i took my boy for a walk to a local field where lots of dogs go last night. He ran on ahead to play with a dog and as i approached i realised it looked very much like a pit bull. A man was waslking her and i asked what breed she was, he said that he bought her as a staffy cross and she was a year old. The man also mentioned he believed as she was getting older and changing, she may be a pit bull. She was gorgeous, really friendly and submissive. I mentioned that pit bulls were illegal, which he said he knew and was worried about. Apparently this bitch has a reoccuring sore on her pad, but he is afraid to take her to the vets incase she is a pit bull and they want to take her. What are the rules for this and where does he stand. I told him to join this forum and seek some advice but he doesnt own a computer, so i am doing it for him. She was so patient with my pup who was biting her tail and all sorts. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as i know nothing about this sprt of thing. Thanks

Hi Stann,

Please encourage this gent to take his dog to the vet for any treatment it may require .  The likeliehood is the vet will see it as the man does himself - a Staff cross ;)  Just advise him to insist that is what it is - if he is even asked - which after all won't necessarily happen!  There are lots of crossbreeds and mongrels around that have a look of a bit of something in them that could be Staff, could be Lab, could be Boxer, could be Bull Mastiff etc etc. and yes, to some die hard worshipper of the DDA they could all be "pit bull types" but I'm sure that there are few such anti-breed vets around. 

If you like your vet and his/her manner with your dog and yourself, why not suggest this man attends your practice and maybe even go with him for moral support?   that's what I'd do anyway.   HTH, regards, Teri :)   

my advice would be that if  the dog is 100% safe(well,not  all dogs are but you get my point) then just plead ignorance.afterall,the owner does  not  even know if it is a pit-bull and with no such proof.there is nothing that can be done(unless the dog was dangerous,which he seems not to be).tell him not to worry,im sure all will go well and if ever asked,just say "oh,yes he does look like a pit bull doesnt he"  and  laugh! lol!

I will tell him when i see him up the field tomorrow, (the dogs have got a play date). Thanks for the advice i'm sure he will be grateful. This guy didnt buy from a reputable place and i am 99% sure it is mainly pitbull but she is soo lovely. It would be a shame to have to have her put to sleep. Thanks again.

Hi again Stann,

Back in the days when "pitbull types" were aplenty my dogs often played with them and there was never an incident ;)  She sounds to have a lovely character and I'm sure the vet will be able to see that for him/her self.  Good luck, hope it works out for the man who owns her - it would be so sad if he's afraid to take her anywhere, particularly for medical treatment.

Please update us if and when you can.  Teri :)

will do. she is lovely, my boy is still small as he is just a baby  and she rolled right over to submit to him. When she came over to say hello to me she sat in front of me with her tail wagging like mad. To be honest with you, i am usually very wary with any bull terrier type as my sister had one years ago that was lovely (i thought) who turned on a jack russel causing a lot of damage, but this one was extremely grateful. I even found myself asking this bloke for training tips. I will let you know what he says tomorrow.

Hi all, saw the gent again tonight, told him what you all said and he said to pass on a big thanks. Apparently, although he didnt say so before, a man had stopped him and read the riot act about dangerous dogs 4 weeks ago to him. You know the type, knows everyones dog better than they do whilst his own terrier type is on a short lead and muzzled due to his aggressiveness. This made the man very wary as he didnt know where he stood. I offered to go with him and he said he wouldnt need me to but was very grateful. Poor guy looked very nervous when he asked if i had posted. Thanks again everyone who answered.