Pit Bull People in Charleston? (renting, crime, neighborhood)

[Summering]

"I don't put my dogs in a position to be a hazard to anyone else. They are leashed at all times for their safety as well as others around. quote Ibyrbby........'"

Do you really leash your dogs " all the time"......" for THEIR safety".....as well as for "others around"........
Why in all the dogs I've known, in our families over the years......have none of us had to do this? I don't have a dog that I don't feel is safe around people.
For "their safety" .......from what?, from each other?.....from people.?
I've heard some of the people talk on and on how safe their dogs were only to say they can't leave them alone, or in the same room when they go out.
There are so many well behaved, safe dogs.......and I do love, love, dogs.
But there is something wrong when you read about the attacks, on their loving owners and in such sudden fashion.
I support many dog rescues, 'Save a pets'.....
We don't have to leash our dog, or keep them apart, all our breeds get along.....that took a minute of training.

[lpyrbby]

Originally Posted by Summering

"I don't put my dogs in a position to be a hazard to anyone else. They are leashed at all times for their safety as well as others around. quote Ibyrbby........'"

Do you really leash your dogs " all the time"......" for THEIR safety".....as well as for "others around"........
Why in all the dogs I've known, in our families over the years......have none of us had to do this? I don't have a dog that I don't feel is safe around people.
For "their safety" .......from what?, from each other?.....from people.?
I've heard some of the people talk on and on how safe their dogs were only to say they can't leave them alone, or in the same room when they go out.
There are so many well behaved, safe dogs.......and I do love, love, dogs.
But there is something wrong when you read about the attacks, on their loving owners and in such sudden fashion.
I support many dog rescues, 'Save a pets'.....
We don't have to leash our dog, or keep them apart, all our breeds get along.....that took a minute of training.

If I had my dogs off leash, and another person came around who felt threatened (justifiably or not) by my dogs, my dogs' safety would be at risk because of what people are capable of doing.

I should add that my dogs are not leashed in my home unless new people are visiting. And they are only leashed then to give new people a chance to walk in the door before being bombard with doggie kisses.
I feel my dogs are VERY safe around people and kids a like. But not everyone likes dogs. I'm being responsible and respectful of others in making sure they don't have to meet my dogs unless they want to.

And different breeds were bred for different things. Pit bulls were bred to fight other dogs so its only reasonable to expect them NOT to get along with one another. They are also terriers so its ALSO reasonable to expect them to have a prey drive and want to chase small animals. But, as each dog is an INDIVIDUAL, there are exceptions to this generalization. My dogs get along with each other famously. But, it would also be foolish of me to think that my dogs will get along with ALL dogs. It is my responsibility as a dog owner NOT to put my dogs in a position where they might fail.

I would also like to reiterate that 99% of the time, the media does not divulge all the information regarding attacks that do happen. They don't let you know that it was an intact male that lived its life banished to the backyard on a chain (or whatever the other common situations are). They don't let you know how the dog's life was like before the attack. And like I said before, most people don't know dog behavior. There are always *signs* before dogs attack. It's easier for people to say "I don't know what happened" and push the blame on the dog than it is to say, "Damn, I messed up really bad and didn't try to do anything when my dog started showing signs like he might bite." That's another human problem: take the easy way out, push the blame.

[DiamondTiger]

Originally Posted by pvjd

What's with the pissing contest? Pits aren't heavenly angels, not are they mass murderers. Just agree to disagree. I have worked with many a different breed in the rescue/vet care field, and the worst attack I ever had was from an American Water Spaniel. I love that you are advocating on behalf of this breed that gets a bad rap. Does this mean that people never get attacked--no. Does this mean that pit attacks are more likely to be reported due to said reputation--maybe. Either way, stop wasting so much energy on trying to prove the other wrong.

First let me say that I read your latest reply and I thank you. I'm replying to the above post more for the benefit of those who insist on quoting snippets of different articles, but refuse to see the bigger picture.

I don't believe there is any breed of dog that, as a whole, are "heavenly angels". And I won't deny that some "Pit Bulls" are dangerous dogs... however, as with any other breed, these are individual dogs and do not represent the entire "breed". Hell, many anti-Pit Bull people don't even know what a "Pit Bull" looks like, so how could these attacks represent an entire "breed", when misidentification happens more often than not. It can't, and so "Pit Bull Type Dog" is used in these bans to define any dog that RESEMBLES a "Pit Bull", meaning that "your" Labrador could very well be ripped from your family and home, and killed because it LOOKS like a "Pit Bull" based on an uneducated and nonprofessional "guess". In the same token, my dogs and breed of choice (APBT) are being banned all over the world because some irresponsible Labrador (I use this breed as an example only, so please don't take offense Lab lovers! ) owner let their dog run loose, or didn't train their dog, or didn't supervise their dog with a child, and the dog attacked and was misidentified as a "Pit Bull" because it has a short coat, a "square head", a "wide chest" and broad powerful jaws.





All of the dogs above have VERY similar characteristics, yet only 1 of them is a "Pit Bull". They are ALL at risk of being killed based on their appearance.

Also, for those who choose to cite "Dog Bite Law" as their source, please read the entire content of the site. It sickens me to see this site used in the many "anti-pit bull" posts throughout the net, because the site is packed full of information to the contrary of what these folks argue. A direct quote from "Dog Bite Law" states that:

The term "canine homicide" refers to the death of a person which is caused by a dog. There are many caveats when considering reports of canine homicides. Dr. Richard Polsky's website entitled Fatal Dog Attacks in the United States contains a disclaimer that applies to not only his site, but Dog Bite Law and any other publication, book, list or other report pertaining to canine homicides. Dr. Polsky points out that not all deaths involving dogs are included in these lists; that the breed of dog is frequently misstated, especially where the pit bull is concerned; and that these reports should not be used to support breed specific legislation.

Another direct quote from "Dog Bite Law" says that:

The most horrifying example of the lack of breed predictability is the October 2000 death of a 6-week-old baby, which was killed by her family's Pomeranian dog. The average weight of a Pomeranian is about 4 pounds, and they are not thought of as a dangerous breed. Note, however, that they were bred to be watchdogs! The baby's uncle left the infant and the dog on a bed while the uncle prepared her bottle in the kitchen. Upon his return, the dog was mauling the baby, who died shortly afterwards. ("Baby Girl Killed by Family Dog," Los Angeles Times, Monday, October 9, 2000, Home Edition, Metro Section, Page B-5.)

I wonder just how many anit-Pit Bull people have even bothered to read Attorney Kenneth Phillips (owner and author of the web site "Dog Bite Law") bio and mission statement. In it he states that:

"Dog Bite Law is a noncommercial online treatise that resulted from a dog bite. On Christmas 1998, a dog bit my niece in the face. It upset me a great deal, because I felt that it would not have happened if she had some basic training in dog safety. I felt that I needed to do something to educate the public about the dog bite epidemic.

and

"In 2006 I also entered the legislative arena for the purpose of strengthening the laws that pertain to dangerous dogs and irresponsible dog owners. I assisted in the drafting of reasonable, non-breed specific legislation on both the state and local levels in several jurisdictions.

Originally Posted by lpyrbby

It's not wasted energy if at least ONE person considers the information available to them and learns from it.

I agree. I also believe that until people stop buying into all the media hype (ratings), and start asking some questions as to why ANY dog attacks, and learn the facts about these statistics and WHY dog bites occur... there will never be an end to dog bites and fatalities, no matter what the "fad" breed may be or what breed BSL targets next.

Bottom line is... EDUCATION

1) Learn why dogs attack, and how to reduce your (and your children's) chances of becoming the victim of a dog bite/attack.
2) Learn about the signals that ANY dog gives before it's about to bite or attack... and teach our children how to interpret a dogs body language.
3) Teach our children (and ourselves) how to interact with dogs appropriately, and to respect animals.
4) Teach our children (and ourselves) how to greet an unfamiliar animal that is properly leashed and under control.
5) Teach our children (and ourselves) what to do if a strange (stray) dog approaches them, and what to do if a dog jumps on them or tries to bite them.

[SCBeaches]

My motto is: Anything with teeth can bite!
I also take in rescues and have raised more than 25 dogs over a 35 year period of time - all mixed breeds. I also take in cats...and they all (dogs and cats)get along very well. Right now I have 3 dogs and 3 cats - all healthy, loved, and well-cared for (they run the house and the yard!). I have to say, though, I wouldn't have a pit bull because of the locking mechanism in their jaws. Yes, most of them are very gentle, loving, and playful and yes, they definitely get a bad rap...but they still scare me. We all know the horror stories and my brother's best friend is now an invalid because of a family pet pit bull....but there are also known cases of labs, collies, and other breeds attacking people for no reason.

I'm so glad that you are rescuing pit bulls, though. They certainly didn't ask to be bred for fighting, they certainly didn't ask to be tortured, starved, electrocuted, drowned, pit against other dogs for blood sport....they are truly the underworld's "sport" victims - and it's tragic. I'm glad that people like you aren't afraid to take them in and give them the loving home they deserve.

[lpyrbby]

Originally Posted by SCBeaches

I have to say, though, I wouldn't have a pit bull because of the locking mechanism in their jaws.

Please don't take offense to this, but pit bulls have the same jaw structure as other dogs. They don't have locking jaws at all. No keys there

New Hope Pit Bull Rescue - Do Pit Bulls Have Locking Jaws

There's a link to this common myth that's covered on our rescue's webpage. Check it out please.

And, should you ever feel brave enough one day, I'll be more than happy to let you meet my mushball of a pit bull. He is the epitome of "don't judge a book by it's cover." He's beefy on the outside and full of honey on the inside.

[SCBeaches]

Thanks for the link. Hm-m-m-m, I guess I fell for the myth too. I had heard it so many times from seemingly informed people that I believed it. I will read the rest of the info. on the link later when I have more time.

I still have to say that I wouldn't own one personally; nor would I own a Doberman, Rotweiller, or German Shepherd.
As I said, I'm glad that you and others are willing to step in and care for them.

[lpyrbby]

Originally Posted by SCBeaches

Thanks for the link. Hm-m-m-m, I guess I fell for the myth too. I had heard it so many times from seemingly informed people that I believed it. I will read the rest of the info. on the link later when I have more time.

I still have to say that I wouldn't own one personally; nor would I own a Doberman, Rotweiller, or German Shepherd.
As I said, I'm glad that you and others are willing to step in and care for them.

I'm sure we've all been there before at some point or another. I'm sure my grandmother still believes that myth too. Its amazing how much information is put out to the public as fact and upon further research, there's no truth whatsoever. For instance, many people believe raw meat makes a dog vicious. That's also a myth. Raw meat, when fed appropriately is better for a dog than the processed kibble bought at the store. The reason many say it makes dogs aggressive is because raw meat and bones are "high value" items and dogs and they *will* fight over them unless instructed how to appropriately behave with them. Food aggression is a common occurrence in many households and many people just live with it instead of correcting it.

Gosh I could go on!

[Jamie86Bos]

i rescued a pit from a shelter here in san diego. his name is chubbs and he will be a year old next month. i hope to move to the summerville/ goose creek area early next year and maybe when i do we can have a play date with our dogs. this is to the person who originally posted this thread chubbs gets along great with other dogs and he is quite the kisser. hes actually licking my elbow right now haha. and i do want to say i completely respect everyones opinion on different breeds of dogs, but i think we all need to be educated on which ever subject were all about to speak so strongly about. and yes, those were some interesting anti pit bull websites, but please, but mature enough to understand that the media loves the "big bad muscular pit bull bites a 10 year old" more than the average dog who gets irritated an snapps its owner . so naturally, there would be way more "interesting" news articles about the shocking behavior of pit bulls and of course the ones that arent them at all, but just one of the many breeds that resembles a pit bull.
pit bulls are not mean spirited dogs. they just want to be loved like any dog. if bred correctly and raised with love and discipline ( like any other domestic aminal on the planet) they are wonderful, loyal, smart, and super funny. its really sad. if you check out pit bulls online for sale they are one of the cheapest breed to buy. so who is going to buy them? im sure some of the poeple wont be the best crowd. theyre so easily taught to do things such as fight, and thats unfortunatly what happend to many pit bulls. and if one of the "fighter" pits get loose, it could easily kill an unsuspecting innocent family dog. thats horrible. i know. but dont blame every pit bull. thats ignorance. and its not fair to the many many many wonderful pit bulls and pit bull mixes out there who clearly arent raised to do that. and of course, their great owners

[Harley_man]

Originally Posted by Condorll

People don't bite People, Dogs do.

If the problem is with the People, it would be evident with higher dog bite statistics on other breeds, but that is not the case.

Fact is, a Pit Bull is a highly aggressive animal, a fighting dog.

Love 'em if you want to, but you may pay the price one day both financially and emotionally having to live with the fact that your dog maimed or killed someone.

Life is too short and too sweet to expose ourselves to unneccessary risk.

Good luck to you.

>>The pit bull's unusual breeding history has produced some bizarre behavioral traits, de- scribed by The Economist's science editor in an article published a few years ago, at the peak of a heated British controversy over dangerous dogs that saw the pit bull banned in England. First, the pit bull is quicker to anger than most dogs, probably due to the breed's unusually high level of the neurotransmitter L-tyrosine. Second, pit bulls are frighteningly tenacious; their attacks frequently last for 15 minutes or longer, and nothing—hoses, violent blows or kicks—can easily stop them. That's because of the third behavioral anomaly: the breed's remarkable insensitivity to pain. Most dogs beaten in a fight will submit the next time they see the victor. Not a defeated pit bull, who will tear into his onetime vanquisher. This, too, has to do with brain chemistry. The body releases endorphins as a natural painkiller. Pit bulls seem extra-sensitive to endorphins and may generate higher levels of the chemical than other dogs. Endorphins are also addictive: "The dogs may be junkies, seeking pain so they can get the endorphin buzz they crave," The Economist suggests.<<

HAHAHAHA. Are you actually being serious with this last paragraph. Dude a pit bull is a dog, not a terminator sent back through time to kill everyone. It's classic how your source of information is "The Economist"". I'm pretty sure "The Economist" is not where most people get their dog information from. And to the starter of this thread, hang in their dude, I know it's fustrating when people are close minded about pit bulls and they base their whole opinion on things they have heard or read in the media. Anybody who has owned a pit bull knows they are the most loyal, loving, and intelligent dogs anybody could ever hope to owne.

[pvjd]

The Dog Whisperer uses a dog to serve a a model sometimes when he has difficult dogs, and he wants to have a calm, well behaved dog to give cues on how to behave. Guess what kind it is--a pit.