THE owner of a pair of Staffordshire bull terriers has blamed irresponsible owners for turning dogs into a danger to children.

Mother-of-three Sarah Crawford, 28, said it was owners who failed to give so-called dangerous breeds the proper love and training who were the problem.

The single mum said her own children, Hayden, 11, and five-year-old twins Jade and Chelsea happily played together with her two terriers, who never showed any signs of aggression towards them.

Miss Crawford, of Millbrook Road West, Southampton, said: "They are like children and need discipline and love. It's down to the owner to train them properly and learn about the breed."

Miss Crawford said she had never had any problems with her current dogs, Reggie, six, and Tara, one, or an English bull terrier she previously kept.

"They are the best pets I have ever had. They are great with my three children," she said.

"Reggie has put up with my twin daughters who used him as their horse, when they were younger, and never showed any aggression.

"The worst that would happen to you if you met my dogs would be that you went home wet from them licking you.

"I want people to know that there are good dogs out there, and not to cast them all as dangerous. I would not be without my two.

"If you teach them to attack things, that's what they will do."

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