Should people who live in flats be allowed dogs ?

[mr_cellophane]

Especially one that can get to be 10 stone of muscle. What was the rescue centre thinking by letting them have such a dog in a flat with a small child.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-24831570

 

[Tommy2]

The only problem I can see with it is that you say it was from a rescue centre.
Being in a flat (as long as it gets plenty of exercise like any dog should) and being a big dog around a small child are not a problem.

 

[martint235]

I don't think we know enough about what happened yet. There seems to be photographic evidence that child and dog got along well but maybe something happened to freak the dog. As I say, we know very little about what occurred and at this stage blaming dog or owner or rescue centre in what is a very tragic situation seems wrong.

 

[robjh]

There are certain people who shouldn't have certain dogs in certain situations, but you can't generalise to 'no people in flats should have dogs'. There are plenty of people, both here and in other countries where living in flats is the urban norm regardless of income, who get on perfectly well and happily living in a flat with a pet dog.

 

[swee'pea99]

I don't think we know enough about what happened yet. There seems to be photographic evidence that child and dog got along well but maybe something happened to freak the dog. As I say, we know very little about what occurred and at this stage blaming dog or owner or rescue centre in what is a very tragic situation seems wrong.

Indeed, though there is at the least a case to answer. There's no reason why people in flats shouldn't have dogs, as such, but I would question whether a dog like a French Mastiff, 'rescued' (from what? - largely unknown, in many cases), and therefore with an uncertain mental makeup, should really be allowed to become the pet of a family with a young child. Young children are capable of stupid, even cruel, behaviour; a French Mastiff - even a well-balanced one - is not the kind of breed to take any such thing lying down. Rescue centres should be alert to such issues, and if they're not, they shouldn't be in the business.

 

[steve52]

to answer the question if its a flat provided for them, no. if its one they bought themselves, its up to them as long as they dont cause a nusance. if its provided for them and paid for by us deff not

 

[martint235]

to answer the question if its a flat provided for them, no. if its one they bought themselves, its up to them as long as they dont cause a nusance. if its provided for them and paid for by us deff not

So people who have flats provided for them are not allowed to keep pets? This could have an impact on some people suffering from severe depression et al where it's accepted that having a pet can be very therapeutic.

 

[swee'pea99]

to answer the question if its a flat provided for them, no. if its one they bought themselves, its up to them as long as they dont cause a nusance. if its provided for them and paid for by us deff not

FTFY

 

[User6179]

Flat ?, I do not think it matters whether it is a flat or a house IMO unless you have a big dog and small child and are looking to pass the blame here , a large dog and a small child should never be left alone or be playing with each other regardless of where they live.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

to answer the question if its a flat provided for them, no. if its one they bought themselves, its up to them as long as they dont cause a nusance. if its provided for them and paid for by us deff not

Why on earth would ownership of a flat confer this extra right on the owner?

 

[Saluki]

I now live in a flat and have 4 dogs, 2 of whom are very elderly, who are well exercised and very happy. Working, as I do, with dogs, I see plenty of dogs living in houses with tiny gardens, who don't get nearly enough exercise.
The type of home has no bearing really on whether or not the dog is in a good home. Be it house, flat - or in our case caravan. Our dogs are happy and healthy, well exercised and well trained. It doesn't matter what type of abode people live in if they won't exercise their pet properly.

If I hadn't been allowed to keep my dogs I would have not taken the flat. I would have lived in my car or in a shop doorway before I parted with my Millie dog

 

[asterix]

People make the mistake of believing dogs have the same code of conduct as human beings which of course they don't. They are animals, trained, maybe but still with the instinct of their species which may well over-ride any training in certain circumstances.

No way would I agree that a large dog should share limited space with a small child. As for the 'rescue centre' I know that these are of varying quality and many just wish to get shot of the dogs that they 'rescue'.

 

[snapper_37]

Young children are capable of stupid, even cruel, behaviour.

True but from what I've read about the incident (early days blah blah blah), the kid was being comforted by the mother in their 'shared bed'. Sounds like one very jealous dog. Rescue dogs do seem to be a lot more possessive over toys, food, people etc, IME.

None of the rescue centres I've ever used would allow a dog that size to go to a flat and all did home visits.

Tragic.

 

[Bryony]

I live in a flat and I personally wouldn't have a dog (would love one) there just isn't the room it feels surprisingly cramped at times with 2 cats chasing each other in it! The lady in the flat next door has a GSD and an Akita she has mobility probs and hardly takes the dogs out and I really think she shouldn't have them plus were only allowed 1 dog in the flats, but she lives on her own so they are her company.

I think the rescue centre are partly to blame rehoming a dog that size with a small child. Rescue dogs can have behavioural problems from being mistreated. I had a Bassett hound that was rescued and mostly he was very loving but occasionally he would go for you, he never broke the skin but we never risked it when people came round he was always put in his cage.

I have nothing against French mastiffs my friend has 2 and they are lovely but I really don't think the rescue centre should have homed him with a family with a small child, children can sometimes get carried away pulling dogs about which can provoke a dog to attack. I sometimes have to remind my step daughters to be gentle with the cats because they try and pick them up and sometimes end up squeezing them etc, luckily they are quite laid back and have never scratched or bitten them.

 

[Beebo]

The Police have said the dog was not the french Mastiff in the photographs. It was another "pitbull" like dog?