The ignorance continues...

[Trish Bessette]

spagheddie

 

[CookieGVB]

Originally posted by spagheddie
I'm sorry, I'd rather take my chances with a wild pack of dachsunds than one pit bull.

I have an image of a fearsome pack of toy poodles and dachsunds running rampant in the neighborhood, standing on each other's backs to knock over trashcans.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by spagheddie
I'm sorry, I'd rather take my chances with a wild pack of dachsunds than one pit bull.

When I was a little kid, I had a dachsund who bit me all of the time. I would never tell my mother because I didn't want her to get rid of the dog. It was a secret between Peggy and me. (thats how serious the bite was.

 

[Lanshark]

Here's a hypothetical:

You are attempting to buy a house. You see two houses you like. Everything is pretty much equal. House 1 has a neighbor with a fenced in yard. You see the neighbor outside with their Golden Retriever. House 2 is the same but the neighbor has a Pit Bull. I would be willing to bet that most people would go with house 1 if everything else was equal.

Problem with Pit Bulls, as opposed to Poodles, is if you get one with a mean streak it has a much better chance of killing someone.

Why not make owners of "dangereous" breeds optain a special license and a special insurance rider. They are an added risk and if they owner is not willing to accept, and pay for, that risk they are probably not a responsible pet owner.

I do agree that most dogs are made mean by the owners. I also agree that some dogs are much more aggressive and can do much more damage than others.

 

[spagheddie]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
When I was a little kid, I had a dachsund who bit me all of the time. I would never tell my mother because I didn't want her to get rid of the dog. It was a secret between Peggy and me. (thats how serious the bite was.

Our dachsund would rollover onto it's back and then pee. The vet called it "insubordinate urination". Just goes to show you there's a name for everything.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by CookieGVB
I have an image of a fearsome pack of toy poodles and dachsunds running rampant in the neighborhood, standing on each other's backs to knock over trashcans.

I can see that there is a lot you don't know about poodles;
www.imponderables.com/poodles.html

 

[mthr2boys]

Ok I havent posted before, but I had to come out of lurking on this one.

On June 12th our medium size dog who was tied in our yard was attacked when our neighbors pit bull got loose. Luckily she is ok, she had to get stitches on her neck, her skin was cut and peeled back (as my husband put it just like skinning a deer) the vet when he looked confirmed that he could see the jugular. (sorry for details)

My problem with these dogs isnt really the dog but the people who own them. My neighbor got this dog out of the newspaper for free. When I questioned him as to why the people wanted rid of a 2 year old dog, his reply was he didnt think to ask!!! But he wanted a dog for protection of his home. He knew when he brought this dog home that she wanted to come after our dog. He told us this. In my opinion in my conversations about this dog to its owner, he shouldnt own this type of dog, but he does. He told us he would get rid of it, but here almost 2 weeks later he still has it. I have 2 small children to be concerned about. Now I live with fear that it could break loose again. To attack another dog is one thing but what about kids. He states he feels that she would not bother a child, but if they do not know background of dog, who knows.

The only problem I have with the dog itself, is that the strength they have and their ability to go for the throat and just hold on! In my mind they are not like another dog who may bite at a leg or hand etc, these know just where to attack. That is what scares me most.

All dog breeds can have mean dogs so I dont mean to just point these ones out, but this was my thoughts on this.

Sorry for the length of my first post.

Bev

 

[minniepumpernickel]

This is a hard one for me, because I am a biker and an animal lover. I'm amazed at how many people don't keep their dogs on a leash! It's always scary when a strange barking dog runs after you while your biking, or jogging! No matter how friendly the owner says the dog is.

So hopefully if people follow the rules, everyone can co-exist. Animal and man!

 

[Teejay32]

I have a German Shepherd now. She's the third one I've had as a pet, and we adopted her from another family that had decided they just couldn't keep the dog anymore. I love these dogs. Because of that, I think less people should be able to own them. I think they should cost about $5000 apiece minimum, that all should be registered at birth and ownership be strictly regulated by cities and towns. It'll never happen, but I wouldn't mind seeing it.

I don't know much about pit bulls, but would probably feel the same way about those if I had one.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
I really don't want to be adding fuel to the fire here but....more golden retreivers=more bites. And that's the operative word...bites. A pitbull doesn't just bite, he mauls. Just doesn't let go. Now, that is a breed tendancy. At one time, that was a desired trait. Not so desired anymore, unless you're a drug dealer. But, I digress.

Should any dog be banned? No, in no way. But, should they be neutered/spayed? Yes. If you aren't breeding, and I don't mean backyard breeders, you get them neutered. If you aren't showing your dogs, then most likely you aren't breeding to improve/better the breed. Backyard breeders, as a rule, do not show. they just want their children so see the miracle of birth and make a few dollars. Enough said on that issue.

Muzzles? Hate 'em. I used a Gentle Leader and a Halti on my golden and everyone thought it was a muzzle. Why would I muzzle a golden retriever they all asked.

I really don't know what the answer is. Do any of you, especially you EsmereldaX, have any solutions? I would hate for any breed to die out. That is not in the best interest of dogs, as a whole. But what do we do in the meantime? If there are dogs out there, with a propensity for violence, how do we stop it? some people buy these poor animals because of their background of violence. When the breed gets past the 'rep' it has and is known to be a nice family type dog, then none of this will matter. Even dobies and rotties are getting past their bad reps!!!

My solution would be to regulate the sale of dogs more closely. No more "free puppy!" ads in the papers. Good breeders do background checks on the homes their dogs go to. And honestly , I think everyone who buys or otherwise obtains a dog should be checked out. You aren't allowed to sell live animals on Ebay, I don't think you should be able to in the local paper either, unless you follow these rules.

Make these dogs less desirable to idiots. Whether that means humane society run ads depicting them as nice dogs, or otherwise shattering the "tough dog" image they have that makes them so attractive to losers in the first place.

And number one, If a person who has a dog and mistreats it to the point that it attacks an innocent person, then that person needs to be fined. And fined severely.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by ScarlettO
WHY???? Why in the world would you plan to get a dog that is proven time and time again to have a *possible*mean streak?That seems to be highly mis-guided behavior.

But then in certain backwoods locales getting the Big Bad doog with the spiked collar outside the trailer is "De rigeur"

Why? Because when raised right and obtained from a reputable breeder, they are fun loving, adorable and gentle dogs. I can't imagine my neices with any better dog. Their parents opted to get Nika because she was healthy and playful and sturdy enough to handle the normal rough play of a couple of kids. She cuddles with the kids and in fact sleeps in my neice, 12, bed at night.

Jack Russell Terriers (another high risk breed) are my dog of choice and I love them because despite their attitude and sometimes very bad behavior, when raised right they are smart, obidient , and downright entertaining dogs to have. Not to mention mine is a big lap dog really.

 

[izzy]

Originally posted by mthr2boys
Ok I havent posted before, but I had to come out of lurking on this one.

On June 12th our medium size dog who was tied in our yard was attacked when our neighbors pit bull got loose. Luckily she is ok, she had to get stitches on her neck, her skin was cut and peeled back (as my husband put it just like skinning a deer) the vet when he looked confirmed that he could see the jugular. (sorry for details)

My problem with these dogs isnt really the dog but the people who own them. My neighbor got this dog out of the newspaper for free. When I questioned him as to why the people wanted rid of a 2 year old dog, his reply was he didnt think to ask!!! But he wanted a dog for protection of his home. He knew when he brought this dog home that she wanted to come after our dog. He told us this. In my opinion in my conversations about this dog to its owner, he shouldnt own this type of dog, but he does. He told us he would get rid of it, but here almost 2 weeks later he still has it. I have 2 small children to be concerned about. Now I live with fear that it could break loose again. To attack another dog is one thing but what about kids. He states he feels that she would not bother a child, but if they do not know background of dog, who knows.

The only problem I have with the dog itself, is that the strength they have and their ability to go for the throat and just hold on! In my mind they are not like another dog who may bite at a leg or hand etc, these know just where to attack. That is what scares me most.

All dog breeds can have mean dogs so I dont mean to just point these ones out, but this was my thoughts on this.

Sorry for the length of my first post.

Bev

Oh my goodness, Bev! I'm so sorry this happened to your dog! I would also be scared about what this pit bull might do next if it got loose again, especially if I had small children. The new owner sounds like an idiot.

Was this reported to the appropriate authorities? If not, you probably should talk with the animal control person in your area. They might take the decision out of your neighbor's hands.

Welcome to the DIS, and I hope your next posts will be better ones for you!

 

[phamton]

Small nitpick: American Staffordshire Terriers are not Pit Bulls. The true Pit bull is the American Pit Bull Terrier. The American Staffordshire Terrier, are generally of larger bone structure, head size and weight then their cousins the American Pit Bull Terrier. "Pit bull" is a generic and derogatory term that encompasses any of several breeds of dogs or crosses on those breeds. The purebred version of a Pitbull is often called Staffordshire Bull Terrier (NOT an American Staffordshire Terrier, two very different breeds). Given this, their looks and body styles can vary. They are now often crossed with American Staffordshire Terriers, American Bulldogs, Dogo Argentino, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, and anything else people can find that is a larger, more muscular dog.

Here are some pages that clears up that misconception:
http://www.puppydogweb.com/caninebreeds/amerstfter.htm
http://pages.zdnet.com/cirklec/cirkleckennels/id26.html

WHAT IS AN AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER?

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a unique breed, and has one of the richest and most well documented histories in the family of dogs. The American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull are NOT ONE AND THE SAME DOG, and we feel it is time to clear up this misconception.


True, the American Staffordshire Terrier did spring directly from the American Pit Bull Terrier roots, but since 1936, the breed has been bred along completely different lines than its predecessor, the Pit Bull. Thus, while many Pit Bulls have continued to be bred for "performance" the American Staffordshire Terrier has been bred as a pet, family dog, child's guardian, show dog and for obedience competition.

Probably one of the most famous early American Staffordshire Terriers was "Pete" of the Little Rascals movies. His trainer stated that Pete was one of the brightest, easiest to train dogs he had ever worked with. Also, the current Buster Brown dog is an American Staffordshire Terrier.

Can you identify the Pit Bull? Many dogs are identified in dog to human bites as Pit bulls but aren't.
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html
http://members.aol.com/radogz/find.html

 

[mthr2boys]

Originally posted by izzy
Oh my goodness, Bev! I'm so sorry this happened to your dog! I would also be scared about what this pit bull might do next if it got loose again, especially if I had small children. The new owner sounds like an idiot.

Was this reported to the appropriate authorities? If not, you probably should talk with the animal control person in your area. They might take the decision out of your neighbor's hands.



Thanks for the welcome! I have to agree with the idiot comment, even tho I hate to since he is my neighbor and never had any problems with him before, I guess he is not a smart man when it comes to dogs.

I am giving him to this weekend to get rid of dog, if not I am calling and reporting and also will ask him previous owner info to see if anything turned in on them when they owned the dog.

Thanks again for the welcome!

Bev

 

[airhead]

My house insurance will be terminated with the current carrier. Is it fair? No. My dogs have AKC titles in obedience. I think what would be fair, if you owned a breed in question, is if you can show that you have successfully and continually trained your dog to be obedient,you get to own any dog you want without restriction or penalty.
The people who own the offending dogs are not responsible owners. Frankly,they should be banned from any dog ownership.

 

[totalia]

I have to admit, dogs scare me. Though the big ones worst of all. If a big dog were to attack me, it's tear me to shreds because I'm so small.

Though I was bitten on the face by a little poodle once, its the big dogs that scare me. Their fangs are huge.

People should not be allowing their animals off the leash at any point. Even my cat stays on a leash if she's outside.

We have to remember, these are wild animals. They have been a bit domesticated but they are still hunters, still predators.

A small dog may bite but without a pack, they can't do that much damage. But a person on a bike (or anywhere else for that matter) is fair game for a large dog like a pitbull and much more likely to be killed by the large dog.

Perhaps its ignorant to fear such large animals when they can reach the size of a human being, but I don't think so. I think its reasonable.

 

[bumcat]

If all dogs were kept on a leash that would solve everything but that's just too easy I guess.

 

[goofy4tink]

EsmeraldaX....YES!!!! I totally agree with more stringent guidelines for buying a dog. Both my dogs' breeders 'checked' us out first. I was very pleased to see that. It would be wonderful if you had to pay 1/2 again as much as the normal cost and then get a refund if/when you and your dog passed a certain obedience level. Like airhead says, her dogs are well trained. Why should she have to have limitations as if she just let them run free, wreaking havoc thru the land? If you have the certification you should be able to get a break. Hopefully, this trend will end for the 'pit bulls'. I would love to see them all in warm loving families...well-trained and happy.

 

[workinggal]

You aren't allowed to sell live animals on Ebay, I don't think you should be able to in the local paper either, unless you follow these rules.

What is the cost of shipping for a dog these days?

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
EsmeraldaX....YES!!!! I totally agree with more stringent guidelines for buying a dog. Both my dogs' breeders 'checked' us out first. I was very pleased to see that. It would be wonderful if you had to pay 1/2 again as much as the normal cost and then get a refund if/when you and your dog passed a certain obedience level. Like airhead says, her dogs are well trained. Why should she have to have limitations as if she just let them run free, wreaking havoc thru the land? If you have the certification you should be able to get a break. Hopefully, this trend will end for the 'pit bulls'. I would love to see them all in warm loving families...well-trained and happy.

Me too.