The "Pit Bull Problem"

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

I've seen that video a few times now and want to cry everytime It's so sad Today while I was at the calendar store buying a new one, I bought a Dogue de Bordeaux one and a guy behind me thought they were pits (I don't see the resemblance) and he was going on and on about how vicious they were
I was so tired of hearing him....

[jackiesdaisy]

You would cry even more if your two Schnauzers were attacked by a Pitbull in their own back yard, which broke through a six foot fence. Our little female named Daisy shoulder was ripped wide open to the bone, plus bites, our male Perry had collapsed lungs plus numerous bites. The Pitbull did not finish them off because
his chain got caught on part of the fence and he couldn't get to them.
Of course the neighbor next door was not a responsible dog person, he had three Pitbulls chained up in the back yard. I think the possibility of something like this will continually happen until some kind of regualtion is made to protect the people who do care and are responsible Pitbull owners and the irresponsible Pitbull owners are made to pay a price for their irresponsibility.
Since it was only the second time the dog had attacked, they got to keep the dogs, however it went to court and the people next door did not show up and there is a bench warrant for their arrest. They gave away two of their dogs and some unsuspecting person with a little dog will probably get attacked in the future.
I'm glad to say that our two Schnauzers after a very long period
of recooperation and surgeries, etc. etc. are doing well.
And no, the people next door did not pay any of the 3000,00 plus
Vet bills.
What do I think of Pitbulls? I am afraid of them, and afraid for my dogs when I see a Pitbull, it has changed our life dramatically, we don't dare take them for walks, afraid to, don't let them outside
unless one of us is with them. I had horrible dreams for a year after this incident. That was my experience with a Pitbull
Jackie, Perry and Daisy

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I one day hope to have a pit bull, but right now I am unable to have a large dog of any kind. They are great dogs. My husband used to live with his aunt and they had a pit bull, he loved that dog. She was a house dog and well trained, she was great with kids and other animals.
Unfortunately around here you rarely find a pit bull as a house dog. There are mostly rednecks around here and a good portion of them have a pit bull chained to a tree in their back yard. Those poor dogs never had a chance, they were never trained properly or even shown love. They are there because their owner wanted a big strong intimating guard dog to guard his 20 year old F350 sitting on cinder blocks.

[Vette]

I knew.. i shouldnt have clicked that thing with the graphical warnings... but i did anyway. im about to short out my keyboard from all the tears.

i admit,, i used to be afraid of Pits thanks to the media. but i met a lovely woman and her Pit at the park and the only thing that was visious about the dog was her tongue going up my nose. LOL i changed my mind for good about Pits since then.

itd be real nice if the news media would show that video

[Pit Chick]

Originally posted by Vette
itd be real nice if the news media would show that video

As soon as the Pit Bull Awareness petition gets all the sigs it needs that will be one of the suggestions made to FOX.

Here is the petition if you want to sign.

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/pitbullawareness

[LorraineO]

Originally posted by jackiesdaisy
You would cry even more if your two Schnauzers were attacked by a Pitbull in their own back yard, which broke through a six foot fence. Our little female named Daisy shoulder was ripped wide open to the bone, plus bites, our male Perry had collapsed lungs plus numerous bites. The Pitbull did not finish them off because
his chain got caught on part of the fence and he couldn't get to them.
Of course the neighbor next door was not a responsible dog person, he had three Pitbulls chained up in the back yard. I think the possibility of something like this will continually happen until some kind of regualtion is made to protect the people who do care and are responsible Pitbull owners and the irresponsible Pitbull owners are made to pay a price for their irresponsibility.
Since it was only the second time the dog had attacked, they got to keep the dogs, however it went to court and the people next door did not show up and there is a bench warrant for their arrest. They gave away two of their dogs and some unsuspecting person with a little dog will probably get attacked in the future.
I'm glad to say that our two Schnauzers after a very long period
of recooperation and surgeries, etc. etc. are doing well.
And no, the people next door did not pay any of the 3000,00 plus
Vet bills.
What do I think of Pitbulls? I am afraid of them, and afraid for my dogs when I see a Pitbull, it has changed our life dramatically, we don't dare take them for walks, afraid to, don't let them outside
unless one of us is with them. I had horrible dreams for a year after this incident. That was my experience with a Pitbull
Jackie, Perry and Daisy

I am sorry for what happened to your babies,, but you cant label the breed for the one that was nasty... ALL animals have the potential to be mean... ALL animals,, not just pitties like the media tries to make you believe.. I hope one day you will open your mind to the idea that not all pitties are mean.

[Kristl]

Wanna know what i think? I think that pits should in some way be regulated. People should have to go through a criminal background check, training class, etc. before they can have one of these beautiful dog. People who fight their dogs certainly do not love them. Thank you to all you responsible, loving, smart, and caring pit owners out there. That video made be cry, but the happy pictures at the end made me smile. Thanks for showing us this!

[Pit Chick]

Responsible breeders and rescue groups do screen potential buyers/adopters to make sure the dogs are going into good homes and they even take the dogs back if it doesn't work out. But of course you have the irresponsible breeders/owners out there screwing it up for the rest of us trying to improve the breed's reputation. Until there are spay/neuter laws, breeding regulations, and more enforcement on dangerous dog laws for every breed, there will continue to be a problem. Once Pit Bulls are no longer the trendy breed, there will be another to take it's place. Dobies, Chows, GSDs, all used to have that "bad dog" reputation, now it's Pits and Rotts. I predict the next breeds to be ruined will be something bigger and capable of causing much more damage than Pit Bulls (American Bulldogs, Presa Canarios, Dogue de Bordeauxs, Neopolitin Mastiffs). Breeds that aren't very well known yet, just like Pits used to be. Then you will hear calls for legislation and regulation for these breeds too. Before you know it, any dog over 20lbs will be banned or regulated.

I say we just regulate the breeding of stupid, irresponsible people.

[TrixiesMom]

I don't think it's the dogs per se that should be regulated, but I do agree that potential owners should go through some sort of training/course, even if it's for certification, to be allowed to own one of the breeds with bad reps..

I, for one, am not afraid of ANY dog, and will refuse to show fear to one. I will be leery or wary of one, apprenhensive, but not afraid.. (Japanese Peacocks are another story, though =) )

Pits, Rotties, Chows (I owned one), GSDs (mother used to breed them), Presas, Staffs.. are all wonderful LOVING warm dogs, if in the correct environment... as with all living things on this planet.. The problem with them now is they have a status symbol tagged on them, and people are wanting them because they look fierce... Well, I'm sorry, but there's a Pomeranian in the building named Buddy that I am more wary of than Rex the Boxer. Buddy would have no problem tearing your hand to bits if you so much as look at him wrong.

My neighbour has a husky/wolf named Lundy, who, by the previous owner, was kept OUTDOORS for 8 years on a 10' chain, was never allowed inside, had no shots, was not spayed and ate whatever she could catch. She was about to be put down because of the wolf in her and she was snapping at everyone, but Doreen rescued her... After a big bath and grooming (done by me), Lundy is the most loving dog... once they are in the proper situation, they can change...

A friend of my fathers had a GSD he wanted to train for a guard dog and took up to a place (since closed) on the escarpment.. One day he decided to go up unexpectedly to see what they did...

His beloved pet was on a 4' chain, with a big, meaty, bloody Porterhouse steak set at exact 4' 5". He looked around, and other dogs were being slapped in the face with raw steaks and with open hands.. He went in, took his dog, doubled back and took the steak, and left.. he barbecued the steak when he got home and gave it to his dog..

No dog is BRED nor is it IN THEIR NATURE to be like that... and it is the owner who should be put down, not the dog..

[Kristl]

Originally posted by Kristl
Wanna know what i think? I think that pits should in some way be regulated. People should have to go through a criminal background check, training class, etc. before they can have one of these beautiful dog. People who fight their dogs certainly do not love them. Thank you to all you responsible, loving, smart, and caring pit owners out there. That video made be cry, but the happy pictures at the end made me smile. Thanks for showing us this!

thats what i meant by regulating the dogs...the people who get them. Just tonight I got in a debate with my boyfriend about pits. he said they were born mean...its in their blood. i went off! he was so not right, of course i cant convince him of that but as soon as he gets home i am showing him this video!

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by Kristl
Wanna know what i think? I think that pits should in some way be regulated. People should have to go through a criminal background check, training class, etc.

Personally, I think anyone who wants to own ANY sort of animal should have to go through this sort of procedure. You should HAVE to have some sort of license from taking a class before you're capable of bringing an animal into your home.

There's too many irresponsible people out there. And not necessarily all are irresponsible, just not knowledgable enough on the animal they bring into their home, therefore they should have classes to teach.

[Gaea]

It is definitely humanity that has created the bad rap for pit bulls.
My daughter played with neighbor pit bull dogs who would come to our yard to play when she was four. They were more gentle than our own golden retreiver with her. Now as an adult she has just adopted a beautiful little female pit named Nakia. My four year old grand daughter plays with her without fear as does their miniature datsun Rusty. Pits are Smart, loyal, gentle, beautiful, loving dogs that only want to please.

[GiantSchnauzer]

I haven't watched the video because my internet connection stinks but from experience I think Pit Bulls are sweet dogs. Working in a city I see Pit Bulls daily, often multiple times a day. Every single one I have met has been a sweet, kissy dog. What I have seen is nasty little ankle biters. Dogs under 20lbs out of control. Mostly Dachshunds and poodles. Do I hate those breeds? No. Would I ever own those? No, because they aren't breeds for me. I prefer large breeds, preferably from the working group. Just last week I got accused of having a nasty dog by a MinPin owner just because of Zoey's size. I wasn't too happy. Having a well trained dog that had no interest in her dog was uncalled for and I let the woman know it.

My Giant Schnauzer was attacked my 2 Rottweilers when she was 6mos old. I don't blame the breed. I blamed the owner and her sure as heck heard about it.

[Renee]

Thank you so much for the video!!!! It personally touched me because my parents have a pit bull rescue dog named JAG, his previous owner used him as "bait" for other dogs to attack. BUT you could never tell he is the sweetest pet. They have had him for 5 years and we all love him so much. Most of his scars are gone now.
Also my parents have had pit bulls before, in fact my brother used to be carried around by his diaper by their dogs Major & muddy bottom. They are very loyal dogs!

An animals behavior is learned by their owners!!!

[ILuvHorses]

Oh my god. So sad, but happy.

I have a solid white pit bull with a pink nose named Squirrel. She was not registered because it was an accidental breeding. My friends pit got loose and bred with a nieghbors. Both parents are pure and so is she, she is just not registered. She was born deaf (not sure why, vet check said all others in her litter. were fine) and now she has been trained to a lot of hand signals. She is really smart and sweet. She even tries to make friends with our horses, but we have to watch out, they dont like her as much as she does them. Although we have a miniature horse that lives in the backyard that just loves her. They will sleep together until I bring her in for the night. She is so sweet, and would never hurt a fly. It is true that pit bulls are more likely to turn mean with bad treatment but only if they are neglected. My brother was mowing this yard for some old lady, and he got severly attacked by her to pits, but that is because they are fighting dogs. They found out that her son had been taking them to dog fights. He ended up with a 4inch deep and 5 ince wide chunk tore out of his leg. But don't blame the breed, blame THAT dog.