It has filled me with dismay this week to read about the bull terrier which has attacked various dogs down by the Linear park.

I have spoken to others who walk their dogs down there and we are worried this dog will attack our dogs. I do not think we can truly blame the dog, surely the person who owns it is totally irresponsible?

nobody seems to know whether it is a Staffordshire or English bull terrier but it obviously has not been trained or socialised in a professional manner. All dogs need to be guided on how to behave in  the company of others and this should be done from the start. It is not always a quick and easy process.

It annoys me when idiots own these particular breeds to make themselves look hard and tough.This person is not tough. He is a coward as he has run off leaving the poor victim  and the owner in distress. People like him give these breeds a bad name. 

I owned an English bull for 13 years and she was a fantastic dog, good with children and nervous of other dogs...not the bravest. I have friends and family who own bull terriers and they are wonderful dogs in the right hands.

Any breed of dog can be dangerous in the wrong hands if they are not controlled. I feel sorry for this dog as he is not with a good owner.

I feel even more sorry for the unfortunate individuals who have come across these two and have been distressed by the outcome. It is terrible to see your dog attacked and injured and then to be left with a massive vet bill due to an idiot's incompetence and lack of courage to face up to the people and pay the bill!

I have met some of the dogs injured when I  walk my dogs and they have been well behaved and a pleasure to meet, not a nasty bone in them.

Do us all a favour whoever owns this dog. Take it to a rescue centre that specialises in this particular breed and they will assess it and decide its future. Why should we all have to worry about our dogs being attacked?

Whoever sold this dog is equally guilty. Did you not vet the home or was the money more important? Many breeders refuse to sell  to young men under a certain age. That is a good breeder, of course.

The worrying aspect of this is that the dog will attack a child next. It does not bear thinking about.

– Name and address supplied.