Pit Bull Attacks
 

Sorry to keep revisiting this issue. Everyone keeps saying that the owners are the ones at fault. Is there something that's not being said about the owners that we should know about?

The owners are at fault because the owners have a duty to know which situations are likely to cause their dogs to become dangerous and to take reasonable steps to avoid those situations. In my amateur's opinion, some dogs are more likely to attack than others and part of that tendency is related to the dog's breed. My experience with pit bull mixes is limited to two dogs, so I'm no expert. Neither of my pit bull mixes has shown any inclination to be aggressive with people, but one of them could get aggressive with other dogs. We managed that issue. It was no big deal. It is a great breed, but I wouldn't recommend them to everyone.

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Kuan, as you know a MN State Rep introduced a bill to ban pit bulls, Akitas, Rotts, gee what else? -- in Minneapolis. The slippery slope arguement can easily be applied.

A few months back, Minneapolis Animal Control came out AGAINST the ban and wrote a good op-ed piece in the Star-Tribune. Basically writing what DC just stated. They are the folks on the front line who deal with the bad owners on a daily basis AND, I'm sure, have pleasant exchanges with pit bull owners who care about animals-- not abuse them. I had a long exchange with an animal control officer over the summer, he was looking for a missing neighborhood dog, and was excited/pleased to meet Mary and Blue.

We have a 105 pound male Akita. He is the sweetest, most loveable dog you could possibly meet. He is just a big teddy bear of a dog. He is, however, a protector of our home--he can lick an intruder to death. :D

This is our second Akita. We've also owned a Chow-chow.

If the People's Republic of California tried to take either of my dogs away, based on stupid and baseless assumptions regarding breed behavior, there would be rioting on the streets. :grim: :singer: :grim:

Yeah I doubt that piece of legislation has much momentum, but how do you change people's perception that the dogs are dangerous? This is a case where I think it's proper to say that political correctness has gone too far. If owners are at fault, then we need to talk about dangerous dog owners, not dogs.

Well my lab/border mix can be aggresive with other dogs too. :)

Seriously, somehow we've missed the point. I see the issue exactly the same way I see the concealed carry issue. The problem is not the weapon, it's the person, but we can't talk about the people because that'll have to involve some kind of profiling, so we target the dogs instead. There is a solution though which probably involves trading some rights for some privileges, but I don't think the legislature is that motivated to invest that kind of time in something that involves animals.

I was talking to guy a who lives in my 'hood-- used to breed horses now he's into German Rotts (not the American breed, nose upturned ;) ) His dogs cost as much as my wagon. -- Anyhow, he said that Minnesotan's aren't stupid enough to support such a law. I agree for the most part...

"Ghetto Mentality" owners like that @$$H07# Michael Vick. Those just happen to be "typical" Pit-Bull owners. Many of these owners breed/raise their dogs to be mean, or fight because they truely believe it makes them "Tougher" or "Cooler" as an owner, and the only one who can control the beast they have created and everyone else should back down...

On the other hand, a Pit-Bull naturally is a bit of an aggressive dog to begin with. It still however can be treated like a baby and act like a total sweet-heart with the correct raising/breeding. I've known MANY of them. Some, are extremely playful loving and smart, and just plain cute. Others, have been nasty and mean. Each and every time however, it was a direct reflection of the owner's particular attitude towards the world, and society. Many of them were Male owners, who were obviously attemting to compensate for other...ehemh..Short-comings, for lack of a better term. Either way, it's a reflection of the treatment the dog receives throughout it's lifetime. They are a wonderful breed, and if you plan to raise one to be nice, I highly suggest you acquire one if possible.

"Pete the pup," from The LIttle Rascals was a pit bull.

Never attacked any of the kids. :D

A pit isn't for everyone.

A prospective owner should have a good deal of previous experience with dogs and understand canine behavior. They should also be prepared to spend a lot of time (or money with a trainer) teaching the pup/adopted adult to be a good canine citizen.

Pits are hard headed and very strong, so it takes a calm mind and strong arm to work with them. All eyes are on this breed, no thanks to the corporate media. That's one reason why legit/responsible rescues and humane societies perform lengthy interviews, criminal background checks and home visits to ensure a good owner--pit bull fit.

Wiener dogs should be on that list, for sure.

and if everyone who owned a dog thought the way you do, there would'nt be any attacks on people or other animals.

You got that right. I still got wilts and bite marks all over my body. The wounds are healing up good now. Josey is ever the sweetheart to everyone, but those other two I was attacked by last weekend were not so pleasant..Not ALL weiner dogs are nice..as I said, the owner makes the imprint on the animal..

I don't understand. Where you lying on the ground??

It sounds like you were attacked by a swarm of bees, or 2 huge hell hounds.