Interesting Essay about Pitt Bulls

[FreshTressa]

They are considering banning them here...

Interesting article

http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/060206fa_fact

don't just read the beginning....read the last part too.

 

[lewdyan1]

They are illegal in Miami:

5-17 Pit Bull Law - It is illegal in Miami-Dade County to own any dog which substantially conforms to a pit bull breed dog, unless it was specially registered with Miami-Dade County prior to 1989. Acquisition or keeping of a pit bull dog: $500.00 fine and County Court action to force the removal of the animal from Miami-Dade County. ONLY an Animal Services Investigator trained in pit bull identification will determine if the dog conforms to pit bull breed standards

.

 

[Minnie824]

I don't know, I think the problem is with people, not with the breed of dogs. People get these dogs and raise them to be mean. If they got any other breed of dog, and raised it to be mean, it would be the same problem. My BIL has a pitbull, and you wouldn't want to see that thing staring at you alone cuz it is HUGE, but it is SO friendly. It walks up and rolls over to have his belly tickled, if it moves at all (very lazy dog). I think maybe they should somehow try to limit who owns them, not ban them.

 

[Marseeya]

I don't know, I think the problem is with people, not with the breed of dogs. People get these dogs and raise them to be mean. If they got any other breed of dog, and raised it to be mean, it would be the same problem. My BIL has a pitbull, and you wouldn't want to see that thing staring at you alone cuz it is HUGE, but it is SO friendly. It walks up and rolls over to have his belly tickled, if it moves at all (very lazy dog). I think maybe they should somehow try to limit who owns them, not ban them.

I totally agree with this. In my town, it seems a source of pride for the "thugs" or lower-class element (if you know the type I mean) to own a pitbull or rottweiler. They're the same people who shouldn't own a pomeranian!

 

[lovinwdw]

My BIL owns a pitbull. he is starting to get very aggressive. in fact, the last time my DH stopped by my MIL's house to drop off something to her, the dog jumped up, grabbed his dress shirt and ripped it. He really scared the *#&% out of my DH...so much so that he ran out the front door as fast as he could. we have decided that we will not be going to their house again unless my BIL takes the dog out for the day. It is definitely the way the dog is raised. my BIL uses his old shirts to play with the dog...now the dog rips people's shirts. i'm just scared if he happens to grab an arm in the meantime and really hurts someone or a child.

I feel horrible for these poor dogs that get these reputations when, in truth, it is the owner who trains the animal to be that way. my neighbor owns a rottweiller. it is the sweetest dog you could possibly imagine!! you stick your hand through the fence and she will lick you to death. I have a miniature pincher and the 2 of them love eachother and play through the fence.

It all has to do with the way the animal is raised!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

While all of your ideas about Pitts are interesting you fail to understand that a when a Pitt attacks it is to kill. That is part of the instinct of the breed and has nothing to do with how it is raised.
I think denial of that is why they are so dangerous.

 

[Tantor]

While all of your ideas about Pitts are interesting you fail to understand that a when a Pitt attacks it is to kill. That is part of the instinct of the breed and has nothing to do with how it is raised.
I think denial of that is why they are so dangerous.

ITA As well as being banned on all new born pit bulls we have a muzzle law here in Ontario for existing pit bulls.

 

[golfgal]

Another problem is that they have been bread to fight/kill and they are unpredictable. We were a pet foster home when I was in high school and one of the dogs we took in was a Pit Bull. She was a wonderful dog and one day she just snapped and took off after my step mom, who was doing nothing at the time. They also have very powerful jaws that will lock onto something and you can't open them.

 

[KellyLynn]

I own a Pitbull, and an English Setter I worry more about the English Setter then the Pitbull any day. We call her our PitPoodle.

I also have a 3 and 5 year old and she is the mst gentle of dogs with them . I have had her from the day she was born and I am sorry it is how they are raised.

She is now almost 10 years old has never shown any agression.

And as a reponsible owner of a pitbull I learn how to unlock thier jaws and break them free from a hold should I have ever need to do it.

Yes their jaws lock when the grab hold of something but a simple stick placed in the back of their jaw will break the hold they have and make them release whatever it is.

You never yank or pull with a pitbull because that is where the damage gets done.

With all things you need to treat them with love and kindness and respect and you have a wonderful dog and companion.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I had a Beagle that was attacked by a neighbor's pitbull, while I was out walking her in our neighborhood, on leash. The dog ran out of the house when the owner opened the door, and made a beeline for us. It was one of the scariest things that I've ever had to witness.

I was literally holding her up by her harness and the pitbull was jumping up and mauling her. It was horrible and it almost killed her.

The owner told me that the dog was always docile until their twins were born. He paid the $1k vet bill and I thought that was the end of it. About a year later, in conversation with another neighbor, I found out that the same dog - before the birth of the twins - attacked her sheepdog while they were out walking. Her vet bill was never paid. Ironically, the dog's name was Grumpy.

Another time I was in Petsmart and this little bitty puppy stood up on its hind legs and starting pawing at my ankles. I reached down and picked it up and I was telling it how sweet it was, and this couple walked over and told me, "not for long". I was perplexed until they told me that it was a pitbull.

It just goes to show, that sometimes, as in the first scenario, it can be the dog (although I don't know how they raised the one that attacked Jasmine), and sometimes it can be the stupid owner.

 

[minkydog]

And as a reponsible owner of a pitbull I learn how to unlock thier jaws and break them free from a hold should I have ever need to do it.

Yes their jaws lock when the grab hold of something but a simple stick placed in the back of their jaw will break the hold they have and make them release whatever it is.

You never yank or pull with a pitbull because that is where the damage gets done.

With all things you need to treat them with love and kindness and respect and you have a wonderful dog and companion.

Thanks for that information. I'm sure it will come in handy the next time a pit bull latches on to one of our children.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I'll just say what I always say when this topic comes up. I do not like these dogs and I have no problems with ordinances designed to control them.

The last incident in this area was when a Pack of 3 dogs attacked a group of Girl Scouts going door to door to sell cookies. Then they tore through the neighborhood in a frenzy and attacked 4 other people. They also turned on their owner and ripped the thumb off his hand when he tried to stop them. Finally the Police arrived were able to shoot them.

I have had her from the day she was born and I am sorry it is how they are raised.

and by neighbor accounts in reported in the newspaper, these were also nice friendly dogs.

 

[jgmklmhem]

I guess this is the nature versus nurture debate. How much of it is the training and how much is instinct. I don't have any problem with laws out there to control the population and to control the dogs themselves (such as muzzles). I don't think we need to ban them out right though.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Originally Posted by KellyLynn

And as a reponsible owner of a pitbull I learn how to unlock thier jaws and break them free from a hold should I have ever need to do it.

Yes their jaws lock when the grab hold of something but a simple stick placed in the back of their jaw will break the hold they have and make them release whatever it is.

You never yank or pull with a pitbull because that is where the damage gets done.

With all things you need to treat them with love and kindness and respect and you have a wonderful dog and companion.

Do you honestly think that you are going to be able to grab hold of a Pit Bull in a frenzied attack mode and put a stick in the back of his/her jaw?

 

[Crankyshank]

I will say this - many people who want all pit bulls banned are unable to correctly identify a pit bull and instead get the dog confused with other terrier breeds. If pit bulls were banned I could potentially see a lot of doggy witch hunts where people are being reported and fined for owning a pit bull when they don't actually own one.

Also I feel pits are dogs that have potential to cause serious harm and need to be handled accordingly. The same goes for Rottweilers, Chows, Akitas, Dobermans, German Shepards, etc... I feel because pits have become a status symbol they have become across the board too poorly bred to be owned by anything but an experienced dog owner.

My Aunt has a 9yr old pit mix. The sweetest and most timid dog I have ever come across but they are constantly reinforcing the dog's place in the pack and never forget what the dog is capable of if allowed to question the authority of the alpha.

I am not in favor of banning the breed. I am in favor of restrictions as to who can purchase them and more importantly, who can breed them. I think all pit owners and breeders should be licensed and registered. Unfortunately I think a large percentage of the pit population is so poorly bred and handled that they really cannot be allowed out and about and must be secured in a fenced yard that rivals a maximum security prison.

 

[goofy!]

.....

 

[goofy!]

.....

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The true Pitt Bull is not aggressive with people.

Yes that is true with most dogs.

A hunting dog helps to retrieve. A Newfoundland rescues in water. A collie will herd.

However a "true Pitt instinct" when in "attack mode" is too kill. It is in their blood to "finish the job". Nothing you can do to change that.
It is what it is. I think this is where the issue is. Owners deny this about the breed. So foolish decisions are made with regards to raising the dog.

Who knows what sets off any dog? I have 2 10 month old puppies.
"Pack" mentality can turn a ANY dog into a danger, esp when it comes to children.
Children can be see as "prey" to dogs. If you are a responsible dog owner, you should be aware of this and take caution when it comes to small children and dogs.

 

[lovinwdw]

I had a Beagle that was attacked by a neighbor's pitbull, while I was out walking her in our neighborhood, on leash. The dog ran out of the house when the owner opened the door, and made a beeline for us. It was one of the scariest things that I've ever had to witness.

I was literally holding her up by her harness and the pitbull was jumping up and mauling her. It was horrible and it almost killed her.

The owner told me that the dog was always docile until their twins were born. He paid the $1k vet bill and I thought that was the end of it. About a year later, in conversation with another neighbor, I found out that the same dog - before the birth of the twins - attacked her sheepdog while they were out walking. Her vet bill was never paid. Ironically, the dog's name was Grumpy.

OMG!!! I don't know what I would do if my dog was ever attacked like that!! How did you finally get the pitbull away from your dog?

 

[susan514]

I'll just say what I always say when this topic comes up. I do not like these dogs and I have no problems with ordinances designed to control them.

The last incident in this area was when a Pack of 3 dogs attacked a group of Girl Scouts going door to door to sell cookies. Then they tore through the neighborhood in a frenzy and attacked 4 other people. They also turned on their owner and ripped the thumb off his hand when he tried to stop them. Finally the Police arrived were able to shoot them.



and by neighbor accounts in reported in the newspaper, these were also nice friendly dogs.

I am familiar with this incident in Illinois. When I told DD about it, she said it sounds like the dogs had eaten something. About a week later, the owner was arrested for growing Marijuana outside where the dogs were kept, as well as inside.

I understand the fear these dogs create but I do think that some of the attacks have reasons. My DD got a Dobie, and people were scared of him. This was the sweetest dog and biggest wuss. I do believe it is the owners.