Two chihuahuas terrorize a Cotswold town, and of course – it makes the news. They attacked a retired police dog and prompted the council to issue a warning to their owner.
The tiny terrors have been wreaking havoc in Corsham, Wiltshire, where they are allowed to run around without a lead.
Councillor Ruth Hopkinson received a complaint after the menaces attacked a German Shepherd, a former police dog.
She told locals on Facebook: ‘You might consider your dog ‘friendly,’. But it may react unexpectedly when faced with another dog or child.
‘In either case, please keep your dog under your control at all times, preferably leashed in public areas.
Councillor Ruth Hopkinson
‘Any damage your dog does, including vet bills for other dogs or dead lambs, is your responsibility, and you are liable.
Councillor Ruth Hopkinson (pictured) warned dog owners to keep their pets under control.
‘Before anyone has a go at me: I love dogs (not so sure about cats), but owners need to be responsible, the vast majority of people are, but there are some (probably the same ones who let their animal **** on the pavement) who aren’t.
‘I don’t want to turn us into a town of narks, but if you see something untoward on the estate, report it to the estate office in the street: the dog warden.’
She told The Sun: ‘The size of a dog does not reflect their aggressiveness…
‘They weren’t leashed, and the owner thought, ”They’re only little, they’re only friendly”. But you have to be careful.’
Chihuahuas are the world’s smallest breed of dog. And people know them for their aggression. It stems from being protective over their territory and owners.
One local told the publication he thinks of the pair as ‘bloody Mexican hooligans.’
Chihuahua: smallest breed of dog
Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed. They named them after the Mexican state of the same name, where it was first recorded in the mid-19th century.
We believe that chihuahuas were create from the Techichi. A small, quiet dog owned by the Toltec people of Mexico as long ago as the 9th century.
It is an alert dog that stands at just five inches tall and wights between one and six pounds.
Chihuahuas’ classic characteristics are a rounded head, large erect ears, and prominent eyes.
Smaller dogs are sometimes bred improperly by using the ‘runts’ of litter to make the smallest animal possible.
This can lead to inherited congenital disabilities, which could cause the dog to be aggressive because of underlying medical conditions.
Chihuahuas are also very territorial and protective of their owners, so they could become aggressive if they feel threatened.
The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) explains: ‘Chihuahuas, like any dog, are likely to make some noise, and this will be down to the individual, their personality and training.
‘The good news is that as they are clever dogs. And they can be taught not to bark excessively, but this needs to start from a young age, ideally before they develop the habit. If you’re having trouble with problem barking, we recommend seeking an accredited behaviorist’s advice.
