This week there has been much debate about the way that guns and gun crime have got out of control. Downing Street held a gun summit and David Cameron said hug a hoodie because, at the end of the day, love is all you need. Of course, gun crime is no laughing matter, particularly South London where it just seems tragedy follows tragedy follows tragedy. This follows on from the news that the UK is one of the worst places to bring up a child. Anyone who's seen Kidulthood, will know how thoroughly depressing but correct this assertion is!
The thing is, when are the politicians going to realise that guns are just the symptom of what's really going on. I stayed with my favourite dog sitter last year - based in South London - and let me tell you I was scared. And I am not easily scared. Gangs of young guys hang around the park with their scary dogs. With scary dogs come knives, guns, drugs and everything else. You don't need to be Einstein to work it out, you just have to see it to believe it and, sadly, the Whitehall mandarins and most MPs really don't have a clue. Of course, it doesn’t help that we have a Prime Minister who does just what he likes and basically sticks up two fingers to the rest of us if we don’t agree with him.....
Just today, news reaches me that a staffie (Staffordshire Bull Terrier) was stolen from a house in Peckham- at gunpoint. AT GUNPOINT!
And another story grabbing the headlines is the BMJ's latest story (British Medical Journal, in case you weren't sure) for dogs to be given "Dogbos" ie asbos for dogs. According to leading paediatrician, Rachel Besser, if dog owners don't get their act together, dogs should be banned altogether. Well, I see where she's coming from but try telling that to the hundreds if not thousands of people who benefit from dogs - guide dogs, hearing dogs for the deaf, dogs for the disabled, search and rescue dogs, sniffer dogs, police dogs ...I could go on.
The problem is that dog bite numbers have increased, despite a decrease in dog ownership.
Here's some of what Dr Besser has said: "It is clear that the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act does not work. For a start, it does not cover the majority of bites that occur in the family home, and only 764 people were prosecuted under the act in 2005.
"Also, all dogs bite, not just the four breeds prohibited under the act. One study showed that the most common dog bites were from Staffordshire bull terriers, Jack Russell terriers, medium sized mongrels, and Alsatians.
"Doctors, vets, and schools need to work together to research, educate, and advise legislators to prevent dog attacks in the future.
"I would like to see vets advising all dog owners about bite prevention, and doctors have a part to play in promoting bite prevention when treating patients who have been bitten by dogs.
"Ultimately perhaps the only way to stop dog bites will be to ban dogs. In the meantime I suggest a Department of Health campaign for next Christmas: 'Just ask for a goldfish.'"
Well, here's my suggestion; how about tackling the problem at source? Why is no one looking at how these anti-social people are getting their hands on guns, knives and "devil dogs"? (As well as why, of course, but for a politician looking for quick headlines, long-term solutions are not an instant vote winner.) If you managed to sort out the issue of supply, you would, at least, be making a start. Just look at any internet site for a "devil dog" of your choice and I can guarantee you will find a whole lot more. In fact, you could get your whole gang kitted out in whatever they need.
Woof Woof
Kudos from Canada! You have the same problem in the UK as we do in Ontario; politicians who refuse to attack the true root of the problem, instead making responsible dog owners into second class citizens and killing unoffending dogs because of their shape. Add to that the media, who print anything that sells, and the AR freaks who want to outlaw companion animal ownership. Pet owners, regardless of species, must band together before they lose the right to their companion of choice.
Posted by: Dianne | February 24, 2007 at 01:53 AM