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The dogs dumped for not fighting

8:06am Wednesday 30th April 2008

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ANIMAL rescuers say Staffordshire bull terriers are being abandoned because their loutish owners want them to be more violent.

In the past two weeks, at least 15 have been found across Basildon and Thurrock, the most recent on the hard shoulder of the A13 at Stanford-le-Hope.

Michael Knight, co-owner of Gemini Kennels in Wickford, believes so many of the breed are being dumped because men who buy them quickly get bored when they find they don't fight like pitbulls.

He said Staffordshire bull terriers were often wrongly labelled "yob dogs".

Although they are lively, they are generally not aggressive and are very affectionate. Mr Knight said: "Unprecedented numbers of these dogs are unfairly being thrown out by their owners.

"When people realise they aren't going to get what they want from the dog, they just dump them. These people disgust me."

He added: "Staffies are not like pitbulls. They are really lovely dogs, although they are often portrayed as vicious.

"Out of the 15 we have here, none is aggressive and none has been involved in fighting."

Experts say the number of Staffordshire bull terriers abandoned rose nationally after pitbulls, with which they can be confused, were banned under the Dangerous Dog Act.

Mr Knight said: "Whenever there's media coverage of a pitbull mauling a child, we usually see a rise in the number of staffies being discarded.

"But lately it has been phenomenal.

"They don't deserve this treatment."

Mr Knight said the dogs will make great pets for the right owner who can give them plenty of stimulation.

  • Anyone interested in giving one of the dogs a home should call the kennels on 01268 725825.

Your Say YourEcho

piano hinges, says...
9:11am Wed 30 Apr 08

Sickening. What kind of people can be this cruel to animals?

jimbo, billericay says...
9:36am Wed 30 Apr 08

Shoot the b@stards!

(and I don't mean the dogs)

undertaker, crays hill says...
9:39am Wed 30 Apr 08

piano hinges wrote:
Sickening. What kind of people can be this cruel to animals?
The knuckle dragging moronic kind who think it is clever to own a dangerous dog.
They should be banned from owning animals for life, and if they break the order have there knackers put in a vice and given one turn every time they breach the order, as that is normally where their brains are,(if any at all).

undertaker, crays hill says...
9:56am Wed 30 Apr 08

A young man was delighted to finally be asked home to meet the parents of the young woman he'd been seeing for some time. He was quite nervous about the meeting, though, and by the time he arrived punctually at the doorstep he was in a state of gastric distress.

The problem developed into one of acute flatulence, and halfway through the dinner the young man realized he couldn't hold it in one second longer without exploding. A tiny fart escaped.

"SPOT!" called out the young woman's mother to the family dog, lying at the young man's feet.

Relieved at the dog's having been blamed, the young man let another, slightly larger one go. "Spot!" she called out sharply. "I've got it made," thought the fellow to himself. One more and I'll feel fine. So he let loose a really big one.

"Spot!" shrieked the mother. "Get over here before he sh1ts on you!"


Trunkymunghound, Essex says...
10:29am Wed 30 Apr 08

Giving your age away there eh mister undertaker?

Yes he old one's are the best(but not this old gag)

Laugh? - I nearly did.

Abandoned dogs are a serious issue.

Don't own a Staff do ya?

Idiot

Peter Pantsless, Southend-on-Sea says...
11:07am Wed 30 Apr 08

99.9 percent of these dogs are owned by council house (complete with old matress in front garden)living, DSS Benefit dole-bludgers who drive around in either scoobies or an old bimma.
Lets no forget the compulsory Baseball cap and 17 year old chick (Jewelry by Elizabeth Duke)pushing a double pushchair with the twins on board by his side whilst he struggles with the dog on a lead in one hand and the can of stella in the other!

Basically Cluny Square and Kursal Estate types!

Margaret Stoll, Rochford says...
11:13am Wed 30 Apr 08

Peter Pantsless wrote:
<b> 99.9 percent of these dogs are owned by council house (complete with old matress in front garden)living, DSS Benefit dole-bludgers who drive around in either scoobies or an old bimma.
Lets no forget the compulsory Baseball cap and 17 year old chick (Jewelry by Elizabeth Duke)pushing a double pushchair with the twins on board by his side whilst he struggles with the dog on a lead in one hand and the can of stella in the other!

Basically Cluny Square and Kursal Estate types!</b>
Wonderful! Do you think you can possibly get any more stereotypes into this paragraph?

I was talking to my granddaughter yesterday - she lives in a council flat on an estate in the north of England, has lived there for a year now and doesn't fit any of those stereotypes! Although, she says, her neighbours don't understand why she's not around during the day, because she's at work....

stand up, southend says...
11:14am Wed 30 Apr 08

they are lovely dogs, very good with children and have immense energy, these dogs are like simple minded children, with alot of personality, to just dump a dog on the side of the road is an absolute disgrace, if u feel u dont want the dog for whatever reason, have the human decency to find a new home for it u pigs!!

Margaret Stoll, Rochford says...
11:20am Wed 30 Apr 08

stand up wrote:
<b> they are lovely dogs, very good with children and have immense energy, these dogs are like simple minded children, with alot of personality, to just dump a dog on the side of the road is an absolute disgrace, if u feel u dont want the dog for whatever reason, have the human decency to find a new home for it u pigs!!</b>
That's the problem, isn't it - they have a lot of energy. Any dog needs attention, an outlet for its energy, also any pet at all costs money if it's going to be cared for properly. Feeding, grooming, vets' bills, pet insurance, micro-chipping - it ain't cheap.

The Vicar, Basildon says...
11:53am Wed 30 Apr 08

Peter Pantsless wrote:
99.9 percent of these dogs are owned by council house (complete with old matress in front garden)living, DSS Benefit dole-bludgers who drive around in either scoobies or an old bimma. Lets no forget the compulsory Baseball cap and 17 year old chick (Jewelry by Elizabeth Duke)pushing a double pushchair with the twins on board by his side whilst he struggles with the dog on a lead in one hand and the can of stella in the other! Basically Cluny Square and Kursal Estate types!
I'd say Peter was pretty spot on.

Just add Craylands, Felmores and 99% of Laindon to the list.

vik, basidlon says...
2:51pm Wed 30 Apr 08

nice to see a good article about staffys makes a change. How anyone could get rid of these lovely, sopper dogs i dont know. I have 2 already and if i could i would have more!

pit bull, bas says...
5:09pm Wed 30 Apr 08

Peter Pantsless wrote:
99.9 percent of these dogs are owned by council house (complete with old matress in front garden)living, DSS Benefit dole-bludgers who drive around in either scoobies or an old bimma.
Lets no forget the compulsory Baseball cap and 17 year old chick (Jewelry by Elizabeth Duke)pushing a double pushchair with the twins on board by his side whilst he struggles with the dog on a lead in one hand and the can of stella in the other!

Basically Cluny Square and Kursal Estate types!
id say the bloke talks b0ll0ks.i have my own home,earn good money,also wife earns and we have two of the little lovelys.not everyone has them to feel hard.

Kim Gandy, Rayleigh says...
5:20pm Wed 30 Apr 08

Great subject for Jeremy Kyle. "I dumped my pregnant Staff. I want a DNA Test".

undertaker, crays hill says...
5:23pm Wed 30 Apr 08

Trunkymunghound wrote:
Giving your age away there eh mister undertaker? Yes he old one's are the best(but not this old gag) Laugh? - I nearly did. Abandoned dogs are a serious issue. Don't own a Staff do ya? Idiot
Read my first post pr1ck.

evilc, essex says...
6:54pm Wed 30 Apr 08

These dogs are very tough!

Even in a well stewed curry they can still be tough.

www.alfieslostdos.co m, Kent says...
8:25pm Wed 30 Apr 08

As PR adviser for www.alfieslostdogs.c
om and as an owner of Staffordshire Bull Terriers myself, I hope the people that have done this are reading this article and feel totally ashamed of their actions towards these poor little dogs that are now beinmg hekld in kennels where eventually if not found homes will almost certainly be ut sleep. I hope these peole are named and shamed eventually and stopped from ever doing this again to a dog who is one of the best and most loyal breeds in the right hands of course

dave, southend says...
9:20pm Wed 30 Apr 08

undertaker wrote:
A young man was delighted to finally be asked home to meet the parents of the young woman he'd been seeing for some time. He was quite nervous about the meeting, though, and by the time he arrived punctually at the doorstep he was in a state of gastric distress. The problem developed into one of acute flatulence, and halfway through the dinner the young man realized he couldn't hold it in one second longer without exploding. A tiny fart escaped. "SPOT!" called out the young woman's mother to the family dog, lying at the young man's feet. Relieved at the dog's having been blamed, the young man let another, slightly larger one go. "Spot!" she called out sharply. "I've got it made," thought the fellow to himself. One more and I'll feel fine. So he let loose a really big one. "Spot!" shrieked the mother. "Get over here before he sh1ts on you!"
thats a cracker mate me and the wife have been in stitches

www.alfieslostdogs.c om, kent formerly essex says...
10:43pm Wed 30 Apr 08

i am going to see if i can give one of these poor little babies a forever home. I cannot believe in this world a so called nation of animal lovers some people can be so bloody heartless as to dump these poor animals beside a busy road where they could so easily been killed.I usrge anyone with a stolen staffy to check the dogs out that have been found the past 15 days to see if it their baby .Yes i do have a dog that is missing after being stolen from my home in 2006 , So i will be visiting and checking for myself asap

evilc, essex says...
10:57pm Wed 30 Apr 08

Try one in a staffi stew!!

jenni, Kent says...
11:08pm Wed 30 Apr 08

u are one sick minded individual are u one who abandoned one of these dogs

justine. founder of www.alfieslostdogs.c om, kent says...
11:13pm Wed 30 Apr 08

I recently had the pleasure of caring for a young staffie in my home, I was dubiouse before the dog came to stay with me as I have old dogs and small dogs. This staffie took my heart, I loved having him with me and I will just say that my own personel view about this MIS UNDERSTOOD BREED is so very very wrong. It's the hand that leads them that are to blame and not the dogs themselves. This is why we have the dangerouse dogs act inforce, however this should be for the cruel,angry yobs that take this breed and use them and abuse them. Staffies need a second chance. Justine

justine, kent says...
11:19pm Wed 30 Apr 08

please take a look at www.alfieslostdogs.c
om we have many lost staffies on our site, we also have a member who rescues and re homes staffies on site.

midnight warrier, wickford says...
12:02am Thu 1 May 08

If you have lost a dog come down to Hovefields. There are loads of them wandering around. They are stolen to order it would appear by the posters that are put up offering large sums of money for their return.

Every dog deserves a loving and caring home. These people are scum and if you believe in what goes round comes round then hopefully they will get what they deserve one day.

Happy Chappy, Basil on the Don says...
8:15am Thu 1 May 08

piano hinges wrote:
Sickening. What kind of people can be this cruel to animals?
Usually drug dealers who want the dogs to guard their stash.

Not your average pet owner.


stikkki, birmingham says...
1:02pm Thu 1 May 08

Peter Pantsless wrote:
99.9 percent of these dogs are owned by council house (complete with old matress in front garden)living, DSS Benefit dole-bludgers who drive around in either scoobies or an old bimma.
Lets no forget the compulsory Baseball cap and 17 year old chick (Jewelry by Elizabeth Duke)pushing a double pushchair with the twins on board by his side whilst he struggles with the dog on a lead in one hand and the can of stella in the other!

Basically Cluny Square and Kursal Estate types!
im sorry but if this is your view then your allowed it but you couldnt be any further from the truth, the people you describe are in the minority of staffy owners and your description of a staffy owner is based upon lack of knowledge on this breed. i am the owner of 2 staffys and am a meber on a staffy forum and i personally arent a council estate dole scrounger and neither is my partner, who incidentally is a dog behaviourist and an animal welfare worker. its idiotic comments like yours that get this breed, who are a loyal and loving companion who are 1 of only a couple of breeds RECOMMENDED by the Kennel Club to be great with children. so maybe you should find out more about the breed and the kind of people who own them before you suggest that 99.9% of staffy owners are chavs

manmythlegend, Pitsea says...
2:21pm Thu 1 May 08

Staffies are nice dogs and good with kids especially. But there is a bigger dog cruelty case right on your own doorsteps. Dobe Farm (also known as Hollies Hounds and other monikers)in Runwell. I know two people who bought dogs from this woman that were sick with nervous demeanours. She has had the BBC onto her, Essex County Council but hands are always tied by red tape. Type Dobe Farm on Google and see yourself. It is owned by a woman called Loretta who ships these dogs in from Irish puppy farms. In Ireland they have no animal rights so you can imagine the state of these canines of all different breeds including canines. She advertises in the local papers like the ECHO, would you believe

Always check any dog you are buying is not originating from this place. It is sickening that this woman is allowed to trade with a pet shop licence!

Maggie, West Yorkshire says...
6:18pm Thu 1 May 08

I have been working with a rescue in the North West for a couple of years now and the abandoned Staffy problem is now horrendous. Up to date we have managed to find places for every one but we may not be able to do this much longer.

I took in one of these dogs, she had been used as a breeding **** by a back yard breeder who kicked her out when she needed help. She had made a lot of money for them but this rescue picked up the vet bill.

I have 5 other dogs, all various breeds, all rescue, and she fitted in as if she was born here. She is the best behaved dog I have ever taken on, good with humans and other dogs but people cross the road when they see her. If I put a pink coat on her, they think she is cute.

It is the back yard breeders and puppy farms that have flooded this country with puppies, it is too easy to get them and too easy to get rid of them.

We are living in a throw away society.

Anyone can teach a dog to be aggressive and any dog can become aggressive but it is the Bull breeds that get the blame for idiotic owners.

trouble, romford says...
8:18pm Thu 1 May 08

Peter Pantsless wrote:
99.9 percent of these dogs are owned by council house (complete with old matress in front garden)living, DSS Benefit dole-bludgers who drive around in either scoobies or an old bimma. Lets no forget the compulsory Baseball cap and 17 year old chick (Jewelry by Elizabeth Duke)pushing a double pushchair with the twins on board by his side whilst he struggles with the dog on a lead in one hand and the can of stella in the other! Basically Cluny Square and Kursal Estate types!
Actually they're not, most are owned by loving caring families who love their gentle way with their kids. They're known as the nanny dog because of their affinity with children. I like many others take them in as rescues clearing up after their original owners couldn't cope. They really don't need you or any other ignoramus bad mouthing them, they already have an undeserved bad reputation. Go educate yourself.

Meow, says...
8:03am Fri 2 May 08

Speaking as a cat.

I'd gas all dogs and their owners.

emm, uk says...
10:36pm Tue 6 May 08

"when they find they don't fight like pitbulls."

oh and what do they fight like?

"He added: "Staffies are not like pitbulls. They are really lovely dogs"

oh and pitbulls are evil devil dogs?

honestly you complain about people stereotyping staffs, and then you turn round and do the exact thing to pits.

Barry, Rochford says...
4:42pm Tue 8 Jul 08

pit bull wrote:
Peter Pantsless wrote: 99.9 percent of these dogs are owned by council house (complete with old matress in front garden)living, DSS Benefit dole-bludgers who drive around in either scoobies or an old bimma. Lets no forget the compulsory Baseball cap and 17 year old chick (Jewelry by Elizabeth Duke)pushing a double pushchair with the twins on board by his side whilst he struggles with the dog on a lead in one hand and the can of stella in the other! Basically Cluny Square and Kursal Estate types!
id say the bloke talks b0ll0ks.i have my own home,earn good money,also wife earns and we have two of the little lovelys.not everyone has them to feel hard.
i agree exactly i have a staffie, and everyone down my road loves him as his so affectionate he walks around smiling at everyone waggling his tail, and its people like you stereotyping thats giving these lovable dogs a bad name. there probably the most popular dg in this country. 5th top dog just on the kennel club so that sures a huge majority of staffies are owned by decent people who do care about them like anyone else with any other dog. its sad whats happening to these dogs and there should be more kennels just for staffies i wish i could open up a loud myself.

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