Killer dogs

"The ‘dangerous dogs’ issue has become a scare story for our times, expressing the political and media elites’ innate distrust, fear and loathing of working-class and poor communities. These teeth-bearing, broad-shouldered beasts are seen as being symbolic of sections of society that have no moral anchor or self-control, communities that are selfish, uncaring, beastly."

Interesting piece here about how some commentators are treating the killer dog stories. He makes some good points but I think it's probably wrong. Poor working class men are more likely to own a banned breed than any other part of society. The pretty objectionable commentators he's referring to aren't using this as a snob's code - they openly write about class, chavs and council estates every week. The argument about the effect words like chav have on society doesn't have anything to do with dogs.Of course it's true that deaths from dog attacks are rare - it wouldn't be a story otherwise - but I don't quite see the point of comparing it to horse riding. Yes, that's more dangerous and more popular among the middle classes, but your kid can't die from being attacked by an illegal breed of show pony in the street.