Pitbulls -- I hate them
I was headed down Main Street in Springvale, a village of Sanford, which is a former mill town here in Maine and kind of struggling. It's mostly pretty nice, but it has "urban" influences and problems. One problem is stupid people who are either drug dealers or who idolize the thug lifestyle and get Pitbulls to look and act tough.
Now I realize that what I'm about to write is controversial. It's even controversial in my house. Amanda is going to open the ten pound can of whoop-ass when she reads this. I know she'd rather vaccinate a pitbull than most toy breeds. However, I think the pitbulls that actually see a veterinarian are the exception to the rule. Update: Amanda was attacked and her tech was mauled by a pitbull in the office. She has come around to my point of view.
So as I was driving, I noticed oncoming traffic stopped and (what I assumed was) a guy walking his dogs across the street. When he didn't actually cross the street, I assumed he was walking in the street because the sidewalk was blocked by snow. As I got closer, I wondered why anyone would walk huge pits off-lead in the city. Then I got close enough to realize the dogs were barking at the guy, who was scared to death. As I passed, he started kicking at the dogs, and those dogs do not turn tail... They bite. I saw the dogs trying to bite the man. For any of you who think kicking at the dogs was the wrong way to go, I agree, but you can't expect (in a world where we need warning signs on mop buckets and gasoline pumps) your average person to know exactly how to deal with two intimidating dogs who are off lead and unattended.
These are not the dogs in question, but remarkably similar in color, build and ear cropping. The dogs in question had collars and ID tags on them, so I doubt fighting dogs, however they were definitely made up to appear of the fighting type. Cropped ears, huge muscles. I would say they were in the 75-80 pound range. As tall as Brutus, but much beefier.
Imagine these two following you closely and barking with their hackles up.
There was NO WAY I was going to get involved here. I had Colt in the truck and opening the door would have made for a bad situation for me or him. If I had a gun, I would have shot the dogs, but I did not. I kept driving as I dialed 911. I felt that stopping traffic would stop any chance of the police arriving as it was blocked in the other direction. Funny if I had a gun and used it, I'd probably be in trouble for animal cruelty, discharge of a firearm in city limits, discharge of a firearm from a vehicle (you know, all the charges they usually drop when a serious crime occurs). I have a right to defend myself, but no right to defend my fellow man.
When I got transfered to the Springvale 911, the dispatcher was surprised. I assumed I would have been at least the third or fourth person to call. When I told her what was happening she asked if I was serious. I replied "deadly serious." I gave directions to where it was going down as best I could -- I was a bit flustered. I have no earthly idea how it ended.
I see no reason why anyone would want to own this breed. The "work" it was bred to do, and is still bred to do, is fight and kill (and guard drugs). I think most of the lousy owners want a dog who makes them look brave. A dog who could rip their throats out at any minute... but does not.
I will not publicly advocate for a ban on any breed, but if you ask me, these dogs make every dog owner look like a menace to society. I also don't believe the owners of these dogs will stand up for the issues that are important to honest dog breeders (as most are too stupid to know about the laws, some flagrantly violate them, the rest make puppies that do not cover the cost of production). So I will leave it up to you to figure out how I would vote in the privacy of the voting booth...
Posted by Todd Chrisman at January 9, 2009 
Categories: Home Life,Dog Training,Politics,Everything Else,Breeding Whelping Selling Pups
Categories: Home Life,Dog Training,Politics,Everything Else,Breeding Whelping Selling Pups
Maybe you could have given the gun to the man in danger to defend himself with. I really think the way to control the guns that harm the inocent is to arm a whole lot more "good Guys" as you have mentioned in the past.
While the general public perceives this breed to be the root of all evil, and it does its fair share of damage, don't get me wrong it is not causing the black eye for all dog owners. Dog owners themselves are doing that on their own plain and simple.
If you look at the dog bite related fatalities you will find a large number of different breeds listed, everything from Pit bulls to Pomeranians.
Granted the larger guard dog breeds statistically account for more than 50% of the deaths.
Here are some interesting facts:
-"From 1979 to 1998, at least 25 breeds of dogs have been involved in bite related deaths. Pit Bulls and Rottweilers were involved in more than 50 percent of these incidences."
-"Any dog, treated harshly or trained to attack, may bite a person. Any dog can be turned into a dangerous dog. The owner or handler most often is responsible for making a dog into something dangerous. "
-"An irresponsible owner or dog handler might create a situation that places another person in danger by a dog, without the dog itself being dangerous, as in the case of a Pomeranian that killed an infant"
-"Any individual dog may be a good, loving pet, even though its breed is considered to be potentially dangerous. A responsible owner can win the love and respect of a dog, no matter its breed. One cannot look at an individual dog, recognize its breed, and then state whether or not it is going to attack. "
-"Of the 27 people who died as a result of dog bite attacks in 1997 and 1998, 67% involved unrestrained dogs on the owner's property; 19% involved unrestrained dogs off the owner's property; 11% involved restrained dogs on the owner's property; and 4% involved a restrained dog off the owner's property."
-"Annually in the United States there are approximately 20 human fatalities directly resulting from a dog attack; this number is minuscule compared with human fatalities caused by gunshot (approximately 12,000 annually), accidents (approximately 100,000 annually) or health related disease processes"
So I'm not one to condemn any breed for attacks, its the irresponsible owners that are to blame here.
And just one more point, you do have the right to protect life and property yours or anyone else, but in todays world doing what's right does not make you exempt from lawsuits.
Just remember its better to be judged by 12 then carried by 6 !
I understand that bad dog owners make the breed worse, but bad dog owners are drawn to the breed. You can't really say they are good dogs owned by bad people. "Pit" means fight. The Cardinals will be pitted against the Steelers in the Superbowl.
Here from Dictionary.com Pit means:
The lousy people choose to keep the lousy breed. It's a chicken and egg argument.
For those who don't know. One reason to keep a vicious dog is to guard drugs. You put the drugs and the dog in a detached garage. When you get busted, you stand up in court and say "That garage is always unlocked -- the lock broke in 1962. Anybody could have stashed their drugs in there." It's enough reasonable doubt to get a lot of folks off. You don't mention the dog would have torn anyone else's arm off.
Our hunting dogs have a strong instinct to stand very still when they smell a bird. You could train any dog to do that. It's very much like drug sniffing dog training. You train the dog to react to any odor and you can train the appropriate action. Theoretically, you can train a Corgi to "point" wild birds. However, you need not bother with all of that when you own a pointing dog.
Well, you could train a Corgi to bite people, but that is not in their nature either. Pitbulls have been selectively bred to fight, attack and bite. In addition, they have been selectively bred for physical characteristics. Pointers are bred for medium-distance running at a high rate of speed. They have larger than average chests, which allows for larger than average heart and lungs. Pitbulls, on the other hand, have been bred for brute strength, and have jaw geometry and musculature so strong it can only be for biting. So just as it is easier to train a pointing breed to indeed point (in fact no training needed) with biting breeds you need no training as well. A bite from a biting breed will be more devastating than from any other.
So while any individual dog can be made dangerous, dogs of certain breeds are much more likely to become dangerous. I think irresponsible owners are more likely to be drawn to those breeds.
Something like 24 children drown in buckets and toilets every year. A similar number die from television sets falling on them. I would say that even in the hands of the irresponsible, Pomeranians are less of a danger than televisions, toilets and buckets. I don't think the same is true of fighting breeds.
The gunshot figure includes intentional deaths due to gunshots: police shooting perpetrators, people defending themselves, suicides, murders and the like. The yearly accidental gun related fatalities of children also rate in the 24 range. There are laws in many states that say folks have to keep their guns locked up "for the children" but I've never heard of any proposal to make folks keep their TV's on child resistant stands.
I'm sure that candles cause more deaths and cause more dollars to be paid out by insurance companies than pitbulls, and yet, insurance companies are loath to cover families that own these dogs and don't even bother to ask if you burn candles in your home on the application (they should).
I agree that pitbulls are not the #1 problem facing America today, and aren't in the top 100 (I'd have to actually think way longer and harder about it than I am willing to do). I just hate them. I don't know why anyone would choose to own one, breed them, have them around. I don't know of any redeeming qualities of fighting dogs that aren't easily available in less menacing dogs. You can get the same level of love and affection from a Karin Terrier, the same ability to keep up with your active lifestyle from a Golden.
Some people hate snakes, some hate clowns, others fear midgets (sorry, but it's true), I hate fighting breeds and birds and heights. I wouldn't advocate for a breed ban. I don't know if anything needs to be done other than educating folks about making good choices in dog breeds. I have met one of the sweetest dogs in the world and she is a pit. It doesn't change my mind that on average, the breed is no good and folks should avoid them in their neighborhoods in general and in their homes especially.
I think you're nothing but a typical jackass because i have had pits and been around them most of my life and none has ever done anything but do what i got them for to guard my house. people who say things such as you only listen to the bad side of things and i am neither a drug dealer or anything as such i work on a farm and earn my money honestly.
madcrack69@yahoo.com
Ah, yes. Start with a personal attack. It makes your point so well.
Let's see, you keep dogs to guard your house. Since you got a fighting dog to do it, I'm assuming you wish the dog to bite people. So are you trying to convince me they aren't frightening? I think you make my point very well.
The professionals use German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Dobermans, Schnauzers -- never Pits -- for protection work. Pits aren't stable enough for the work. They obviously have the physical attributes, but they lack control.
I'm not "listening" to anyone. I'm telling everyone these dogs are Bad News. I witnessed an unprovoked attack. My wife and friend were attacked and mauled by a pitbull. So am I supposed to believe you or my "lying" eyes?
I did some research and find this breed is responsible for half of the mauling deaths in this country. They are the only breed that attacks adults as often as children.
Mr. "Mad Crack" good luck with your farming business. And for the record, I am an exceptional jackass.
you obviously havent done your homework. people like you make me sick. next time you think about posting something ridiculously stupid, back it up or either keep your damn mouth shut
jiffy_chick@yahoo.com
This is what I deal with all day. Carolyn, I WITNESSED a man get attacked by pitbulls. My WIFE and friend were attacked and mauled by a pitbull. These are fighting dogs responsible for half the deaths from dog attacks each year. I don't know how I could possibly "back up" my point of view, which is these dogs are dangerous and people should avoid them. Perhaps by not doing my homework you mean I haven't been attacked personally.
You may hate pit bulls and that is your right.
Please go here:
www.petopitbulls.org and look at the entire site, including the free online movie.
It may not change your mind but we can learn from one another.
The best,
Cliff
I know a lot of people with pitbulls, and none of them have attacked anybody. The way you raise and train your dog is going to determine the outcome. Just because somebody has a pitbull doesn't mean you should be frightened. I work with somebody who has a lab that attacks anybody that comes into her house. Should we all be afraid of labs too? No, not in the least bit. Get your facts straight, maybe go on a site that explains how pitbulls can be GREAT pets. Get both sides of the story before you go around posting things like this, it makes me sick.
youkillmewellx@yahoo.com
Fact: Pitbulls are a breed designed to fight and nothing else and are bred to fight every day.
Fact: Behavioral traits like aggression or pointing birds are strongly heritable.
Fact: Pitbulls are responsible for 50% of the dog bite deaths in the US.
Fact: Pitbulls are the only breed as likely to attack adults as children.
Fact: Pitbulls are the primary breed in the shelter system and make up a huge portion of the 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 euthanized in shelters annually.
Fact: Pitbulls provide nothing to the average family that any other breed of dog can provide.
Fact: There are plenty of sites dedicated to shining a positive light on Pitbulls; this isn't one of them.
Straight enough for you? Given the above facts, I have logically drawn the following:
Opinion: Pitbulls are terrible pets and folks would be happier with a different breed.
And I hope that the 10 inch scar on my lower leg given to me by a pitbull that attacked me after mauling my technician fades in time so that I no longer see the daily reminder of the perils of my job. I've had two dogs go after me with malice in five years of practice, both were pitbulls. So, we've got good reason for being cautious about this breed.