|
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954) (about)
|
Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article978519
No comments yet.
No corrections yet
MOSTLY ABOUT DOGS
I EN DOGS ATTACK HUMAN BEINGS
By SIRIUS
The news from USA recently of a woman's death through - being sav- agely attacked by bull terriers was followed this week by the report of a youth at Caulfield being badly mauled by two members of the same breed. Fortunately, such attacks are extremely rare, for the vicious tem- perament has been practically bred out of these powerful terriers, which for many years were trained to fight ferociously.
It is pleasing to note that with dogs, as with men, strength and gentle- ness are often combined. Leading breeders the world over claim that the bull terrier of today is not a fierce creature like his ancestors of last century. I know a number of bull terrier's which, while maintain- ing the breed's unquenchable spirit, are slow to anger almost to the point of over-patience.
There is always some physical or psychological reason for a dog at- tacking a human being. The un apparent cause would probably earn our sympathy if we were able to view the "offence" from the dog's angle. It is hoped that members of this breed, known as the only ter- rier which never snaps, and to which the word "treacherous" is not applicable, will not suffer for the re- grettable misdemeanours of the
lew.