For those who are nervous around dogs, telling them that "he wouldn't harm a fly" will simply not wash.

And the reason it doesn't wash in many cases is because it is simply not true.

For whatever reason – bad owners, provocation or the temperament of the dog – some mutts will attack other dogs or, in distressing cases, babies and young children.

There are regular stories of dogs which were left for just a moment in the company of a toddler and then went on the attack, usually with horrific and, occasionally, fatal consequences.

More often than not, the dog owner will tell how bewildered they are by the whole sorry situation and that the dog has never harmed anyone before.

The follow-up to all of this is usually other dog lovers telling how the animals will not attack without provocation or that the owners were somehow responsible.

On the other hand, many people would probably be quite happy to see the back of certain breeds of (potentially) ferocious dogs.

Lynda Brighton is probably in that category. Her West Highland Terrier was nearly ripped to shreds by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and it was only the intervention of a neighbour which prevented the attack becoming fatal.

Now it turns out that this dog had carried out a previous attack and the owners had said they would have it put down.

With dogs, feelings run high in this country. People become (rightly or wrongly) attached to their dogs in the same way they do to children.

Most are loving pets, and guide dogs and police dogs are invaluable.

But there are some dogs which, for whatever reason, have the potential to inflict serious damage.

It is the responsibility of their owners to take every step to ensure such a thing does not happen.

And they must accept the consequences if it does.