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Oliver! dog is hurt in attack
Danny Brierley07.05.09
THE dog that plays Bullseye in the West End production of Oliver! has been attacked by two Staffordshire bull terriers. The dog, another Staffordshire called Bodger, was being walked by Heather Diggins in Sutton.
Mrs Diggins, 49, said: "I was crying for help and trying to push them off with my foot. They were extremely aggressive but luckily Bodger is a pleasant dog and did not retaliate.
"It could have been a lot worse, I fear what could have happened if I was walking with my children."
Bodger is appearing alongside Rowan Atkinson, who plays Fagin, and has his own dressing room. He did not require stitches after the attack, in which he suffered small puncture wounds, and is recovering at home.
Reader views (6)
The fact is Staffordshire Bull Terriers have the ability to cause a great deal of damage to both people and other animals and any parent or grandparent should take great care and never leave "any" dog alone with a child.
- Mike M, Bedford England
Oh dear oh dear ... say staff and the chav label is very close behind. Is this doggist??
For the record the dog in Dickens Oliver is an ENGLISH bull terrier not a staff.
Next thing to make clear is that staffs ARE dog aggressive i.e. they invariably seek alpha status when around other dogs. They are not inclined to be aggressive to humans unless provoked and are not generally aggressive/suspicious of people in the way that guarding breeds are (rotties, Alsatians etc) so can be trusted with kids (as much as any dog should be).
The best way to avoid problems is for all dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead / under very close watch when out in public. If two dogs are on leads the cannot fight or each other or bite people.
If your dog is attacked NEVER get in between ALWAYS approach from the rear. The best no risk way to split fighting dogs up is a short blast from a rape alarm, may seem a little extreme but much better than a visit to A & E and the trauma that goes with it
- Jason, Oxhey
To Real of london,you dont know what you are talking about,I have a staffie bitch and have had her for nearly 8yrs,we got her as a 6 wk old puppy.She has never attacked another dog.She lived with our german shephard for the first 6yrs of her life,until we had to have our shephard put down due to old age (15yrs) she now lives with our heinz 57 variety (mongrel) and they get on great together.Also my son has a staffie pup of 9 months she also plays with my dogs and they are great friends.It's the owners fault if a dog turns bad,a vicious puppy doesn't exist,it's how you bring your dog up that makes them what they are.Any dog can turn out vicious,no matter what breed.Staffies make great pets,I also have 5 grand-children rangeing from 12yrs-23mths and they are all fine with my dogs.Dont blame the dog blame the owners.
- Gloria, essex , united kingdom
Anyone that owns a staffordshire bull terrier realises they are an extremly loving, loyal dog which is exceptionally good with children. traditionally known as 'nanny dogs'. unfortunately they have been turned into this symbol by little cowards who use them as a status symbol. its unfair to tarnish responsible staffy owners with the same tag..........................
- Jonny, London
Staffy's are horrible hefty aggressive dominant dogs (unlike American Pitbulls) who were ONLY historically bred for fighting other dogs. My own dog has been attacked twice by a Staffy and I got bitten pulling them apart and I have seen them attack / kill other dogs. I think they should be banned as opposed to Pitbulls. For anyone who has a dog, I have been told by a dog trainer the best thing to do is carry a bottle of water with a small amount of lemon juice in it - if the dogs 'lock on' to each other, pour it in their eyes, the other thing is to find a twig and stick it where the sun don't shine. This will make the attacking dominant dog feel disadvantaged and it will withdraw.
- Real, London
Ah, the good old Staff, the choice of dog for brainless chavs who aren't fit to own dogs. All dogs are potential weapons, it's just morons who use them as status symbols/weapons who are the problem.
- Bob, Cheam
