A WOOD GREEN animal charity has launched a campaign to highlight the mistreatment of Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

A WOOD GREEN animal charity has launched a campaign to highlight the mistreatment of Staffordshire Bull Terriers.



The Wood Green Animal Shelter in Lordship Lane is appealing to the public to consider taking in one of the dogs when thinking of having a pet after they found many to be used as weapons or abused.

The charity said that last year, 13 per cent of the 2,140 dogs it took in were Staffies, with many underweight, pregnant or having injuries inflicted by owners or other dogs.

Head of animal welfare Shelley Wooding said: “Sadly in recent years the Staffie´s perceived physical similarities with Pit Bulls mean people are often wrongly frightened of Staffies.

“Some are mistreated and taught aggressive behaviour so they can be used as status dogs and as an alternative to weapons including knives and guns.

“The demand for this intimidating fashion trend means Staffies are being born to breed.

“Rehoming centres like Wood Green are seeing significant increases in the numbers of Staffies coming through their doors and too many Staffies are being destroyed across the country because there is nowhere for them to go.”

She added that a recent survey by the charity showed that 31 per cent of people would not consider a Staffie as a pet because of their perceived danger and unpredictability.

A petition – backed by the North London Times and Independent Series – was handed to Prime Minister David Cameron last month, calling for stiffer penalties for owners of banned dogs and swifter justice in attack cases.

The Haringey Independent thinks the Government should focus its efforts on ending the culture of dogs being used a weapons, and we insist more needs to be done to tackle irresponsible ownership of dogs and to eradicate cruelty to these animals.

Figures show 43 per cent of Londoners are worried about the problems of dangerous and out-of-control dogs in local parks, and more than 1,000 dogs were seized by the Met in 2010.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has called for sentencing for owners of dangerous dogs to be in line with punishments for people caught with a knife.

The Wood Green Animal Shelter has launched a questionnaire about Staffies. Click here to take part.