<Mean dog, mean owner
PEOPLE who own vicious dogs such as pit bulls have significantly more criminal convictions - including crimes against children - than owners of licensed, gentler dogs such as beagles, US researchers say.
A study of 355 dog owners in Ohio showed that every owner of a high-risk breed known for aggression had at least one brush with the law, from traffic citations to serious criminal convictions.
And 30 per cent of people who owned an aggressive breed of dog and who also had been cited at least once for failure to register it had at least five criminal convictions or traffic citations.
This compared to one per cent of owners of low-risk, licensed dogs such as poodles, beagles or collies, the researchers reported in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence.
"Owners of vicious dogs who have been cited for failing to register a dog (or) failing to keep a dog confined on the premises ... are more than nine times more likely to have been convicted for a crime involving children, three times more likely to have been convicted of domestic violence ... and nearly eight times more likely to be charged with drug (crimes) than owners of low-risk licensed dogs," said Jaclyn Barnes of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre.
Barnes and colleagues used public records to check on the criminal pasts of dog owners.
They used agreed definitions of vicious dogs used in writing local ordinances. "A 'vicious dog" means a dog that, without provocation, has killed or caused serious injury to any person, has killed another dog, or belongs to a breed that is commonly known as a pit bull dog," they wrote in their report.
The definition excludes dogs used in law enforcement or dogs protecting an owner or property.
Aggressive breeds identified by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and some insurance companies include pit bulls, rottweilers, akitas and chows.
The most frequent low-risk breeds seen in the study included terriers, beagles, collies and poodles.
Just wondering what everyone thinks of this? Original source below.
This story is from news.com.au network
From correspondents in Washington
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Comments: 24
No biting incidents, no violence period.
I think the owner or trainer makes a large difference in the temperament of this breed. (But thats me, see link below)
Scared of Pit Bulls? You'd Better Be!
http://www.city-journal.org/html/9_2_scared_of_pit.html
When taken care of properly & not abused they are ok.
I never thought about beagles until I moved into a very rural area of Kentucky. My next-door neighbor (3/4 mile away) had a beagle, but didn't pay much attention to it. After a month, it was on my back porch every morning waiting for me to feed him and remove the ticks from his ears. I'd get one now, but it would definitely give the local coyotes a run for their money with the moon's up!
I have had a scary moment with a Chow, a Lab, and a Doberman each at one time in my life, but never a Pit bull. Take the Lab for instance, they are known to be great family dogs, but if not treated right, it can be rough around the edges too. Perhaps growing up with no discipline is the problem?
Guilty as charged -- I own a pit bull, and I have received a number of parking tickets. My pit bull will mercilessly slurp you and slobber all over you until you scream for him to stop, and then he will wag his tail without ceasing if you scratch his head. Biting? That's what he does to rawhide bones and squeaky toys. He's our nanny dog because he looks after our baby so well.
This is more about the original owner & how the dog was treated/cared for/trained by said owner. (To become or not become violent)
It makes sense to me, if the owner is a criminal. Someone who has had anger problems or severe issues might pass on that behavior in his treatment of the animal.
Guilty as charged -- I own a pit bull, and I have received a number of parking tickets. My pit bull will mercilessly slurp you and slobber all over you until you scream for him to stop, and then he will wag his tail without ceasing if you scratch his head. Biting? That's what he does to rawhide bones and squeaky toys. He's our nanny dog because he looks after our baby so well.
Jiya,
I doubt this article applies to you as a pitbull owner. This was a random study in Ohio. In no way would this represent every putbull owner around the globe.
"Owners of vicious dogs who have been cited for failing to register a dog (or) failing to keep a dog confined on the premises ... are more than nine times more likely to have been convicted for a crime involving children, three times more likely to have been convicted of domestic violence ... and nearly eight times more likely to be charged with drug (crimes) than owners of low-risk licensed dogs," said Jaclyn Barnes of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre.
The definition excludes dogs used in law enforcement or dogs protecting an owner or property.
Vicious dogs to me, would mean a dog that has shown vicious behavior. Any breed has the potential to become vicious.
Thanks for your post.
My brother has had two pitbulls over the last 5 years. Both are well mannered and only shown aggression when defending their home.
As for pitbulls, the other day I was downtown and a guy walked by with a pitbull. I asked if it was friendly, and it was. Lucky for the dog, I even had a few dog biscuits in my purse (I'd just been to visit my sister and her "family").
You have a beautiful dog! My mom carries dog treats in her purse also...lol
Too funny. :-)
Often, statistics regarding pit bulls (and rotts and dobes too) are skewed. What communities are doing is banning specific breeds in a knee jerk reaction to isolated incidents.
One thing that is true is that those with criminal backgrounds tend to own "bully" breeds for status or moneymaking purposes.
The most harmful thing they will do is look at you with sad puppy dog eyes begging for a treat or maybe a handout from the table. They might knock you over, but only because they want to lick the heck out of you, or because they are sooo happy to see you. They only bite their chewies and toys and they love to cuddle. They are even very good lap dogs. My little niece, Mia, will keep you warm on the coldest nights...and she'll even keep you warm on the hottest nights too. She loves to be close to you and she has no problem in letting you know it. My other niece, Rhieon, is more of a "ho-hum" kind of dog. She takes whatever is given to her. She was even attacked by another dog (A MUTT AT THAT) and all she did was turn her back. She didn't even fight back! (I think the fight hurt my sister more than the dog--she was pretty upset that the dog would do that to her daughter).
All in all, you need to realize that you only hear of the BAD things pit bulls do...but in reality they are one of the sweetest, loveable dogs out there!
I was replying on Shannon W.'s comment below.
" I am the proud parent of two pit bulls that were rescued. If anyone wants the FACTS about pit bulls they are welcome to read the articles I have posted here on gather (group: pitbulllove.gather).
Often, statistics regarding pit bulls (and rotts and dobes too) are skewed. What communities are doing is banning specific breeds in a knee jerk reaction to isolated incidents.
One thing that is true is that those with criminal backgrounds tend to own "bully" breeds for status or moneymaking purposes.
Shannon "Comments R Us" W.">>>>>>>>>>>>
Sorry for the confusion.
See how I have a question mark in the title? SOME owners with criminal backgrounds abuse and train or abuse their dogs which makes SOME violent.
My brother has had two pitbulls. Both were well trained, not abused and NOT violent.
Thanks for your comments. :-)
LOL...I will state again. " I doubt this article applies to EVERY pitbull owner. This was a random study in Ohio. In no way would this represent every putbull owner around the globe."
Vicious dogs to me, would mean a dog that has shown vicious behavior. Any breed has the potential to become vicious.
Many thanks for your posts.
My brother has had two pitbulls over the last 5 years. Both are well mannered and only shown aggression when defending their home.