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Because my home owners insurance company will no longer do business in Florida, I had to find a new company. My new company would not provide personal liability or medical coverage if I owned any of the following dogs-
pit bull, german shepard, akita, doberman pincher, chow, rottweiler, great dane, caucasian mountain dog, staffordshire terrier, american bulldog, beauceron, keeshund.
Seriously? So many dolts, it's amazing. I remember back in the 70s when Dobermans were the "dangerous dogs". Pit bulls aren't the problem, idiot owners are. Just like children, you raise them in a loving home and they are great dogs (yes I had one.) Dogs are a reflection of their master.
So what do you propose be done about a dog that you cannot restrict to being owned by a kind, gentle, mild mannered owners? See, therein lies the rub. If you cannot deny access to these dogs to unqualified individuals, there is not much choice but to outlaw the breed. There are irresponsible people that knowingly bring this breed into their homes only to have them hurt a family member of kill a baby, but what about the innocent bystander who has the terrible misfortune to cross paths with a Pitbull that was not raised and trained properly? What cosolation is there for the person who has had a piece of their face ripped out or their own pet mauled when you explain to them that the Pitbull just wasn't raised properly?
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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.
I guess this would be one of the irresponsible owners............
"A Clearwater man arrested Tuesday for possessing child pornography and having sex with his girlfriend's dog worked at the Humane Society of Pinellas, where his girlfriend is the society's medical director, authorities said Wednesday. Eric Antunes, 29, is the live-in boyfriend of Pinellas Humane Society medical director Katerina Williamson, according to police. Clearwater Public Communications Director Joelle Castelli said police do not have evidence that Williamson was aware Antunes was taking photos of himself engaged in sex acts with her pit-bull mix. "We cannot prove that she had any knowledge of this going on," Castelli said."
I guess this would be one of the irresponsible owners............
"A Clearwater man arrested Tuesday for possessing child pornography and having sex with his girlfriend's dog worked at the Humane Society of Pinellas, where his girlfriend is the society's medical director, authorities said Wednesday. Eric Antunes, 29, is the live-in boyfriend of Pinellas Humane Society medical director Katerina Williamson, according to police. Clearwater Public Communications Director Joelle Castelli said police do not have evidence that Williamson was aware Antunes was taking photos of himself engaged in sex acts with her pit-bull mix. "We cannot prove that she had any knowledge of this going on," Castelli said."
I agree completely, but what does that have to do with Pit Bulls being dangerous? If they were such evil monsters, I'd think that Pit would've taken care of business pretty quickly.
My pit wouldn't hurt a fly, and she's tipping the scales at 35 lbs so it's not like she's a big dog by any means.
That's actually about right for a REAL Pit, as they're supposed to weigh between 35-55lbs (if memory serves). Those gigantic 100+lb "Pits" you often see in the news are mixes, as the true APBT breed is medium-sized.
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My roommates australian shepherds? They've bitten at least 6 people that I know of in the last 6 months I've lived here. 2 people required stitches. My brother was attacked by a golden retriever when he was younger.
My brother was badly bitten by a Chow once, and they're actually at the top of most "dangerous breeds" lists. So why don't they have an equally bad rap? Guess it's because they're cute and fluffy.
What is interesting about this debate....is how black and white it is.....pitbulls are either a menace or cute and cuddly. Dogs need to be evaluated on a case by case basis...there are issues with this breed, and they need monitoring and training. Yes...a pitbulls bite is more dangerous than a bite from a chihuahua.
But....it is not appropriate to judge a dog breed on the actions of some dogs. It is the same as judging as Islamics based on the actions of extremists.
Very sensible post, and pretty much summarizes my thoughts on the issue! I have a LOT of experience with dogs, having been a pet sitter for over a decade. Plus I have my own wonderful pooch, a 6 year-old 40lb mutt who's never bitten or attacked anyone. Through my experiences with the various breeds, I have learned mostly to judge them on individual temperament... but I'm also aware of the tendencies for certain behaviors, not to mention potential severity of a breed's bite. For example, I was only laughing (although annoyed) when this little 5lb Chihuahua started attacking my shoe the other day. Would I have been laughing if the attacker was a Pit Bull? Hellz no.
FYI, in all my years of pet sitting (and just in daily life) I've only been bitten once - and the culprit was an English Springer Spaniel, so you just never know.
"Dogs reflect the masters attitude"..That's real lefty crapola . DOGS are dogs they are not people. All dogs btie and can bite- Their mouths are made not for kissing- but for ripping and consuming flesh..They are what they are.
Nothing more stupid that walking my dogs and have someone give me a bad look because my dog - growled- lunged- or snapped at their dog. That stupid look that says "you must be a bad person because YOUR dog is aggressive " That the dog "reflects" the owner- Dogs are dogs...
Pit bulls are probably not much different than most dogs...no dog can be trusted 100 per cent..Pit bulls are dangerous for one reason- ONCE they clamp on, because of their super powerful bite- thick neck and well padded head- they are impossible to get off...with an average dog in an emergency - you can beat it off - pits- you have to kill them- By that time- the damage is done.
My second daughter has a one year old American Bull Dog Rotti cross..The dumb mutt has paws the size of human fists- His front legs and chest are super muscular...He is very large and extremely powerful...My daughter is tall and large--- Here dog while running in the park- collided with the daughter - knocking her out....Powerful dogs need careful management- Heaven for bit this particular Bullwiler...gets suddenly vicious - It would be like getting attacked by lion.
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