The community (Northumberland, Jacksonville: transfer, to live, pit bulls)

[MermanMike]

If you're a pit bull owner, I'm sure you're not surprised to find out that just about wherever you go people will have a bias against pit bulls. I agree that they can be trained well and behave properly, like any other dog. But, their physical potential to harm other living things is much greater than a lab, for instance. I've seen two different pit bulls kill other dogs in a dog run in NYC (two different occasions, both conscientious owners who would never have predicted their pit's response). The dogs can lock their jaw apparently and it is practically impossible to prevent them from taking the attack just as far as they want to.

A lab, or most other dogs, are easily subdued even when provoked.

I would NEVER buy a house if I knew someone on the street owned a pit bull.

[Mom2Five]

Originally Posted by MermanMike

If you're a pit bull owner, I'm sure you're not surprised to find out that just about wherever you go people will have a bias against pit bulls. I agree that they can be trained well and behave properly, like any other dog. But, their physical potential to harm other living things is much greater than a lab, for instance. I've seen two different pit bulls kill other dogs in a dog run in NYC (two different occasions, both conscientious owners who would never have predicted their pit's response). The dogs can lock their jaw apparently and it is practically impossible to prevent them from taking the attack just as far as they want to.

A lab, or most other dogs, are easily subdued even when provoked.

I would NEVER buy a house if I knew someone on the street owned a pit bull.

No, it's not "everywhere I go". I go plenty of places with my pit bull with no problems whatsoever.

Those owners were NOT conscientous or else they would not have had their dogs in the run with the other dog in the first place. Obviously, they don't know their dogs all that well do they? Behind every dog attack is an owner not doing their job.

They CANNOT lock their jaws, that is myth!!!

A pit bull is easily subdued by an experienced owner also. An owner that can't handle their pit bull shouldn't have one (and there lies the REAL pit bull problem). They're just dogs! They're not a different species

Anyway, my intention was not to hijack this thread but I really needed to comment on that post which was just...too much.

[ashley19]

I think what the person is referring to is that many drug dealers do own pitt bulls or rotties for protection while they are gone. Many are trained to do that. I do know what he is saying about the car that is being driven but also wealthy people drive the same cars. Unfortunately, if you are white most people think nothing of it and African Americans, Hispanics, and other races are frowned upon because it is believed that they are doing illegal activities in order to have fine, expensive vehicles.

[lookin'for"home"]

Actually- I have to agree with MermanMike.
I worked as a dog groomer and I worked with a very experienced groomer who had many dogs, horses, etc., As a groomer, you learn every trick in the book and the potential of getting bit is a daily thing. She rescued a pit bull.
One time, this dog got into a fight with another dog and she literally had to get a 2 X 4 to break up the fight. She said she then understood what they mean by 'breaking a pit bull's bite." They hold on and "zone out" there. She said it was like the dog woke up when the finally could break them up.

IMHO, people get into trouble when they think all pit bulls are great or rotten. It's more than just how they are raised. It depends on their blood lines and theirinnate tendency to fight. They are not labs- labs are softmouthed- bred that way and for decades the pits were bred for being hardmouthed. It doesn't go away overnight. This, however, does not mean they all will bite- there are pits that won't bite and never will. The problem is you don't know about it until it's bitten.

[karen_s]

Mom2Five, I found this interesting article back when I was researching to see if there was any pending dangerous breed legislation in NE PA, I thought it was a good article (since we're grossly off-topic here anyhow): Banning Dangerous Dog Breeds

I am starting to hear stories of people forced to give away their dogs or pay huge homeowner's insurance surcharges due to specific breeds, but I believe that is against the law here in PA.

I should also note that my now 94-year-old great-aunt just lost her pit bull after 12 yrs. We took her to the shelter and she picked him - we were shocked but her heart was set on that particular dog and the staff assured us he was very gentle there. He was the kindest, sweetest, most loyal dog I had ever laid eyes upon.

[I LOVE PA!]

My opinions aside on the particular breed being discussed...
I have to say I got a big chuckle at the fact that you would actually eliminate an entire state when considering a move by the opinions of a few on this board. Actually it was more than a chuckle.....
And I think if you took a poll in every state's forum, you would find that more than 1/2 of the entire U.S. population would have a problem with the breed.

[Dawne]

So.....(she says, wresting the topic back to the original question)

Goodman, has any of this been helpful? Are you still coming to Northumberland? Keep us posted, and if we can be of any help, please let us know.

[Mom2Five]

Originally Posted by I LOVE PA!

My opinions aside on the particular breed being discussed...
I have to say I got a big chuckle at the fact that you would actually eliminate an entire state when considering a move by the opinions of a few on this board. Actually it was more than a chuckle.....
And I think if you took a poll in every state's forum, you would find that more than 1/2 of the entire U.S. population would have a problem with the breed.

It's not quite so humorous when you take the average mindset of an area and go further along the road...if BSL ever came up, am I going to be the only one fighting against it? Will I be standing alone trying to save my dogs from execution simply because of the way they look, not because of anything they've done? I have to tell you, it was actually that one post that just hit a nerve, the depiction of an African American as a thug because he drives a Hummer and has a pit bull...the OP is was just asking if he would be welcome there and this was the response...ewwww

Where I am now might not be the greatest environment for my dogs, but at least they're safe. BSL will never pass here, there's too many good, responsible pit bull owners to fight it. I don't have to stand alone here.

Besides, I'm actually not looking to live next door to anyone! I'm looking for a piece of property where my dogs can around and be dogs in peace, without worrying about the neighbors. I earn 6 figures, expect to do the same there, pay my taxes, contribute to my community but I'm not welcome because people are afraid of my very gentle, well trained and socialized dogs. It's assinine.

[Mom2Five]

Originally Posted by karen_s

Mom2Five, I found this interesting article back when I was researching to see if there was any pending dangerous breed legislation in NE PA, I thought it was a good article (since we're grossly off-topic here anyhow): Banning Dangerous Dog Breeds

I am starting to hear stories of people forced to give away their dogs or pay huge homeowner's insurance surcharges due to specific breeds, but I believe that is against the law here in PA.

I should also note that my now 94-year-old great-aunt just lost her pit bull after 12 yrs. We took her to the shelter and she picked him - we were shocked but her heart was set on that particular dog and the staff assured us he was very gentle there. He was the kindest, sweetest, most loyal dog I had ever laid eyes upon.

My sympathies to your aunt. I'm sure he was very a wonderful dog. I'm actually not surprised at someone her age choosing the breed - she probably remembers the day when the American Pit Bull Terrier was America's sweetheart, it's dog of choice and a war hero. One thing that always gives me a big smile is being out with pit bulls and having little old ladies coming up to pet them and talk about their childhood pet, invariably an APBT

There is no BSL in PA...now. However, you're surrounded by states that either do have it or are considering it so it's a concern for me.

(Regarding the article, it's not very factual and I'm not surprised that not alot of research went into it - that's pretty typical of writing an article about APBT's.)

[I LOVE PA!]

Originally Posted by Mom2Five

It's not quite so humorous when you take the average mindset of an area and go further along the road...if BSL ever came up, am I going to be the only one fighting against it? Will I be standing alone trying to save my dogs from execution simply because of the way they look, not because of anything they've done? I have to tell you, it was actually that one post that just hit a nerve, the depiction of an African American as a thug because he drives a Hummer and has a pit bull...the OP is was just asking if he would be welcome there and this was the response...ewwww

Where I am now might not be the greatest environment for my dogs, but at least they're safe. BSL will never pass here, there's too many good, responsible pit bull owners to fight it. I don't have to stand alone here.

Besides, I'm actually not looking to live next door to anyone! I'm looking for a piece of property where my dogs can around and be dogs in peace, without worrying about the neighbors. I earn 6 figures, expect to do the same there, pay my taxes, contribute to my community but I'm not welcome because people are afraid of my very gentle, well trained and socialized dogs. It's assinine.

Taking the average mindset of an area, such as the block you planned on moving on is one thing...generalizing the entire state of Pennsylvania because of one or tow posters here is something else!! If you plan on living somewhere remote with a fenced yard for your dogs, I can't see why anyone would care. You must remember that you love your dogs, I'm not questioning how loveable they are, but you can't expect people to love a brood of dogs that have a bad reputation, no matter how false you beleive that reputation is. I for one wouldn't care what kind of dogs they were - if you moved in with 5 dogs right next door to me, I'd be upset.