Was it an accident, totally unpredictable? Despite various arguments to the contrary, rottweilers are perceived as potentially dangerous in many countries. Anyone keeping them cannot reasonably claim that they were unaware that the dogs could behave undesirably. And there have been cases in other countries where landowners have been held responsible for injuries sustained by children who managed to break in - the argument being that the onus on keeping intruders out becomes greater as the possible consequences of such an intrusion increase. Having potentially dangerous dogs roaming freely within the enclosure increases the responsibility of the landowner in ensuring that children cannot physically get in. These kids don't seem to have had much difficulty climbing over the fence, and they were clearly totally unaware of the danger that was inside.

No, I don't believe the word "accident" is appropriate. "Misadventure" might be better, and that doesn't exclude the possibility of blame.

The Other Side Of The Pitbull Controversy

On Tuesday we reported on the pitbull related death of 65 year old Edmund Spain. Spain worked as the caretaker of a residence in Tropical Park which belongs to his brother who lives in New York.

The pitbull attack which happened more than two weeks ago, was not reported to the media by the Police press office, and it was not until the relatives of Spain flew in from the states to arrange for his funeral, that police released information about the circumstances which surrounded his death. Spain was buried on Tuesday, and today his family stopped by our studios to say why his death should not go unpunished. Jim McFadzean has their side of the story.

Jim McFadzean, Reporting
The aggrieved family of the late Edmund Spain killed by two pitbulls says now that Spain has been laid to rest, its time for them to devote their energies at making sure those responsible for his death are held to account, and an important start must be that the dogs which killed Spain don't get an opportunity to kill another human being.

Bernard Moore, Brother of Edmund Spain
"Me and my brothers have decided that we are going to look for criminal charges against these family regardless of how far the case is going to go, that's what we are going to do and like I say the ultimate that I hope to come out of this is that the government is aware of these pit bulls, not only the pit bulls that bit my brother but also other pit bulls that I have seen roaming around Belize City plentiful. I've seen a lot of these youths riding around with these pit bulls on leash and these dogs are dangerous. Not even the owners of these dogs control these dogs because I understand that there is something on the brain of these pit bulls that snaps every now and then so hopefully in the long run the government do something about banning these pitbulls and hopefully is doesn't happen to anybody else again after it happen to my brother."

Moore says the nonchalant attitude on the part of the dog's owner demonstrates that he holds the dogs in greater esteem and value than his brother, Edmund Spain.

Bernard Moore
"I look at that young man. I saw him with his sunshade on and with his smirky attitude and his macho behaviour and I said to myself there is something wrong with this young man. If you are going to have two dogs that actually kill a man and you are talking like you are so concerned about your dog instead of concerning about my brother that s the thing that has me real upset."

Moore says any statements by the owners of the dogs that they have reached out to assist the family in any way is untrue.

Leon Lopez, Dogs Owner
"I am tragically sorry for what took place with him. But like I said it's beyond control but I would like to give sympathy out to the family that in whatever we could help and we already assist, we would like to do more."

Bernard Moore
"When I went to the police precinct the officer at the police station in Hattieville told me that this young man told him that I went back there with a confrontational attitude towards him which is a total lie, the next lie the young man told me - he informs me and my wife when we met him he said the dogs were shot by the police officer. He said that the bullet went through the dog by the police officer. The police officer said they shoot in the air and the dog ran away and now the third thing that this young man is saying is that they try to reach out to the family with some kind of financial aid, it's a total lie. I have spoken to him and the young lady and no talk like this came up and we were even kind of little surprise because nobody shows up at the funeral. Nobody even said well let me go and give the family a little card or a little condolence and now it seems like the young man in the media is telling a kind of lies."

Seven News spoke today with Joshua Trapp, the K-9 Instructor hired by Police to provide an evaluation of the dogs which will assist in their investigation. According to him, he has already submitted an official report to the police and the fate of the dogs is now in the hands of the police.

Bernard Moore
"I want to tell him that regardless of his ways and attitude I am going to pursue this case to the fullest extent of the law."

Reporting for Seven News, I'm Jim McFadzean.

http://7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=17133

Lets change this a little and remove the emotional part of a young child being involved.

Lets say it was a couple of bad guys with a gun who were breaking in to do harm and rob the owner the dogs did exactly what they are bred to do and that is Guard and they attacked the 2 guys killing one saving his owner and his owners property.

I bet this thread would be reading differently

Its an absolute tradegy kids were involved but lets not forget the dogs were fenced in and safely locked up and many responsible people get guard dogs to guard there property against trespassers and those who would do you harm.

Rottweilers are great dogs I had one for many years and she was an absolute gem well socialized great with my baby son at the time a perfect dog, but in one case when I had an issue with a couple of guys she turned into Cujo to protect me after that incident she was back to her lovable self and I never saw that side of her again.

Again I have compassion for the situation who does not when kids are involved but you cant blame the dogs here just because it was a young child they would of done it to any instruder that went in there yard.

Unfortunately Peters view is part of the whacked out british MP's mentality that has ruined the UK with complete nutters making the laws and no one having any right to protect there life and property without being prosecuted for it. Some of the storys coming out of the UK are absolutely idiotic on this subject.

Gaz

Totally different scenario

That dog was loose and not fenced in sufficiently the owner is fully responsible for the above case and should be procescuted accordingly.

Gaz

you cant deal with all these dog cases with one swipe of the same brush

I am always saddened by these stories...I have had Rottweilers and pit bulls..mine were sweet beings as these dogs may also be good dogs that acted poorly...the child was wrong to climb the fence...but he is dead..he has family in sorrow...their is know one to answer for this crime...perhaps the dogs should be put down....its a very tough call ...good God I have rescue dogs..cats..birds in my home continuously...but their needs to big a big consequence for the loss of a childs life..whether it was right or wrong....on the dogs side... I am sure the dogs owner is also devastated over all of this........

I'm going to refrain from a very tempting personal comment. The fact is that this person kept dogs we have reason to believe he knew were dangerous. Knowing that kids might try to climb the fence he did nothing effective to stop them, and we know the result. Is he not culpable? The alternative certainly isn't very attractive.

Good idea Peter to keep personal comments to yourself.

As far as your other comments yes people keep guard dogs to guard I am not sure he thought kids would jump over the fence with 2 Rotties on guard. I believe as a responsible owner he had secured the dogs if anyone goes over the fence then unfortunately the dogs will do what they were bought to do and that is guard there property and owner.

Unfortunately in this case it was a child which was tragic for all involved.

So what should he of done more than secure his dogs in his own property, ? Put broken glass shards on the wall to stop people from climbing over the wall

We know what happens in the UK when you do that, You get prosecuted for the burgular cutting his hands on the glass as he tries to get over your fence into your property to burgle you.

Gaz

I know is totally different scenario, just put all the dog issue in this topic. I may not agree all of you guys ideas, but I defending your opinions!
actually, there is nothing wrong with the dog's behavior, except 10% of dark side beyond our control, but I do care the dog owner's attitude and responsibility...