"Killer" the American Pitbull

I have just finished shopping with my kids. We went out to buy some ingredients for James' birthday cake and here was me juggling two kids when we had a run in with what can only be described as a bogan. Be forewarned, there's going to be some pretty heavy discrimination here and references to stereotyping. I can't help it - the dude was a bogan.

First up it's the middle of a Tuesday. Second, we're in Charnwood. Next he's wearing a flanny over a wrecked death metal T-shirt with tracksuit pants and Ugh boots that look like they were made out of one of the sheep that came off Noah's ark. He's also holding a VB (have I already mentioned that it's about 1pm on a Tuesday?). But the thing that causes me to grab my daughter's hand and put myself between her and him is his dog - which is very interested in her in a way that isn't making me altogether comfortable.

It's straining at its leash to get at her but the tail isn't wagging. The ears are flat. In doggy language it doesn't look good. In fact it looks like it's trying to get at her and attack her. In typical four-year-old fashion she's making a beeline to it to pat it. And so I say no, grab her hand and start walking her away.

The bogan speaks.

"What are ya doin' lady? You act like that and your kid'll be scared of dogs!"

Excuse me? You've got an American pit bull covered in scars charmingly dressed in a studded collar with the word "KILLER" unmuzzled in public and it is not wagging its tail. It is also practically strangling itself to get at my little girl. Maybe I'm reading the situation all wrong but what it comes down to is that I have no idea who you are or what your dog is like. All indications, including its behaviour, are somewhat unfavourable.

Regardless of appearances, I have been trying to teach Charlotte for some time that you don't go up to strange dogs and pat them. I can guarantee that if I'd let her go near this dog and it had savaged her its owner would have been bleating to the press about how lovely the dog was, how it had never been aggressive before and how he had no idea that it would turn like that. No doubt his lawyer would have claimed the name "Killer" is ironic - despite the fact that his client can't spell the word and thinks "irony" is something his wife does to his flannies after she washes them.

I simply find it incredible that someone who is clearly investing themselves in and promoting their dog's aggressive image takes offence when someone actually buys it.