Reverting to type over dog incidents (From Bournemouth Echo)

Reverting to type over dog incidents

9:00am Friday 10th July 2009

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Can someone explain to me why the media often refer to Staffordshire bull terrier “type” dogs when reporting an attack on another dog or person?

What is a Staffordshire bull terrier type? There are pedigree Staffordshire bull terriers and there are mongrels.

Pure bred Staffies brought up with responsible owners do not randomly attack as a rule.

They generally adore children and people and are recommended as ‘nanny’ dogs by the kennel club.

As far as other dogs are concerned they generally only fight back when attacked.

Sue Guest, address supplied

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  Police descriptions of incidents involving dogs which are then reported by the media may refer to “Staffordshire bull terrier type” dogs in the same way that they may describe a van as a “Ford Transit type”. This is often because it is impossible to be more precise based on initial witness reports.
  
  

– Letters Editor

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