It's not the breed, it's the owner!

[CoMF]

Nothing makes my forehead vein bulge more than a whiny hand-wringer throwing a tantrum over an injustice, whether it's real or perceived, and expecting his or her elected officials to "fix the problem" with a ban on the offending object that has their knickers in a twist.

Case in point, an elderly man writes a letter to the editor of my local paper describing how two "pit bulls" savaged his wife who is thankfully alive but hospitalized. Now, rather than reporting the irresponsible owner for having their dogs off a leash and uncontrolled (a finable offense under PA state law), filing a criminal complaint and perhaps also suing said owner for civil damages and leaving it at that, he sounds a clarion call for breed-specific legislation so he and his wife can feel "safer." Because we all know how well that works.

I truly hope the guy obtains justice for his wife, but not at the expense of loving and responsible dog owners who know not to let their pets go "free range" in their neighborhoods. In all honesty, the two dogs should probably be captured and put down, but it breaks my heart that they would have to die for their owner's stupidity.

Well, that's my rant. It wasn't intended to be political or combative. If you want to voice a "strong" response, please PM me instead of posting it here.

 

[Alpo]

I agree completely.

I've had Beagles, Cockers, Springers, mongrels, Pekineses, Bulldogs, a Spitz and a Chesapeake.

All were friendly, well-behaved dogs.

And I've seen examples of every one of those that were nasty viscous brutes who were asking for either a good clubbing or a lead pill.

It's NOT the breed. It's the jerk that owns it.

 

[diamonback68]

No, I heartily agree with you.
The puppy doesn't know it's a pit bull when it's born. A couple of my kids and grandkids have pit bulls and they are the lovingest biggest ***** cats you ever want to find.

 

[MY15-22]

Sounds like I heard this before, but not with dogs.

 

[DeathGrip]

My Giant Schnauzer

100 lbs of rip snorting hell,

He wouldn't hurt anyone.

I lost him last November.

RIP Diesel.

 

[Faulkner]

Irresponsible dog owners are a blight on responsible dog owners the same as irresponsible gun owners are to law abiding citizens.

 

[CoMF]

Gents,

Thank you for all your replies. It's always nice to know you're not alone.

And yes, bad dog owners malign good and responsible ones. I also have met pit bulls that were big loving goofballs and "family" dogs that were mean and nasty. It all hinges on the owner.

Incidentally, anyone here ever get whipped by a wagging pit tail? Ouch!

 

[JohnSW]

I am against breed bans, but have mixed feelings about "pit bulls".

Dogs have genetic behavior predispositions. I know, because my beloved Shetland Sheepdog used to herd me around. I suspect that "pit bulls" tend to be aggressive, but that with proper socialization and care, they turn out just fine. When they have bad owners, they turn out to be more aggressive than other breeds with bad owners. In other words, the problem is a mixture of genetics and ownership, not either one taken alone.

My local Animal Humane Society used to euthanize all incoming "pit bulls". Now, they treat them like any other dog. If they pass their disposition testing, they are put up for adoption.

An acquaintance had his dog killed by "pit bulls". It was really horrible...

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

If his wife had been assaulted by a couple of welfare offspring, would he be demanding that THEY be euthanized ?

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Every time I almost feel like backing off on pitbulls, they kill somebody else here in NM. The owners are most certainly a major part of the problem.
But when the problem people have the problem dogs, it can get ugly in a hurry for the rest of us. That is the problem.
The pitbulls have so much jaw power that an attack by them often turns deadly.

 

[BigCityChief]

I happen to love dogs. I have met wonderfully loving pit bulls and I've met the kind whose vocal cords were cut by their drug-dealer owners who starved them and used them for "security." Any loved, well cared for pit bull who is properly socialized by a humane owner will be loving in return. Just my $.02.


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[CoMF]

Dogs have genetic behavior predispositions. I know, because my beloved Shetland Sheepdog used to herd me around. I suspect that "pit bulls" tend to be aggressive, but that with proper socialization and care, they turn out just fine. When they have bad owners, they turn out to be more aggressive than other breeds with bad owners. In other words, the problem is a mixture of genetics and ownership, not either one taken alone.

I think you've hit the proverbial nail on the head. Pits were originally bred for fighting and baiting, but like you said, with the right care and reinforcement, you can prevent those instincts from leading to undesired outcomes. It's not much different from training an Australian Cattle Dog (heel nipper) or a Cairn Terrier (destroyer of small animals).

 

[Old TexMex]

Why does my supermarket have to stop using plastic bags? Because some people litter. Why not just start writing tickets and collecting fines for littering, instead of making me take a remedial juggling course every time I buy more than three items at the store. Jeez.

 

[therevjay]

I've seen Pits I cross the street to avoid. Also those that like their tummies rubbed. In other words about like other dogs.

If some city/town/whatever actually did ban Pit Bulls, just HOW would they determine what a Pit is? Looking like a picture of one? Is a Pit/Lab mix a Pit? How much Pit DNA gets doggie sent to the death camp? 1/2 -1/4 - 1/8 ? How do we determine how "Pitty" they are? Maybe we could get Dr. Mengale to take skull measurements?.

 

[Waywatcher]

Never been a dog person. Probably never will be. Canis Lupus puts me on edge. I like my domesticated animals to be herbivores.

 

[BaldEagle1313]

I've seen Pits I cross the street to avoid. Also those that like their tummies rubbed. In other words about like other dogs.

If some city/town/whatever actually did ban Pit Bulls, just HOW would they determine what a Pit is? Looking like a picture of one? Is a Pit/Lab mix a Pit? How much Pit DNA gets doggie sent to the death camp? 1/2 -1/4 - 1/8 ? How do we determine how "Pitty" they are? Maybe we could get Dr. Mengale to take skull measurements?.

I realize your question is somewhat rhetorical, but check with the City of Toronto. They've banned them. There was a news item a year or two ago that a MLB pitcher was traded to Toronto and had to leave his dog behind because it was illegal to own one there.

I've seen German Shepherds and Dobermans that were perfectly reasonable pets - and those that chased me and bit my leg just because I was riding my bike past their house. It's all how they are raised. Just like children.

 

[kozmic]

I had an English Setter. She was a beauty and a kind soul. When she went into heat I would get a "visit" from a pit bull (Bruiser) that lived a mile away. He would ALWAYS escape from his yard and end up in our yard. ALWAYS.

The first time my wife said "He's got a tag on his collar see who he belongs to" For friggin' real? Stick my arm in front of a pit bull with his mind on sex and grab his collar?

I cautiously read the name and owner info on his collar. I called Bruiser's owner who was very nice. He said the dog was a push over and wouldn't hurt anyone. Turns out Bruiser was a pussycat. After while when he was looking for love in our front yard I would just tell him to get in my car and drive him home. We'd walk by his house and stop by to see him (even when walking our other dogs). He was a total sweetheart.

I always give pit bulls a lot of respect when I see them. Some are trained to be fighters or defenders, but most are absolutely great dogs with amazing disposition. IMHO There are many breeds who are inherently "nastier" than pit bulls.

 

[tacreload]

Had dobermans,everybody thought I was nuts.Great dogs.Pits make me nervous,not because they're pits but because of what I see on the other end of the leash.Pretty sure I know what the dog is like because of that.

 

[flundertaker]

I dont know, ive done everything I can think of to turn my 3 basset hounds into stone cold killers but so far its not working. I think the breed may have something to do with it.

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[Old TexMex]

I didn't know dogs were the problem....I thought it was stoopid people who wanted to pass ordinances. That's yer problem. Stoopid people.