STAFFORDSHIRE bull terriers have been responsible for the majority of recent dog attacks in NSW - but the State Government left them off its restricted hit list earlier this year. A Daily Telegraph analysis of all dog attacks officially reported by local councils over a recent 16-month period reveals staffies were involved in 279 incidents, more than any other breed. The number exceeds the 233 attacks attributed to pit bull terrier types, which were among the breeds restricted by amendments to the Companions Animals Act gazetted in February.One of the worst attacks involving a Staffordshire occurred on July 19 last year when a three year old boy was mauled at Cambridge Park after falling out of a tree into a neighbour's yard.More than 1702 dog attacks were recorded in the reports involving 2325 dogs, supplied by the Department of Local Government, between July 1, 2005 and October 30, 2006.But, as reported by the Daily Telegraph this month, the real number of attacks could be far higher as just 80 councils passed on details.Staffordshire terrier owners last night rushed to the defence of pedigree pets.NSW Staffordshire Bull Terrier Association treasurer Susan Scott blamed any aggression on cross-breeding by irresponsible owners.She said cross-breeds may have temperament problems or heriditary conditions which make them unsuitable.Dogs NSW president Keith Irwin said registered breeders were careful with bloodlines, matched animals with families and watched for temperament problems."They are breeding for temperament for an urbanised dog that fits into an urbanised society," he said.He urged the State Government not to put the dog on the restricted list but to focus on banning backyard breeding."The official stand of Dogs NSW is that we want the Department of Local Government to ban backyard breeding by people who are not part of Dogs NSW," Mr Irwin said.Steve and Melissa Coleiro, who have three American Staffordshires, told The Daily Telegraph this week their daughters Tahlia and Elise love their dogs and have never had any problems with them.Restricted breeds are the American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier, the dogo Argentino, fila Brasileiro and the Japanese tosa.Owners of restricted breeds must have them desexed, keep them in appropriate holding cages and muzzled.Breeding or selling the dogs is illegal and owners face $55,000 fines or two years in jail if an animal attacks a human.И что же вас смутило в этой статье? Не это надеюсь)):A Daily Telegraph analysis of all dog attacks officially reported by local councils over a recent 16-month period reveals staffies were involved in 279 incidents, more than any other breed. .....16 месячный период времени и в 279 случаях происшедшего. Не хило однако! Вы как в том анекдоте: "смотрю в книгу- вижу фигу"