Wading through the crap to unearth the truth, so donโt come at me with your gaslighting and verbal abuse!๐
Living in a crazy City
Joined November 2021
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๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
School boy - aged 8 - seriously injured by an XL Bully attack today.
There is nothing left to say. This will continue until people understand that there is a breed specific problem.
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
A fundraiser has been launched by the family of Esther Martin for her funeral expenses.
Esther Martin should be remembered as a dedicated mother and grandmother, loved by all of her family.
Link here: gofundme.com/f/esther-martin
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
In light of continued public statements made as Bully XL fatalities rise, we have written to the Government to distance themselves from the @RSPCA_official and review its membership on any Government working groups until it reviews its policy on breed specific legislation.
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
Campaign group DFWD has repeatedly blamed Esther Martin for her own death.
Esther Martin knew both dogs and their puppies and had repeated interactions with them.
If picking up a broom is so dangerous that it can result in someone's death - then it's a breed specific issue.
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
A 68 year old grandmother, Esther Martin, has died after being killed by two suspected XL Bullies yesterday according to the victim's family.
Our thoughts are now with her family and friends.
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
The first act of the new Northern Irish government is a ban on the Bully XL.
This would represent a complete ban across all nations of the United Kingdom.
We started this campaign and in 77 days the PM announced our policy. Scotland followed and now, also, Northern Ireland.
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
With the XL Bully ban coming into effect this week, Bully Watch will be winding down. In our view, the ban is a necessary response to not only the scale of attacks we saw but also the amount of backyard breeding that was taking place. The ban will save lives. It was the only immediate action available to the Government amidst a crowded parliamentary timetable. The Government has managed to thread the needle of taking swift action while also managing the existing XL Bully population in a humane manner.
However, we believe the Government should acknowledge the efforts of dog care professionals who have responded swiftly to the Government's timeline. Countless trainers, veterinarians, and rescue shelter workers have provided support, often at their own expense at a time when the sector is already reeling from pressures related to the cost of living and a Covid-induced dog population boom.
We owe it to these individuals and the wider dog care sector to ensure this never has to happen again. Breed is undeniably a key factor in what has taken place, but it's not the only one. We are calling on the Government to:
โก๏ธPublish the recommendations of the Responsible Dog Ownership Working Group.
โก๏ธInvestigate the potential for a Dog Licensing model to fund local enforcement and investigation initiatives.
โก๏ธCommission an independent review of the Dangerous Dogs Act which looks at its implementation and not its basis as a piece of breed specific legislation.
Responsible Dog Ownership
While we acknowledge that breed is a significant factor in the rise of dog-related fatalities, it is not the only one. The popularity of Bully XLs has been accompanied by a surge in unlicensed breeding, fertility clinics, dog trainers, and protection dog trainers. The lack of regulation in these areas is alarming. Currently, acquiring a dog in the UK is disturbingly easier than purchasing a scratch card.
We are aware of a Government working group examining responsible dog ownership and urgently request the publication of its findings.
Dog Licensing
Public support for reintroducing dog licensing is overwhelming, with YouGov polls consistently indicating that approximately 80% of the general public favors it. Dog licensing could generate essential funds for enforcement, supporting local authorities and police forces that are currently under tremendous pressure. It's an undeniable fact that the level of dog control varies significantly by location, creating a postcode lottery of enforcement standards.
The British public are more than happy to spend money on their dogs. Dog licensing is a potential open door.
Reform Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act
The current state of the Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) needs urgent reform. The prohibitive costs and police resources required for successful convictions under Section 1 of the DDA are counterproductive, dissuading enforcement actions.
While some animal welfare organizations believe this calls for the complete abolition of the DDA and Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), we believe a more nuanced approach is needed. We urge the Government to commission an independent review of Section 1 of the DDA, focusing on streamlining the processes involved.
Specifically, we advocate for adoption of the model of automatic exemption, similar to the approach used in the recent Bully XL ban, for all banned breeds. We are also in favor of rescue organizations being able to rehome banned breeds provided they ensure their owners fulfil exemption requirements.
Final Thoughts
The discourse surrounding Bully XLs needs to change. Bully XLs are not 'devil dogs' nor are they โinherently evil.โ But equally, on the other side of the debate, itโs not just how you raise them. The truth is, as always, somewhere in between both these points of view.
The dogmatic stance of animal welfare organizations against breed-specific legislation (BSL) oversimplifies things. If owning a particular breed demands advanced knowledge of canine behavior and aggression, it's reasonable to consider restrictions on its general ownership. This principle underpins the rationale for BSL. No amount of breed neutral legislation will ever cross this hurdle.
The polarisation of the debate, and in particular, the indefensible abuse that has been levelled to those in favour of BSL (including victims themselves) prevents the large numbers of veterinarians, behaviourists, and trainers from speaking out in favour of it. This is not trivial abuse. This is credible threats of physical violence.
Furthermore, the selective use of science and research from animal welfare organisations to support their agenda, while disregarding a substantial body of peer-reviewed studies acknowledging breed as a contributing factor, has significantly compromised their credibility.
If we are ever to successfully tackle the problem of dangerous dogs, then we must accept all the evidence available. The stakes are far too high if we end up being wrong.
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
When grown men can be struck down with ease what hope do women and children have? These dogs are NOT pets! sott.net/article/488345-Man-โฆ
A 35 year old man has died in hospital after being attacked by his own Bully XL in Hamburg. This is the 2nd death caused by an American Bully in Germany within 13 months.
There is no doubt when you look at fatality data across a number of countries, that there is definitively a breed specific problem.
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
A 35 year old man has died in hospital after being attacked by his own Bully XL in Hamburg. This is the 2nd death caused by an American Bully in Germany within 13 months.
There is no doubt when you look at fatality data across a number of countries, that there is definitively a breed specific problem.
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
1. RSPCA โdevastatedโ to euthanise hundreds of XL Bully dogs. Why were they not devastated before. The bottom fell out of the bully market well before the ban was first talked about. Perhaps this is why the @RSPCA_official refused an FOI submitted by a medical journalist on the number of dogs euthanised/rehomed over the past 3 years? Any organisation seeking to advise on government policy must be open, transparent and accountable.
2. The RSPCA and other groups are waiting for the outcome of a judicial review being sought by the lobby group Donโt Ban Me Licence Me,
The outcome? Permission hasn't even been granted to start the process. They are waiting for a "Permission Hearing" to see if they can go on to the next stage which is the "Substantive Hearing". At this hearing the judge will decide whether they can proceed or not. If the answer is yes THEN the Judicial Review can commence. These reviews can take several weeks if not months to complete and the success rate is only 2-3%. If successful the review is only of the PROCESS that led to the decision to ban and not the merits of the ban itself. It will not overturn the ban. I would have thought that someone in the RSPCA would have grasped this.
@Telegraph
@LynneWallis
telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01โฆ
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
Pit bull appearance linked to brain structure.
In simple terms, if a dog has the head shape and jaws like a pit bull, an mri is likely to identify the brain structures assoc with sudden, random, unpredictable violence and fighting behavior as well.
jneurosci.org/content/39/39/โฆ
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
I've posted this excellent article twice before. I've blocked a lot of the Bully cult, so please just send them this when they say that a lot of countries have ditched BSL ๐๐
petolog.com/articles/banned-โฆ
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
The Scottish government has now banned the Bully XL.
Despite originally refusing to do so, they have changed course within just a couple of weeks.
Despite repeating RSPCA talking points, the SNP could not ignore reality, data or the risk.
BREAKING: Scottish government announces XL Bully dog ban bbc.in/3HnyA27
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
"Pit bull Dogs may be OK until social maturity at 18-24 months of age." So a percentage of young pups now (and I do not mean all) who have shown no signs of aggression will do so upon maturity.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals published the following warnings in 2005.
"Pit Bull Terriers still bred for fighting today" and "many pits entering shelters are dogs bred for fighting."
"Pit Bulls should not be allowed to have unrestricted or unrestrained contact with other dogs."
There are "cases of experienced handlers who had developed good relationships with the dogs over a period of months still being attacked without warning or obvious provocation."
"Pit Bulls "ignore signs of submission from other dogs" and "give no warning prior to attack." This is "different than normal dog behavior."
"These dogs can be aggressive towards humans and more likely to cause fatal attacks to peoplethan other fighting type dogs."
"Pit Bulls will climb fences, chew up stainless steel food and water bowls, destroy copper tubing of automatic water systems and conventional cages, and attack other animals through chain link fences."
"Pit Bulls can break through conventional cage doors and destroy typical epoxy paint on the floors and walls."
"Pit Bulls require special housing considerations" and "isolation from other animals if dog aggressive or have a high prey drive."
"Install a panic button in rooms housing Pit Bulls along with other restraint equipment in any room housing Pit Bulls."
"Dogs may be OK until social maturity at 18-24 months of age."
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
And here's the thread on Howell's latest social media post (I believe it was on both facebook and instagram)
teapawt.net/pb_super_fan/status/17โฆ
This is a post from Helen Howell, dog behaviourist and current PhD student at the University of Lincoln, UK.
This post is from 1 January 2024
Howellโs tone is very confident, yet very wrong.
Do not confuse *confidence* with *competence*
ALT Instagram post from Helen Howell (part 1/2) https://www.instagram.com/p/C1j6Uxys5sL/ I am heading into 2024 with a heavy heart. The addition of the American Bully XL to the list of prohibited breeds is a tragedy. For those of you who don't know, my PhD research is focussed on human directed dog aggression and risk factors for aggression. Science tells us that breed is not an accurate predictor of aggression in dogs. Aggression is complex and there are numerous factors that can increase the risk of a dog biting. We know that breed specific legislation does not protect public safety, dog bites have continued to rise. I am astounded that the government have not listened to experts who have a thorough understanding of dog aggression and the societal issues that have resulted in the rise in dog bites in the UK. Research commissioned by the government reported that breed specific legislation does not protect public safety. The veterinary profession...
ALT Instagram post from Helen Howell (part 2/2) https://www.instagram.com/p/C1j6Uxys5sL/ the overstretched rescue system into their homes with no knowledge of their history or behaviour because the government has placed unreasonable deadlines on owners to exempt their dogs. People are trying to save the lives of these dogs because they feel the legislation is unjust, and as a consequence, may be taking on dogs they have little understanding of. But now these dogs have little opportunity to exercise and socialise as a result of having to be muzzled and on a lead. This will in some cases increase frustration and increase the likelihood of dog bites occurring. It is a recipe for disaster. Those professionals working in rescue and the veterinary profession who have to deal with the euthanasia of healthy happy and sociable dogs because of how they look are on their knees. They are broken...
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
Two items currently in progress:
- Reviewing Jim Crosby's PhD dissertation. The one he told me to read despite it (at the time) not being available to the public. Also he referred to it as peer reviewed (lol)
- Reviewing public statements from anti-BSL activist Helen Howell
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
Huge U-turn by the SNP.
In less than 2 weeks from the ban coming into force in England and Wales, Scotland has also decided on a ban.
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
Yes! Weโd also like for you to revisit the public safety issue of #BSL
Kids should keep their faces & lives. Phase out bloodsport dogs in the state of Florida. Research UKโs actions & testimony teapawt.net/protectourpets2/statusโฆ 1st responders,mail & delivery drivers need this too ๐๐ฝ
We need to hear from frontline workers as opposed to activists. From Dr. David Billmire, pediatric surgeon of Cincinnatiโs Childrenโs Hospital 2015
โAs one who, for the last 30 years, has been on the receiving end of the dog-bite injuries that pass through the Children's Hospital Emergency Room, as well as on the staff at the Shriners Hospitals for Children where we see the late effects of these injuries from across the nation, I can categorically tell you that the problems associated with dog bites are indeed breed-specific.
When I started my career, the most common dog-bite injuries were from German shepherds and occasionally retrievers. These injuries were almost always provoked, such as food-related or stepping on the dog, and in almost every instance, the dog reacted with a single snap and release โ essentially a warning shot. There were no pack attacks.
Starting about 25 years ago, my colleagues and I started to see disturbingly different types of injuries. Instead of a warning bite, we saw wounds where the flesh was torn from the victim. There were multiple bite wounds covering many different anatomical sites. The attacks were generally unprovoked, persistent and often involved more than one dog. In every instance the dog involved was a pit bull or a pit bull mix.
Now, I am a dog lover and virtually every one of my family members has a dog. But it is a fact that different dogs have always been bred for specific qualities. My sheltie herded, my daughter's setter flushes birds and my pug sits on my lap โ this is what they are bred for. Pit bulls were bred to fight and kill and, unfortunately, many current breeders favor these aggressive traits. There is no need for any dog with the characteristics.
I recently gave a talk summarizing my 30 years of practice in pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery, and one segment was titled "Why I Hate Pit Bulls." I watched a child bleed to death one night in our operating room because a pit bull had torn his throat out. I have had to rebuild the skull of a child who had his ears and entire scalp torn off. I am currently reconstructing the face of a child, half of whose face has been torn off down to the bone. I have had to rebuild noses, lips, eyelids, jaws and cheeks of numerous children. On older children, I have had to reconstruct legs and hands. The unfortunate young victim whose recent attack has initiated this discussion will bear the scars of this attack for the rest of her life.
Based on my extensive experience, I believe that the risk posed by pit bulls is equivalent to placing a loaded gun with the safety off on the coffee table. In my opinion, these dogs should be banned. I know this is an unpopular stand in some circles, but how many mauled children do we have to see before we realize the folly of allowing these dogs to exist?
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
STV has spoken to the Scottish pensioner who was mauled by an XL Bully days before Christmas. She had to spend 11 days in hospital and have two operations.
The dog grabbed her arm as she walked by it on the street.
news.stv.tv/scotland/i-was-mโฆ
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐โข retweeted
We need to hear from frontline workers as opposed to activists. From Dr. David Billmire, pediatric surgeon of Cincinnatiโs Childrenโs Hospital 2015
โAs one who, for the last 30 years, has been on the receiving end of the dog-bite injuries that pass through the Children's Hospital Emergency Room, as well as on the staff at the Shriners Hospitals for Children where we see the late effects of these injuries from across the nation, I can categorically tell you that the problems associated with dog bites are indeed breed-specific.
When I started my career, the most common dog-bite injuries were from German shepherds and occasionally retrievers. These injuries were almost always provoked, such as food-related or stepping on the dog, and in almost every instance, the dog reacted with a single snap and release โ essentially a warning shot. There were no pack attacks.
Starting about 25 years ago, my colleagues and I started to see disturbingly different types of injuries. Instead of a warning bite, we saw wounds where the flesh was torn from the victim. There were multiple bite wounds covering many different anatomical sites. The attacks were generally unprovoked, persistent and often involved more than one dog. In every instance the dog involved was a pit bull or a pit bull mix.
Now, I am a dog lover and virtually every one of my family members has a dog. But it is a fact that different dogs have always been bred for specific qualities. My sheltie herded, my daughter's setter flushes birds and my pug sits on my lap โ this is what they are bred for. Pit bulls were bred to fight and kill and, unfortunately, many current breeders favor these aggressive traits. There is no need for any dog with the characteristics.
I recently gave a talk summarizing my 30 years of practice in pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery, and one segment was titled "Why I Hate Pit Bulls." I watched a child bleed to death one night in our operating room because a pit bull had torn his throat out. I have had to rebuild the skull of a child who had his ears and entire scalp torn off. I am currently reconstructing the face of a child, half of whose face has been torn off down to the bone. I have had to rebuild noses, lips, eyelids, jaws and cheeks of numerous children. On older children, I have had to reconstruct legs and hands. The unfortunate young victim whose recent attack has initiated this discussion will bear the scars of this attack for the rest of her life.
Based on my extensive experience, I believe that the risk posed by pit bulls is equivalent to placing a loaded gun with the safety off on the coffee table. In my opinion, these dogs should be banned. I know this is an unpopular stand in some circles, but how many mauled children do we have to see before we realize the folly of allowing these dogs to exist?