    I want to preface this discussion by stating that I am a dog lover. However, it is impossible not to notice the bad press that pit bulls have been getting lately. I had at first, intended to ignore the stories that the media sensationalizes.... but I had my own run in recently with a dog that I know.Â
    My brother's dog, Baretta, is a four year old female, pit bull/grey hound mix ( I know, odd combo). She has always been the sweetest dog, gentle, great with kids, ect. My brother and his wife moved into a new duplex, and the dog took on a whole different personality. She is so protective of their new house, that if anyone comes within view of where she perches in the window, she starts barking insanely and looks just plain mean, baring teeth, ect. I'm serious, she looks like she would kill you if you get too close. I had to talk her down, through the window, for about five minutes before I felt safe enough to open the front door. This is a dog that I've known since she was 8 weeks old.  My brother had told me that he noticed her personality changing and he didn't know what to do about it, but I didn't believe it until I saw it first hand. Â
   So.... what do you think about pit bulls? There have been many attempts in California to make this breed "illegal".Â
    Do you think that a law should be passed to regulate this particular breed?
    Do you think people should be required to obtain a license of some type to own
    a pit bull?
    Do you think pit bulls just get a bad rap? Is it possible that other breeds can be
    just as violent, but that the media chooses to sensationalize pit bulls?
I have also posted the story that was published by the AP which got me going on this article. (See below).
     Â
The Associated Press
» More from The Associated Press
8:09 a.m. PT Dec 27, 2007
BARSTOW, Calif. - A pack of pit bulls surrounded a woman and mauled her to death, authorities said Wednesday.
Police found Kelly Caldwell, 45, lying in the street around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, and took her to a hospital, where she later died, the San Bernardino County sheriff's department said.
After the mauling, the dogs ran to a nearby house. Deputies shot one dog to death when it returned to the scene and acted aggressively as paramedics were trying to save Caldwell's life, authorities said.
A second dog was shot to death Wednesday morning when it, too, returned. Deputies said it became aggressive as an animal control officer tried to capture it.
Authorities said at least one dog belonged to a neighbor.
Investigators collected DNA samples from the dogs. An autopsy will be performed on Caldwell and necropsies on the dogs to determine which one attacked Caldwell, sheriff's Sgt. Richard Ells said.
Detectives also are looking into whether the dogs' owners knew whether the animals had any history of violence. If the dogs were dangerous and the owners knew it, they could face criminal charges, Ells said.
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Comments: 37
I also am a animal lover. I own a Rottweiler and she is nothing but a sweetie. She does give great protection and I know if anyone tried to break in or hurt one of us she would be our best weapon. My kids love her and she loves them. I was turned off by the breed at first . Just like pitts rotts have a bad name.
As for pit bulls... I personally think they are a beautiful dog. I am scared none the less though just because of the stories I have heard. I would be seriously concerned about your brothers dog especially since she is acting this way towards people she knows. I would definitely try to get my brother to talk to a vet and see what they recommend.
It is best to face the music before it is too late. It would be terrible for that animal to turn on one of you.
She may be upset over the move and is acting out in this way.
I would have a hard time owning a pitt just because of paranoia.
But why I do not feel this way about my rotty is beyond me.
Good luck and keep us posted about how this situation turns out.
Amy
Now to answer your questions:
I do not have any problems with pitbull's. I do however think there should be certain rules that need applied with these animals. First off: I don't think they are good around small children. I don't care if they have been raised around them or not. There will always be that one child that finds the wrong buttons to be pushed on the dog and get attacked. I also think unless someone is strong enough to hold the dog back. They shouldn't have one. Pitbull's are also known to attack in groups and get more fierce. So, I think there should be a limit on how many should be in a household. Not sure the amount. Possible two. I do think in order to own or breed a pitbull that the owners should be required to have a special license. I am not against breeding. I am against the illegal dog fights that put so many of these animals down a year and put the animals through unneeded pain and suffering. I think fighting laws should be a lot stiffer. Any dog not just pits should be put down if they attack a human or another animal. Even those little toybreed's can be vicious. I do think other dogs can cause harm and attack as well. But Pitbull's are known to be the worse. It is something about their jaws that can lock down on a victim where it is hard to get away without taking a big hunk of you with it.
I have been around pitbull's. I have seen the fighting and devastation they can do. I also seen how they can be raised as a pup from fighting parents and eventually turn on their owners. I don't think the pitbull's would be so bad it we could get all the illegal fighting stopped.
That being said, I am a dog lover myself and do not think the breed should be done away with. I do think special care needs to be inacted.
People have made Pitts out to be monsterous killers. True, they do tend to be a bit more aggressive....as the same goes with other breeds, but that's why they need good handlers. Somone who knows and understands the breed. Any dog can become a vicious killer if trained. The Pitt is very strong and is a tenatious fighter. That's why this breed is the favourite to some, to fight.
It's not the dogs fault it becomes vicous. It's the owners and irresponsible breeders.
I have owned all types of dogs and I have seen different personalities in all types. Just like people.
Personally I would not have one. Not out of fear, but from being responsible and knowing that I am not qualified to socialize/train a dog of this breed.
"These dogs do what they are bred to do, as do all dogs."
Over the years we've had German Shepards and Rottweilers, and they are a great responsibility to own. But I don't think that means that we should just outlaw them. Perhaps, stricter rules to act as a detterent?
However, as Jane reminds us, once someone is injured or killed, that cannot be reversed
Melanie- thank you for reminding us of a similiar scare with Dobermans in the media.
There was a story a few years ago about a little girl getting bit in the face by the family bit bull. The pit bull was raised with the little girl and they were together for many years then one day no one nos why the dog bit her. You just do not know.
I remember when I was younger, the German Shepard was the nasty dog, now found to be among the most loyal and friendly.
My suggestion is if you have children avoid this breed just in case. Do some research before choosing a breed. In general you really can't go wrong with a golden retriever or lab, they both have gentle personalities and are good with kids.
(I own a standard poodle and an Australian Kelpie/German Shepard mix)
I am not sure how we could regulate ownership, but genocide of a breed would certainly not be my solution.
People like Mike Vic and others that exploit the breedshould be made to pay and pay dearly.
I agree that you need to be careful with children and dogs...ALL DOGS.
That being said, any one of my dogs could turn aggressive. Even Daisy, the smallest of them.
I do think that Pit Bulls get a bad rap. It is not their fault, and yet, they cannot help the way they are. They were raised to be a certain way, and for as long as people continue to train them and breed them to be aggressive, that is the way they will remain.
Would I own one? Yes, if I got it as a puppy. Would I rescue an adult? Not in my current situation. Given the other animals I have, I would not take the chance and put them, or my neighbor's small grandchildren in danger.
If I lived out where there were no small children and no other animals or cats or would have better control over where the dog has access to, then yes, I would do so.
Personally, I wouldn't own a pit bull at this point. Not only are they illegal in my town, I also don't think I'm strong enough to hold one off if it went after my son or one of my other dogs. I have a hard enough time when my lab mix (45 lbs) and terrier (20 lbs) decide they want to fight.
I think people should be required to get a license to breed and probably even just own ANY dog, no matter what the breed. The only dog I have ever been bitten by was Yorkie! Yet, that's not one you hear about as being dangerous. We had a rottweiler mix when I was younger that was really sweet. My best friend had a Doberman who was also sweet. It's all in how you raise them.
My two nephews were attacked by 3 Pits while walking home from school (one on a bike). When they passed this particular house they pass every day, the 3 dogs busted open the front glass door and attacked for NO REASON. They were totally unprovoked. There were several witnesses. One nephew was only bitten once. The one on the bike was knocked off and mauled with a chunk of his calf muscle torn off. The two dogs had to be beaten off him. The police finally arrived and all 3 dogs were shot and killed. These dogs were notorious for chasing kids. Do I blame the dogs? NO! I blame the owners for not controlling these dogs better when all along knowing how aggressive they are. The owners were suspected dog fighters, they know what these dogs are capable of and know their mentality..
Sandy?
You bring up some good points, but I do want to point out one thing.
All dogs are pack animals, therefore will hunt and ATTACK in packs. Pits aren't the only dogs that will attack in packs. I've seen a pack of stray mongrels be aggressive towards people. The pack instict/mentality is very strong in all dogs. All it takes is the Alpha to make the first move. The rest of the pack will follow suit.
Any dog that bites should be put down? Ummm....I disagree. Some dogs are instictively protective of their home. When boundries are crossed by someone unfamiliar and the dogs gives warning by barking and standing its ground, then maybe that person need not push the envelope and continue walking toward him or trying to pet him. Some dogs like to keep a safe distance from people they don't know. Looking at the dog and insisting that you must pet the dog and become friends is just asking to get bitten. Dogs protective of their space don't deserve to be put down. Stupid people deserve to be kicked in the ass......especially when one tells them to leave the dog alone.
I volunteer for our local shelter. We get in A LOT of pitbulls. Many of which are suspected fighters (battle scars, the way their ears are cropped...there are other signs) and they are always the first to be put down. It's a crying shame!!! While they show no aggression while at the shelter and some are down right adorable and affectionate, we can't take the chance of adopting one out that has been a fighter. The risk of it turning on it's new family is just to great. The younger pitbulls we get in, we screen the adopting family carefully before adopting them out.
Over 4 MILLION dogs go into shelters every year. Less than half make it back out.
In reference to the problem with your brothers dog. It could be the change in envirnment. Some dogs get really stressed out when they are uprooted and move to a different place. They are out of their 'safe-haven'..or home that they are familiar with. For some reason they feel like they are unsafe and feel out of control of their space. Sometimes they need to get comfortable in their new surroundings before they become comfortable around visitors.....even people they know.
Consult a vet or better yet consult a professional dog trainer. Your local shelter should have someone they can suggest to you. A lot of times they will consult for free, just as a service through the shelter. Ours has a professional trainer for such. Her name is Jean Guarr and she can be reached through fcahumane.org .
Forrest City Area Humane Society. She's a very nice lady and is willing to help out anyone in need of advice for their dogs.
Good luck.
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