate to kill your dog if it is not on a lead and it comes too close to me and mine. Your day in court with me will be your waste of money and time because the public is not with you on this one.
Stafflover
August 21st, 2007 at 2:31 pm
9Obviously if a dog was aggressive to yourself or your child then yes it is instinctive to protect yourselves but to slit a dogs throat because it may happen to walk by you off the lead is a bit over the top! By the way you have stated what you would do then it is obvious that you carry a knife around with you?! It is people like you that need to watched not innocent dogs! If it was one of my dogs that casually walked past you when you decide to slit its throat, then believe me I would have my day in court with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
gr8gsd
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:54 am
10to be honsest what a stupid comment i mean how low can you go? trust me labradors are also a very powerfull breed (trust me i own one) he was attacked by two male staffies, and well they came off very bad indeed and these two dogs inquestion were bred to fight! what may not have even crossed your mind when this staffie attacked a poor westie would be that the westi may have started it! as most westies do, not that it makes it right for what happened.
but what point you are also missing is that most responsable dog owners would not let there dog be out of control, off the lead around children. to be honest i dont want children near any of my dogs as most children these days do not know how to behave correctly around dogs!we have to tackle the bad owners not the good, and need i say also people like you who are so narrow minded. yes certain breeds dont feel pain the same as others, but its not only the bull breeds. please do some research before shooting your mouth off and labeling such wounderfull dogs. after all in america the pitt bull is used as assitance dogs for the disabled, search and rescue dogs and therepy dogs for children, my god are these people at risk of being killed!!! no because the dog is loved trained and stable minded.
nikki
August 25th, 2007 at 5:03 am
11What a disgrace this man is proving to be.. get on the floor and prowl like a cat.. Staffies have proved to be a nanny dog not aggressive unless trained just like all other breeds your pathetic and really need to get to know a staffy before you go around saying they are dangerous breeds ppl like you are the ones scare mongering and you need to SHUT UP and get a life.. Get all your facts right before you shoot that stupid mouth about something you have no knowledge of…
Adam
August 26th, 2007 at 10:04 am
12The arrogance of some people amazes me, it’s just pure scare mongering and it’s not on! Blame the deed and not the breed!
Bertie
August 30th, 2007 at 4:28 am
13Freddie are you walking around the UK with a knife in your pocket waiting for dogs to come up to you in the park……scarey!
Becca-Lou
August 31st, 2007 at 3:32 am
14What a very ignorant man you are Freddie, I own 3 Stafies and a Labrador. The Labrador outdoes the staffies in strength and determination EVERYTIME! I would personally be more affraid if YOU approached me and my children in the park - luckily I am not a knife wielding freak like you, so your throat would remain intact. And by the way - I’d love a day in court with you, my dogs too. You are a disgrace to the UK public and it’s idiots like you that need to be locked up, not staffies.
Sally
September 4th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
15Oh my…what an emotive subject. I am a mum of 4 children, the youngest of whom is 1 years old. I also have a Staff who is part of our family. I am so angry about the ignorance of people when it comes to this breed. Isnt this supposed to be an era of an ultra sensitive Politically Correct society? Why are people so blatantly allowed to discriminate against a dog because of its breed? As with racism, this is ignorance of the uneducated. Every day I come across this ignorance when out with my dog. What really irritates me is that I am a responsible dog owner and when in busy areas my dog is always on a lead and in control, but the little poodles, shih-tzus and such like are allowed to run free and run up to my dog and wind him up! I once had a “discussion” with a woman whose dog was not on its lead and mine was at a park, after her litlle yappy thing came up to my dog and started jumping all over him, it was friendly behaviour from both dogs, but the woman was highly alarmed by the fact that my dog is a Staffie and told me to pull my dog away from hers! I “politely” pointed out that my dog was under control and not the one running around. Her reply to that was that she doesnt have to have her dog on a collar because its a Shih-Tzu whereas I should have mine on a lead because it is dangerous! hmmmm….Im not so sure about that?
Mothers with their children cross the road to avoid walking past us…us being me and my 4 CHILDREN and my Staffie? The worse damage my dog would do is jump and knock you over because he is so happy to see you…and he isnt even allowed to do that! What do these people think he is going to do to them? I know it is purely the media hype and ignorance that is making people think that Staffies are killing machines, but seriously, if there was any proper research done, I think that it would be conclusive that the majority of dog attacks are not perpertrated by this breed. The woman who had the first ever face transplant was attacked by her pet lab…but I dont remember seeing anything in any newspapers about this attack. My daughter was bitten by a poodle a few years ago, luckily it wasnt a bad bite and no real damage was done, but could you imagine the fuss if it was a Bull breed that had bitten her!
More people need to be educated on how to own a dog of any kind and non dog owners (especially parents of children with no dog) should be educated on how to treat any animal with respect. Many a time my dog has been taunted by children outside shops and if my dog was to retaliate by barking or growling or worse snapping, would it be because my dog is evil or because these people dont know how to respect an animal?
True- these dogs were bred for fighting, but they really only know what they are taught and if a dog is properly treated and nurtured then this really doesnt come into it. If a dog is taught to fight, then this is what he will do as most dogs just want to please their owners! Is it the fault of my dog that once his ancestors were bred to fight?? Would you condemn an ancestor of a murderer or thief? Is it fair that my dog who has never shown any aggression towards anyone should be discriminated against because he is a Staff, that people should cross the road to avoid him, that people should tut and huff when they pass, that stupid irresponsible dog owners let their dogs roam free when mine has to be kept on a lead and possibly eventually (if the bill is passed) have to wear a muzzle?
I really want to find out how many dog attacks have been carried out by labradors, poodles etc…(you know, the ones that are acceptable family pets!) in comparison to attacks by Staffies…but for some reason I cant seem to find any statistics apart from attacks by “Dangerous Dogs” ie…the Bull terrier breed.
Sorry to go on but I really feel strongly about this.
Well done if you got this far!
True- these dogs can do alot of damage, but in my experience so can most breeds of dogs.
veronica
September 5th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
16It’s down to the dog owner to teach the dog it’s do’s and don’ts. If a dog is ill treated or badly trained then the out come is the same in any dog regardless of it breed.
It’s just a shame this man has never had the company of the Staffordshire bull terrier because then he would know what a rewarding, loving, pleasing, funny, sweet and delightful companion this breed is. There are so many people out there in GB that own a staffy and im willing to bet that all of them would have the same opinion as me.
If this man wants to insist on murdering our much loved pet’s then im sure that he will have a big fight on his hands.
davi
September 5th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
17It is evident from recent events and by some of the posts here that pitbulls are still around, and will continue to be. Now please everyone get off your high horses and get this through your skulls. PITBULLS will always be around. Not because people are desperate to fight them, although sadly there will be a minority of those too, but because some folk love this breed to the extent that they wont or dont care whether there illegal or not, THEY WILL OWN THEM.
Lets move on and regulate dog ownership. Theres a saying pitbulls are inherently more dangerous than other breeds, that is true but only to other dogs, it is not a charecteristic of this breed. Before the breed ban of the 90`s, i had 2 pitbulls, both strong and extremely lively. My dog never bit anyone or showed any person aggression. It may have been dog aggressive, but it never had a chance to demonstrate its aggressiveness BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER OFF THE LEAD - EVER. Now lets all see sense and understand its not the dogs but the owners.
Ali
September 7th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
18I think that dogs should be wearing a muzzle when out in public by law, that way there will be no attacks or biting. Simple yet effective. No one gets hurt, no one looses a dog.
Lorraine
September 20th, 2007 at 10:09 am
19Mr Galloway is just spouting a lot of hot air, he hasn’t a clue what he is talking about.
He’s obviously never been with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier otherwise he would know how friendly and daft they really are.
They are known as the Nanny dog as they are good with children, probably because they are so child like themselves.
Like everyone has said, it is not the dogs but the owners.
Years ago when some of the miners had them for dog fighting, the dog still had to live within the family home, and if they had attacked their children they would have been put down.
They were bred for fighting other dogs not humans.
That was then, this is now, we do not breed them for dog fighting anymore, they live quite happily within the family home and love nothing more than a good run, a good meal and a good cuddle.
If someone’s son grew up and attacked another youth, would we all be saying to parents that they would not be allowed to have any sons for fear of them attacking others.
People need to grow up and start thinking for themselves rather than being led to believe what others have to say.
scott wedgburrow
September 26th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
20why should staffys be banned……these dogs are not dangerous its the owners at fault not the breed any breed of dog can attack and kill….staffs attack because there owners fail to train them and show them the loving care they should get….is IT not fair to assume that a humans would attack if this is only what have been shown…..ban owners that abuse the breed and licence bull breeds that would be the way forward (would you end a persons life and call for a toal ban on humans when they attack kill people and children……. the staff bull terrier is on of the most loving breedS to this day they love to be around people they love to play and cuddle up on your lap they also love to be around children……DONT BLAME THE DOGS ITS THERE OWNERS
scott wedgburrow
September 26th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
21SAVE THE STAFFY AND MUZZLE THE MOUTH OF A DANGEROUS MAN (MR GALLOWWAY ) OR BETTER STILL SEND HIM TO STAFFY SCHOOL WHERE HE CAN LEARN ABOUT THE BREED AND RID HIM OF HIS arrogance….. STAFFY OWNERS HAVE A FIGHT ON THERE HAND………FIGHT BACK AND FIGHT FOR WHAT WE LOVE THE BEST BREED OF DOG THE STAFF BULL TERRIER
scott wedgburrow
September 26th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
22Gazza YOU ARE AN IDIOT SHOULD MR GALLOWAY GET RID OF YOU
YOU HALFWIT
scott wedgburrow
September 26th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
23gr8gsd WELL SAID CAN NOT PUT IT BETTER……
scott wedgburrow
September 26th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
24Freddie I HOPE I NEVER MEET YOU ONE DAY WHAT A MUPPET YOU ARE FEEL FREE TO KILL MY DOG WHAT YOU WOULD FIND IS THAT YOU WOULD BE KILLED BEFORE ANY DOG AND YES THE COURTS WOULD BE WITH US (1) RSPCA (2) STAFFY OWNERS AS THE OLD SAYING GOES MY FRIEND THE NEEDS OF THE MANY OUT WAY THE NEEDS OF THE FEW …
AND MANY NEED THERE MUCHED LOVED BREED IN THERE LIFE
andy
October 4th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
25a dog, like a person will only behave the way it is shown how to behave, the only difference the dog is doing so to win the love from his master.
years of evolution have given humans the skill of thinking for themselves, dogs dont have that means, they still have certain instincts which have stemmed from wolves, pack mentality being the main one, once a dog is shown its place in the pack and the owner become the master, the dog will behave how the master intends.
if the master wishes the dog to be aggressive the dog will behave as its master wishes, if, like most people, the owner wishes the dog to be a valued member of the family they will teach the dog to behave like this
obviously there are times when a dog due to no fault of its own might bite out at a person, through frustration, poor upbringing, poor mental health. people have the same issues, but we all know not all people are bad, in the same way, most know not all dogs are bad.
this is just lack of understanding and scare mongering by the idiot mr galloway in an attempt to gain publicity and set tongues wagging, ruining things for the responsible majority.
emil
October 14th, 2007 at 9:44 am
26um staffies
Height: Dogs 14-16 inches (36-41cm) Bitches 13-15 inches (33-38cm)
Weight: Dogs 25-38 pounds (11-17kg) Bitches 23-35 pounds (10-16kg)
labs
Height: Dogs 22-24 inches (56-61cm.) Bitches 21-23 inches (53-58cm.)
Weight: Dogs 60-75 pounds (27-34kg.) Bitches 55-70 pounds (25-32kg.) Some males can grow to 100 pounds (45kg) or more.
labs are twice the size of staffies, and your saying staffies would do more damgae?
Olivia
October 26th, 2007 at 7:34 am
27I’ve just spent every day of the past 2 months with a staffie that had been rescued as a stray and she was the most affectionate lovely dog I have ever come across. After just one training lesson she could do sit, down, heel and fetch. These dogs are so intelligent and affectionate, any ‘attacks’ are purely a result of idiots teaching them to be agressive because they use the breeds macho appearance.
Admittedly, they are not a breed that can be handed out willy nilly, however this applies to most breeds for example the Lancashire Heeler. A small dog that can be very agressive especially towards children in many of my own experiences. However, because the heeler has the appearance of a small terrier much like a Jack Russel, their agression problems are ignored.
It is not the Staffies fault that it is so closely resembled to its American relatives. Bans on breeds of dog should be made by people who actually understand the difference in breeds and have a good knowledge of dogs in general.
Staffies havn’t been named “Nanny Dogs” for nothing. The Ban is a rediculous idea.
Claire Ambrose
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:19 am
28This man is an absolute prat. He has proved that on many occasions in the BB house, his views are completely left field.
He is not getting his hands on my Staffordshire Bull Terrier who is the perfect pet and fantastic with both other dogs and children, we are getting another in December. I love the breed which has ran throughout our family and no one can tell me these dogs are bad, its never the dog its the human, in the right hands and with care and love they can be perfect family pets.
Elaine Marshall
November 26th, 2007 at 5:20 am
29I am ashamed to say that George the Idiot is Scottish……………what an embarassment…………..he should stick with his so-called acting stint as he will make plenty enemies when he starts pciking on the Dog Lover………….George if you can read this Away you go and shrivel up and leave us alone if you know whats good for you, you are a TWAT !!!!!
Ann
November 26th, 2007 at 5:44 am
30Once again a sad man is attention seeking, what an idiot.
There are thousands of Staffies who are loved and owned by resposible people , I have mixed with dogs all of my life and only ever got close to being bitten once, that was by a poodle.
In response to comment 18; Perhaps all men should be castrated, that way there would be no rapes, simple, yet effective.
Makes as much sense as muzzling all dogs !
celia ( tigerstaff)
November 26th, 2007 at 6:16 am
31words fail me! i have kept staffs for over 25 years they are described as the nanny dog for a very good reason. i think a better ban would be a ban on uneducated people such as george from ever having anything to do with the affairs of this country. Hitler was scary enough. mp’s should be given a full medical to ensure that their brains actually work before being let loose.
Kelly
November 26th, 2007 at 6:26 am
32Well, Freddie(post8), your a fool upon yourself, you must be stupid to start off with why you would carry a pocket knife around with you if you have children in your care, and as for the Bull Terrier breed, you are so mis informed on them, if people were to actually open their eyes and their mind, you’d actually see a beautiful calm friendly family dog, all dogs enjoy their fun playing times, and the Bull Terrier is second to none, I know plenty of people who have small children with Bull Terriers, and its unfortunate, the small minded fools that are for this then all I can say its your LOSS.
Ignorance is a shame
Kelly
November 26th, 2007 at 6:37 am
33Gazza - You need a license to own a firearm because of the danger to others, you need a license to drive a car because of the danger to others, it’s illegal to own a 3 inch knife, yet its legally possible for the biggest idiot in the country to raise killer dogs and walk the streets with them as their status of power - yes, they are killer dogs and again, if you think thats bnan unfair description, tell it to the families of the victims.
What are you on about….the dog only does as its been told to do….and its only ever shown in the paper if its Bull Terrier breeds, but if it was a Lab/Poodle or any other type of dog, then maybe you’d get just a small write up about it, ALL dogs no matter what breed can be dangerous, after all they’re animals and not humans….
I wish someone could educate these ‘people’ that just because of their name, they’re not bad.
And I’m sure in America, it was proven that Labradors were higher on the list of dogs bites than any other Bull Terrier Breed…
nette
November 26th, 2007 at 7:38 am
34is not anything dangerous in the wrong hands. A gas bottle could seriously harm someone if used incorrectly. hairspray and a lighter, scissors, anything can be dangerous. do we ban everything. No! we expect people to use them carefully. the same as a bull breed if looked after by a sensible person it is not dangerous but a loving protective loyal friend. I had staffs for many years and never once had a problem with aggression. yet I have been bitten by a jack russel, a shitzsu, and 2 labs in my time whilst working for rescue centres. It is not the breed that is the problem its the mindless idiots who sometimes own them. they are the danger.
this Man should spend his time trying to get some sort of policy to stop these people owning animals and enforcing it rather than taking the easy route and blaming the dog.
Again its down to being uniformed aqnd spouting his mouth in public. Go back to your reality show you were just as unpopular there and as ignorant then also.
People like you shouldnt be allowed to open your mouth in public. you are ill informed, ignorant and very sadly led by media hype. instead of jumping on the media band wagon try having an original thought of your own. Get off your fat a**e and go out and meet sensible owners of these dogs you never know that closed mind of yours maybe just well get some information that sinks in!!!!!
You would then be able to voice an honest opinion of your own. Although i guess that would be too much of a change for you and would mean thinking on your own for once
Paul
November 26th, 2007 at 8:31 am
35There was a French person whose Labrador chewed their face, thats the only time I’ve seen a non-bull breed dog in the papers but even then they were reporting the dog was just trying to help its owner out in some way (by eating their face???) and making out the dog wasnt bad.
I cant believe Georges ignorance here by believing what he reads in the papers just like all the other ignorant people in the world, you’d expect more from a real politician. Lets hope George bumps into the other politician who owns a staffie and takes his staffie out on public meetings (cant remember the politicians name now, sorry)
Mandy
November 26th, 2007 at 9:07 am
36Here we go again, the ill informed and ignorant jumping on the band wagon. Aggression is not breed specificic, any breed has the potential to harm if not trained correctly. As for labradors, tell Isabelle Dinoire they cant do much damage.
Was George Galloway not content with the fool he showed himself to be on Big Brother, he is now looking for other avenues to raise his sad profile.
As for Freddie, your comments about killing a bull breed if it came anywhere near you, well based on those comments I doubt me or my bull breeds would give you the time of day, we are very selective on who we mix with and you sound far to aggressive for our liking, perhaps it is people like you who carry around a pocket knife and like to give the impression of being a hard man that need to be muzzles or banned from public places. Your ranting sounds like that of an adolescent teenager who has yet to learn the art of communication, if our intelligence does not permit sensible argument lets resort to threats and inferance of being harder than you.
lisa
November 26th, 2007 at 10:17 am
37well here we go again, you small minded litte idiot of a man, or if thats what they call you a man if you knew half of the bull breeds in the world you will see most of them are caring loving animals i own 3 bull breeds and plenty of pictures to show you that they are not dangerous, only the idiot on the end of the lead makes them that way, have you ever owned a bull breed do you own a dog at all, come to a fun day where it is just bull breeds and see for your self what they are really like, you wouldnt know a bull breed from a jack russel just what you read in the papers and on the internet or what people tell you about them you really need to do your research before you go spouting off, i will gladly come to your home to show you my bull breeds, i will gladly bring them any where to help promote the good of the breed i challenge you to do your resreach and spend a day with me traveling the country rescueing bull breeds then i can show you the real side to this beautiful intellagent dog, staffs and bull terriers lisa
Leeanne
November 26th, 2007 at 10:37 am
38Freddie, What a fool you are! carrying a pocket knife around in your possesion. And to admit that, well that says it all about you. Glad your so against bull breeds as they have got off the hook big time, at least they never have to be in your company.
Leeanne
November 26th, 2007 at 10:49 am
39Infact Freddie, why dont you go and do some voluntary work with one of the many staffy or bull terrier rescues. And see what some so called human-beings do to some of these dogs. Maybe you would actually learn something. And in the process drop your pocket knife.?.
Elaine Braveheart
November 26th, 2007 at 10:58 am
40Every dog is capable of biting after all they all have teeth do they not, so why are we singling out a Bull Breed yet again. I think George Galloway shoudl stick to trying to be a complete fool……..theres no fool like an old fool……….George away you go and tout for business else where your Idiot Satirical Comment will fall on deaf ears……..I hope you never need the assistance of a fellow dog lover…..the answer will be NO
Ali Bullie owner
November 26th, 2007 at 11:24 am
41My son was knocked over and killed by a bus, I want all bus’s banned,
An 18 month old baby was tortured to death by his drug taking father, I want all drug taking fathers castrated and muzzled,
4 teenagers killed an elderly man who asked them to leave his property I want all teenagers muzzled and banned from public places,
and now a fat Scottish politician in a red dress want to kill millions of innocent Staffies, hmm enough said
Ali McConnell
November 26th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
42what are you on about you stupid man get a life
Mabel
November 26th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
43This man is a joke, look at his behaviour when he was trying to be a pussy cat:)), he is trying to win votes back after his behaviour, unfortunately he is also doing a lot of damage to Staffies.
I took on an older Staffy earlier this year, this lovely little girl had been used as a breeding machine then kicked out when she became ill. She is the perfect dog, I don’t know I have her and has mixed from the beginning with my other 5 dogs as well as any dog she meets outside. She also love people.
Freddie.
It is people like you that turn dogs aggressive, and it is people like you that are responsible for children getting bitten and in some cases, killed. It is the aggression of people like you that causes all these problems. It is people like you that I would prefer to see put on a deserted island away from normal people. Your post is all aggression and has no place were dogs, any other animal and children are.
At the World Trade Centre it was the Pit Bulls that carried on working a long time after all the other breeds gave up. It was their temperament that enabled them to carry on when others gave up and they have saved many lives in the USA because of this.
With many families dogs don’t stand a chance, how can they when some parents are turning out aggressive children they way they are. These children are learning aggression from their parents so don’t be surprised Freddie, when your children turn out like this, they will have learnt it from you.
Alison
November 26th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
44What a complete prat. Let’s ban stupid people and then he and his voters would trouble us no more.
Dougie
November 26th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
45Another example of a good-for-nothing politician following the age-old tactic of “any publicity is good publicity” (just consider his other recent antics on TV). Don’t kid yourself into thinking he cares about anything other than his own political career. Netiquette forbids that I say what I think he is, but it rhymes with the thing that’s used to keep ships in one place! George, please just bog off and stop annoying me.
Samantha
November 26th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
46Why does Galloway insist on talking about himself all the time!
Staffordshire Bull Terrier lover
November 26th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
47FOR GOD SAKE u cant going around banning breed for crying out loud, the gov should start getting tougher on the owners, this George Galloway is a weirdo he havn’t got a clue about dogs or anythine else,
**GET TOUGHER ON OWNERS NOT THE BREED**
Callum
November 26th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
48Ill informed & ignorant indeed.
One of the best breeds for interaction with adults or children, proven time and again…
Deed not BREED!
Kevin
November 26th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
49Come on everyone. You have to sympathise with poor George Gallaway. There he was, living high as a trustee of his own charity funded by his old friend the late Saddam Hussein, next thing he is struggling to make a living as a cat impersonator on Celebrity Big Brother. His latest “please listen to meeee” cause is that staffies should be banned. The man belongs in panto. And as for Freddie Kruger, prowling the nations parks with his crocadile dundee knife ready to hand in case a terrier should chase a ball within 100 yards of him. Grow up Freddie, and eat a few pies, it took 4 of you to pull a medium size dog off a small dog. Not exactly James Bond. And what kind of knife do you prefer for park duty? Bet its one of those big Rambo ones you bought off the Internet. If your so desparate for people to think your a tough guy get a tattoo.
carmelo pisani
November 26th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
50Hey Freddie, tough guy, you admit to carrying a knife in a public place, you are the criminal ya freaking mug. Easy to act like a tough man on a message board, why not get in touch with me, and we will see precisely how tough you really are. ASSHOLE. Btw, Freddie, this is not some sort of cyber invite, I mean it, leave me a message with a means of getting in touch, and I will take it from there.
Dee
November 26th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
51I really find the level of ignorance expressed by Mr Galloway and his supporters on here offensive and very worrying. It’s deed not breed,when will that message get through. Please jump off this bandwaggon Mr Galloway, go out an meet responsible bull breed owners, gain a little more understanding and probably a lot more support by speaking up infavour of responsible pet ownership and education of owners. Then refocus your energy on the real problems in society.
lorna
November 26th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
52how bloody stupid, we have 3 alsations and they are the soppiest dogs you can meet. example, took the male to the vets a woman got on the buss with 2 yorkshire terriers as she passed us she said oh my dog loves to fight and instead on reigning it in she just let it bite our alsation. drawing blood…what did our dog do just sat there looking at my husband. if in the right hands dogs can be big softies. not fighting machines. get a life mr galloway
Missal
November 26th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
53It’s a sad fact that staffies are used for dog fighting but this doesn’t make them The Most Vicious breed, it makes them the most ABUSED breed. ANY breed of dog can be aggressive and ANY breed of dog can inflict serious damage to a person or another dog if they have not been correctly trained and/or handled.
I would feel far more confident of Mr Galloway’s capabilities as a politician if he were discussing more pressing topics such as education, crime and public health, not jumping on a tired old misinformed bandwagon concerning bull breeds.
This debate is not helped by silly people like Freddie, merely trying to wind people up who are genuinely concerned by breed specific legislation. Pocket-knife - honestly!
Lorna McGinnies
November 26th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
54How dare this man make such an un-educated comment.
I have never liked this petty, small minded man who opens his mouth to further his own career and public profile.
He showed himself in true colours on Celebrity Big Brother when he allowed a woman to be verbally abused in front of him without saying a word,as any normal moral human being would.
I would call him a joke but this is not funny and if it is up to people like him this country will end up one to be ashamed of.
Bad owners make poorly behaved dogs of any breed.
Billy
November 26th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
55I have to say, I’m not surprised, as this is coming from …. a man pretending to be a cat! Of course he wants Staffies - and if it were at all possible surely all dogs - banned! I’m sure my neighbour’s cat agrees with him ……
Obviously the guy is ill-informed as well as an attention-seeker. He’s not achieving anything anywhere else, so how else is he gonna pay the bills than appearing on some television show that wants him, and spout a load of controversial nonsense! Fortunately the people who think that he’s got a valid point are, like bad dog owners, a very vocal MINORITY.
Who ever said that Staffies are bred as fighting dogs: you really have got NO idea, please do a bit of research other than the daily rags before you say anything.
And Freddie: it is your “type” that should be banned. You are the kind that makes me feel both safer for having my dogs with me as well as petrified because I fear for their lives: an unpredictable maniac with a knife in his pocket! You’d have to deal with me first though, before you’d be able to lay a hand on my dogs. Having your day with me in court? You wish!
Dawnie
November 26th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
56I own a staffi x lab - i also own two jack russell crosses - which is the softest dumbest gentlest thing - the staffi x - he’s dumb as doughnuts and soft as sugar. BUT he’s terrified of MEN!!! Why, because they caused him pain/fear.
Muzzle every dog in a public place to stop the attacks - what about the little girl in Liverpool who got killed due to an attack by a dog - would muzzling that dog have made a difference? NO because it was in their home!! So lets just muzzles dogs all the time, 24hrs a day. No, lets muzzle the idiots like George Galloway and Freddie.
SAVE OUR STAFFI’S!
Emma Jeffery
November 26th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
57Yes, originally bred to fight but so was Frank Bruno, what ya gonna do kill him too!!!
DON’T blame the breed or the dog but concentrate on stopping the idiots that breed them for the wrong reason or breed them badly.
A socialised Staffi is no different than a well bought up Yorkshire Terrier. They have a very loyal manner and a high play drive, yes a few have a bad nature but that happens in EVERY breed.
Open your eyes, spend your time on sorting out cruel people and law breakers, not the dogs that don’t know any different. They’re not my favourite breed but I still blame greedy, cruel, blood thirsty, ego craving humans.
Kezzer...
November 26th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
58Leave our Staffys alone Georgy Boy…
And go and play with your terrorists friends in Iraq….
Or count your blood money…
And go and entertain yourself with cat Impressions…
With idiots like Galloway in public office do we really stand a chance….
Denise Barry
November 26th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
59What’s a STUPID MAN DOING IN A JOB WHERE HE CAN SAY …C’MON WILL BAN THIS DOG TODAY…… STUPID MAN, STUPID POLICY…..I have a 12 yr old Bitch Staffordshire, Yes, I can say hand on heart she would never, like she has never harmed a living soul…This STUPID Man Knows nothing and talks utter rubbish, just like he did in the BB house. He is a farce and Banning Staffordshires is too…Let this Man curl up and go back in his corner and let us go on loving and living with our precious animals, mine being a Staffordsire of 12 yrs and Rottweilers 4 of which I have rescuedand their ages range from of 5yrs to 12 weeks old. All get on very well indeed…. I am so lucky to be loved unconditionally by these babies of mine.
Sandy
November 27th, 2007 at 12:01 am
60George - Oh Dear, Oh Dear, Oh Dear. You really have got it wrong again haven’t you?
Banning Staffies (or any other breed) will achieve nothing. It will make the breed more desirable to the kind of people that are giving them a bad name as it is.
It will encourage the ownership of more aggressive ‘harder’ specimens of the breed and will increase the amount of dogs, people and other animals that are attacked or harmed.
Freddie - I would be intrigued to see how your children turn out with you as a role model.
DEED NOT BREED It really is the only way.
Carly
November 27th, 2007 at 2:01 am
61More twaddle from an idiot without an iota of sense or any knowledge of dogs. My parents staffy is the most loyal protector of my young niece and watches over her constantly. There is a very good reason that staffy’s are also referred to as the “nanny dog”.
Oh. I might also add that my own rottweiler shares these caretaking duties with the staffy when they are both in the presence of my niece. Heaven help anyone who ever tried to harm or kidnap my niece in front of them. Devil dogs? More like Guardian Angels.
kitty
November 27th, 2007 at 2:44 am
62Most dogs behaviour is the result of how the owner treats them and trains them. George Galloway has no right to make a sweeping statement about ALL staffs. Maybe the owners should be looked at more closely!
ANNON
November 27th, 2007 at 2:59 am
63Knife wielding fathers, threats, horror stories of david slaying goliath (gsd v yorkie ) on a bus no less not very responsible behaviour is it.
to drive a vehicle you have to pass a test to own a gun you are vetted and home checked before you get a permit but still people are mown down by drivers and innocent bystanders shot dead in the street guess what i am trying to say is no matter how what is done or how we go about it there is always someone who is devious or stupid enough to find a way around the law and endanger others.
Ken
November 27th, 2007 at 3:07 am
64Freddie,I have never heard such a load of macho nonsense in my life.
Breaking Labs necks and sticking pen knives in necks who do you think you are — Rambo!!
Dogs will fight that is a fact.
Dogs attack people that is also a fact.
Most dogs are faithful family pets (I own an Bull Terrier).
Some dogs in the wrong hands are nasty and dangerous but nine times out of ten its the owner who is at fault for making them that way.
There are many dogs that should be treated with respect (rotties,akidas,doberman etc).
These dogs should be owned by responsible owners and not by idiots.
This staffies are bred to fight is a rather feeble argument often used by people who dont know better.
Alot of this “fight” has been bred out of the bull breed (Bull Terriers as well) the funny thing is that Bull terriers were ratters!!
So Freddie get you facts straight and use your little knife that you bravely carry to sharpen your pencil or maybe your wit!!
Oh by the way, Mr Galloway you are a total retard,keep your nose out of things that you know sod all about!!!
Karen
November 27th, 2007 at 3:15 am
65All those with dogs that are sat here thinking that maybe it wouldnt be the end of the world if Staffs were banned remember the poem
When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent; I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out; I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews, I remained silent; I wasn’t a Jew.
When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out.
Because everyone of us sat at home with our own breeds (in my case a GSD) needs to remember that some people will not stop at the staffs, they will not stop at the German Shepherds, Rotties or Dobbies….they will come for your breed next and NOW it the moment to make the line in the sand!
Sparkle
November 27th, 2007 at 3:23 am
66Dear Mr Galloway
You are a complete and utter moron, how you ever came to the post you hold is completely beyond me and in my opinion it would be better for the public if you were banned and/or muzzled on a full time basis.
Yours sincerely
Sparkle
Cheltenham
carmelo pisani
November 27th, 2007 at 3:52 am
67Still no sign of Freddie coming back to me..? Anyway, don’t forget folks, as an MP, it is all of YOU who are paying Galloways salary, topped up by his radio slot, on Friday nights, and his pathetic television appearances.
Carol
November 27th, 2007 at 5:21 am
68What a ridiculous, stupid little man George Galloway is. Nothing more to say about him, he is so insignificant and should never be in his position as an MP. He was an absolute disgrace on BB, and just made a complete fool of himself.
Ban George, give him a lethal injection, silly old sod, leave our Staffies alone
Carol
staffiefan
November 27th, 2007 at 5:59 am
69Ignorant man. I own a staffie and she is the most loving, soppy dog I have ever had or met in my life. The dog is not the problem its the owner. from what I hear of Mr Galloway he is just the type of person that shouldnt be trusted as a dog owner.
Blame the deed and not the breed.
Arsehole
Jo
November 27th, 2007 at 7:38 am
70The only breed that should be ban is the one Mr Galaway belongs to, politician an utterly useless breed
Tanith Wheeler
November 27th, 2007 at 7:52 am
71I am a dog trainer, I have worked with many different agressive dogs. Many are Labs or Collies, I have worked with agressive Staffies and Rotties and I own two GSDs.
There are three types of owners with agressive dogs; those that know their dog has issues and will take precautions (i.e. muzzle), those that know but choose not to acknowledge it - until something happens and those who use their dogs (trained / reinforced) agression as a status symbol. The latter two are risky.
The vast majority of dog owners are very responsible and will take care not to intimidate a member of the public - If I notice a person walking towards me I call my dog to heel and they will stay there no lead required but if the person looks apprehensive at all or has kids I put them on lead, not because it gives me more control but because it is a visable signal to the person that my dog is under control and is not a threat.
It is the same old saying - you don’t notice the 100 people doing something right, you notice the 1 person doing it wrong.
In a public place (i.e. park) I walk my dogs one at a time, in a deserted country park I take both - this is a precaution, under the terms of the dangerous dogs act if my dogs(s) cause someone to feel apprehension then I am liable (as are they). I inconvenience myself and my dogs to ensure that they are safe from maniacs like Freddie.
For those of you who feel that dogs must be leashed / muzzled at all times, Dogs MUST have off-lead exerscise, Dogs MUST have the chance to interact freely with their environment. Dogs that are kept on lead often develop aggression to other dogs because they cannot interact freely and have no escape route if they feel it is needed. They can become frustrated and with the additional energy can turn human agressive too (though this is rare). A walk in not just physical exerscise but mental too, they smell scents and interact with their environment - always learning and they need this stimulation to maintain normal behaviour patterns.
Consider the millions of dogs in this country, the number of serious dog bites number less than 1%of the dog population and most happen at home. I do not have kids but I have 5 neices and nephews who visit - all of whom know the correct way to interract with dogs, I will not leave my dogs alone with them if I leave the room - the dogs are shut out or come with me. Responsible owners take responsibility.
I believe that dog licencing and mandatory microchipping should be reintroduced, perhaps a training class for first time owners to get a discount? With an ASBO system that punishes irresponsible owners - like dog off-lead and out of control. With mandatory training classes for those who break the guidelines etc.
Some parks are too crowded to be suitable to allow dogs off-lead and a responsible owner will know where and when it is appropriate. If a dog approaches you can raise your voice to tell the owner to recall it, most will not mind. There are compressed gas products on the market (dog stop and pet corrector) both are harmless (and freely available) but will stop an agressive or playful charge from a dog regardless of breed - they are small enough to be carried in a pocket.
Freddies friend who was bitten when trying to seperate two fighting dogs was unlucky, unless you know the correct way to seperate two dogs DO NOT ATTEMPT IT! To do so requires two responsible people, not three or four but two. If done correctly you will not be bitten!
There was an incident some months ago regarding a great dane that attacked a woman, two neighbours stabbed the dog 27 times with a long kitchen knife before it died. killing a dog is not as easy as it sounds, the force required to break a dogs neck is considerable. Bear in mind also that if a dog approaches even if non-agressive! and you make a threatening move or injure it - it will attack and your kids are within range. You would be putting your kids in more danger by your actions, buy a can of dog stop and protect your family without imprisioning yourself or harming an animal.
Also bear in mind that carrying any length of blade with the intention of using it is a crime! Threatening to use it as you have done is a crime! In addition if I met you in the street and you injured or killed my dog - then I would have no compunction in making you suffer the same fate.
Diane
November 27th, 2007 at 8:46 am
72Just like people with guns, people with knives a Staffie is not to blame for attacks on people the owners are.
Start tackling the real problem and ensure that people are experienced in dog ownership and training of their dogs and family. Any breed in the wrong hands can end up attacking.
Don’t destroy the reputation of one of the most friendliest people breeds in the world!
Christine
November 27th, 2007 at 9:57 am
73Mr Galloway obviously does not know the difference between Pit Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. The Staffordshire Bull terrier is also called the “Nanny dog” because it is so good with children and is to my knowledge the only dog which the Kennel Club of Great Britain describes as “good with children”. Mr Galloway is merely jumping on the band wagon to appeal to voters who also do not know the difference between dog breeds and the large number of bull breeds in particular. He should do his homework before coming up with such an outrageous suggestion, which shows just how little he knows on the subject.
I have recently read statistics showing that the majority of recorded dog bites in the UK involve Golden Retrievers. So should we be demanding that all Golden Retievers are destroyed too? They’re much bigger than Staffies aren’t they? So they must be a lot more dangerous then, mustn’t they? However they do look like large teddy bears, so, perhaps Mr Galloway would not get the backing to wipeout this breed. Golden retrievers are NOT more dangerous than any other breed, but they are very popular and this is reflected in the number of recorded biting incidents.
Once again, Mr Galloway has shown that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, but that’s nothing new, is it?
jo
November 27th, 2007 at 10:16 am
74i have been bitten by a bulldog, a springer, two labs and a mastiff, ive also owned and bred staffs for 15 years and never been bitten by one of them nor has anyone else i know. any dog can cause severe damage to a child, how many nice trustworthy jack russels/westies/yorkies do you know cos i dont know any that i would trust to stroke. this man is just trying to get himself headlines by bandying to media hype, and the ‘respect’ party (of which this is the first ive heard so must be real popular) must be in desperate need for people to talk about it, he was a sad attention seeking waste of a skin on bb and obviously still needs to get a life
o and freddie (post 8), you are a prime example of the ignorant macho lowlives that unfortunatly fouls the earth with their opinionated spouting. i seriously doubt you could break the neck of a labrador and if you slit its throat then i think you would find yourself charged with having an offensive weapon in public as well as animal cruelty charges. please do the poor people who have to live near you a favour and go back to school and try to gain a bit of intelligence so that you can actually formulate a thought worth expressing to the rest of us normal people
Gail
November 27th, 2007 at 10:47 am
75Oh purr-leeze!! Put your claws back George and do something useful for a change!
Shirley
November 27th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
76How can anyone who has behaved so badly in the past expect to be taken seriously. George Galloway is not an animal lover and is just using staffie’s as a publicity stunt. What does he care that many staffie owners and indeed dog owners in general are once again being scared by those in authority. I will never forget the fear of people after Ellie Lawrance was killed and many family pets needlessly removed from there owners. i do wonder though will any sane person really be convinced by a man who dressed as a red cat. I sincerely hope not!!!!
katie
November 27th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
77I own 5 staffordshire bull terriers and let me assure mr calloway there is no other breed of dog in my opinion! im a proffesional groomer and have been for 13 yrs and if i had a pound for all the westies/yorkies/ shih tzu s/lhasas and other evil rats ive been bitten by id be minted by now and if staffords are soooooo evil then why did my 4 yr old male spend 2 days in the vets after being attacked by a black lab??but no one eva remembers that do they…………………..
jayne
November 27th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
78Mr. Calloway needs to educate himself quickly!
BSL has never worked will never worked!
Enforce the dog legislation thats on the books, punish dangerous owners
Its not the dogs that are dangerous its the owners, anybody that knows
anything about the canine world knows this.
Its lazy minds that think BSL works, keep going down this path and we will have no dogs!
Forget about breed it has nothing to do with anything, the media needs to start be responsible in their reporting. The so called friendly kissy breeds bite as severly and as much (more) but it does not get reported.
But guess what, the media don’t research squat!
A dog is a dog is a dog!!!!!!!!!!
becky
November 27th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
79freddie…freddie…freddie..what a warped mind you have there. you are so nieve if you believe what you stated above. ‘the public will not be with you’ take a look at your replies you muppet. george galloway. look at the man he is a twit. you my friend you are also a twit. i could say an aweful lot about you but i wont as its not very pleasant. you deserve it though. you see…dogs are like children, they will not know right from wrong. a child larns this through their parents a dog should learn through their owners and if the owner isnt responsible enough to train the dog then thats not down to the dog and the dog shouldnt be punished. BLAME THE DEED NOT THE BREED i am not an owner myself but i know many of these dogs and they are wonerful to be around when brought up right. you are a very disturbed man who think needs help. you sit at your comuter and come out with you would ink a blade the a dogs head or slash its throat for walking past in the street. is their something wrong with you. you sound pretty dan crazy to me carrying a blade around with you for one. for saing such a thing is another and what if a young child crossed you would you cut their throat too? you are suck a vile sick man with such a sick man i really dont know what i was going to say i am that repulsed at yur comments. take a long hard look at yourself. thr is something going on in you head and i think you need to sort it you siko. go see a shrink or sumit
Chey
November 28th, 2007 at 1:22 am
80A statement like that from the man who supports terrorists!!!! Get your morals sorted out George!!! Recently in my area a guy was given a suspended sentence for breeding pit bulls and american bull terriers for fighting - hardly a deterrent. Lets start making sure this lovely breed is brought up in the right hands where they are one of the nicest i have come across.
Get a life George!
Cas
November 28th, 2007 at 2:02 am
81Various members of my family have owned Staffies at some time or other, not one of the dogs has ever shown aggression towards others, blame the deed not the breed!!!!
Any dog is capable of agression no matter what the breed, so if a dog is trained and treated right then in my experience they’re fine. Galloway shouldn’t just pinpoint Staffs because he doesn’t like them, maybe someone should outlaw him, pity he didn’t take the same views on the terrorists !!!
Freddie, you’re just showing yourself as a cruel sadistic BA****D, get an education because it’s obvious you haven’t had any, I pity those kids of yours!!!
J Stanley
November 28th, 2007 at 6:38 am
82Socialise, train, neuter the dogs. Perhaps the first two guidelines would improve some humans. 2nd thoughts perhaps all of them! Seriously these dogs are no more dangerous than any animal that is out of control. Ban cars, they kill more people!
Carol Oakes
November 28th, 2007 at 7:11 am
83Stupid little George wot’s iz name want’s people to take him serious .. i never watched big brother surely no-one can let some moron come out with dangerous thoughts like that , what breed are they going to pick on next .
Peter Harrison
November 28th, 2007 at 9:39 am
84I personly own 3 lovely staffies they are just like my children, they are loveing and crave human attention. I dont understand the bad press these dogs get, it was the same in the 80s for rottwilers of witch I also owend, it must stem from young arseholes bringing there dogs up to be violent, as for George Galloway, he needs a good kick in the stones
DONNA NICHOL
November 28th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
85WHAT A COMPLETE NUTTER !!!!! I HAVE NEVER HEARD SUCH NONSENSE AND ALL THIS COMING FROM A FULLY GROWN MAN WHO MEOWED ON NATIONAL TV ! STAFFY’S ARE KIND , LOYAL , FUNNY DOGS WE HAVE 12 IN OUR FAMILEY ALL TOGETHER AND NOT 1 HAS BIT OR GROWLED AT ANY ONE AND A COUPLE OF THEM HAVE BEEN ILL TREATED . I THINK IF YOU PERSUE TIS MATTER FURTHER THERE WILL BE A NATINAL UPROAR ! AND HE WONDERS WHY HIS TITLE IS FORMER LABOUR PARTY MP !!!! ALL DOGS CAN BE FICIOUS IF TOUGHT TO BE WOULD YOU KILL A MAN BECAUSE OF HIS RACE !!!!
Dianne Singer
November 28th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
86With all due respect, George Galloway is a twit.
Exactly how does he think that killing unoffending dogs will help? Will that stop irresponsible or criminal persons from getting other dogs, which these irresponsible/criminal people will then turn into dangerous dogs with abuse, neglect or sick training?
And all of those people who have swallowed media manipulation and political lies, and are behaving like the mob that chased Frankenstein….think for yourselves, people. All breeds of dogs have co-existed with humans for considerable lengths of time, some longer than others. Why on earth do you think that the problem is the dog, rather than the human owner?
PMD
November 29th, 2007 at 2:56 am
87This man is a joke…don’t listen to him. He wants to murder beloved family pets and muzzle all dogs in public. I will muzzle my dogs as and when I deem fit and no political twit is going to tell me otherwise. And killing all staffies…what good will that do. I hope all dog owners and lovers will fight this prejudiced man and save our dogs from unjust murder. He OBVIOUSLY does not know what he is talking about and has never had a dog before. What we need is dog lisensing not dog slaughter. Just don’t listen to him. Dog owners are clearly outraged by this and we outnumber him millions to one!!!! I for one will fight this ridiculous campaign for as long as he keeps it up!!
Maggie Hanley
November 29th, 2007 at 3:03 am
88I have heard some rubbish come from this twits mouth before, but this takes the biscuit.
I am a mother of 2 and the owner of untill recently 2 dogs. One of which is an American Bulldog, which I still have, the other was a Bullterrier, who sadly due to ill health had to be PTS. This was one of the most painful things I have EVER had to do, and it broke my heart. To put people through this agony to me, is inhumane. To put any happy healthy animal to sleep, is just as inhumane. How George Galloway can live with himself is beyond me.
Its how you bring up your dog that makes them turn, not what breed it is.
I am deeply offended and appalled by what George Galloway has proposed to do, and I propose an new ban…. A ban on this sad pathetic little twerp from ever speaking on any subject again.
BAN GEORGE GALLOWAY not staffies!
Racheal
November 29th, 2007 at 5:47 am
89This is the stupidist thing I have ever heard in a LONG LONG TIME!!!
Why cant George do something worth while with his time rather then trying to wipe out a breed, let alone the first one which popped into his thick skulled head.
Give the job to someone more deserving not to someone who is a low life and media failure.
LEAVE THE STAFFORDHIRE BULL TERRIERS ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Racheal
November 29th, 2007 at 5:47 am
90This is the stupidist thing I have ever heard in a LONG LONG TIME!!!
Why cant George do something worth while with his time rather then trying to wipe out a breed, let alone the first one which popped into his thick skulled head.
Give the job to someone more deserving not to someone who is a low life and media failure.
LEAVE THE STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kitty
November 29th, 2007 at 7:21 am
91Any dog has the potential to attack if it is put in a situation where it is startled, frightened, scared, hurt, vulnerable and if provoked. Little children innocently pulling a dogs tail can make a dog attack if they are not used to such beahviour, so the owner is responsible when letting children near dogs unsupervised and if that owner is one of those people that has a certain dog breed just for the image (and i’ve known of people who beat their dogs to make them more aggressive), then the dog hasn’t a chance from the start. It is the owners that determine in the end whether a dog is good or bad.
Rachel Cartwright
November 29th, 2007 at 11:41 am
92Just shows how ignorant of the facts anyone who supports a breed ban is.
Why do they think a Lab would be easier to pull off a child than a Staff? Have they ever seen a Lab? Mine weighs in at 40kg of pure muscle, and has bitten through a thick wooden post in one go, opened metal tins of meat with his teeth and is much much stronger in general than my Staffie/Ridgeback cross. A Lab would not be easier to stop in mid attack. Good thing my Lab and my Staff cross are friendly!
In fact, the only one of my dogs that is sometimes agressive towards humans she doesn’t know is my Collie/Golden Retreiver cross - are either of those “killer breeds”?
Ray Hough
November 30th, 2007 at 7:33 am
93Hi all im making a film for BBC TV about the staff bull terrier. Im looking for londoners who have good and bad experiences with these dogs. If your interested please call me on 0776 433 5633 or email houghray@hotmail.com. This will be a serious film and not one designed to stir up tabloid type controversy. So honesty and not tub thumping is what we are about please contact me if you have an adorable staff, a troublesmome staff or have just had bad staff experiences
Many thanks Ray
Gillian
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:17 am
94What can i say that has not already been said, Galloway you are cluesless. Your ignorance is dangerous as you have followers that beleive every word that comes out of your mouth. ANY DOGS not just SBT’s are not to blame for attacks its the irresponsible owners.
I am 29, i have grown up with the SBT breed since i was 4, i have never been attacked, i was brought up to respect the breed of any animal. Now there has been a recent spate of Collie dogs mauling kids, are you going to ban that breed aswell??????
Fee
December 7th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
95George Galloway is an idiot!!! SBT’s are one of the most loyal, loving breeds of dog you will find. Due to bad press being made of isolated incidents there has been a call to ban the breed, well as has already been said, banning a breed doesn’t work, it just makes the problem worse cos there is still breeding and underground fighting going on and many many pitts still owned in homes around the world.
Irresponsible owners make dogs bad, they aren’t born that way unless they come from a bad breeding line, which is not something that happens very often.
Any breed of dog can be aggressive and it’s not true that a lab can’t do as much damage as an SBT, labs are big strong dogs who could kill a small child just as easily as any other breed of dog!!!!
Blame the deed not the breed!
George Galloway get a life and go and find another way of trying to make your career worthwhile you lowlife!!!!!
dogsos
December 8th, 2007 at 2:38 am
96BLAME THE DEED NOT THE BREED
Banning a breed will ONLY stop responsible, dog lovers from having a breed they love. It WILL NOT stop irresponsible people having the breed of the dog. It is these sort of people that abuse their dog, treat it cruelly and make it into a unpreditual biting machine.
No dog that is loved and trained well and treated well will attack unprovoked.
Good example are Pittbulls. No responsible person in Britain would buy a pittbull as it is no sadley illegal, just the d*** heads who think its hard and ‘ruff’ the dog up abit. Also the mere fact its illegal makes it ‘the breed to have’.
You ban staffies the sort of people that want to have a trophy dog will want them all the more. The nice peopl who want a staff as a family pet will never get one.
You can not blame very single staffy for a few that have attacked. There is never a mention of the dogs up bringing or how its been treated in the media, just that it has attcked.
There are just as many other breeds that have attacked humans even labradors, just these never make head line news.
In lincoln recentley 3 grey hounds escaped out of their garden and nearley shredded a little staffy being walked on the lead and its owner to pieces. No mention what so ever in the local paper let alone the nationals. If this had been 3 staffies attacking a grey hound, this would have been on prime time TV
Not blaming the grey hounds owner as it was just a terrible accident…..
I’m not even sure why Mr Gallowayis still allowed to be in a position to make descisions for this country. He totally disgraced him self going on Celebrity Big Brother, let alone the anticks he got up to. The guys a fool.
Step down, go do some pantos, shut up about things you know nothing about.
lyndsey slater
December 8th, 2007 at 4:06 am
97how pathetic & ridiculous !
I own a staffy , & i trust her 100% with my 2yr old,she saved his life once but where was that in the news, why didnt nobody praise this intelligent breed. Yes these dogs are mighty strong but they were bred to be that way for fighting yes i know but that is not the dogs fault nor is it my dogs fault that another staffy bites so why should my baby girl be banned !!
And to the stupid people above who have agreed to ban this breed & others you are no diff, its easier to ban a breed than deal with the problem which is people ! They are the ones who damage these dogs & turn them into biters/fighters. And who ever said labradors would be no good in a fighting ring well of course not they were not bred for that ! …send a staffy to hunt game?? erm no coz it wasnt bred for that so stop talking utter nonsence …. We should see more of these dogs not just staffys in the news for praising them instead of just showing the bad stuff , many many people are bit by other dogs but they dont show it on the tv or in papers do they. Its immature & selfish people like some above who cause this … Again my staffy is gentle,playful & knows the rules ..why because i trained her correctly , She is part of the family & i will fight for her & other dogs til i die, as will all REAL dog lovers.
If anyone would like to talk to us animal lovers & help see what we can do to help animals/dogs please join us here . www.petrebelz.com
MRSMOZZA
December 8th, 2007 at 4:31 am
98LEAVE THE STAFFORDHIRE BULL TERRIERS ALONE!!!!!!!
clare
December 8th, 2007 at 10:07 am
99What an idiot! staffys are lovely dogs! I have been around many and never come across a bad one, that goes for all breeds. For godsake punnish the deed not the breed!!!!!!!!
Kay B
December 8th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
100Kevin #49
That is the perfect example of why this mad should be put somewhere isolated….. I’ve heard Mars is good for that!! A friend of saddam hussein is suddenly an expert on what is a ‘good idea’. Its no secret that saddam was a vicious and vile man and yet he befriended him. The ‘man’ has no common sense or any rational idea as to what is good or bad!
People kill each other…. lets ban people.
hot beverages burn your fingers…. lets ban tea and coffee.
Men rape…… lets ban men.
Vehicles cause accidents, killing people… lets ban vehicles.
Teenagers mug/attack/murder….. lets ban chldren.
As many others have said, everything is a danger in the wrong hands but the manufacturers seem to think that people are capable of using common sense….. clearly by this example common sense is long gone in this world.
Also, there is not one single breed of dog that hasn’t at some point killed a human being, even the innocent looking yorkshire terrier!!!!!
Dont ban staffs, ban the hoodie wearing, drug riddled, aggressive, abusive thugs that mistreat them!!!
Come on George, there are plenty of staffy owners out there, do the right thing and educate yourself, Im sure all the staffy owners who have got their dogs from responsible breeders and trained them properly are more than willing to show you the breed is only bad because of bad and inbred bloodlines created, not by registered caring breeders but by the who want to make money and fight their dogs!!!
They can ban what they like but I swear as long as there’s a beat in my heart, breath in my lungs and a hole in my rear that they’ll never have my staffy!!!
kerrie
December 9th, 2007 at 1:31 am
101he would have to kill me before he could kill my dogs, my bitch has slept on my daughters bed for the past 4 years and nothing or noone is going to break the bond they have
Kym
December 9th, 2007 at 4:53 am
102this is utterly ridiculas i have 2 staffies that would never harm a fly, they are great with dogs people cats and even my friends 3 year old child. a few weeks ago 3 greyhounds attacked a staffie with a elderly gemtleman they almost killed the staffie so should grey houds be banned aswell!!!!!!
my male dog has been attacked and he did nopt do a thing i had to pull the dog of whick luckly only a little mongrel but still. all dogs have diffrent natures it is nothing to do with the breed. english bull terriers are more powerful than a staffie and boxers have the same locking jaw.
Kym
December 9th, 2007 at 5:07 am
103people should be made to watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odi0XlI-4_g
Emma
December 11th, 2007 at 6:20 am
104Go after the people that are making SOME of these dogs vicous and there will be no problem…… a dog is not defined by his breed, rather his owner!
There no reason why domesticated family pets should be killed because there are evil and greedy people breeding dogs for fighting…. is that not the issue, of dog fighting, that needs to be stopped, rather the lives of these innocent animals!?!
SugaBaby
December 11th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
105OMG NO WAY ARE YOU KILLING STAFFYS NO WAY , WTF HAVE THEY DUN TOOO YOU AND IF THEY HAVE ITS SIMPLE KEEP AWAY SOLVED YHU DONT NEED TO KILL SOMTHING JUST CORSE YHU DONT LIKE EM OMG OTHER PEOPLE DO YANO N IF YHU DONT AND YHU AGREE WID HIM GO AWAY AND MOAN SUMWERRE ELSE CZ WE DONT WANA KNOW
tahnee b
December 12th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
106If anything ever happend to my boy I’d get rid of the person who got rid of my Zeus! I love Staffies and Pits for ever!
Chris kempster
December 15th, 2007 at 1:16 am
107i know! Freddie you pathetic low life heartless prick.. Why dont u take your pocket knife and do george galloway instead, get locked up for it then all our staffs will be safe from him.. And you.. And your kids will probably have a better chance in life too!. Here’s another classic case of people not looking OUTSIDE THE BOX! Like, HELLO!?!?!?!? Are there not more important things to worry about like rapists and paedo’s etc? How about euthanasing them c**ts instead.. Thats the problem with this country’s government. We need to get our priorities sorted.. I used to be proud to be british..
AndyC
December 15th, 2007 at 9:02 am
108the gentleman at the top of the thread had it right.
Galloway is jumping on this band wagon as it would be a popular policy with he’s core voters. The majority of whom see dogs as “dirty”.
The man is a fool and one who will do anything for publicity and to score political points.
He proved he knows nothing about dogs in the interview.
Gareth
December 15th, 2007 at 9:29 am
109To be honest I think George Galloway should be muzzled in public. How many dogs has he owned in his life? What experience has he got? I heard about his recent comments that people with big dogs only want them for the bling??? I have three dogs - two St. Bernards and Rottweiler and all of them are soft and would never hurt anyone. To label all big dogs as ‘dangerous’ and all of their owners as having a complex is completely irresponsible. Can you imagine if we said all Muslims are suicide bombers? Im sure Mr. Galloway would spontaneously combust. Thats what it is like - making uninformed sweeping generalisations and stereotypes. I thought a man in his position ws supposed to be intelligent. What a moron.
staffy lovah
December 16th, 2007 at 4:06 am
110listen yer!!!! yuu shud judge the deed nt the breed staffys are loyal dogz and their great!!!
Lisa E
December 16th, 2007 at 6:40 am
111You narrow minded old f*g, it’s not the beed, it’s the way they are raised, just like children.
Do you have any children Mr Galloway????
sarah webster
December 16th, 2007 at 10:25 am
112what rybbish get a life ive had staffies all my life and i will keep on doing so they are one of the worlds gratest breeds you should be more consernd on getting all the pervirt scum off the streets not the dogs
Tansy
December 16th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
113Staffies are wonderful friendly little dogs. mine are MY children. in fact they are the most loving little things you ever saw… yet still stupid morons walk in the road rather than pass us in the street.
ITS people you need to be afraid of.. they are the ones walking around carrying knives, or suicide bombs, or guns..
YOU are 10 times more likely to be attacked by a human than a dog.. but you cant ban humans.. so lets take it out on innocent dogs.
People like Freddie shouldnt even be allowed to have kids.,.or dogs.. disgusting little scumbag who openly admits to carrying a knife. lets hope he gets to meet someone with a bigger knife than hes got.
Alison Nicholl
December 21st, 2007 at 5:35 am
114I obviously do not agree with Gallaway but I am afraid the dog world has had it coming. Breeding is out of control in this country with irresponsible breeders churning them out like peas and selling to innapropriate homes and the kennel club does nothing. In my local Loot there were over 500 dogs for sale and the rescue centres are fit to burst with mainly staffies and staffie crosses. It is no wonder people (idiots) like George Galloway can say these things because we have played right into his hands. The kennel club has to bear some of the responsibilty for allowing so many breeders it is about time the kennel club and the government put their head together and come up with plans for the future of dogs in this country, if they do not then eventually George Galloway and his kind will get their way. I am a behaviour councillor and dog trainer. Staffies are a cocked weapon. I knew one staffie for 9 years, he was wonderful a really gentle, dog in a kind and loving home. Then another dog attacked him out of the blue and now his instincts have kicked in and he can no longer go off lead and he is now dangerous especially around other dogs. This took 9 years to happen, the instinct never leaves them. I am not saying for one moment we should ban the breed but there has to be more control over who breeds and who gets these dogs. Those of you in denial about what your staffie is capable of stop moaning and do something positive. You know why people are scared of your dog, and you can’t blame them with the “PR” the papers have given them. Write to the kennel club and complain and ask them what they are going to do about the overbreeding of dogs in the country especially of staffies and other bull breeds. It would be a sad day if staffies were banned, so we must act before Galloway and his cronies get their way.
Jean
December 21st, 2007 at 6:06 am
115I might not have read every comment, so I could be wrong, but no-one seems to have mentioned the fact that muzzling dogs in public would actually cause more dog attacks. Most dogs attack because of fear and being muzzled would make them feel more vulnerable, so on a shorter fuse when not wearing the muzzle - such as at home. Most serious dog attacks occur in their own home, and usually because the dog is stressed and over-excited followed by an inappropriate, if understandable, panic reaction from any people which results in the dog becoming more worked up and/or their predatory instincts kicking in.
alice
December 21st, 2007 at 6:51 pm
116LEAVE THOSE POOR DOGS ALONE!!!!! imagin u were a dog and a man was trying to kill u….how would u feel!!??put your self in their shoes.Your a crule crule man!!! why what did they ever do to u??i am ashamed u should be put in JAIL!!!
Jim Crawford
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:57 pm
117is this just another way that this “FOOL” can get free press for his own ends Again you would have thought after “big brother” he would have gone into hidding with SHAME ……..BOO BOO to galloway
sophie
December 26th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
118George is a silly & obviously uneducated man.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are related to Pitbulls…so?
Pitbull’s are only born to fight if it’s in their bloodline & thats only because stupid cruel people trained them. Staff’s may look like Pitbulls but believe me they are even soppier. I love Pits, they CAN be trained to be normal pets. Staff’s are useless guard dogs, brilliant with kids (why do you think their called ‘Nanny Dogs’?), very loving and are very loyal. Staff are now being used in the same way as heir cousins because Pitbull’s are not as easy to get hold of these days. (easy enough though). There is no reason for this cretin to ban Staff’s because they have done noting to deserve it. My Staff should no have to wear a muzzle neither should anyone else’s. Yes they have powerful jaws but jesus christ so has a rabbit but do you see anyone topping them? No. And who’s going to pay attention to a manwho dressed up in a lycra bosy suit and pretended to be a cat? Get a grip.
mandy cliffe
December 27th, 2007 at 7:33 am
119Mr Gallaway obviously knows nothing about staffordshire bull terriers. If he did, he would know they are a fantastic family pet. Also gentle with kids, loyal, freindly, faithful, obedient and very loving. When in the wrong hands, badly trained and ill cared for, then problems will occur. As for Mr Gallaway, well, he wants to stick to cats as he’s good at acting like one (should have given him a clown suite instead) !!!
casey kempton
January 1st, 2008 at 1:46 pm
120sorry if you hate me for not reading 120 posts what i have to say is most likely in one of them but o well
i am living it ohio , united states and the idea of any one doing such as George Galloway is trying to do i tarable he must be stoped
i have a border terrier, irish terrier, and a jack russell terrier and i love them. it probly doesn’t mean much but most of us over here in the states feel for you and hop to god this guy goes down
Lisa Fielding
January 7th, 2008 at 8:07 am
121George Galloway Ughh i hate the man!!
Kill off staffies? How could anybody want to do such a thing!
Not all staffies are dangerous it’s only the pathetic idiots that buy a staffie and become violent towards it and teach it to bite and attack that make the animals that way!! Why should lovely playful caring loving dogs be killed becuase of pathetic people who abuse & dont care for their dogs!
I’ve got a staffie Jess and i love her to bits shes so gentle & i just coudnt live without her! Staffies are intelligent loving animals!!! Go to hell george.