4 X 4 Report BBC1 1st July Update
Thankfully the BBC has taken notice of all the e-mails and telephone calls they
have received and amended their introduction to the 4X4 programme by removing
the erroneous reference to Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
It would of course be nonsense to suggest that no dog (of any breed) would ever
bite someone but equally, programmes like this surely have a responsibility to
show every aspect.
For example, is there ever a circumstance that can justify a dog biting? What
about in it's own home if a burglar comes in or if being walked by it's young
owner who is threatened by some thug or pervert? Would we really want the dog to
remain passive?
Another aspect that these type of programmes rarely bother with are all the
benefits of dog ownership. Companionship for the elderly and very young are
obvious of course but serious scientific research has also demonstrated benefits
relating to health, education and social behaviour. Organisations such as Guide
Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Disabled Dogs and PAT dogs are all evidence of how they help
human individuals while rescue dogs, drug and bomb sniffing, army and police
security are all areas where dogs help us.
Many years ago PRO-Dogs ran a small research project and managed to wean an
elderly gentleman off a dangerous combination of medical drugs in order to
sleep. Merely by bringing a dog for him to stroke each night he gradually needed
less pain killing and sleeping drugs. Despite the apparent success, believe it
or not, we were unable to obtain sufficient research funding from any commercial
organisation to carry out a full scale study!
Meanwhile, people convicted of intentionally making dogs aggressive, of being
involved in dog-fighting, etc. can get a maximum sentence of 6 months, usually
much less because it is considered a "Misdemeanour". Yet politicians claims that
the Dangerous Dogs Act is to deal with "fighting dogs". It beggars belief.
Let's hope that the BBC is intending to promote genuine debate and improvement
in human/dog relations and not merely pandering to shock tactics in some battle
for peak time ratings.
I really do hope that everyone will try to watch the programme and see whether
it fairly represents the issue of dogs in modern society. I know that Caroline
Kisco from the Kennel Club has been interviewed for the programme but being
pre-recorded, she of course has no control of how the piece is cut and
presented.
I equally hope that we can all learn lessons from recent publicised events.
Children have been seriously injured by various dogs and it is incumbent on all
of us to remain focused to absolutely minimise any chance that our own dogs,
dogs that we breed or dogs owned by friends and relations, maybe even
neighbours, should ever get into a situation where children can be injured or
frightened.
I spent a very pleasant evening yesterday with friends who have a Pointer,
Golden Retriever and Norwich Terrier. Other friends visiting had their 3
children with them. The two older girls and both parents have absolutely no fear
of dogs but the youngest son was ABSOLUTELY PETRIFIED. He literally screamed any
time a dog moved within 10 feet of him.
I spoke with his dad who tells me that it came about because a big dog (in this
case a very friendly and dopey Great Dane) had licked him while he was on the
floor and he couldn't get away for a few minutes. By the end of yesterday
evening he was tired and sleepy and the fear seemed to subside a bit but while
this is just a "one off" true story, there really is a lesson for us all.
It isn't whether WE think a dog is dangerous that counts, it is whether the
other person is genuinely frightened and we ALL have a responsibility to other
people and our dogs to make sure that does not happen.
David Levy
Kennel Club Breed Liaison Officer for SBT