Ian Robb of Help for Abandoned Animals, Arbroath with Rottweiler Butch
The vice-chairman of a local charity for abandoned dogs has urged the public not to over-react and abandon their pets in the wake of recent dog attacks.
Ian Robb of Help for Abandoned Animals in Arbroath has taken in a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a Rottweiler in the last week. Both animals were found in Forfar.
He suspects the dogs were dumped by their owners following recent media reports of maulings by the powerful breeds, such as the one on Dundee schoolgirl Rhianna Kidd, and noted that following dog attacks instances of the breed responsible being abandoned increase.
He said: “Every time something comes up in the news about a dog attacking a child, or whatever, that type of breed starts to get abandoned.
“People panic after seeing that their type of breed has attacked a child and they decide they don’t want to risk keeping it.
“It’s worrying that people will pay hundreds of pounds for a puppy and then just dump it later on”
One of Ian’s latest charges, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Bruno by the centre, was left by his owner in a police station. The man told staff there that he was unable to keep the dog as it was ‘vicious’.
This is a description that is the opposite of Ian’s experience with him: “When he’s quiet he’s so good, he’s just a brilliant dog.”
The shelter has also taken in Butch, a Rottweiler with an excellent temperament. While Ian feels the dog could do with putting on a few pounds, he doesn’t feel he has been mistreated and is impressed with his nature and obedience; “He’s just a big softy, just a big baby really. He just wants to be with you.”
Butch is microchipped but the owners no longer live at the Borders address contained on the database and the phone number has been disconnected.
Ian also worries that the trend of abandoning dogs with image problems is not a new one: “Three years ago when staffies were at their premium and everybody was having them, we got 54 in one year.
“But there’s not a bad puppy born, it’s how people bring them up and if they want to teach them to be vicious it’s so simple to do.”
Both dogs are now eligible for rehoming but the charity prefers to place dogs with people who have experience of that particular breed.
Help for Abandoned Animals is a voluntary organisation which works in conjunction with Angus Council to rehome unclaimed strays. They handle between 60 and 150 dogs every year. The charity can be contacted on 01241 878888.
