Ohio to Slaughter "ALL" Pit Bulls

[SPECWARSQUID]

I find this whole issue deplorable.

H.B. 568
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=127_HB_568

Sec. 955.111. (A) Beginning ninety days after the effective date of this section, no person shall own, keep, or harbor a dog that belongs to a breed that is commonly known as a pit bull dog.
(B) Not later than ninety days after the effective date of this section, a person who owns, keeps, or harbors a pit bull dog on the effective date of this section shall surrender the dog to the dog warden. Not later than ten days after receiving the dog, the dog warden shall euthanize the dog.
(C)(1) Beginning ninety days after the effective date of this section, if an officer has probable cause to believe that a dog is a pit bull dog, the officer may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for a search warrant. The court shall issue a search warrant for the purposes requested if there is probable cause to believe that a dog is a pit bull dog.
(2) After obtaining a search warrant, an officer shall seize the pit bull dog and surrender the dog to the dog warden. Not later than ten days after receiving the dog, the dog warden shall euthanize the dog.
(D) As used in this section, "officer" has the same meaning as in section 959.132 of the Revised Code.

I feel for anyone who has ever been injured by a dog, but to blanket an entire breed and condemn them all to death regardless of indivudual tempermant is nothing short draconian legislative practices.
Where will it stop? Should we exterminate the whole breed or species from this country? Or even better from exitance?
Some doors once openned lead down pathways best not travelled, and are hard to go back and close. Maybe we should elimante vicious people too. Or entire cultures that have a vicious segment of their population.

Sorry for the rant. But I own one of the sweetest Pits out there and to have her taken from me to be killed is unfathomable.
I've already had this happen to me. (neighborhood woman took my cat out of my yard. Mistook his allergies for sickness and took him to the pound to be euthanised. Then came back to my house to tel me about it)
I doubt if you kill all the Pits around,that dog attacks will cease. It'll just be some other breed mentioned in the papers to take on readers influence.
My dog is Dumb, not Dangerous, (unless you are a kitty turd in the litter box, then be on guard), but she's damn loyal.

If you live within Ohio and do not support this Bill being pass then I urge you to contact you local representative.


Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[SaturnVUEguy]

WOAH! I've heard many times that there are more labs/retrievers biting kids than Pit Bulls, its just that the media blows these out of proportion. All stories have two sides, what were the people doing to the dogs to get them riled up? They don't attack for no reason

[6'9"Witha69]

This is the stupidest thing I have seen in a while. Who is the doggie Hitler who came up with this genocide?

I feel for ya Shay. My wife's aunt has a pit that is nothing but playful and patient even with small children. I trust that dog enough that MY 2 daughters have stayed there while my wife and I went out with no worry about the dog. My friend had a Pit who was the MOST loyal dog in the world and an excellent judge of character. My buddy and I could wrestle with this dog aggressively and not fear him.

It is the jacka55es who raise them to be aggressive and or beat them regardless of intent who create these issues.

Time to start blaming the owners, not the animals.

[Damn True]

That is a load of crap. How are they going to demarcate it?

I mean there are a number of breeds commonly and incorrectly described as "Pit-Bulls". Are we talking Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog (which is a Mastiff, not a Terrier) or any of about 15 other akc recognized breeds?


...and while we are on the subject, it ain't the dogs:
http://www.mv-voice.com/news/show_story.php?id=667

Yes, that is one of Mike Vick's ex-dogs...in a hospital...doing therapy work....with a clown collar on.

Only one of his dogs needed to be euthanized.

[Samckitt]

Every time there is a story on the news about a Pit Bull biting someone, the owner ALWAYS says: "He/she is the sweetest dog, we could have never imagined anything like this would happen." Bla bla bla.

My opinion: Pit Bull = time bomb. But you don't know when the time is up.

I don't know why anyone would take the chance.

[jy211]

it's the BAD owners. They are the one's who should be euthanized.

The way the media portrays them is sick. You never hear about a dog bite unless it's a pit bull. What a crock of crap!

Bred specific legislation is not needed. I have had all my pits trained by a behavior specialist since they were 8 weeks old until age 2. They are all 8-9-10 years old now.

Each one has different characteristics as well as their offsprings. It's the owners responsiblity to properly care and train the animals.

[1970cuda]

My sister has a pit and that dog is as nice as can be. She was never raised with violence and therefor is a great dog. No when I was young i had a Lhasa Apo that we ended up giving up because it attacked me and bit a big chunk of my lip off. He has a fuzzy rodent from hell

[Damn True]

Ya ever notice that on the radio traffic reports they almost always mention when an accident involves an SUV? When was the last time you heard them say "an accident between a civic and a camry"? They don't because there is a bias against the SUV.

When was the last time you heard about a Schnauzer biting someone? You don't because there is a bias against the "pit-bull" (whatever that is).

There is nothing inherently wrong with "pit-bulls" (whatever that is) any more than there is something wrong with any other breed that is prone to protectiveness.

[wills55]

There has to be something in the unending book of laws that we have in this country that prohibits the intentional killing of animals for the simple reason that someone "thinks" that they are dangerous!
This really pisses me off!!! :machine: :evil:
I cant believe that the animal rights people havent done something about this. I am an animal lover thru and thru. I cant even begin to imagine the hell it would be for me and my family if all of a sudden the already corrupt state of Florida decided that my Rottie was a dangerous animal, and I had to just give him up to be slaughtered.

To the residents of Ohio, I would just like to say that I am very sorry that your state has made this horrible decision. If I were you I would take up the old saying: "You want 'em, Come get 'em"
Thats the only way youre getting my dog away from me!! This is just deplorable

[fast Ed]

Ontario passed a similar law a few years ago, less draconian however. Current owners kept their dogs, but no new ones could be bred or purchased. Same debate here as to what constitutes a "pit bull", since that isn't an actual breed, but a name that has been used to cover many different ones.


cheers
Ed N.

[parsonsj]

Relax all. Here's the latest (from nearly a week ago). Note that it was only a proposal to begin with.

From Channel 12 News:

A proposal to capture and put down all pit bulls in Ohio is being changed. State Representative Tyrone Yates of Cincinnati announced his plan following recent attacks on children by vicious dogs.
Today, Yates announced he is working with Representative Shawn Webster to change the plan. Webster is also a practicing veterinarian. They are looking for ways to stop the violent training of pit bulls while respecting the rights of dog owners.

[SaturnVUEguy]

Ever since I got my mini dachshund a month ago, I've been reading up on the breed. Dachshunds are very loyal and protective dogs, I'm sure there have been many dachsie bites, but have we ever heard of those?

[69Pony]

They should put down the owners of these vicious dogs regardless of the breed. Living outside Baltimore, you see these street thugs with their dogs. All are mauled up and mean as hell. They look at these dogs as status symbols and money makers. F'rs should be shot on the spot and their dogs confiscated and rehabilitated if possible.

I do agree with another poster - why take the chance with owning one of these animals but to euthanize them all is throwing the baby out with the bath water.

[jy211]

Ontario passed a similar law a few years ago, less draconian however. Current owners kept their dogs, but no new ones could be bred or purchased. Same debate here as to what constitutes a "pit bull", since that isn't an actual breed, but a name that has been used to cover many different ones.
cheers
Ed N.

Miami Dade county in Florida has the same law on their books. It goes back 18 + years. It's a load of crap brought on by criminals who trained the dogs to fight..they'd get loose and attack...so the politians thought it'd be easier just to ban the breed...DUMB

[amx2334]

From Channel 12 News:

A proposal to capture and put down all pit bulls in Ohio is being changed. State Representative Tyrone Yates of Cincinnati announced his plan following recent attacks on children by vicious dogs.
Today, Yates announced he is working with Representative Shawn Webster to change the plan. Webster is also a practicing veterinarian. They are looking for ways to stop the violent training of pit bulls while respecting the rights of dog owners.

Anyone see what may be the problem here?Hint: it's the owners.
Wonder where all those PETA types are on this?

[trapin]

Well...here's my perspective on the issue, with all apologies to those who own these dogs. I have a history with the Pit Bull because I was once attacked by one (right after the owner told me how it had never bitten anyone in it's life and was the sweetest dog imaginable). I'm not sure what set him off, all I did was try to pet him and next thing I know he's lunging for my face. I was 26 at the time and thankfully was wearing a thick leather jacket. He sank his teeth into my right arm and clamped down with a viscous force. The attack lasted 5 minutes. The owner tried everything he could to get him off of me, even resorting to hitting it in the head with a baseball bat. Nothing worked. Finally the dog let go on his own and the owner was able to grab him by the collar before he could lung again.

That's when I did some research on Pit Bulls and I found out that what makes them inherently dangerous is not exactly their bite (which actually isn't any stronger than a German Sheppard's) but the fact that when they are in attack mode they are able to shut down all sensories to pain. In other words, once they attack the only way they are going to stop is if THEY decide to stop or someone kills them. Thats why they're so popular in the dog-fighting world.

I have heard the arguement; "it's the owner, not the dog" and that may be true but unfortunately many of these dogs are owned by the wrong people and for the wrong reasons. It's not that they're training them to fight...it's that they don't know how to be responsible raising them. They get the dogs for the status it gives them; Get a tough dog and look tough in the process. Typical "trailer park" mentality.

I don't know, on one hand I feel for the responsible owners but on the other hand I just don't see why anyone would want a dog like that in their house that has the potential to do SO much damage in the unlikely event that something sets it off.

Labrador's and Retriever's can bite....but they can also be stopped too.

[Damn True]

Anyone see what may be the problem here?Hint: it's the owners.
Wonder where all those PETA types are on this?

Have you ever met any PETA types?

Confronting gangbangers with pit-bulls is not in their fiber.

[jy211]

Sorry anyone has to go through a dog attack...

[parsonsj]

I regard any big dog with great skepticism. I've been bitten several times, and chased and escaped a couple of other times.

It was all those years as a paper boy. I think dogs can smell the fear on me. :yum:

[Tony_SS]

No doubt dogs smell fear. I had a Rottweiler for 12 years - he loved people, but there were only a couple he was leary of and he did bite a guy cleaning the pool, which we were sued for. This was after he was maced buy someone from the gas co. who jumped the fence to read the meter, so I believe he was more aggressive to unannounced folks that let themselves on 'his' property.

It is a shame when animals have to pay the price for a humans ignorance. And if there ever was some law in which all of the sudden my Rottweiler became 'against the law', I would fully enforce my right to bear arms against that poor individual who tried to confiscate him.

btw, whats with those weiner dogs or small dogs in general? Those always seem very aggressive and ready to bite me!

[BonzoHansen]

When was the last time you heard about a Schnauzer biting someone? You don't because there is a bias against the "pit-bull" (whatever that is).

There is nothing inherently wrong with "pit-bulls" (whatever that is) any more than there is something wrong with any other breed that is prone to protectiveness.Piss one of each off and get back to us.

Schnauzers don't have locking jaws that don't let go. Pit Bulls are an inherently angry breed. But the proposed law was over the top.

They need to lock up the gang-banger owners that seem to gravitate to them.

[hotrdblder]

most of the time its the morons wanting to pet the dog and act aggressive trying to cover thier own fear buy trying to be aggressive, wrong thing to do, if a dog sense's your nervous, it makes him nervous, the worst thing to do is look a rotty or pit bull in the eye, as it is a form of confrontation, and those dogs are aggressive, however its the owners job to sense that and get the dog out of that situation, and also the moron human who does not know how to act around dogs. if your nervous or scared, stay away, dont be a big shot, dogs can see right thru it, if you truly are not scared, you can make the dog obey. i worked with 30 or so rottys at a breeder here and while aggressive, if you knew how to handle them they were great, i had a mother grab ahold of me when i was letting her puppy out of a crate, the puppy was 8 months old at the time, nice quick rabbit punch ended that ordeal, and she was ever so nice to me the rest of my time around there.
if a dog bites you, sink a knuckle in its eye, it will let go.
jake

[SaturnVUEguy]

Tony, mine is still a puppy, only going on 3mos old, but he is already showing that he is very loyal and protective. Thing is, when we have him out somewhere he wants all the attention he can get, tail wags at everyone who barely even glances at him. Time will tell what he'll be like.

My dachshund that is

[Tony_SS]

You're supposed to approach a dog with your hand out, palm up. A lot of dogs take a hand over their head (petting) as being dominated. And if you're a stranger smelly with fear - I'll bet the ranch that dog will bite you!

[SaturnVUEguy]

Tony, I always approach a new dog with my arm extended out, palm down, so they can sniff me to check me out first. Palm down can give them a bad impression

[gearheads78]

I have a new take on this as of today. I have always been don't care for or agaist this issue but about 30 min ago I just heard a story that changes my mind.

Our normal uniform guy was not in today. I asked if he was on vacation and was told he was attacked by a pit bull and will be out for a while.

Turns out jogging through his neighborhood one ran out of its owners front door. He saw it comming from the side and put his arm up in defence. The dog latched on and started ripping. Hes a big guy and was able to wrestle the dog to the ground and banged its head on the concrete and it finally let go. He stood up and yelled for someone to call 911 and the dog came at him again and tore up his leg. If this had been your or my kid they would be dead right now.
As is is right now the tendons are so torn up in his arm that he has no use of that hand.

Lots of other dogs bite but others breeds don't rip and tear flesh like these dogs. They need to be treated like a wild cat such owning a cougar or a tiger. They don't need to be anywhere near a neiborhood with kids.

[wills55]

My dogs do exaclty what I want them to do. Dont be in their back yard. Dont come in their house without me. Dont pet them unless I tell you that you can. 3 rules, the only 3 things you need to know around my dogs. 111lb. Rottie, and 117lb. German Sheppard.

[Damn True]

Piss one of each off and get back to us.

Schnauzers don't have locking jaws that don't let go. Pit Bulls are an inherently angry breed. But the proposed law was over the top.

They need to lock up the gang-banger owners that seem to gravitate to them.

The standard schnauzer was bred to be a guard dog and is commonly used in Germany for Police work and schuzhund training.

As for your other assertions. Both are fallacies. There is no biomechanical difference between the jaw of a Pit Bull (whatever that is) and any other dog. Dogs of this type do have a relatively higher percentage of muscle mass and strength/weight ratio which makes them exceptionally strong for their size but their jaws DO NOT lock. If you can bring the tech to oppose this I'd like to see it.

Neither are they inherently angry. They can be trained to be very protective, as can any dog. By virtue of nurture, not nature they can become exceptionally aggresive, as can any dog. But there is nothing in them that isn't in nearly any dog bred to similar purpose.

[6'9"Witha69]

Listen, regardless of breed, singling out one for euthanizing is genocide. PERIOD.

[bobbaganoosh]

Listen, regardless of breed, singling out one for euthanizing is genocide. PERIOD.

Exactly! It doesn't matter what breed it is, if a law like that can be passed for a pit than you can bet that more breeds won't be far behind. As a boy I had a pitbull, he slept in my bed every night and was always at my side. He never bit anyone, although he did attack a dog that attacked me first (wasn't a pit, BTW). I had him all the way through high school, and while I was in the Marines my dad called me in Okinawa to tell me that he had died. I wanted to get on a plane & come home right then. My dad still talks about him & he's been gone for over ten years. Today I own an American Bulldog (which is often mistaken for a pitbull) & he is also a great dog.

Any dog can be dangerous no matter what the breed. It's true that some possess the size / strength to be able to kill more than others. I can also be killed in a car crash tomorrow, but it doesn't mean I have to live my life in fear. If I wanted to do that I'd just watch the news, it's what they want you to do anyways.

Hitler wanted to end a breed too, if you want to put it in a more human perspective.

[trapin]

My dogs do exaclty what I want them to do. Dont be in their back yard. Dont come in their house without me. Dont pet them unless I tell you that you can. 3 rules, the only 3 things you need to know around my dogs. 111lb. Rottie, and 117lb. German Sheppard.
With all due respect...I would say it's owners like you that are the problem. The way you boast about what your dogs can do makes it sound like you admire their aggressiveness and encourage it. A dog is supposed to be a pet, a family member, a friend...not some loaded gun that can do serious damage in the event some child were to have the audacity to try and pet it or set foot in your house before you.

[trapin]

For the record, when I attempted to pet that Pit Bull...it was AFTER I had let him smell my hand first. And he gave no indication that he didn't like me.

[WS6]

You're supposed to approach a dog with your hand out, palm up. A lot of dogs take a hand over their head (petting) as being dominated. And if you're a stranger smelly with fear - I'll bet the ranch that dog will bite you!

Palm down, Tony. There's less there to bite and your reaction will be to close your hand which should be away from the dogs mouth. The same thing goes for electrical wires if you really want to test them that way. The electricity will cause your hand to close on the wire if you touch it with your palm.

I love pits and I love big dogs in general. If I ever live in a place where a dog is to be euthanised for no reason, the cop that tries to take them will find out who is really more agressive, me or the dog.

[parsonsj]

With all due respect...I would say it's owners like you that are the problem. The way you boast about what your dogs can do makes it sound like you admire their aggressiveness and encourage it. A dog is supposed to be a pet, a family member, a friend...not some loaded gun that can do serious damage in the event some child were to have the audacity to try and pet it or set foot in your house before you.Seconded. I don't get the whole "big scary dog but I am its dominant master" thing. Maybe I'm missing something.

jp

[Kustom_dude]

Here are my 2 girls..

I work form home and they are by my side all day. I cant walking any where in the house with out being fallowed. They are super smart and loyal. They love to rough house and they get excited super easy.

They love kids but don’t under stand theat they are strong and can knock them down easy. “ I am teaching them not to do that”

Oh ya they love men too… the all white Dog is like a teenage girl that hit puberty. Any time my male friends come over she just doesn’t kissing them and hitting on them its too funny.

The only thing that is not safe around here are socks .. I dont think i have one matching pair.

I have owned Doberman’s, Labs and German Shepard’s. Right now I have these 2 and a Husky.

Its all in how you care for them and yes there are bad seeds in the bunch also. Just like people not every one is perfect.

Judge the Deed Not the Breed!

http://www.badrap.org/rescue/

[69stang]

I don't particularly care one way or the other as I grew up with several dogs but none were pit bulls. I will say though that around a year ago a guy moved in behind me who has a pit bull and another large dog that looks part lab. If either dog comes over the 3ft chain link fence at me its getting a hammer to the head. Everytime he lets them out they start barking at whoever is out in their yard. The fence between his yard & mine is mine. I feel he should put up a taller fence to contain his dogs. So far they haven't tried going over the fence but it would be no trouble for them. They seem to be letting you know their yard is their territory.

[GetMore]

First, I disagree with the Ohio legislation. Killing dogs just because they MIGHT be a threat is wrong.

I will not argue that pits are great dogs. I know that they are, and the majority of people have no problems with them.
The issue with pits is that when they do "snap", for whatever reason, they cause serious injury and sometimes death.
Most dogs don't attack without cause, but pit bulls are know to do so. I have a friend who had to put his down, because the dog attacked his son without cause. This was a guy that loved pets and knew how to treat them, not some scumbag that taught his dog how to fight. His son was also a good kid, and didn't abuse the dog or anything. Fortunately for him, he knew to go limp when the dog attacked, since fighting or resisting causes pits to get more hold tighter and shake harder.

Unfortunately for pit bulls, they were bred to fight, and to hold on until their opponent stopped moving. Even if you don't teach them to fight there is still some of that agressiveness there. All they need is for the "switch" in their heads to be thrown and they'll go out and kill something.

I feel that at the outside, if the state wants to do something about pit bulls they should regulate them, like they do firearms. (I'm not sure that this whole idea is really required for any sort of dog ownership, but I'm sure it's better than just killing a breed.)
You would have to pass a training course (preferrably with your dog) proving you know how to control the dog, take proper care of it, and what to do in case something bad happens.

[LMDGUY]

no bad dogs just bad dog owners. if somebody would try to take one of my dog to put it down they would have a fight on there hands..

[neki67]

We had a kind of pitt bull law here in the Netherlands since 1994. Recently it was decided to forget about this law since the number of biting incidents didn't change during these 14 years!

[Tony_SS]

Palm down, Tony. There's less there to bite and your reaction will be to close your hand which should be away from the dogs mouth. The same thing goes for electrical wires if you really want to test them that way. The electricity will cause your hand to close on the wire if you touch it with your palm.

I love pits and I love big dogs in general. If I ever live in a place where a dog is to be euthanised for no reason, the cop that tries to take them will find out who is really more agressive, me or the dog.

Either way as long as your hand is down and not over their head as they will take that as an aggressive action from you if youre nervous or fearful.

I don't really care for much for the bull terrier breed, but I own could another Rottweiler again. They are a loving dog with a mild temperment... big gentle giants, and in reality, big babies. When the kids get a little older, we will probably look into owning another.

[Steve1968LS2]

Simple...

"There are no bad dogs, only bad owners"

[JEFFTATE]

Pitbulls are NOT bad dogs!
ANY dog can be aggressive and bite if mistreated.

This is ANOTHER case of some politician or political group increasing their own power by preying on the fears and anxieties of the general public.

Politicians endorse and create a state of fear and confusion by endorsing the idea that the world is unsafe.
And only " they" can save us.
This happens on different levels all the time.
Just look around.
Read the news.

[amx2334]

How do they determine if its a pitbull? If you have papers then they kill it?No papers and your good?
I have a dog that was a stray. What if he's a mix? Say 10% pitbull? Do they then instead of kill the dog just lop off his tail or something?

[JEFFTATE]

How do they determine if its a pitbull? If you have papers then they kill it?No papers and your good?
I have a dog that was a stray. What if he's a mix? Say 10% pitbull? Do they then instead of kill the dog just lop off his tail or something?

That's a good compromise.

[Regan]

I have a 14 year old black Lab, my girlfriend has a 2 year old Yorkie and my sister has a near-1 year old "Pit Bull." Which one do you think is the vicious one? If you guessed the Yorkie, you are correct. That thing is the most vicious dog I've ever met. And its surprising how vicious a seven pound dog can be.

My Lab is to lazy to be vicious, and my sister's "Pit Bull" is the only dog I've never heard make a sound. Unfortunately every time she takes the dog to Petco or where-have-you she has to deal with stupid people over-reacting.

My best friend has a "Pit Bull" mix and the only thing she's ever attacked was a skunk.

I echo the sentiments of many others here, it is NOT the dog. It is the owner.

[jackfrost]

holy crap, i can't believe this law or some of the things being said.

first off, this law is written horribly, and any half-wit lawyer could get around it. 2nd, as pointed out, what is a pit-bull? and why are other dogs not included, such as Rotts, Dobermans, German Sheperds, etc? don't the cops themselves use GS because they're vicious? (but under control, i understand)

have you ever watched the show called the Dog Whisperer? this guy has rehabbed several pit bulls no problem. it's all in the owner and how they are treated. as goes with any dog. my sister has a pit-lab mix, and that is the most submissive dog I've ever met. and she's got two kids, 2 and 4 years old, and the dog lets them do whatever to her.

I also get irked by small dog people, and somehow it's acceptable to let a small dog be aggressive. countless times i've seen small dogs provoke larger dogs into a fight.

[jackfrost]

just found this article:
http://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/08/06/10/law_pitbull.html


According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. These bites result in approximately 16 fatalities nationwide. The CDC reports that there is currently no accurate way to identify the number of dogs of a particular breed, and consequently no measure to determine which breeds are more likely to bite or kill.

which to me, means there is no way you could enact any legislation against one breed...:confused:

[amx2334]

Every mix dog is a _____-lab mix.When I come back I wanna be a lab cause they seem to be getting alot.

[SaturnVUEguy]

I've always hated small dogs because they are way more vicious than large dogs. I'd rather run into a German Shepard than a Chihuahua. I grew up with a Shepard, and he was the greatest dog. He bit two people, one of which was my cousin who was running away from him because he startled her when she came around the corner. The other kid was on our property and ran from him.

My wife wanted the Dachshund, and the only time he ever gets vicious is when we're playing

[Bobby Schulz]

Just like gun control ...blame the guns and not the people that use them. :machine:
Blame the deed not the breed.:attn: stupid stupid stupid:banghead: people.

This is no diffrent than saying all black people steal or that all germans hate jews. Come on this is the biggest bunch of crap I have ever heard of....Its like a dog AWB only its called BSL.

Pitbulls are all evil so kill them all :screwy: WTF thanks for this info "Adolf Hitler and the extermination of the pitbulls"

[Code Red]

My Husky with Specwarsquid's Pitbull

she is very friendly except when my dog trys to mount her

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/l_f16b1c4d0254626e66fbd991ede8e679-1.jpg

[hoosiergta]

I'm going to side with the un-populars in this one. The law is written wrong though because people can have dangerous animals with the proper permits and cages and such. Generally everone hears "it's ok she/he won't bike"right before they git bit. Lots of dogs bite or nip but usually thats it it more of a stear warning to leave me alone. But with the P.B they just don't seem to stop till there isn't much left . I stopped in on a friend the other day ,he had another of his friends over and his P.B was with him . He noticed my reaction when I saw the dog (not a panic thing but more of no I'm not comming over there to meet you) and you wouldn't believe how hard he tried to get me to pet it. I just simply said over and over "thats fine but I just don't trust them and never will ".I would love for someone to walk down a city block with a lion on a leash and when people see it they say , " It's ok he's just the sweetest thing and he's NEVER bite anyone go ahead pet him..........

[EFI69Cam]

Certain breeds of dog, types of cars and types of guns. They take advantage of peoples ignorance in order to look like they are "doing something"

Personally I think killing a dog because it "might" be dangerous is a bad precedent.

[Damn True]

just found this article:
http://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/08/06/10/law_pitbull.html



which to me, means there is no way you could enact any legislation against one breed...:confused:

16 fatalaties NATIONWIDE attributed to dog attacks from all breeds.

A little perspective is called for here.

[trapin]

Well...I've witnessed first hand what they're capable of. I don't need to go in for a 2nd try. I don't go near them and I don't let my children near them either. Too much to risk.

I know you Pit fans will think that's wrong and unfortunate, but that's how I roll.

[67 caprice]

I live in S. Florida. My biggest fear is not a dog. It's the 10ft Crocodile That lives in my canal behind my house. His last victim was a 25 lb Pit mix. It's endangered. We cant kill it, and they won't move it.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/Crocodile2-1.jpg
As far as I'm concerned this is the 4 legged animal that is a viscous species that needs to be destroyed.



The deadliest dogs
Here is a link (http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html)

Merritt Clifton, editor of Animal People, has conducted an unusually detailed study of dog bites from 1982 to the present. (Clifton, Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada, September 1982 to November 13, 2006; click here (http://www.dogbitelaw.com/Dog%20Attacks%201982%20to%202006%20Clifton.pdf)to read it.) The Clifton study show the number of serious canine-inflicted injuries by breed. The author's observations about the breeds and generally how to deal with the dangerous dog problem are enlightening.

According to the Clifton study, pit bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and their mixes are responsible for 74% of attacks that were included in the study, 68% of the attacks upon children, 82% of the attacks upon adults, 65% of the deaths, and 68% of the maimings. In more than two-thirds of the cases included in the study, the life-threatening or fatal attack was apparently the first known dangerous behavior by the animal in question. Clifton states:

[toxicz28]

Pit bulls are agressive and unstable. While I am sure there are good pit bulls out there, I think of their ownership like a game of Russian Roulette.
Two examples:

Westchester Woman, 75, Dies In Attack by Pit Bull at Home
Published: May 19, 2003
A 75-year-old Westchester County woman sharing a quiet evening at home on Friday night with her landlord was attacked and killed by the landlord's pit bull, the police said.

The attack happened around 7:30 p.m., as Bonnie Page, a former stage actress, was unpacking a grocery bag in the two-story Cortlandt Manor home she shared with Nancy Delaney, her landlord. The pit bull, a 2-year-old named Mr. B. that Mrs. Delaney adopted six weeks ago, jumped off her lap, ran into the kitchen and attacked Mrs. Page, biting her in the face, the police said.


The other,
My friend is a cop in Peekskill,NY. He gets sent on a dog bite call. When he arrives he finds the pit bull ripped off part of it's owners arm, and the dog is contained in the backyard.
He starts walking down the hall towards the kitchen to talk to his partner, when he hears a banging sound. The dog broke through the aluminum storm door and was going after the cop in the kichen. My friend yelled, the dog saw him and went after him. He drew his pistol and put five bullets into the dog before it even yelped (I personally would have put all 16 into it,but..). The dog runs into a bedroom, and the animal control officer on scene runs in after it and closes the door behind him. For 45 minutes, my friend hears growling, barking, and banging coming from this room. Finally, the ACO emerges, covered in blood, with the dog on that leash/pole thing guiding it out to his truck. This dog fought, growling and snapping all the way out into the street where it finally dropped dead, 45 minutes after taking 5 bullets.

[Bad Bird]

There is no way to look at this other than genocide. It's abhorrent and a disgrace.

I don't like Pit Bulls at all, I do not see the appeal. But to want to kill/ban something just because you don't like it is sickening.

[Tony_SS]

I think whats easy to forget is that 'pit-bulls' have been bred as a fighting dog. The losing dogs either died or where killed and not bred. Only the dogs who won and fought until they killed the other dog survived. They have an instinct to fight and a low tolerance to pain. Years of selective breeding only exploited those traits and w/o proper training they are no better than a wild animal. And if they are abused or neglected, it can only be worse.

They can be a deadly weapon in the wrong hands. I don't believe in a ban, but laws and some restrictions, yes. We wouldn't be the first country to do so.

[Bobby Schulz]

http://www.pitbulllovers.com/
http://www.pitbullforum.com/

Ignorance can be overcome by education but you cant fix stupid.

[trapin]

The deadliest dogs
Here is a link (http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html)

Merritt Clifton, editor of Animal People, has conducted an unusually detailed study of dog bites from 1982 to the present. (Clifton, Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada, September 1982 to November 13, 2006; click here (http://www.dogbitelaw.com/Dog%20Attacks%201982%20to%202006%20Clifton.pdf)to read it.) The Clifton study show the number of serious canine-inflicted injuries by breed. The author's observations about the breeds and generally how to deal with the dangerous dog problem are enlightening.

According to the Clifton study, pit bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and their mixes are responsible for 74% of attacks that were included in the study, 68% of the attacks upon children, 82% of the attacks upon adults, 65% of the deaths, and 68% of the maimings. In more than two-thirds of the cases included in the study, the life-threatening or fatal attack was apparently the first known dangerous behavior by the animal in question. Clifton states:

Wow. I guess numbers don't lie.

I will say that I think slaughtering dogs is not the answer but there should be a different set of rules for people owning one. And this is only because reponsible ownership is going take a very long time to eventually "bake" the fighting pedigree out of them. Until that happens they should be treated as a potentially dangerous possesion (much like a firearm). You can own one....but you better be God damn careful with it and respectful of the safety of those around you and in your neighborhood. Punishment should be severe for any owner who neglects a Pit Bull or doesn't lock them up properly.

A guy just down the street from me has one that shows a mean disposition to any kid that walks by his house. It's for that reason that I keep a freshly sharpened ax in my garage. If that thing ever gets out and maimes or kills one of my children, I'll finish the dog and then walk down the street to settle the score.

Emotionally enraged Sicilians don't feel pain either.

[jy211]

A guy just down the street from me has one that shows a mean disposition to any kid that walks by his house.

I wonder if it has this disposition is because kids in the neighborhood throw stuff at the dog or poke it through the fence?

[parsonsj]

These dogs have been bred for killing other dogs without regard for themselves for generations. Owners of these breeds would serve themselves by acknowledging this fact, working with law enforcement, and committing their owner group resources to eradicate dog-fighting all over the world.

Denying there is a problem ain't cutting it. Calling it "genocide" and using other emotionally charged words is using the same tactics that politicians use, and doesn't convince reasonable people.

jp

[Tony_SS]

I wonder if it has this disposition is because kids in the neighborhood throw stuff at the dog or poke it through the fence?

Doubt it. Most dogs are inherently territorial, especially a pit bull. The dog more than likely see's kids as 'game', much like a rabbit or squirrel or how a cat will react to a mouse or bird.

When you have kids in life it's a whole different world, is to me anyway.

[parsonsj]

I live in S. Florida. My biggest fear is not a dog. It's the 10ft Crocodile That lives in my canal behind my house. His last victim was a 25 lb Pit mix. It's endangered. We cant kill it, and they won't move it.


As far as I'm concerned this is the 4 legged animal that is a viscous species that needs to be destroyed.When we moved in to our house in Orlando, the retention pond next to our house had an 8 ft alligator. I made my kids cross the street to avoid being closer than 20 feet to it. I can't even imagine a 10 ft croc!!

Anyway, I called SNAP (Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program), and they came and removed it. That's quite a story in itself. I guess crocs are protected species and gators aren't. Be careful down there.

jp

[jy211]

I got 2 kids and 2 pitbulls. Been a responsible owner since I got the dogs. Dogs were trained by a behavior specialist since they were 8 weeks old.

[Tony_SS]

I got 2 kids and 2 pitbulls. Been a responsible owner since I got the dogs. Dogs were trained by a behavior specialist since they were 8 weeks old.

You're probably the exception to the rule. Its 95% of other owners that I don't have confidence in.

[jy211]

Thanks. I think people tend to forget all animals have wild insticts in them. No matter how domesticated one thinks they are.

[parsonsj]

I think people tend to forget all animals have wild insticts in them.I believe that too. Most people don't realize that dogs and wolves have the same DNA. They are the same species, and only 5000 years of human breeding makes them appear different.

jp

[Damn True]

Wow. I guess numbers don't lie.



You are right Tony. The numbers don't lie.

That is an average of 134 serious injuries per year and 14 deaths per year attributed to the "dangerous breeds".

In the same timeframe there was an average of over 300,000 people who suffered serious injuries and there were 225 deaths attributed to...........ready for it..............

Bicycles


Which is more dangerous?

Really.





I am endlessly amused at the groupthink that sometimes exists on "the intarwebs" and in the public in general when it comes to things like this. You can present people with all the logic and fact in the world but they stick to an alternate reality that is in line with what they were taught to believe.

[trapin]

I wonder if it has this disposition is because kids in the neighborhood throw stuff at the dog or poke it through the fence?
No way. They stay the hell away from it.

On a side note I have a guy that lives behind me (kitty-corner from my lot) that breeds champion Bull Mastiff's. They are pretty intimidating dogs but they LOVE my wife. She goes back there to visit them and all 4 full grown males lean up against the fence and go wild. It's pretty funny and Jerlene usually needs a towel afterwards from all the slobber. LOL!!! Jim (their owner) is also VERY militant about watching them. They are only allowed to roam the backyard when he is back there with them. The rest of the time they're kept in their cages or in his basement where they're free to roam. His is always back there shouting commands to them and putting them through obedience training. I'll have to say, they are very friendly dogs. I trust my kids to go up and pet them, they love the kids. But I know that in the wrong hands it would be a different story.

I wish every Pit Bull owner was like Jim...but I know they're not. But I have high regards for those of you that own them and take care with them.

[Damn True]

No way. They stay the hell away from it.

On a side note I have a guy that lives behind me (kitty-corner from my lot) that breeds champion Bull Mastiff's. They are pretty intimidating dogs but they LOVE my wife. She goes back there to visit them and all 4 full grown males lean up against the fence and go wild. It's pretty funny and Jerlene usually needs a towel afterwards from all the slobber. LOL!!! Jim (their owner) is also VERY militant about watching them. They are only allowed to roam the backyard when he is back there with them. The rest of the time they are kept in their cages or in his basement where they're free to roam. His is alway back there training them in obedience. Very friendly dogs. I trust my kids to go up and pet them, they love the kids.

I wish every Pit Bull owner was like Jim...but I know they're not. But I have high regards for those of you that own them and take care with them.

BTW, I own a Bull Mastiff. Wonderful dog.

[Damn True]

Actually the numbers listed above were for 1998. A slow year.

In 2006 there were 540,000 serious injuries and 770 deaths attributed to bicycles.

[6'9"Witha69]

BTW, I own a Bull Mastiff. Wonderful dog.If it weren't for the bull sized tards, I would too. That or a Great Dane. That and my wife is nervous about big dogs in general and kids. So we have an Italian Greyhound. Boy does he love to bite when he plays.

[trapin]

You know what's interesting True, is they don't appear to be territorial but rather they get excited when you get near the fence line and WANT you to interact with them. I have never heard them bark at anyone. It might have something to do with them being adolescents. He never keeps them for longer than a year and sells them to other breeders. He always has one female and 4 males. The female is older and is usually quiet but the males are regular spazzoids. LOL!!

Here's my neighbor's website; http://www.badabingbullmastiffs.com/

[jackfrost]

Well...I've witnessed first hand what they're capable of. I don't need to go in for a 2nd try. I don't go near them and I don't let my children near them either. Too much to risk.

I know you Pit fans will think that's wrong and unfortunate, but that's how I roll.

this is how I approach ANY dog. you just don't know how a dog is raised and treated, regardless of breed.

I guess I wouldn't have as much of a problem with a ban of breeding/selling dogs, it's just that if someone tried to come and take away my dog to be euthanized, I view them the same as children. not a reasonable course of action for government.

as mentioned, wolves are very close to dogs, but you don't see wolves being kept as pets very often. and the people who do have them, know the possible consequences. i would love to have a wolf-dog as a pet, but I'm not willing to take the risk.

[Tony_SS]

A little perspective is called for here.

How many more millions of people own and ride bikes, especially around traffic vs. coming in contact with a dangerous dog? ;)

[Damn True]

If it weren't for the bull sized tards, I would too. That or a Great Dane. That and my wife is nervous about big dogs in general and kids. So we have an Italian Greyhound. Boy does he love to bite when he plays.

Actually you'd find that living with a Bull Mastiff is an awful lot like living with a sight hound. Couch potatoes. They both need about 30-45min of excercise a day and then they sleep for about 23.5 hrs. Roxy weighs 120lbs (my wife weighs 112) but Roxy only eats about 3.5 cups of food a day.

They look big and mean but most of them are complete marshmellows. In fact the closer they are to breed standard it's almost impossible for them to bite. If they open their mouth wide enough to get around your arm their flews (jowels - lips - whatever) cave in so in order to bite you, they have to bite through their own face. Not likely.

[Jim Nilsen]

Just have to say that i love the bicycle to dog fatality and injury scenario. the same can go for cars too!

I was around big dogs [great danes]while growing up and have found that putting your hand down their throat when they try to bite youor grabbing their tongue will keep them from biting down on you. I have also found that if you grab the rear leg farthest from you and pull they will let go of what they are biting and go after your hand which then leads to going down their throat. While this might not be logical it works, you better be confident when doing or you won't have a hand but it is something I learned. I really like the knuckle in the eye move that was brought up too , the eyes have always been something I would save for the viscious dog biting me but I would probably not use my knuckle and go with a direct poke.

As far as little dogs go , I am more afraid of the owner than the dog because I know I can hurt the dog and the owner can a lot angier.

The first dog I was ever bit by was a part lab part shepard. The meanest dogs I have seen that looked friendly one minute /mean the next are Chows.

When I hear the phrase " If it saves one life it's worth it" I just wonder when the people who say it are going to stop driving?

[novanutcase]

I completely agree with DT! This is just a hysteria brought on by media and hearsay much like global warming! I own a Chow/Pit rescue that is the nicest dog in the world. I still take precautions with guests or anyone she doesn't know but I would do the same with any breed.

John

[dogtag]

It just breaks my heart to hear stuff like this.
My Wife and I own and operate a Veterinary Emergency practice.
We see it all, believe me....
I hate to say it but much of it is people who don't know how to properly care for their animals.
Many people think nothing or letting their animals roam freely as it is
"cruel" to confine them in a cage or pen.
Left to their own devices, dogs can be just like little kids.....they'll find trouble to get into one way or the other.
A responsible animal owner will protect their pet and somtimes that includes proper restraints and confinement.
I'm afraid that until people wise up that we will continue to see laws and animal police dealing with the neglect of incompetent pet owners.

[novanutcase]

BTW - The best way to get a pit bull to unclamp his bite is to use a long steel object like a screwdriver and slide it in between the teeth and pry the jaws open. It doesn't take much so you don't have to worry about hurting their teeth. I know because I had to use that method when my chow/pit got in a fight with another pit that I had rescued! In my case I used a butter knife!

John

[Tony_SS]

Oh cool, the next time a pit bull clamps down on me I will calmly pull out the 12" flat head screwdriver that I always carry around to pry his non locking jaws off my forearm.

[parsonsj]

It doesn't take much so you don't have to worry about hurting their teeth. LOL!!! I only hope they find my flesh nice and soft so they don't hurt themselves when they bite my ass!

jp

[toxicz28]

Oh cool, the next time a pit bull clamps down on me I will calmly pull out the 12" flat head screwdriver that I always carry around to pry his non locking jaws off my forearm.

That's great!!:lmao: :lmao:

[Mkelcy]

BTW - The best way to get a pit bull to unclamp his bite is to use a long steel object like a screwdriver and slide it in between the teeth and pry the jaws open. It doesn't take much so you don't have to worry about hurting their teeth. I know because I had to use that method when my chow/pit got in a fight with another pit that I had rescued! In my case I used a butter knife!

John

Not to increase the testosterone level in this thread beyond the already ridiculous level it's attained, but if a pitbull is biting me and I happen both to have a long steel object in my hand (unlikely) and the presence of mind to do something with it (extremely unlikely), I'm not sliding it between the dog's teeth and prying the jaws open, nor am I worrying about hurting its teeth. I'm plunging my long steel object straight into the dog's ear in the hope that I kill it as quickly as possible. Somehow the idea of loosening its grip so it can attack me somewhere else doesn't seem like the best idea.

A close friend was maimed by her sister's family pet pitbull - no history of biting, no warning, no provocation of any kind - just a sudden all out killing attack. Ten reconstructive surgeries on her face and arms over the course of three years and she is now no longer afraid to be seen in public.

Sorry, I may be taken in by True's group think, but then so is the guy I got my two GSD's from. He's been breeding and training Rotts, GSDs and Malinois for protection, police work, drug detection and building and industrial yard security for 50 years. He's also run a kennel for 40 and, until he recently retired, he ran a school (30 plus years) to train K-9 police officers, other handlers of working dogs and dog trainers. No one loves dogs more than he does, yet based on actual experience that is probably far broader than anyone posting in this thread, he'd endorse some form of the Ohio legislation to get rid of pitbulls as currently bred.

There was a period that GSDs bred in the US had a terrible fear biting problem. Saint Bernards also went through a period that they had in-bred issues. I'm not saying the pitbull breed (if there is one) is bad, but there certainly seem to be some bad, dominant traits in their genetic make-up right now.

I completely trust my GSDs with my grandchildren, as do my grandchildren's parents. My youngest granddaughter at one year old would walk around and flail her arm around to chase the two 80 pound dogs away. During the course of a week visit, she wasn't knocked down once, even by a tail. I trust my GSDs dogs around any child. I would never trust a pitbull around a child, ever, for even a second.

[trapin]

GSD's?

I need an acronym translation.

[camaro_68]

I have a 140lb rottie and a 90lb boxer. I will spare you all the claim that "they are the sweetest dogs ever"; you have already formed your opinion about them based on your experiences with the breeds. Both dogs have had extensive training in bite inhibition and other behavioral traits. I have never had an incident involving my pets, and they have never acted aggressively toward anyone. (both are six years old) I have had, however, the worst time getting homeowners insurance due to my "viscious breeds". One company that had a disclaimer in their policy that they did "not cover losses or damages caused by pets or animals" on my property, still would not insure me.

Q: Why do smaller dogs tend to be so aggressive?
A: Nobody bothers to train the animal because they can't cause as much damage as a big dog. It's "cute" when a small dog growls, but "viscious" when a large dog does.

To respond to an earlier post, if an owner claims that their dog is so sweet and doesn't bite, you don't have to believe them. If that same owner has to beat its dog's head with a baseball bat to get it to release someone it is attacking, there is some serious training issues going on -- try nonexistent.

Why don't people treat dogs like the strangers that they are? Would you believe that a random strainger (human) is a nice guy simply because someone said he is? Or would you get to know him before you trusted him around your children?

And finally, if you do not like a specific breed of animal, that is your right. You do not have to pet my dog if you do not want to. I happily invite you to meet my pets if you wish, (I believe them to be ambassadors of their breeds) but I certainly won't make you. If someone is uncomfortable around my pets, I remove them from the situation; I would not want any misunderstandings to create an incident. My neighbor two doors down does not like my rottie. He has met her. She liked him, he still does not like her. My neighbor does not allow his daughter (about 13ish) to come anywhere near my rottie. I respect his wishes, and keep my pet away from her. It is a happy relationship.
People need to act responsible around animals, because animals do not understand responsibility.

Jeff

[novanutcase]

Oh cool, the next time a pit bull clamps down on me I will calmly pull out the 12" flat head screwdriver that I always carry around to pry his non locking jaws off my forearm.


LOL!!! I only hope they find my flesh nice and soft so they don't hurt themselves when they bite my ass!

LOL! I was talking in terms of my situation which both dogs were under my care and not attacking me but each other so I didn't want to hurt either one!
Hitting a Pitbull that already has their jaws clamped down on you is fruitless since, as mentioned before, they will feel no pain! I know this because in that same fight I clocked the full breed pit and put a shiner on it that would make Mike Tyson proud and she didn't flinch! Just try and find whatever steel rod you can and pry the jaws open and make sure you grab the collar and restrain it(if their is a collar!) before it trys to clamp on again!

John

[Mkelcy]

GSD's?

I need an acronym translation.

Sorry, I was too lazy to type it all out: German Shepherd Dog.

[bigvegan]

It's the owners of pitbulls I'm just as concerned about.

I live about 5 miles inland from Venice Beach, and when I go there to hang out, you see a lot of little dudes with shaven heads and tattoos walking pitbulls in bondage harnesses attached to heavy chains.

I mean, I know car guys are often accused of "compensating" for something, but I don't think we have anything on L.A. pitbull owners. It's sad though, they have no idea how ridiculous they are.

[novanutcase]

It's the owners of pitbulls I'm just as concerned about.

I live about 5 miles inland from Venice Beach, and when I go there to hang out, you see a lot of little dudes with shaven heads and tattoos walking pitbulls in bondage harnesses attached to heavy chains.

I mean, I know car guys are often accused of "compensating" for something, but I don't think we have anything on L.A. pitbull owners. It's sad though, they have no idea how ridiculous they are.

I know what you mean. The dogpark next to the Silverlake Reservoir has a couple of guys that bring a red haired pit that is HUGE! I asked them how he got so big and they told me they give him steroids!:eek:
Same harness as you mentioned! SAD!

John

[70LS1NOVA]

So, what happens when they slaughter all the pit bulls? Who's next? The dobermans, the rots and these lovely presa canarios's?
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[danbob67]

never heard of them "presa canarios's" but they look serious. I got a couple of "bull" dogs a english bulldog and a bull terrier that I just got as a rescue type deal both of mine are babys but as with ANY dog I think there is still some wild in em but killing off a entire breed is silly and really not even possible in my opinion just like guns criminals are still gonna have them even if they are illegal people are still gonna have pitbulls whether they are suppose to or not .

[minendrews68]

This is crap! I know how you guys feel. I used to raise Doberman's. Talk about a dog that got a bad rap!!! The mere sight of a Doberman sent shudders up and down your spine!!!!, they're KILLER DOGS!!!! GET A LIFE PEOPLE!!! any dog acts, as he (or she) is trained to act. There isn't a dog bred that the minute it's born has the instinct to attack humans! They are tought to be mean, or they themselves have been abused to the point that they see a human as nothing more than an obstacle from which to get yet another beating or other abusive act. I hate to rant so wildly but I had one of the best mannered Doberman's a person could ever own. At the time I didn't have kids and that dog went with me every where, without a leash but would never think of running off. Well one rainy afternoon, after My ex-wife and I got a divorce and I moved to another location my doberman got out of his makeshift pen and was chased through the streets until he just couldn't run any more. It was hot and humid, froth was coming out of his mouth (because he had been run so hard) he had all his vaccination tags on, and he had stopped at the edge of the street to catch his breath when one of the local police officers decided to do a little target practice and shot him in his flanks. This downed the dog but he drug himself across the street and was lying there. Then Mr Macho Cop decided to go across the street walk up to my dog and took yet another shot to the head to finish him off. Pissed? you just don't know... There were a lot of city councel meetings about this, the yard of the woman that he was shot in that woman came to one of the meetings and asked him why was this dog not sedated? His reply, Well ma'am, shooting a dart could've richoched (sp?) off of something and killed your little girl there watching.. This lady went crazy, she called him everything there was to call a dumb @## and told him what if the MF bullet had of hit my daughter? Boy this lady was mad! I was just glad she was on my side. I was at work, and later found out that a friend of mine had told the cops to leave him alone, he knew the dog and who it belonged to and he would get him and take him home. The police would not hear of this. Yes, I did make a fool of myself in trying to go to the police department thinking I was going to fight everyone there. Luckily I didn't get arrested. I was hurt, and I cried lilke a little baby when I went to the back of the dog catcher's truck and opened the cage and got my bloody dog and put him into my own truck. But in the end they won, they told me they did what had to be done and that was that. One of the big newspapers in Memphis Tn came down and interviewed both me and the police chief about the incident and there was quite a descriptive write up about it. I just wish I had my best friend back. This happened about 20 years ago, and when I think about it I still remember how sad it that people are so quick to judge, about anything.

[paul67]

We have a simaler law in the UK but have major problems proving what is a pit bull,what we do have most news worthy pit bull bites are when they bite a family member child,just last week some one got jailed for breeding the dogs for fighting.

[ADaughen]

I'm a dog owner.

I rescued a mutt from the pound that is the most loving thing on the planet. People mistake him for a pitbull (usually the same people that mistake our Wiemerainer/Rough Collie as a Lab). He's a Rhodesian Ridgeback and Shar Paei mix. If this law would go into effect we would have to carry the DNA breed paperwork with us whenever we went out with him (yes, you can send a sample of your dog to be sent out and DNA breed tested).

He is a thearapy dog for nursing homes/hospitals.

http://img1.putfile.com/main/11/32708294416.jpg

http://img1.putfile.com/main/11/32708294284.jpg


I've owned many dogs.
Great Dane/Doberman (think HUGE Doberman... that gave us horsey rides, RIP)
English Springer Spaniel (knew three languages, RIP)
Rough Collie (RIP)
Chow/Husky (still alive and kicking at my parent's)
Rottwieler (dog rescue, RIP)
Boxer mix (dog rescue, RIP)
Rhodesian/Shar Paei (dog rescue)
Weimerainer/Collie (new pup)
...
probably a couple others I have forgotten already.

A few weeks back, I met a young pitbull that was a sweet heart. I know a few years ago I was walking my Chow/Husky and a "pitbull" came charging at us. It didn't want anything to do with me, just my dog. I pinned it down while keeping my dog at arms length.


I like my dogs and if anyone has any data like the CDC data posted earlier, I'd like to send it to my represenatives.

Thanks,
Adam


ETA:
My wife LOVES the big breeds. If/when our oldest one dies, we might end up getting a Great Dane, Bull Mastiff or something else big.

[baz67]

Ok, that law if ever passed is a load of crap. Condeming an entire breed based on the owners inept care and raising is stupid. Where is the ownership responsibility here? It is not the dogs fault. A dog is like a gun as it is harmless in the proper hands, but incredibly dangerous in the wrong hands. I can only hope the the citizens of Ohio let their representives know what they think. This opinion comes from a guy that had to kick a pit/chow mix off his daughter while the dog was attacking her.

[406 Q-ship]

City of Detroit has had a policy of killing any pits it gets. I hate the idea of killing off a dog just because it looks like another dog that was vicious dog, whats next offing people because they look like they may be criminal? There has to be a better way, how about requiring a bond for those that have these "vicious" dogs, better than taking the dogs life to satisfy some sense of protection. How about simple criminal liability for the owners when a dog attacks, that should take care of the "men" who need to make sure that everyone knows they are "endowed" by walking around with a big Pit Bull.

To those that say it is a case of poor training, well even dogs still have a taste of the wild dog still in them and can turn for no reason......training will never change that. It is not a breed thing either, had a girlfriend that was badly malled by a Collie (you know Lassie). When those say that if your afraid of an animal don't go near it, OK that is good advice but what do you do when said dog comes at you from 100 feet away and charges for no reason, the victim does nothing to provoke the animal (yes it does too happen I have seen it personally). The idea of me finding a large metal bar to "pry" the dogs mouth open is just plain rediculous, if I have a metal rod then you have a dead dog, and when I do get away you still will have a dead dog with or without the metal bar......... 45 or 9mm bullet to the head. I love animals and would never hurt one unless it was to save my or someone else butt, and animals like me too.

[camarorider]

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/dogbreeds.pdf

"between 1979 and 1998, one-third of all fatal dog attacks were caused by Pit Bull type dogs. The highest number of attacks (118) were by Pit Bull type dogs, the next highest being Rottweilers at 67."

Not siding one way or the other but whether it is the owners or the dogs they do account for a high number of incidents.

[toxicz28]

City of Detroit has had a policy of killing any pits it gets.

It's probably for liability reasons. They don't want to take the chance of adopting it out and then having a lawsuit on their hands if it bites someone.

[Damn True]

It's probably for liability reasons. They don't want to take the chance of adopting it out and then having a lawsuit on their hands if it bites someone.

What do they do if a yellow lab bites someone?

[Kustom_dude]

What I don’t get is that I have a friend that has two Huskies. They got out a while ago and pulled a cat apart in front of the owner. They split the cat into two pieces. The cops came told my friend to take better care of his dogs.

Now if it had been a Pit bull breed they would have taken his dogs and put them down. I am not saying it was right or that my friend’s dogs should have been put down. I have just seen the other scenario where it has been two Pit bulls they got out and chased a cat down and did the same deed. Actually the cat get the pits real good, the cat survived. The Pits were put down.

[toxicz28]

What do they do if a yellow lab bites someone?

I'm sure you'd get alot less money being bitten by a yellow lab and suing that getting bitten by a pit bull and suing.

[Damn True]

Nothing like a little selective persecution.

(spelled it that way on purpose)

[dogtag]

If the're going to inact a law to protect the public and the're so worried about Pitt's, why not require owners to nuter their animals.
Just don't allow Pitts to bread under penelty of law.
In one generation they will have it their way without killing anyones pet.
Personally, I don't like the idea but I hate killing peoples pets worse.

[Tony@AirRideTech]

**any dog that can not retrieve a downed bird is really nothing more than an expensive automated yard fertilizer** :)

On a serious side... that proposed law is bunk and based on the finality and validity of it, i doubt it ever passes......

[indyjps]

remember when Dobermans were bad axx dogs and feared everywhere. What ever happened to them, they get no respect anymore.

[minendrews68]

remember when Dobermans were bad axx dogs and feared everywhere. What ever happened to them, they get no respect anymore.

My point exactly, as per my previous reply....