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Telford Dog Owner Grabs Glory At Crufts With Bullmastiff Ron
Kennedy Aston with Ron, a Bullmastiff. Photo: BeatMedia/The Kennel Club
Kennedy Aston, 28, is used to the showing spotlight, with multiple Best of Breed wins over the past 10 years but picked up her first Crufts prize with a Bullmastiff this time around.
Ron wowed the judges at the NEC Birmingham to hold off stiff competition and qualify for the Best in Group showpiece on the famous green carpet.
Kennedy said: "I'm absolutely ecstatic, we've had Best of Breed in Japanese Spitz six times over the space of a decade.
"The Bullmastiffs are just a fantastic breed, they're the perfect companion and everything you would want in a dog.
"We've had a super day, Ron is the perfect showman, it doesn't matter what situation you're in, he'll always give you his best. There is no better show than Crufts, it is the elite of them all."
Kennedy and Ron were unable to go all the way and book their place in Sunday night's Best in Show finale but still enjoyed a day to remember at the world's biggest dog show.
Solihull local hero and dog-showing star Melanie Raymond grabbed glory – and admitted the nerves 'melted away' when she stepped onto the green carpet with Australian Shepherd Viking.
The 46-year-old, who lives fewer than five miles away from the NEC in Birmingham, trumped more than 18,000 showing dogs who competed across four spectacular days in the Midlands.
Three-year-old Viking was awarded the dog show's top honour by judge Ann Ingram after prevailing over every canine in the Pastoral Group on Saturday.
Pressure was mounting on one of the pre-event favourites, co-owned by Melanie, John Shaw and Kerry Kirtley, but the winning handler insisted he kept his cool to come out on top.
She said: "It's amazing, pinch me, it's one of those things as a handler, breeder, owner, that we all want to win and so many people don't get to win it – it's fabulous.
"This has been the toughest Crufts ever, everyone was backing him and rooting for him so it was tough.
"I've got bags under my eyes, I've had very many sleepless nights.
"Once you get in the ring, it goes, it's the build-up that's the scary bit but once you're in there, everything melts away and I love showing.
"When you go through certain emotions, it builds a bond because you feel you have that energy between you and it's a bond that you can't describe.
"I live in Solihull, it's quicker for me to walk than drive here, it's brilliant and my friends all come and stay – what a great experience."
Crufts, run by The Kennel Club, is a unique celebration of happy, healthy dogs and of the loving relationship that they enjoy with their owners. Crufts was held from 7-10 March 2024 at the NEC Birmingham.
Viewers can catch up with highlights on Channel 4, and for further information visit: crufts.Org.Uk
India Wants To Ban Pit Bulls, Rottweilers: How Dangerous Are These Dog Breeds?
In the wake of many dog attack deaths, the Centre is seeking a ban on the import, breeding, and sale of several "ferocious" dog breeds.
The aggressive dog breeds — Pit bull, Rottweiler, Terrier, Wolf Dog, and Mastiff — are prohibited from being kept as pets or for other uses because they represent a "danger to human life."
This prohibition will also apply to crossbred and mixed breeds.
Let's take a closer look.
The ban
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying wrote to each state requesting that no licences or permits be issued for the sale or breeding of these canines, according to The Times of India.
The recommendation is based on a report by an expert committee and animal welfare organisations that was established by the Delhi High Court's ruling.
The identified breeds (including mixed and cross breeds) include Pit bull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Bresileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boesboel, Kangal, Central Asian Shepher Dog, Caucacian Shepherd Dog, South Russian Shepherd Dog, Tornjak, Sarplaninac, Japanese Tosa and Akita, Mastiffs, Rottweiler, Terriers, Rhodesian Ridegback, Wolf Dogs, Canario, Akbas, Moscow Guard, Cane Corso, and every dog of the type commonly known as Bandog, an official release said.
"The local bodies may also issue necessary implementation guidelines," the letter said.
The letter highlights a number of citizen and animal welfare organisation representations in addition to the Delhi High Court's judgment prohibiting the ownership of certain kinds of dogs as pets.
In a ruling dated 6 December 2023, the Delhi HC ordered "that the Union of India shall decide petitioner's representation as expeditiously possible, preferably within three months, after consulting all stakeholders."
The government has also requested that states make sure local organisations and state animal welfare boards are carrying out the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules 2017 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules 2018.
Also read: Gurugram bans 11 dog breeds: What are they? How dangerous are they?Recent attacks in India and local bans
A man in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, was attacked by his pet Rottweiler in January of this year. The dog bit the victim and tore flesh off his arms and legs, causing more than 60 wounds. According to India Today, the attack occurred when the man remembered he had forgotten to feed the dog during the day and went to provide food around midnight. The owner was rescued by his son when the hungry Rottweiler became aggressive and started biting him.
In the same month this year, four other incidences of a similar nature were reported. One of these was a seven-year-old boy who was attacked by a Pit bull in Mahendra Park, northwest Delhi, while he was playing near his residence. In Vishwas Nagar, a Pit bull attack resulted in injuries for a two-year-old boy. A Pit bull attacked a 1.5-year-old girl in the Burari Nagar Colony in Uttarakhand. The young child required 18 stitches after suffering three separate leg fractures. She was also hospitalised for 17 days.
In January, an American bully is said to have attacked a seven-year-old girl in Shahbad Dairy while she was playing outside her home. Another account claims that a Pit bull grabbed an 18-month-old girl from her grandfather's lap and began to maul her at Uttarakhand Colony in Burari area, as per TOI.
According to the newspaper, in November 2023, a 65-year-old nonresident Indian (NRI) who was visiting his son in Bengaluru was attacked by a Rottweiler in Malleswaram. The victim had gone to celebrate his friend's birthday. In a matter of minutes, the dog also attacked a 60-year-old man who was strolling by. A case under IPC section 289 (negligent conduct with respect to animals) was filed against the owner of the dog.
In August 2022, a Pit bull that was out on a stroll with its owners mauled a 30-year-old woman in Gurugram. She suffered severe facial and head injuries as a result of the incident, according to PTI.
A few weeks prior, a teenager in Meerut suffered serious injuries by a Pit bull attack that happened as he was walking past the dog that was chained to a house's fence. Locals pried open its jaws with a screwdriver to release the teenager.
According to Deccan Herald, the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation banned citizens from owning Rottweilers, Pit bulls, and Dogo Argentinos as pets in 2022. The city authority has released several other guidelines requiring pet owners to obtain a licence for their canines. No family is permitted to maintain more than one pet dog, per the rules. Additionally, it stated that dog owners who fail to register their pets would pay a charge of Rs 2,000.
The development came after more than 10 children suffered dog bites.
In September of same year, a similar ban on Pit bulls and Rottweilers was passed in Pachkula, Haryana.
Additionally, a resolution prohibiting the raising of Pit bull and Rottweiler breeds in the city was enacted by the Kanpur Municipal Corporation. According to the resolution, anyone found to be raising one of the two breeds faces a fine of up to Rs 5,000 and would have their "pet" taken away.
Are these breeds dangerous?
All five dog breeds are contentious and have a bad reputation due to a variety of issues. Some of the breeds have even been banned or restricted in several nations, including Turkey, the Cayman Islands, Norway, and the Cayman Islands.
Pit bulls' reputation is based on their history of dog fighting, the high number of bite instances that have been documented, and their propensity to bite while gripping onto prey. Companies in the US even provide dog liability insurance, and owners of Pit bulls are liable for any attacks on other people their dogs may cause. They frequently participate in "nature vs. Nurture" discussions concerning whether their habits are inherited or the result of their owners' actions, according to Deccan Herald.
As per Brittanica, Rottweilers are thought to be descendants of cattle-driving dogs left by the Roman soldiers near Germany's Rottweil during the 2nd Century CE. This species, which were bred as attack and hunting dogs, have also served as guard dogs, a drovers dogs, draft dogs, rescue dogs, and police dogs. Stories of Rottweilers attacks have hit the headlines with some frequency over the past couple of years. Experts say these dogs are fiercely loyal, but gravely misunderstood.
Furthermore, the breed's reputation has been further solidified by their aggressive appearance and the bad connotations attached to them in television shows and films, most notably The Omen and its sequels. Though they are not a dog for everyone, Rottweilers are the best breed in the world, according to the American Rottweiler Club, who is one of the breed's supporters. Rottweilers need a solid, steady, and peaceful "pack leader," or else they will take on that responsibility for you.
Dogo Argentino, another dog bred for hunting, largely has similar characteristics to Rottweilers. According to the American Kennel Club, the Dogo Argentino is a pack-hunting dog instantly identifiable by a short, completely white coat. It has been bred to chase big game such as wild boar and puma. In general, the dog has a strong natural instinct to protect its territory and is considered a very social animal.
A mix between a domestic dog and a wolf is known as a wolf dog, according to The Spruce Pets website. Because they still have the instincts of their wild relatives, this huge breed is rather contentious. As "headstrong, aggressive, and downright ferocious," they have been described. They also need kilogrammes of uncooked meat each day.
The American Kennel Club claims that Mastiff dogs were developed over generations in the Neapolitan region of southern Italy as estate and home guards. They may trace their origins back to Molossus, the breed that originated from the mixing of short-haired Indian dogs and Macedonian battle dogs during Alexander the Great's reign. There are numerous varieties of Mastiff dogs, such as Bullmastiff, English Mastiff, Great Dane, Tibetan Mastiff and more. They have an impeccable pedigree. According to the website Mastiffguide, if Mastiffs are not socialised early on, they may become violent. Because of their size, they can also be harmful around little children. They can also get aggressive if they feel that their owners or themselves are in danger.
Bandogs are believed to have originated in Middle England between 1250 and 1300, according to Viovet.Co.Uk_. Though other dogs, such as early Bullenbeissers and crossing breeds used in the Crusades, may have also contributed to their origin, they list the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff as their ancestors. Their main functions were property guarding, hunting, and combat. Despite their protective and devoted nature, they are not recommended for inexperienced owners.
The genetic makeup of wolves and dogs is responsible for the frightening behaviour of wolf dogs. But that's precisely why domestication isn't appropriate for it. Because they are unpredictable and unable to meet their needs, these giants are difficult to handle, as per Jagran.
Also read: What are American XL Bully dogs? Why is Britain banning them?
Other countries that have banned/restricted them
Experts consider Pit bulls far too aggressive to be kept as house pets. They have been banned or restricted in 30 nations including the UK, Denmark, Columbia, Norway, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Malta, Spain, France, Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand.
According to Times Now, Rottweilers, who are aggressive dogs with powerful jaws, are banned or restricted in 18 countries, including Ecuador, Bermuda, France, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Qatar, Ukraine, Malaysia, and in many US states, as per the newspaper.
Like the Pit bull, the Dogo Argentino has been banned or restricted in several countries, including Ukraine, Australia, Denmark, Hong Kong, Israel, and New Zealand. In the United Kingdom, Dogo Argentinos are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 unless an owner gets a court exemption.
As many as 11 countries, including Australia, Bermuda, Columbia, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Singapore, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, have either banned or restricted Terrier.
Wolf dogs are banned or restricted in Australia, Bermuda, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.
Mastiffs are also banned or restricted in Bermuda, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore,
With inputs from agencies
Night Of Terror Home Invader Gets 33 Years
DECATUR — Pleading with a judge up until the last moment that he never did the terrible crimes for which he was convicted, 22-year-old Mikhail D. Gordon was sent to prison for 33 years on Tuesday.
Gordon had been one of a gang of five home invaders who subjected several Decatur families to a night of terror on Nov. 20, 2018, in back-to-back armed crimes. The defendant said he was with them but did not directly participate in the violence.
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In one crime a grandfather was beaten, his wrist fractured, as the gang demanded he hand over guns and valuables. When he didn't comply fast enough, they seized his then 6-year-old grandson and shoved the barrel of a loaded gun down the boy's throat and threatened to murder him on the spot.
The grandfather was one of several family members who gave victim impact statements in Macon County Circuit Court. He spoke of their traumatized lives in the wake of the crime, lives now full of fear, heightened security measures and medical treatment and counseling.
The boy's mother also spoke on her son's behalf. She said Gordon should receive no mercy and the maximum sentence allowed: "I so desperately want for my son to have a normal, happy childhood, but it was taken away from him at just 6-years-old," she added.
"Now he is constantly terrified, and no child should have to live in fear."
Gordon's own family testified he deserved special consideration because he had led a tough life, beset with mental health issues, neglected by a mother taking drugs and shot twice in different incidents of street violence.
Gordon then rose to speak on his own behalf. "The things that happened to these families I feel like no family should ever have to go through," he said.
"But I would like them to know that I was not one of the people who was inside their house and so it would not be justice for the community that I go down for something another person did."
Chief Public Defender Michelle Sanders pleaded for a sentence of between 10 to 15 years for a defendant "who was a sophomore in high school when this occurred and has been incarcerated ever since."
But Special Prosecutor Kate Kurtz said police evidence showed Gordon played a full part in the crimes and had been chased down by a police dog fleeing from the scene.
She said there is no evidence to show Gordon ever tried to stop any of the violence from happening or do anything to stop victims being beaten, pistol-whipped or the child being terrorized.
"In fact, the evidence is to the contrary: that they (the gang) were all walking around the house, that they were all grabbing and taking things and that they all left together," she added, asking for a sentence of 40-45 years.
Passing sentence, Judge Jeffrey Geisler noted that Gordon had shown no remorse for what he had done. "This was a night of terror; I can't imagine what the family has went through as a result of this; a 6-year-old with a gun in his mouth is almost unconscionable."
Gordon, convicted in a jury trial in January, received the 33-year sentence on a charge of home invasion, which included a 15-year enhancement because a gun was involved. It will also be served at 85% because the crime involved great bodily harm.
Gordon also received four additional 33-year sentences on further charges of home invasion and armed robbery, plus another five-year sentence for an offense of aggravated battery, but these were all ordered to run concurrently with the first 33-year term.
Gordon is the last of the five-strong gang to face justice. Rahiam A. Shabazz, 23, was sentenced to 39 years in prison in July after being convicted of four charges of home invasion, two counts of armed robbery and one count each of aggravated battery and armed violence.
Byron D. Theus, 24, admitted two counts of aggravated kidnapping and a charge of home invasion in a court hearing in August 2022 and was sentenced to 33 years. Dondrion L. Austin, 23, was sentenced in October 2022 to 33 years after pleading guilty to a charge of aggravated kidnapping.
And Raymond D. Graham admitted a charge of home invasion and was sentenced in April 2021 to six years.
According to recent surveys, over half of Americans do not feel safe in their own homes due to factors like home invasions. While security systems help, they do not physically protect you against intruders, so many are choosing to invest in guard dogs. The ideal guard dog has a combination of intimidation, loyalty and alertness. Here are the top four guard dogs, according to canine experts. 4. Bullmastiff. Intimidation is the name of the game for the Bullmastiff. Their size and presence are enough to fend off most intruders. On top of that, these mastiffs are surprisingly good family pets, as they are gentle giants when they are not in protection mode. 3. Doberman Pinscher. The Doberman is a powerful, fearless and fast dog. Boasting an impressive amount of athleticism and alertness. While they make great companions, raising them from puppies is essential, as they are very cautious around people they are not familiar with. 2. Rottweiler. Rottweilers are the quintessential guard dog, being both intimidating and strong, with a bite force unmatched by any other dog. Where this breed loses out is its family integration. Due to their size and aggression, they are a risk around small children, even with training. 1. German Shepherd. When it comes to home protection, you cannot get better than the German Shepherd. These guys are bred to be fierce protectors. These courageous canines are also perfect family pets and easily trained.
unbranded - Lifestyle 2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review LourashJeffrey L. Lourash, 57, took a plea deal on April 6, 2023, and admitted the first degree murder of his wife Tabitha Lourash, who was shot to death November 23 in their Warrensburg home. Lourash was sentenced in May of 2023 to 45 years in prison, to be served at 100%.
HirsteinSteven L. Hirstein, 43, was arrested March 30, 2023, and booked on preliminary charges of attempted murder for a stabbing attack on his girlfriend. He is also charged with aggravated battery to police after allegedly attacking officers with a knife. He was shot and wounded several times by police but his wounds were not considered serious.
Phillip GehrkenPhillip J. Gehrken, 52, of Forsyth, was sentenced to 50 years in prison March 28, 2023, after being convicted of the murder of 51-year-old victim Kevin Cooper on July 11, 2021.
Joseph A. WilliamsJoseph A. Williams, convicted of the attempted murder of a Decatur Police officer, was sentenced 80 years in prison in June of 2023.
Jetrevius O. JarrettJetrevius O. Jarrett is charged with first degree murder for allegedly shooting to death the photographer that took his family's Christmas pictures in 2021.
EdwardsCameron C. Edwards, 19, of Cerro Gordo was sentenced to nine years in prison April 4, 2023, after pleading guilty to the unlawful possession of a stolen gun, attempted escape and burglary. He was part of a theft team that stole guns from cop cars.
King-WoodsTraveon Hightower King-Woods, 27, was sentenced to five years in prison March 22, 2023, after he admitted a charge of aggravated robbery. Police said he robbed a victim at gunpoint but then had to flee for his life when the victim chased him in a car. King-Woods accomplice and brother, Amieron L. Barham-Perkins, 20, pleaded guilty to an aggravated robbery charge and was sentenced to five years on January 17, 2023.
WilsonTyler J. Wilson, 23, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in Macon County Circuit Court April 26, 2023, after pleading guilty to a charge of armed violence.
DerricksonTiyren E. Derrickson, 28, was sentenced to eight years in prison May 18, 2023, after pleading guilty to a charge of burglary. He had raided the same Decatur church on consecutive days and stolen equipment valued at more than $20,000.
Colby J. ParkColby J. Park, 25, was sentenced to a 24 month conditional discharge and ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life after pleading guilty to the aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a 6-year-old boy by biting the child. The offense dates to October 7, 2018, and Park was sentenced May 19 of 2023.
Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid
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