More pit bull attacks (Minneapolis, New Brighton: law, dangerous, legal)

[PitBullMommie1206]

Originally Posted by Todd TCE

I was going to add some of the above mentioned comments also. Pits are really not very good guard dogs by nature. They are far too human companion natured, not aggressive. Any dog can be trained to be a good guard dog. And if beaten and abused can become human fearful.

That is very, very, very true! They can, just like any breed be bred to be good guard dogs though. They do have an uncanny ability to know when someone or something is really a threat or not. Also, they get very attached to their owners very quickly and will risk their lives for their owners. But, they aren't very good guard dogs unless you really work with them and train them to be. American Pit Bull Terriers are one of the only breeds that were bred specifically to be a people-friendly breed.

[JenLee]

I own a little 9.5-10 lb Shih Poo (ShihTzu, miniature poodle cross) that is the most lovable dog you ever saw. Ewok (for that is what he looks like) has never been the least bit aggressive towards anyone or anything since we've had him.

My younger brother is here recuperating from an illness; and the other day I needed to do something that I didn't want Ewok around; so I asked my brother to take him for a walk on the leash. My brother made some disparaging remarks about walking a "sissy dog" but finally did take him for a walk.

When he came back; he was all smiles! It seems some dog (spaniel and ?? crossed) had come running at my brother very aggressively; and Ewok jumped up and grabbed the other dogs' muzzle and hung on while the larger dog whipped his head back and forth trying to get the little dog to let go! Finally the other dog's owner came running up all apologetic and once the bigger dog was on a leash and under control, Ewok let go and jumped into my brothers' arms and barked at the other dog as if to say "You can't harm MY human!" My brother said the other dog was "easily" 3-4 times bigger than Ewok, and in spite of Ewok hanging on to the other dogs' muzzle, there didn't seem to be any bleeding or puncture marks from Ewoks' teeth.

Needless to say, my brother has taken Ewok for walks since then (and is spoiling him crazy!).

Now, neither dog was a "pit bull", but since I've never heard of aggressive spaniels before and also knowing that small dogs often have bad reputations ("yappy" and "nasty little barkers" comes to mind); I just thought that this story did belong in this thread anyhow.

[PitBullMommie1206]

Speaking of aggressive spaniels.. I grew up with a very aggressive cocker spaniel! We don't really know why she was like that. She was with us all her life, she was never mistreated in anyway, she was trained and socialized, she was taken to several different classes for training, obedience, etc, but it just seemed like no matter what we did she still hated people! Especially children! She was wonderful with our family and close friends, but that was it! lol! We had one of those invisible or electrical fences and we would let her play around in the yard for a little while everyday (if it was nice out.. lol) until she started running through the fence to try to get the golfers and the golf carts as the drove past! We also found out that a few of the pre-teen boys that lived in our neighborhood would play this "game" where they would run through our yard and see who could get through without getting bit! Needless to say, as soon as we found out about that she was never ever outside without being on her run or leash.. even when she was inside the fence. We loved her to death, but she was definitely a little crazy! lol!

[Sarahlnd]

I did a google search on pit bulls and attacks also, and you will be AMAZED what I have found. Go here:
Pitbull Attacks, Maulings, and Killings

[Sarahlnd]

I did a seach on google also about pit bulls and attacks and you will be AMAZED what I found. Go here
pit-bull-awareness-center.christianfunfair.org/attacks.htm

[maknadif]

Not all pitbull are created equal. If anything there should be somekind of regulating on who owns them. It's not that animal that just doesn't have a clue how to behave it's usually the owners lack of sense.

[Navelinski]

Way to go PitBullMommie!!!

I think the biggest problem is the idiots that are training APBTs and ASTs to be agressive and then selecting the most agressive ones to breed. Its the culture of dog fighting and the idea that if you have a mean dog, that makes you a force to be reconed with. Its not the dog's fault. A properly bred and trained APBT or AST is nothing to fear.

Maybe we should licence dog owners and make them pass a test before we let them own ANY dog.

Wasn't Petie (the dog on "Our Gang") an AST or APBT?

Rotties and Dobbies get a bad rap as well and they can be the biggest babies! My brother had a Doberman named Raisin. One day I was visiting him and his girlfriend let Raisin in the back door. Well, Raisin really was excited to see me, but I was talking to my brother and not paying any attention. The next thing I knew, he ran full speed through the kitchen, dining room, and into the living room and INTO MY LAP before I even knew what hit me. Just about knocked me on the floor, but he just wanted to be petted and cuddled. Kinda funny - a 65 lb LAP DOG!!!

[TimtheGuy]

Just saw a news story on 11 that a 7 year old boy was KILLED here in MPLS tonight by the family's or a neighbor's pit bull.

There are lots of dog bites by all dog types, but KILLED??

[TimtheGuy]

If there is no evidence that some of these breeds are more dangerous than others, then why do insurance companies charge higher premiums to people who own these dogs? I am pretty sure the insurance companies work off of straight statistics.

[citybythebay]

why do insurance companies charge higher premiums to people who own these dogs? I am pretty sure the insurance companies work off of straight statistics.

LOL...another untrue statement.

BTW...what insurance company doesn't charge higher premiums no matter what you own...ie., house, boat, car or three ....???...too funny! LOL