We haven't had a pit bull thread in a long time

[CAJUNLAWYER]

So what do you think?
Loveable misunderstood pets or Lucifer's beast??
Ought to be a good Friday night

[Jim Shugart]

Where's shortranger?

He should be able to get this thread off to a glorious beginning. . .

[G-Mac]

Didn't Para put a ban on pitbull threads?

Oh...I forgot...he's not here anymore.

Pitbulls are like humans...some good, some bad.

[walkinghorse]

Two legged or four legged?

[Airpark]

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux went camping in the desert. As soon as they'd gotten their tent all set up, both men turned in and fell soundly asleep. Some hours later, Thibodeaux woke Boudreaux and said, "Mais Boudreaux, look towards dat sky, what you see?"

Boudreaux replied, "I see millions of stars."

"What dat tell you?" asked Thibodeaux.

Boudreaux pondered for a minute then said, "Astronomically speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time-wise it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the morning. Theologically, Mother Nature is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What's it tell you,Thib?"

Thibodeaux says, "Boudreaux! You dumber than pit bull ****! It means somebody done stole da tent!"

[tyusclan]

I raised pit bulls for over 10 years back in the late 70's and 80's. At the time they were still a relatively unknown breed. The old time breeders who had developed the breed understood what a dangerous dog they could be. As a result the slightest hint of aggression toward people was a death sentence for a pit bull. They were put down immediately. The dogs then were THE most docile breed of dog toward people that you could find anywhere.

Along about that time the SPCA and Humane Society began their campaign to "stamp out" dogfighting. Because of the enormous publicity that they put out about the dogs the wrong kind of people began to be aware of them and wanted them. They didn't understand what these dogs were capable of, and as a result did not cull the people-aggressive dogs as they should have. They in fact liked that attitude in the dogs and actually bred for it. The result has been a marked increase in attacks by the dogs. They still attack percentage-wise much less than many other breeds, but when they DO attack they cause so much more damage than any other breed of dog is capable of.

While I was never a dogfighter myself, I became acquainted with quite a few over the years. Believe it or not, they were mostly just regular guys like all of us. Many people who love the breed today detest the dogfighters, but, like it or not, it's the dogfighters that created the breed with all those wonderful attributes that they admire. The people aggression we see today is not a result of the dogfighters, but those who did not (and still do not) understand the breed of dog that they own.

While the pit bull is still my favorite breed I do not own one now. If I were to try to get one I would want to find someone who has bred the dog for many years from the old fighting lines. Those are the gentlest strains available.

So, I said all that to say it all depends on the individual dog and who bred it.

[klondike]

Years ago my brother had one that went with him everywhere. I the dog was more likable than my brother. The dog seemed to get very anxious when left alone.

[charlie sherrill]

There are some docile ones out there. Unfortunately, I don't see many of them. The ones I see are owned by idiots and would make good targets.

[gizamo]

OK,

This thread will finally earn Cajun his stripes....By the time it has run it's course...I predict Lee will make good his promise and change Caj's status from Member to "Other"....

giz

[dlstewart01]

Dear Lord: Thank you for bringing me to Timmy's house and not Michael Vick's---Amen

[Texas Star]

I don't recall a ban on pit bull threads. May have missed it.

I watched a Discovery Channel feature last night, about people being bitten by various animals. Ranged from a tiger to a Great Basin rattler (attended by Dr. Sean Bush), and a black lady who was savaged by a pit bull. Her tale was woeful to hear.

I was nearly attacked by a Rottweiler that threatened to jump off of a second story balcony and come for me. I had a S&W M-66 full of .357 Hydra-Shoks for him if he did. But I was glad to get away before he came unglued, which was about to be the case.

[Pitdog02]

I guess there allright.

[M28]

Originally Posted by tyusclan

While I was never a dogfighter myself, I became acquainted with quite a few over the years. Believe it or not, they were mostly just regular guys like all of us.

Maybe like you buddy....but don't include me.

Brian~

[red14]

Originally Posted by dlstewart01

Dear Lord: Thank you for bringing me to Timmy's house and not Michael Vick's---Amen

That is a GREAT picture.


And those Pits are awesome too, especially the last one.

[mwtdvm]

Originally Posted by charlie sherrill

There are some docile ones out there. Unfortunately, I don't see many of them. The ones I see are owned by idiots and would make good targets.

If you back off and look at the animals owned by idiots, it is not the Pit Bulls, it is being owned by an idiot that is the problem..

I have sewn up my share of them, some after tangling with a hog, others after a dog fight. I did not/do not condone fighting but somebody has to "clean up the mess". My most memorable "cut and paste" was a pair of 8mo old pits that got loose and found a hog to play with. Sutured them up with about 160 stitches between them, by myself, with a little Acepromazine and lidocaine. The boys laid there on the treatment table, thumping their tails while I stitched and stitched and stitched.. Seemed very happy for the attention and somebody to just talk to them.

However, I would not trust them with a small dog, cat or child. Push the right button and S**t happens.

YMMV

[mtb1bkr]

Originally Posted by Pitdog02

I guess there allright.

Beautiful dogs pit. I had two when I was much younger. They were about as worthless as dogs get. Both brindles, they would come in from going out to relieve themselved, climb up on the couch, collapse and let out a big sigh, like they had just put in a long days work. Did that every time they went out. One got hit by a car when my idiot of a ex-step dad left the gate open. The other, was "helping" me change the oil on my car when someone pulled up and opened their door at the end of the drive and he climbedin for some attention. I couldn't get out from under the car fast enough to do anything. They were both the most gentle dogs I've ever had. I also had a female who was called by some a Red Nosed Colby, that was very beautiful and was built like the second picture without the cropped ears. She was a bit rowdy and liked to rum in larger spaces so we gave her to a friend who had a large fenced farm which she had free reign in.

Bill

[reerc]

Ya just had to stir the pot, didn't ya Caje?

Shorty must be out, or we'd have heard from him by now.

To each their own, but I've heard just too many stories of some sweet, lovable family pet pit ... that killed one of the kids in the family. Not worth the risk for me.

[tyusclan]

Originally Posted by M28

Maybe like you buddy....but don't include me.

Brian~

I'm not condoning or defending illegal activity, but the "image" of dogfighters and dogfighting is an image created by the SPCA and the Humane Society, and it is most certainly not the reality in most cases.

For instance, compare the "image" of guns and gun owners mostly portrayed in the media to the reality. It's very similar.

[shortranger]

These threads are always silly. Everyone knows that Pits can easily be tamed by the average stuffed moose:



If you remove the moose the dog will become suspicious of you:



I had a picture of what happens when suspicion turns to anger but there was too much blood on it for it to scan well.

David

[2Loud4You]

A friend of mine owns a pit that is nothing but a sweetheart. He's very gentle and loving!

[Smilin-buddha]

Working in a shelter environment I have seen all kinds of pits. The one dog I never trusted was a chow. We did impound a fighting pit or two in my time there. Actually I lost count. The one dog was a 6 time winner. I do not condone the use of animal for fighting. But I don't think the dog fighters were the one that screwed up the breed. It was the backyard guy the confuses Gameness for aggression. The dog that was a winner was getting his ear sewn up and just laid there. He was not good with other dogs, but he was one of the most friendly dogs I have ever come across. Most of the wrong people that own a dog chain it up or make it a yard dog. Also I am close to 40 and remember when I was young it was the Doberman to watch out for. Any dog can be aggressive when improperly raised or trained. Just like people

I like Staffordshire Bull Terrier. I hope to get my puppy this year

[BarbC]

This guy eats pit bulls for breakfast.

[pred]

I think that if they are wearing the big/thick spiked collar and are being walked by some guy with his pants hanging off his butt, And they are both running torward me I should be able to defend myself.
Friend of mine had a coup[le over they years, Most calm/lazy dogs,, But one slipped into Lucas one day and was put to sleep that same day.
Simple.
Peter

[bk43]

Originally Posted by tyusclan

I'm not condoning or defending illegal activity, but the "image" of dogfighters and dogfighting is an image created by the SPCA and the Humane Society, and it is most certainly not the reality in most cases.

Aha, I knew it! The neocon, right wing Republican loonies weren't responsible for bringing Michael Vick down. It was the SPCA all along. Whoda thunk it.

Bob

[reerc]

Originally Posted by shortranger

These threads are always silly. Everyone knows that Pits can easily be tamed by the average stuffed moose:




David

Tamed or bred?

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Originally Posted by shortranger

These threads are always silly.



David

Whatchewtalkin'bout Willis???

Originally Posted by BarbC

This guy eats pit bulls for breakfast.

What in the wild world of sports is THAT

[Duke426]

I don't think the animals should be banned, but I think the owners ought to bear the full criminal and monetary costs associated with the misbehavior of their "pet."

[Duke426]

Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER

Whatchewtalkin'bout Willis???



What in the wild world of sports is THAT

That is a Cane Corso. Italian guard dog.

[PALADIN85020]

I want you to meet Joe. Joe is a pit bull mix; his mother was an Australian sheep dog. Joe is my buddy and loves me totally and unconditionally. Every night when I hit the sack, he jumps up on the bed and smothers me with doggy kisses. Then and only then will he go and lie down to go to sleep. He's the most affectionate and loyal dog I've ever owned. He was trained by my old dog Bucky, who died earlier this year. Bucky was a border collie mix and our beloved alpha dog at the time. When Joe would get too rambunctious, Bucky'd bowl him over, put a paw over him to hold him down, and give him kisses as if to tell him that he wasn't being civilized, but he was still loved. Joe would then settle down nicely. Here's a pic of Bucky "civilizing" Joe:



With people other than family, Joe is a dichotomy. He has the mail man terrorized whenever he comes to the door with a package; he thinks that "Joe" is short for "Cujo." Joe does NOT like anyone at the front door who has not first been approved by us. His bark is deep and ferocious. His blue, almost white eyes make him pretty spooky to behold. He considers himself the guardian of our household, and he takes that duty seriously. When guests come, we restrain him, and once he sees that we accept these strangers in our home, he settles down and becomes quite docile. Accordingly, we have a security door in front of our front door, to keep Joe at bay until proper introductions have been secured.

At home with us, Joe is gentle, intelligent, and responds well to commands. As I mentioned, he is as loyal and affectionate as a dog can be. I love this dog very much, and give him belly rubs as often as he rolls over and asks for them, which is a lot. I didn't used to think much about pit bulls, and probably wouldn't have had one based on their reputation. Joe was orphaned by his previous owners, who couldn't keep him in an apartment, and so we wound up with him. Since Bucky's death, he's become the alpha dog and is all we could ever ask for as a loving companion and staunch guardian. I'm even beginning now to think pitties are kinda handsome dogs....

[tyusclan]

Originally Posted by BarbC

This guy eats pit bulls for breakfast.

Bad look don't make a bad dog.

It ain't the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.

Most of the dogs that have tried pit bulls for breakfast found them to be pretty indigestible.

[Bullseye 2620]

Originally Posted by tyusclan

I'm not condoning or defending illegal activity, but the "image" of dogfighters and dogfighting is an image created by the SPCA and the Humane Society, and it is most certainly not the reality in most cases.

For instance, compare the "image" of guns and gun owners mostly portrayed in the media to the reality. It's very similar.

What a total crock of hooey! First, the image of dogfighters has been created by Federal felons like the Vick Brothers, not by the SPCA. Second, your analogy fails because you cannot equate dogfighters to gunowers: the first are criminals, by definition; the second are law-abiding citizens, by definition.


Bullseye

[Bullseye 2620]

Originally Posted by BarbC

This guy eats pit bulls for breakfast.

It's a Cane Corso, a mastiff of Italian extraction. The name can be traced at least as far back as Italian writings around 1500. They grow to 90 to 115 pounds, are easy to socialize and to train not to go off unless a real threat is present. I know from personal experience with a neighbor's dog that you can teach them to play 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 football, so long as it's tackle. They have great lateral movement, but don't seem to grok to the idea of "touch." LOL.


Bullseye

[teesur]

Originally Posted by tyusclan

It ain't the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.

Most of the dogs that have tried pit bulls for breakfast found them to be pretty indigestible.

HERE, HERE!!
teesur

[tyusclan]

Originally Posted by Bullseye 2620

What a total crock of hooey! First, the image of dogfighters has been created by Federal felons like the Vick Brothers, not by the SPCA. Second, your analogy fails because you cannot equate dogfighters to gunowers: the first are criminals, by definition; the second are law-abiding citizens, by definition.


Bullseye

I think you completely missed my point.

I was not equating illegal activity to legal gun ownership. I said that I do not condone nor defend those who break the law.

The point that I was making is that the information you get in the media concerning pit bulls, dogfighting and dogfighters is clouded by an agenda. The truth is a LONG way from what you see portrayed, just as most of the information shown about guns and gun owners is skewed. I thought that since gun owners have seen hatchet jobs done on them before it would be easy to understand that the same thing could be done to others.

That was all I was saying. I meant no offense.

[onebadscrambler]

Used to care less either way. Until July 18 when a Pit killed one of my Yorkies while my 13yo daughter was walking them. I guess a Yorkie provoked a Pit Bull to kill it. This dog was in the possession of a pharmacist, so I do not believe they were training it to be a fighter or killer. Just a stupid *** dog.
I will not give the breed a second chance.

[redlevel]

Originally Posted by tyusclan

I think you completely missed my point.

I was not equating illegal activity to legal gun ownership. I said that I do not condone nor defend those who break the law.

The point that I was making is that the information you get in the media concerning pit bulls, dogfighting and dogfighters is clouded by an agenda. The truth is a LONG way from what you see portrayed, just as most of the information shown about guns and gun owners is skewed. I thought that since gun owners have seen hatchet jobs done on them before it would be easy to understand that the same thing could be done to others.

That was all I was saying. I meant no offense.

I hope the point you are trying to make isn't the point you are making. The point you have made is that both dogfighters and gun owners are really good guys (they are "mostly just regular guys like all of us" is how you put it) and have been done a disservice by a skewed media.

I know some dogfighters, and some hog doggers. Also some cockfighters. For the large part,they are definitely NOT just regular guys, just like us. Several I know are convicted felons. None of them, except for some of the hog dog people,are what I would call "just regular guys."

In fact, the media tends to portray dog fighters as low-life scum. It is, in my estimation, an accurate portrayal. How is that a skewed portrayal?

You lost me,and I assume Bullseye, with the "just regular guys" statement. I know better.

[tyusclan]

I thought I was a fairly articulate fellow, but I'm obviously not doing so well on this thread.

I knew some dogfighters over 20 years ago. I did say that the ones I knew then were mostly regular guys, and they were. I have not been acquainted with any for many years now, so maybe they are all scum now. I don't know.

I always appreciate getting perspectives other than mine and thought I could perhaps offer a perspective on this topic that others may not have.

I enjoy coming to this forum and do not in any way wish to create a problem. I apologize to any offended, and I'll just leave this one alone from here on out.

[oldfella]

Originally Posted by Jim Shugart

Where's shortranger?

He should be able to get this thread off to a glorious beginning. . .

Well, Jim Shugart is here, for goodness sake - How're ya doin' friend?

I response to Caj question - I think is both; sweet, lovable to their masters, but watch out!!!

Pete

[Bullseye 2620]

I don't know about redlevel, but I'm not offended. I just disagree with y'all, is all. That's one of the things what makes this a great board--you can disagree around here without being disagreeable.


Bullseye

[Andy Griffith]

I just want to know one thing...

How deep a pit do you have to dig to keep a bull in?

[Jim Shugart]

Originally Posted by oldfella

Well, Jim Shugart is here, for goodness sake - How're ya doin' friend?

I response to Caj question - I think is both; sweet, lovable to their masters, but watch out!!!

Pete

Thanks, Pete. I never went away, just been busy with my work, etc.

I wasn't gonna get involved in this, but here goes. . .

I posted this on another forum:

About 15 years ago, I got home from work at about 0700. I took my 10YO 20lb German Shepherd mix for a walk, as usual. As we rounded a corner, a Pit Bull clamped down on her face with one fang over her left eye and the other one in her throat.

I stuck my index fingers into the Pit Bull's mouth to immobilize him and chewed up his ear while the owner was pulling on his hind legs. The dog turned loose but chomped down on my fingers. All of this took about 5-10 seconds.

The owner was very apologetic. I told him to just pay the vet bills and promise to control his dog in the future and we could just forget about it.

I took my dog to the vet: There was no serious damage.

I then took myself to the ER (at the hospital where I work). Unfortunately, It was at change-of-shifts and I didn't get very good treatment. The injuries to my fingers didn't appear to be too bad. They didn't call in a hand specialist and didn't even get any xrays. The right finger had tendon damage (there's a very narrow window when this can be effectively treated) and it will not fully extend now. The left finger had the bone crushed. It developed osteomyletis. They inserted a catheter and I gave myself IV antibiotics daily for six weeks. They wanted me to come in for this but I convinced them that I could do it myself (I'm a pharmacist). The antibiotics didn't work and I had to have surgery to remove part of the bone. All of this took about two months.

About a year after this, I got a call from the guy:

Him: Hey, Jim. I thought we were straight about the dog bite thing.
Me: Yeah. So, what's up?
Him: I just got a bill from ********** Hospital for $12,000. Are they serious?
Me: Count on it. I've got no control over them or their insurance carriers.
Him: So *** do I do?
Me: Move to Canada. Grow a beard. Talk with a French accent. I don't know.

My dog lived another seven years. I think of it as an honor to have had the opportunity to show her how much I loved her. (Of course, she didn't know. When we got back from the vet, she wanted to finish her walk. )

I don't always carry when I leave the house, unless I've got my dog with me. If an unleashed dog approaches, I tell the owner to "Control it, NOW". An unleashed pit bull = one dead pooch. No warning.

- Jim

[jframe]

I've had some experiences being around them, and in ALL of them, I felt the need to be wary. Some of these were before pits got a rap against them by the media and public. They are intimidating animals, and they KNOW they are intimidating. That being said, I don't like them, and none of them seem to like me, although I am a dog man. I own two, a Shih Tzu, and a Yorkie, and I love them unconditionally. I think pit bulls are a beautiful breed and handsome to look at and admire from afar, but then so are mountain lions. This breed did not get it's reputation for nothing.

[Mickey D]

Originally Posted by Duke426

I don't think the animals should be banned, but I think the owners ought to bear the full criminal and monetary costs associated with the misbehavior of their "pet."

Not your typical Raider's fan, huh?

[wheeler10k]

the stats more than bear out one fact-pitts and rottties acount for tha overwhelming majority of deaths by dog-not even close-say what you will, i have been menaced ( i am 6' 3" 290 pounds in my own back yard by pitts. I have a 9 year little gal old and there are pitt mixes in my hood-not comfortable with the situation-at all.
Great owners do not an instinct nullify.

[unclefish]

It's not the breed; It's the owners. If you were taught to fight from birth; you would'nt know any different. Not just anyone can own a pit bull. You must know how to get control of your dog.

[DougDubya1970]

Neglect and lack of teaching the pit bull its place in the pecking order account for the "negligent discharges" of pit bulls in otherwise good neighborhoods.

A pit bull owner definitely has to follow the concept of being the alpha of the family. Once that's done, the pit will take its cues from the owner. If the pit doesn't have the right socialization, then it assumes that the world it's in is out to get it, and the dog retaliates with its natural defensive mechanisms.

It's a creature that doesn't have the same language mechanisms that we do, and is not the same species as we are. Behaviors which parents would understand of children (a shrill scream, a soft slap, then running away giggling) is something that an animal (albeit an relatively intelligent one) would likely understand, or in a play experience, the pit doesn't realize its strength compared to humans. When puppies play fight, it looks more ferocious than it really is, and they play in proportion to their strength level. When that comes down to children, or small dogs assuming that a pit bull is a threat to their territory, that becomes a problem only because the pit is so strong for its size, that even a play bite breaks skin. Considering that pit bulls have comparative jaw strength to a hyena and can splinter big soup bones with ease, if the pit bulls were actually going into attack mode, we'd be looking at dismemberment.

As for a Yorkie inciting a pit bull, you haven't seen many small dogs confronted by animals multiple times their size. I had a toy poodle who was less than a fifth the size of the next door neighbor's (abused and neglected and downright mean) collie. When that dog came out and started in on Duchess, she was ready to throw down, and only a seven foot-tall chain link fence kept the blood from flying. It's a territory thing if the dog has not been socialized to other dogs, and the littlest dog assumes that it's a Cane Corso raised on a diet of Kryptonite and Steve Rogers' super soldier serum against bigger animals.

BTW - looking at that Cane Corso - it's love at first sight. Wow.

[sw282]

My Dad told me about a pit bull he had as a kid. He said the dog would catch a brick in his mouth like a stick. Daddy said Rick died from snake bite. They were poor and this was in the early 1920s. Rick was used mostly for chasing hogs.

[peyton]

This caught my attention, it was posted on CNN today

Pit bull attack victim begins road to recovery | abcactionnews.com

Pit bull attack victim begins road to recovery
Reported by: Chad Cookler
Email: [email protected]
Contributor: Keith Baker
Last Update: 9/18 8:27 pm

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- A St. Petersburg man shot and killed a pit bull that attacked and critically injured his neighbor Thursday afternoon.

Investigators say Patricia Thiel walked into the backyard of her home at 2012 Bonita Way and was attacked by Jake, an 80 lb. pit bull owned by another man who lives in the same home.

As she cried out for help, a neighbor looked over the privacy fence surrounding the yard. Jake charged the fence, causing the neighbor to retreat, police say.

That neighbor ran door to door, eventually finding Joseph Wharton, who lives several doors down. Wharton got his 9mm handgun and fired three shots at the animal, hitting it twice and killing it.

"It was a scary scream. A scream "somebody help me! Help me!"" said neighbor Jackie Williams, who called 911 for help while Wharton went back in his home for his pistol.

"Even if she hadn't scooted over, I would've taken the shot. 'Because you were scared for her life?' Yes. She was going to die." said Wharton.

Williams said, "And blood everywhere. I thought "oh my God! oh my God!" I got in my car and went to the country club and got Rob (the dog's owner)."

Thiel, whose left arm was shredded with the bone exposed, was taken to Bayfront Medical Center. She also suffered injuries to her head, neck, right shoulder and right arm.

She was later transferred to Tampa General Hospital.

Robert Jacks, who neighbors say is Thiel's boyfriend, owns Jake and two other pit bulls. The other two dogs did not join in the attack, but jumped the fence afterwards.

Thiel remains in critical condition, but is expected to survive.

Williams said quick action by neighbors undoubtedly saved Thiel's life. "She's really lucky," Williams said.

[Duke426]

Originally Posted by Mickey D

Not your typical Raider's fan, huh?

That is the understatement of the year!

[Larrymcc1]

I can not change anyone's preconceived opinion's of a particular subject, especially The Pitbull Terrier. However, a person withan open mind, might be surprised how gentle the breed is. It depends on the integrity of the individual human of how the dog is trained and treated.