Nic.B

How about you calm down and stop flinging insults about? You're making a complete pork chop of yourself and getting antsy with people for no good reason. We know it's a dog forum. Some of us also happen to work with and for police every day. Yes, I abhore dog fighting. Yes, certain breeds ARE targetted for dog fighting... and shock horror they tend to be breeds of fighting ancestry.. and, no that is NOT denigrating those breeds. You think people aren't taking the risk to dogs in the area seriously? I consider the risk to my dogs every damn day and I take steps to keep them safe. Strangely enough they are PRECISELY the steps the police have advised people i the local area to take here. To be quite frank they are steps every dog owner should take every day, everywhere. Anyone would think dog fighting doesn't happen more widely than this area. If I owned any dog of fighting ancestry I'd be taking those steps even further to protect my dogs. If you own bull breeds and you allow them access to the front of your property, and don't keep them behind locked gates, you're a fool IMO. Calm down yourself! What insults? And if anyone has made a 'porkchop" about themselves it is not me. It will be the people who post away and say "Oh! dog fighting" is all untrue and some sort of old MYTH (and if you need me too I will quote posts/statements made by you/others in regard to dogs being stolen as bait in my local area) It is a disgruntled neighbour??? Someone is pissed off so OBVIOUSLY they must have killed the dogs! If you read back I have said make sure your dogs are safe in the local HP area.

Yes, and it is not the DOL police thank god.

How they can have definitive proof of what isn't happening is interesting, with only one dog found so far. I take it you have access to their files, investigations and links to the case? No, but from a logical perspective, I am aware of how difficult it is to prove a negative. I do not understand this, why be so sarcastic?????? Get over yourselves This is a dog forum. Forget about your "online" antics (and your agendas) for gods sake and FOR ONE MOMENT think about the dogs in this local area!

May would be so happy to know she was very important :) and that there were goodness knows how many people willing and able to support May in health and happiness ( and she was given that chance). As Mita has said so well (and so many others) May deserved her chance. An honest, up front assessment at the very least. It is really difficult as a dog lover to assess unknown dogs at times. We would all like so much more for the dogs we meet in pounds and shelters. And we think "what if" or "if only". My kelpie Bella is 13 now so only a tad behind May in age really, though most people (aside from our Vet and Bella's grey muzzle) would put Bella at 2 or 3 years of age in terms of her physical condition, activity levels and her (silly/she drives me batty) antics. Working breeds are fairly robust, tough and are most certainly a breed who dig fairly deep in terms of health issues if they are given that chance. Perhaps that is how and why May kept going for so long without any help? May was without doubt a tough, strong, deeply trusting and biddable old timer who was so very worthy of every single effort made on her behalf. I am glad we offered that for May. As much as we all hoped for so much more for May (and I would have done anything for May once I met her) it was very much (IMO) kinder to offer May a dignified and humane death rather than put her through what she needed to face (surgery) if she were to have any quality of life in her future at an old age. I agree there is no excuse for this type of neglect. Passive neglect is abuse, and is probably the most common neglect/abuse seen in pounds and shelters. Sorry for the rant. It frustrates me beyond belife that this sort of thing hapens over and over again and that people who love and adore dogs who help these bugs, are left to pick up the peices. IMO there needs to be a register for tosser owners. If the dog is chipped and suffers neglect it should be recorded.

How they can have definitive proof of what isn't happening is interesting, with only one dog found so far. All I know is council and police do not make statements like these without very, very good reason and proof HW They are probably not giving anything away as they are investigating, though they are giving enough to warn dog owners in the area. I was told 100% by police that the dogs stolen were taken to use as bait for dog fighting and that they are investigating the same. I did ask if it was due to a disgruntled dog hater or some sort of low life neighbour taking things into their own hands and I was told 100% "No, keep your dogs locked up and out of view or keep them with you or inside your house

Yes according to anecdotal statements and a few stats martians from mars may have kidnapped the dogs for an intergalactic fight dog ring. Yes there are other reasons why dogs are stolen. Cruel morons as in your example are more plausible than dog fight rings; bait dogs are not in keeping with the psych of a fighting dog. Say's you! :laugh: Call Hawkesbury Police yourself Lilli, then come back here and sprout you venom. It's not your local area, your dogs are not at risk, why minimise the risk to dogs and owners? esspecially not knowing the facts.

I do not understand why these threads get so off track. Is it the comments by the MP in the OP that have everyone jumping up and down? Regardless, I have spoken with Hawkesbury Police and they have made it very clear this is not a disgruntled dog hater at work on this street/area, nor is it to do with noise complaints or any other possible reason. I fully agree that at times a nasty person living on a street with an axe to grind who resorts to stealing dogs and or baiting/poisoning them is possible and something very much to consider. Hawkesbury Police have made it abundently clear to me as a dog owner in the area, that these dogs have been stolen by dog fighters to use as bait. If you do not belive me then ring Hawkesbury Police yourself. I have no doubt Police are not able to give off too much info, nor would I. The advice is keep your dogs with you, if not make sure they are inside the house. I hope they catch the low life scumbags.

I thought I was pretty clear in comparing myself to the people behind the articles by encouraging people without causing hysteria? If that wasn't clear, then apologies for the misunderstanding. No worries. For the very first time in DOL I am reporting.

Anyway, it is clear "as there is no factual evidence" TO PROVE dogs are NOT being stolen and killed for bait in my local area. So Everything is just fine!!!!!! Lets all just move on :laugh: MP's do NOT make any statements to any press unless there is very good reason. Nor do the Police.

I don't really know what's going on here. I don't need to live in an area to know that there is very little factual evidence given in the articles widely circulated. Nor do I need to live in the area to read the MP's comments that malign specific breeds in said articles. I don't need to live in the area to see these particular approaches as a thinly disguised assault on specific breeds. I also don't need to live in the area to know about the area, nor do I need to live in the area to speak with police about these cases. And I don't need to live in the area to point out all of these things. Figures.

I agree with keeping pets safe (obviously) and reminding people to do that. I don't believe in continuously associating breeds with dog fighting rings that there are no evidence of. Seems ridiculous to me for people to not just jump to conclusions but to also share articles where MP's are quoted as saying Staffies and crossbreeds are vicious and aggressive. You asked what you should do. I said keep your dogs safe. And that by telling you to keep your dogs safe, I didn't need to resort to implying it's because your dogs are going to get ripped limb by limb by 'vicious and aggressive' Staffies. It's a commentary on the articles. Do you LIVE in this area? Do you HONESTY THINK you have any idea at ALL re this local area? The massive land area/ council area/what cops deal with??? I am VERY well aware of the risks and my dogs are always SAFE thank you very much.

The fact that it's misinformation that is circulated at the expense of an already maligned breed? There's a way to educate that doesn't do this and those methods should always be supported above the ones here. Nic.B, keep your dogs safe. There, I encouraged you to do so without calling Staffies and crossbreeds vicious or aggressive, or insinuating that all they're good for is dog fighting rings. you are over the top to say the VERY least. Get over yourself.

I didn't imply they did? I was referring to the article. Yes you did.

Plam B, I have spoken with local police (in my area) and they would like to make it VERY clear, KEEP YOUR DOGS SAFE under current circumstance. Why does breed even come into it? The message is loud and VERY CLEAR.

Quote 'If it helps encourage people to ensure their pets are more securely kept though what's so bad about that? ;)' I have to agree Jade and live in the area recently targeted. What do you suggest PB as a dog owner who may be targeted in my own home area, as posted in the OP?

Yikes!

Here we go. Media beat up. Frankly, I find it hard to not get passionate about someone being bailed up by several large dogs. Hard to imagine a much more terrifying situation. What a shame the man wasn't mauled to death, then maybe it would be worth getting a bit heated and passionate about it, hey? Why don't you try it and see how you fare. Good point but not admissible in Court based on the evidence presented here. It could have been set up. Maybe he hurt his arm somewhere else, knew the dogs, and is stiching someone up to pay the costs. Lol, Now where is the sensationalism?? Seriously leave it alone Hun

This area is not far from me My dogs are always inside if I leave the house, this gives even more reason to be so very careful. I am so sorry for the owners of the dogs stolen and the poor souls already attacked and killed Makes me sick to my stomach.

Here we go. Media beat up. Frankly, I find it hard to not get passionate about someone being bailed up by several large dogs. Hard to imagine a much more terrifying situation. What a shame the man wasn't mauled to death, then maybe it would be worth getting a bit heated and passionate about it, hey? Why don't you try it and see how you fare. Good point but not admissible in Court based on the evidence presented here. It could have been set up. Maybe he hurt his arm somewhere else, knew the dogs, and is stiching someone up to pay the costs. Oh dear....

That makes sense to me. NicB I was the one who initially said it almost looked like the dogs were playing, but I didn't think they were. I dont think Blackjaq meant they were either. Oso's description seems likely though. It was so strange for me to see dogs behaving like this towards a human. I agree Kirslin, OSO has said it so well. It was more the comment about the injuries that disturbed me. An attack, esspecially when dogs are in a pack is hideous. One of my dogs and I were attacked not too long ago. Just as I fended two off the third came in from behind.

This is what you stated. Never mind.

Are you serious BJ ???? Playing??? Where is the roll eye thingy! Are you saying that these dogs who bailed up this guy in the video and inflicted wounds (some or at least one) which required SURGERY is play?? Seriously, you must have a screw loose! and then you state "the pictures of his injuries does not look very serious to me" Then you bang on about sheep in a country area as oposed to four dogs in a suburban area attacking? Feck!!!!!!!!!! What are you on? I for one would like to know!!

Thank YOU so much Stan's Mum A bunch of us were able and willing to help this little girl in different ways, and we did everything we possibly could. I hope that spirit keeps going and going. DD was spot on, I would not have even known about May other than your post SM advocating on May's behalf. I am grateful for your post and (while I had my hopes pinned on being able to offer better news for May) ultimately to have assisted May in running free sooner rather than later does in a way offer some sort of peace. Thank you GillyB Dogmad, you are spot on. There is NO excuse. I have met people who are homeless yet they care for and feed their dogs before themselves. I think our little Miss May will keep us inspired and motivated in doing our best to help other oldies in need

Hi Guys, I met this dear, dear old bug this morning and she most certainly is a special soul who has been incredibly deserving of assesment, also May had such great love and support As always there is a huge amount to consider if we are to ensure good quality of life and meaningful experiences for the rest of this little girls life. I named this little girl 'May', for some reason this name would not leave my mind the entire time. From the moment I stepped into May's pen I knew we were up against it, though as we all do, I thought, one step at a time. May had no vision whatsoever, immediately it was clear she had glaucoma and cateracts in her right eye and as her eyeball has sunken back, entropian was also evident. May's left eye had cateract as well. Despite this her hearing was good and despite no vision at all she was happy to meet me in her bed. May needed gentle cues via voice and lead to walk and relied upon this so that she would not hurt herself by bumping into things, despite this she was good on her feet and responsive. May was happy for me to gently handle her (which is outstanding for a dog with no vision at all and who is also very aged) and for me to pick her up and carry her to the run. May's physical condition was terrible. She has obviously suffered a life of passive neglect for many years, if not her entire life. May was skin and bone, despite eating a special diet very well 3 x daily at HP she has gained no weight. Her coat was very rough and her belly distended. May had a number of mammary tumors, a chain of mammary tumors was also developing. The most concerning issue was pyometra which appeared to be extensive as after urinating (multiple small amounts) May finished with puss and blood. After great thought, discussion and consideration and a combination of such extensive health issues, May's age, her very poor physical condition, invasive and very risky surgery options, extensive recovery time and what she would endure during this time, the decision was made for May to be pts at the shelter this morning. I would just like to say that if for one moment I thought May would have benefited and or enjoyed even 24 hours with me at home I would have scooped her up, bought her home with me and set her up in my bed like a queen. To further unsettle this dear old timer further would have been stressful and put May into a place of even more vulnerabilty with new smells, sounds and a new environment. It would also have been very unfair for May to have stayed any longer at the shelter given such extensive issues. May's death was very quick, respectful and dignified while being nursed and cuddled. May was very at home at HP, sadly HP is probably the best home May has ever experienced though I for one am very glad May found HP and each of us here. May had a warm bed, a safe small area to explore, jammies, a fantastic diet of quale in tiny peices, cooked chicken and rice, soft chewies and snacks. Sorry for the long winded post, though May was such a deserving soul and very worthy of every effort made on her behalf, her story should be shared even though we hoped for more. Oldies are incredibly special and worthy of the most incredible homes to meet their needs. We win some, we loose some. Many oldies have quality of life and will live out their days with every need met with commited owners/rescue. May is one of the unfortunate (thanks to her owners) (who I would like to have words with) though EVERY oldie deserves a chance to be assited and assesed at the very least just has May. KC I am sorry, I would have let you know on the spot if I could have. Shaz from ACDR and Shaz from SLK rescue were also working very hard for May behaind the sceens. Run Free May xxxx Yes!! Good Girl!

I am heading off to meet this little girl, I have decided to take pics and video with my phone and am hoping it will be easy to send through to you KC rather than fluff around with this stupid PC.