OK...I'll put myself between you guys!! I'm a lab mom and lover who also adores pit bulls. And just to balance the above messages...Most of you know I work a few days a week in a boarding/training kennel. EVERY Pit Bull and Pit Bull mix boarded there is an absolute marshallow. Just today, I spent about an hour with an absolutely beautiful girl named Abby. She is 1 yr. old black lab/pit bull (x) and is the most precious angel. She was recently adopted from a shelter and has the sweetest, most submissive personality. Almost pitifully submissive. She was so frightened of all the dogs and barking. All she wanted to do was curl up next to you on the ground, get belly rubs and give kisses. Maybe we should say, "Whenever you see the OWNER of an aggressive pit bull, run and take cover. These dogs that attack are raised and bred to be aggressive. I do not believe that it is a "bad breed" that is the problem, but bad BREEDING! Retrievers are my first love, BUT incredibly, according to the most recent statistics, golden retrievers are the breed with the most reported incidences of dog bites! One of the most beloved family dogs of all time! Any dog has the capability of inflicting great bodily harm. To avoid such further tragedy, we all must play a part by continuing to promote good breeding practices, report any observed cases of abuse, (which includes reporting owners who TRAIN dogs to fight and be vicious) and approach every dog with respect and caution until he or she is known to us!

[This message has been edited by tatsxxx11 (edited May 08, 2001).]