This is a subject that never fails to annoy me.

Although I have never had a dog (i've always kept cats), I know quite a lot of people with dogs. They are very intelligant animals, and just like humans, if they are treated with respect, love and correct discepline (making them know what they've done wrong and acting about it in a humane way), make great pets. Of course some breeds are bred for fighting (eg. Bull Terriers) or hunting, however at the same time these so-called "dangerous" breeds you see all over newspaper articles, if treated correctly, are lovely companions. I know many Rottweilers who are the bigget, dopiest, loveliest things in the world. The way I see it, anything with teeth has the potential to bite.

A really big problem with dog attacks, at least in this country, and likely America too, is that people see dogs as status symbols rather than furry companions. In England, particularly in Inner City council estates of large cities, there are rough communities who often keep Staffordshire Bull Terriers as status symbols. Theres been numerous counts of them attacking people, being abused, and a few years ago one was thrown out of one of the high levels of a block of flats by it's owner. It's infuriating how dogs are fearful of humans through the neglect of their owners.

The second point many of you have already covered, which is about people teasing dogs, which act in defence and then attack the human, and the dog gets the penalty. This again is disguting, and proof of how human ignorance and poor behaviour is often overlooked, and that if a person had been hurt, scarcely or severely, that it is always the attacker's fault in the eyes of law.

Dogs have been known to change personality and become aggressive after illness or having a litter of pups. This is most likely instinct since weak members of wild dog packs are often killed by the rest of the group. Very little can be done about it except for either living on life if it is still safe, or if the dog is actually agressive/ children are around, putting it down. Although sad, it is a just cause of action, and really cannot be helped as it hasn't come from human ignorance.

Overall, I do find it sad that an animal often suffers through the stupidity of humans, whether it be a neglected pet, or a loved pet that has been teased by an idiot and defended itself. I really wish that the law would take a deeper look into these cases rather than typically siding with the victim, regardless whether they were right or wrong.