Pit bulls: Vicious animals or misunderstood?

[rupert]

Look at those jaws...



Reminds me of that day in Alabama. Anyway, I would never want to get bit again by those jaws. Just wanted to show you guys the powerfulness.

[K9karen]

Unfortunately, there's always a story of a pitbull attack in Philadelphia, some by getting loose, others by family dogs. Recently a 2 year old girl had part of her scalp ripped away (survived) while visiting her cousin's house. ]Personally, I also agree that it's most likely the owners. I could put my hand in my neighbor's pit's mouth, grab his huge head and give eskimo kisses and do anything to him. He was great around kids, babies, everything. He was in terrible pain on his last day on earth, but when I went over to kiss him goodbye, his owner said it was the first time all day he stood up and he put his head on my lap. He was protective, but obedient. I was the only person outside family who could just walk into their house. I firmly believe it's all in your aura and personality with any dog. But yes, as with any dog, unless it suffers from an neurological disorder, it's tempermant lays on the owner. I've never ever met a mean pitbull. Early training and socialzation with any dog is crucial. I hang my head in shame to say that my Cody, being a Lab/Golden mix was undersocialized (my fault-I didn't know) and could be unpredictable (but never bit anyone). Sorry to go on. I just get angry when certain breeds are blamed for having a bad reputation.

[jesse_3]

I am not going to lie, my girl Jesse can be aggressive when she gets scared. She has never bit anyone, but our last vet appointment, we had to muzzle her. Granted, the vet tech was the same one who take care of her after her leg amputation, but she still might have tried to bite her. Jesse is dog aggressive too, if she is not held on a leash. She is not a pittie, she is an English Springer spaniel, and is so loving around me and my mom that you would never guess she would do that. The whole point of me saying this, is that ANY dog breed can be aggressive and "dangerous."

One last thing, in a scientific study on dogs most likely to bite, the pit bull was 4th...from the BOTTOM of the list...golden retrievers are more likely to bite then a well-raised pittie. This pretty much says that it IS the owners fault if the dog is agressive...

Sorry, that was a little longer than I had planned..this is just a subject that affects me so much because I love dogs...
Steph and Jes

[ramanth]

Recently, two Husky's attacked and killed the child they lived with.

Some people are nervous around my husky mix and I respect that. But I treat her with all the love and care in the world and I hope she knows that she doesn't have to bite anyone, be it out of fear or annoyance.

Like Lady's Human said, any dog can be vicious if raised in the wrong enviroment.

I've never met a mean pitbull but have come across more than a fair share of mean smaller breeds. I don't hate any dog because of it.

[luvofallhorses]

Like Lady's Human said, any dog can be vicious if raised in the wrong enviroment.

that's SO true!! I have never met a mean pit bull, either. I honestly think that they are misunderstood, they are not vicious; but you cannot show them any aggression whatsoever! At the humane society, the lady who runs it has a pit bull foster. She gave me kisses the other day and I know I sound cheesey but it was great. It just warmed my heart. Here she is..her name is Aris:


Isn't she a beauty?
she is just an awesome dog. A few people on here have pit bulls and they are NOT vicious!