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Should pit bulls be banned?

Should pit bulls be banned?


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akrunner88

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http://abc7chicago.com/news/boy-5-mauled-to-death-by-dog-in-gresham/742220/

Another day, another life lost due to irresponsible pet ownership.

The question I pose today is: Should we ban "dangerous" breeds of dogs, and in particular the pit bull (a term encompassing several breeds of dogs)?

Let me preface my opinion with the fact that I am a pit bull/Labrador mix and pit bull owner. They are the sweetest dogs on the planet and get along with people, dogs, cats, children, etc.

When discussing pitbulls and breed specifics, excluding the very valid statistics involving incidents of bites, maulings, unpredictable behavior, etc, it is my personal opinion that pits are like any other dog in their instincts, their loyalty to their owners, their response to firm pack leadership, their intelligence, etc. Anyone who has ever came across a pitbull owned by a responsible dog owner knows they can be great family dogs capable of much love and affection.

The issue with pitbulls, and I'm sure this will be debated, is not the breed itself, and not even good/bad owners, but the types of people attracted to pitbulls in the first place. They are seen as a status dog, much like Rottweilers and other larger, stronger, more brutish, intimidating looking animals. And for that reason, many people seek them out and own them for the wrong reasons.

Any dog can have a good/bad owner. Bad ownership usually implies a lack of understanding towards the establishment of a pack leader, not honing in and nipping negative traits while fostering positive traits (laziness), not exercising the dog enough, allowing aggressive behaviors to manifest without addressing them, not taking advantage of puppyhood to socialize and train them, etc.

However, most people don't SEEK to be bad owners. They just don't understand or take in all the responsibilities that owning a dog entails.

Pitbull owners in many communities across the country SEEK to have a badass, intimidating dog. That's why their associated with ghetto black and white trash communities (coincidentally where pit attacks happen most). You don't hear of cocker spaniel maulings or maulings from many other breeds to often because these dogs aren't sought out as a status symbol. These maulings usually come from bad pet ownership because of the reasons listed above. Pitbulls have a bad wrap because of the types of owners they attract.

Are pitbulls dangerous? Like other large breed dogs, they are more muscular, heavier, and can inflict much more harm to someone than a Yorker terrier. In this regard, all large dog breeds are dangerous.

It's people that are dangerous. Irresponsible, stupid people who don't take their role as a pet owner serious enough. And for that reason, pitbulls suffer from unfair criticism and stigmatism in this country. Pit owners like myself face apartment discrimination all the time, and have to deal with negative perceptions (quite deserved) from people who don't understand the breed.

So to sum up - should pitbulls be banned? My answer is neither yes nor no. I think enough irresponsible people out there in the world seek out pitbulls that it's to be expected that I may have a tougher time having certain communities accept my dogs. With owning a pitbull comes different sets of challenges, mainly public perception that you must be willing to accept and deal with. And that perception is definitely justified, though unfair to the breed as a whole.
 
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I would like simple poll answers Yes, No, Maybe, Other added if possible.
 
James Nevils, 5, mauled to death by dog in Gresham; dog killed | abc7chicago.com

Another day, another life lost due to irresponsible pet ownership.

The question I pose today is: Should we ban "dangerous" breeds of dogs, and in particular the pit bull (a term encompassing several breeds of dogs)?

Let me preface my opinion with the fact that I am a pit bull/Labrador mix and pit bull owner. They are the sweetest dogs on the planet and get along with people, dogs, cats, children, etc.

When discussing pitbulls and breed specifics, excluding the very valid statistics involving incidents of bites, maulings, unpredictable behavior, etc, it is my personal opinion that pits are like any other dog in their instincts, their loyalty to their owners, their response to firm pack leadership, their intelligence, etc. Anyone who has ever came across a pitbull owned by a responsible dog owner knows they can be great family dogs capable of much love and affection.

The issue with pitbulls, and I'm sure this will be debated, is not the breed itself, and not even good/bad owners, but the types of people attracted to pitbulls in the first place. They are seen as a status dog, much like Rottweilers and other larger, stronger, more brutish, intimidating looking animals. And for that reason, many people seek them out and own them for the wrong reasons.

Any dog can have a good/bad owner. Bad ownership usually implies a lack of understanding towards the establishment of a pack leader, not honing in and nipping negative traits while fostering positive traits (laziness), not exercising the dog enough, allowing aggressive behaviors to manifest without addressing them, not taking advantage of puppyhood to socialize and train them, etc.

However, most people don't SEEK to be bad owners. They just don't understand or take in all the responsibilities that owning a dog entails.

Pitbull owners in many communities across the country SEEK to have a badass, intimidating dog. That's why their associated with ghetto black and white trash communities (coincidentally where pit attacks happen most). You don't hear of cocker spaniel maulings or maulings from many other breeds to often because these dogs aren't sought out as a status symbol. These maulings usually come from bad pet ownership because of the reasons listed above. Pitbulls have a bad wrap because of the types of owners they attract.

Are pitbulls dangerous? Like other large breed dogs, they are more muscular, heavier, and can inflict much more harm to someone than a Yorker terrier. In this regard, all large dog breeds are dangerous.

It's people that are dangerous. Irresponsible, stupid people who don't take their role as a pet owner serious enough. And for that reason, pitbulls suffer from unfair criticism and stigmatism in this country. Pit owners like myself face apartment discrimination all the time, and have to deal with negative perceptions (quite deserved) from people who don't understand the breed.

So to sum up - should pitbulls be banned? My answer is neither yes nor no. I think enough irresponsible people out there in the world seek out pitbulls that it's to be expected that I may have a tougher time having certain communities accept my dogs. With owning a pitbull comes different sets of challenges, mainly public perception that you must be willing to accept and deal with. And that perception is definitely justified, though unfair to the breed as a whole.

I have known only few Pit Bulls. Let me say that they were all of fine character and reliable with kids.
I have seen lots of oother dogs purebred and mut that were quite the opposite. All of these had one thing in common: Humans that should not have had them.
 
I have known only few Pit Bulls. Let me say that they were all of fine character and reliable with kids.
I have seen lots of oother dogs purebred and mut that were quite the opposite. All of these had one thing in common: Humans that should not have had them.

Sometimes the worst treated dogs on the planet can turn out to be the best dogs in the world when handed over to the proper parent. As well, sometimes the best training in the world can't help a dog that is beyond any help.

Most dogs are though. The fact that bad people seek out certain breeds such as pitbulls shouldn't deter one from owning one. However, it's always safe to assume you have bad people in your neighborhood or community, so even though your pitbull may and probably will turn out fine, you shouldn't trust other pitbulls unless you know the owner and are familiar with its temperament. And even then, ultimately a dog is a dog. You must always be careful around them.
 
Sometimes the worst treated dogs on the planet can turn out to be the best dogs in the world when handed over to the proper parent. As well, sometimes the best training in the world can't help a dog that is beyond any help.

Most dogs are though. The fact that bad people seek out certain breeds such as pitbulls shouldn't deter one from owning one. However, it's always safe to assume you have bad people in your neighborhood or community, so even though your pitbull may and probably will turn out fine, you shouldn't trust other pitbulls unless you know the owner and are familiar with its temperament. And even then, ultimately a dog is a dog. You must always be careful around them.

Oh. I think it smart to teach kids how to behave with animals. As pleasurable as they are, they can be dangerous and it is always good to keep in mind, when dealing with dogs you do not know.
 
Pit bulls are not a specific breed- they are a set of characteristics. You want to ban that?
 
-- The issue with pitbulls, and I'm sure this will be debated, is not the breed itself, and not even good/bad owners, but the types of people attracted to pitbulls in the first place. They are seen as a status dog, much like Rottweilers and other larger, stronger, more brutish, intimidating looking animals. And for that reason, many people seek them out and own them for the wrong reasons.

-- snip --

Pitbull owners in many communities across the country SEEK to have a badass, intimidating dog. That's why their associated with ghetto black and white trash communities (coincidentally where pit attacks happen most). You don't hear of cocker spaniel maulings or maulings from many other breeds to often because these dogs aren't sought out as a status symbol. These maulings usually come from bad pet ownership because of the reasons listed above. Pitbulls have a bad wrap because of the types of owners they attract --

I'm no lover of dogs but the crux of the problem is bad owners, this stands for any dog breed. My partner's sister lives in Switzerland and wanted a dog (the customary thing for many new mothers over here in the UK - you see them walking their babies in the pram, they're on their mobile phone while their terrier or staffie runs around doing whatever it wants to) but she was told she had to do compulsory training to be a dog owner. She realised she didn't have time as she would be back at work as well as nurturing a young child so gave up the idea.

If people want dogs, they should be allowed but they should certainly have to be trained before they can own a dog - a dog remains a wild animal at heart and unless you know what you are doing, you simply create a danger to the public and sometimes your own kids.
 
Should people who abuse animals be banned?

Would pit-bulls exist if people hadn't created them?

:lol:
 
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Why should I?
Pit Bull is a great rapper :roll:
JKD...
Pit Bull is one of the most loyal kind dog....
 
Yes... they should. At the same time people that live in projects, ghettos or trailer parks should not be allowed to own dogs.
 
It is also a matter of their anatomy. Pits don't attack more often than the rest of the breeds. But WHEN they attack, because of the way their jaws lock, they do much worse damage than other, even larger, breeds.

But no, they shouldn't be banned. I worked in the kennel of a vet clinic through highschool and college and dealt with many pits. Every one of them was sweet. Of course, the type of owner who brings their pit to a vet is usually a loving owner.

Don't get me started on Chows, though. Most of them that came in were mean (in that particular environment at least), regardless of how nice the owners were. But I don't think they should be banned either.
 
No they should not.
 
James Nevils, 5, mauled to death by dog in Gresham; dog killed | abc7chicago.com

Another day, another life lost due to irresponsible pet ownership.

The question I pose today is: Should we ban "dangerous" breeds of dogs, and in particular the pit bull (a term encompassing several breeds of dogs)?

Let me preface my opinion with the fact that I am a pit bull/Labrador mix and pit bull owner. They are the sweetest dogs on the planet and get along with people, dogs, cats, children, etc.

When discussing pitbulls and breed specifics, excluding the very valid statistics involving incidents of bites, maulings, unpredictable behavior, etc, it is my personal opinion that pits are like any other dog in their instincts, their loyalty to their owners, their response to firm pack leadership, their intelligence, etc. Anyone who has ever came across a pitbull owned by a responsible dog owner knows they can be great family dogs capable of much love and affection.

The issue with pitbulls, and I'm sure this will be debated, is not the breed itself, and not even good/bad owners, but the types of people attracted to pitbulls in the first place. They are seen as a status dog, much like Rottweilers and other larger, stronger, more brutish, intimidating looking animals. And for that reason, many people seek them out and own them for the wrong reasons.

Any dog can have a good/bad owner. Bad ownership usually implies a lack of understanding towards the establishment of a pack leader, not honing in and nipping negative traits while fostering positive traits (laziness), not exercising the dog enough, allowing aggressive behaviors to manifest without addressing them, not taking advantage of puppyhood to socialize and train them, etc.

However, most people don't SEEK to be bad owners. They just don't understand or take in all the responsibilities that owning a dog entails.

Pitbull owners in many communities across the country SEEK to have a badass, intimidating dog. That's why their associated with ghetto black and white trash communities (coincidentally where pit attacks happen most). You don't hear of cocker spaniel maulings or maulings from many other breeds to often because these dogs aren't sought out as a status symbol. These maulings usually come from bad pet ownership because of the reasons listed above. Pitbulls have a bad wrap because of the types of owners they attract.

Are pitbulls dangerous? Like other large breed dogs, they are more muscular, heavier, and can inflict much more harm to someone than a Yorker terrier. In this regard, all large dog breeds are dangerous.

It's people that are dangerous. Irresponsible, stupid people who don't take their role as a pet owner serious enough. And for that reason, pitbulls suffer from unfair criticism and stigmatism in this country. Pit owners like myself face apartment discrimination all the time, and have to deal with negative perceptions (quite deserved) from people who don't understand the breed.

So to sum up - should pitbulls be banned? My answer is neither yes nor no. I think enough irresponsible people out there in the world seek out pitbulls that it's to be expected that I may have a tougher time having certain communities accept my dogs. With owning a pitbull comes different sets of challenges, mainly public perception that you must be willing to accept and deal with. And that perception is definitely justified, though unfair to the breed as a whole.

There is no such thing as a dangerous breed of dog.
 
It is also a matter of their anatomy. Pits don't attack more often than the rest of the breeds. But WHEN they attack, because of the way their jaws lock, they do much worse damage than other, even larger, breeds.

But no, they shouldn't be banned. I worked in the kennel of a vet clinic through highschool and college and dealt with many pits. Every one of them was sweet. Of course, the type of owner who brings their pit to a vet is usually a loving owner.

Don't get me started on Chows, though. Most of them that came in were mean (in that particular environment at least), regardless of how nice the owners were. But I don't think they should be banned either.

Chows are one of the few breeds that identify the alpha and are loyal to him and only him.

By the way Chihuahuas bite more often than other dogs.
 
I have literally petted thousands of dogs. I have never had a pit bull bite me or snap at me. However, I assess the dog and the owner first to see how the dog is treated and if he seems afraid or aggressive. In my experience, pit bulls are friendlier to strangers than most breeds. (only boxers and labradors are as friendly) I have experienced small poodles and other smaller dogs trying to bite me. (and attack my mid-sized dog) Pits are riskier because of their strong jaws, so they are not a good idea for families with kids under six years old because kids can do things to provoke any dog. I also think it is best to avoid having more than two pits in one household because the human might not be the leader of the pack. But there is no need to ban pits.
 
My 4 year old niece was killed by her parents pit bull and I still do not believe pit bulls should be banned. It is the rotten owners that are the problem and not the dog breed. In my nieces case her parents knew full well the dog was aggressive and prone to attacking people. They knew it posed a risk to their newborn child. Their solution, chain him up in the yard. This of course was a terrible plan and one headed for disaster. Anyone with any sense should be smart enough not to keep a dangerous animal around your children under any circumstances. What ultimately happened 4 years later is her parents let her outside to play not fully supervised with instructions not to go near the dog, well no reasonable person would expect a 4 year old to always listen, anyway she attempted to play with the dog (or strayed to close) and he mauled her to death.
 
James Nevils, 5, mauled to death by dog in Gresham; dog killed | abc7chicago.com

Another day, another life lost due to irresponsible pet ownership.

The question I pose today is: Should we ban "dangerous" breeds of dogs, and in particular the pit bull (a term encompassing several breeds of dogs)?
I say no.What we should do is hold irresponsible dog owners responsible.If a dog is dangerous it is because that dog's owner did not properly train it, nor was that dog properly secured.The huge vast majority of pit bulls and other dogs deemed to be pit bulls by the media do not attack or kill people.It is only a tiny fraction of a percentage that do this and it is due to irresponsible owners.
 
It is also a matter of their anatomy. Pits don't attack more often than the rest of the breeds. But WHEN they attack, because of the way their jaws lock, they do much worse damage than other, even larger, breeds.

But no, they shouldn't be banned. I worked in the kennel of a vet clinic through highschool and college and dealt with many pits. Every one of them was sweet. Of course, the type of owner who brings their pit to a vet is usually a loving owner.

Don't get me started on Chows, though. Most of them that came in were mean (in that particular environment at least), regardless of how nice the owners were. But I don't think they should be banned either.

Pit Bull Myths
"Pit Bulls have locking jaws." The jaws of the Pit Bull are functionally
the same as the jaws of any other breed, and this has been proven via
expert examination.

The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the
skulls, mandibles and teeth of Pit Bulls show that, in proportion to their
size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is
no different than that of any [other] breed of dog. There is absolutely
not evidence for the existence of any kind of ’locking mechanism’ unique
to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier,
says Dr. I. Lerh Brisbin of the University of Georgia (from the ADBA
booklet, “Discover the American Pit Bull Terrier.)
 
No!

I'd be favorably inclined towards shooting the owners though.

Caveat: IF accidents involving their dog(s) are due to their irresponsibility.
 
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