*Dog fighters thank all animal activists for protecting their right to breed as many pit bulls as they please.*
What is wrong with mandatory spay/neutering of pit bulls and required registration. Not to take away people's pets. There should also be a limit how many a family or individual can own, but that's called BSL-"Breed Specific Legislation", the bane of animal activists. "Oh but we can't have that" they all chant.
The substance cocaine is illegal for a reason - it helps control the people who deal with it. Pit bulls are always the dog of choice for dog fighters. Enacting pit bull bans will help control dog fighting ventures, just as cocaine laws help halt the spread of this ilicit substance. Pit bulls ARE the most abused dog on this planet because thugs and gangs use them for dog fighting ventures, to protect their crack houses, and dangerous weapons against police...
However, this nation has gone to the pit bulls. Animal activists in fact is the dog fighter's best friend and advocate to protect their right to breed as many pit bulls as they like...
With the nation's MICHAEL VICK MANIA and glory associated with the NFL, pit bulls are all the rage! It has also created a nation of Speciesism - assigning more rights to one type of dog over another, as though pit bulls were the only companion animal on this planet. Other types of dogs do not get press--as though they do not even exist--and USA kills them relentless in pounds by the millions every year; nobody seems to care: They aren't pit bulls.
It's amazing how one can even get away with manslaughter or murder charges if they own a pit bull and their dog kills a human baby:
"No charges expected after pit bull mauls 10-day-old infant to death, Kalamazoo Public Safety chief says"
See:
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/02/no_charges_expecte...
I've seen multitutides of news articles relating to how pit bulls have severely mauled, even killed, infants:
"Pit bull mix kills week-old baby as mom sleeps"
Sidon attacked a 7-day-old baby in the Moon Lake Estates area of Pasco County. The dog is at Animal Services in Land O' Lakes.(Florida):
See:
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/apr/14/142205/4-day-old-child-hospitali...
Considering how many charges are remarkably dropped in such dog maulings of children, how tolerant our society is of violent dogs - because it's a pit bull. Poor misunderstood pit bull.
Pit bulls. The nation, including Florida, has gone to pit bull worship - this Speciesism:
Florida Representative Luis R. Garcia, Jr. Filed HB 4075 - dangerous dogs, and SB 722, “Deletes language that includes any dog used primarily or in part for purpose of dog fighting or any dog trained for dog fighting within definition of "dangerous dog" for purposes of provisions regulating dangerous dogs.”
Pit bull bans exist in 11 Countries including Sweden, England, Ireland, Holland, France, Norway, Denmark, Peurto Rico, Finland, Ontario Canada, New Zealand, and Poland. In the USA a few municipalities including Denver Colorado, and Miami Dade, Florida. This is due to the multitudes of complaints of pit bulls and their mixes mauling (often requiring plastic reconstructive surgery) and killing human children and the elderly.
As I have mentioned, animal activists protect the interests of gangs and organized criminals by fighting pit bull bans. There is big money with dog fighting including the exchange of illegal weapons, vice, and narcotics. Pit bulls are often given cocaine and other stimulants to "enhance performance". Since gangs are allowed to breed as many as they like (thanks to animal activists), there is certainly no shortage of pit bulls. Dog fighters also often adopt pit bulls from Craigslist, or "free to good home cats" which are used for bait training (these cats and kittens are ripped to pieces to teach the pit bulls to kill). Craigslist is a dog fighter's supply house of animals.
One may be able to correct the dog fighting behavior superficially with "rehab" but flashbacks do occur, especially considering how intelligent pit bulls are–something can snap and trigger a mauling–thereby compromising public safety. Again, I ask-why are people putting so much press on these dangerous dogs when so many are being routinely killed in pounds - pit bulls are not the only breed on this planet.
Ever wonder why they are called pit bulls? It is a fighting breed--trained with human cruelty-taught to kill. Whipped, beaten, even given cocaine and other stimulants - trained to kill other animals with bait training-our Vick mania has put children at grave risk releasing fighting dogs to the general public. Pit bulls were specifically bred for that purpose itself - dog fighting.
This SF Gate article summerizes it very nicely
Pit bull threat, time to get clear
June 27, 2005
http://articles.sfgate.com/2005-06-27/bay-area/17378800_1_pit-bull-bull-...
To quote in part: "Pit bulls were initially bred by English butchers who used them to corral steers for slaughter. Later they were tossed into arenas with bulls and owners who bet on which dog could bite the bull and hang on the longest, a kind of dog rodeo. When that sport was outlawed in England in the late 1880s, British coal miners took them into the coal pits where they fought each other. Combine that genealogy with dog owners who beat them, burn their feet as puppies to make them mean or hang thick steel chains around their necks to make them stronger, and it's pretty easy to see how the dogs don't mesh well in mainstream settings." UNQUOTE...
(for this reason England has banned pit bulls).
Pit bulls don't just bite-they grab human flesh with a vice grip, and rip skin clean off, even exposing bone. Emergency room and trauma physicians published details of such horrific "dog bites" (whose term does not justify just how horrible they really are) caused by pit bulls. There are reports of pit bulls literally scalping children. Even eating the scalp. To see how badly pit bulls rip off flesh-this article was written by trauma doctors - WARNING - VERY GRAPHIC ARTICLE.
"Animal bites. Massive soft tissue damage of the leg...
(Enlarge Image)
Media file 3: Animal bites. Massive soft tissue damage of the lower left leg caused by a pit bull attack. Most of the fatalities from dog bites are children. Rottweilers and pit bulls are responsible for about 60% of fatalities. "Pit bull attacks are NOT rare".
eMedicine Specialties > Emergency Medicine > Environmental
Bites, Animal: Multimedia
Author: Alisha Perkins Garth, MD, Staff Physician, Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital
Coauthor(s): N Stuart Harris, MD, MFA, FACEP, Assistant Professor in Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital; Attending Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital; Clifford S Spanierman, MD, Consulting Staff, Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, Lutheran General Hospital of Oak Brook, Advocate Health System
Contributor Information and Disclosures
**********************************************************************************
Did you know when police have to discharge guns, attacking pit bulls were the number one reason. Click HERE for article.
11 Years of Police Gunfire: Pit Bulls Top the Charts
72% Percent of Dogs Shot are Pit Bulls
New York, NY - The New York City police department recently submitted a detailed "gunfire" study to City Council. The report covers the years from 1996 to 2006. The data reveals that cops fire their weapons far less than they did a decade ago. It also reveals that when dogs are shot, 72% percent are pit bulls. When officers fired at dogs, roughly 55% percent of shots hit home versus 34% when directed at humans.
The massive number of bullets going toward pit bulls, as opposed to other dogs, illustrates the substantial danger pit bulls pose to communities.
1996-2006 dog breeds shot by police
New York City Police Department
1996 to 2006 dog breeds shot by police
~~75% PIT BULLS
~~10% ROTTWEILER
~~4% GERMAN SHEPHERD
~~14% MIXED/OTHER BREEDS
--SOURCE: NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT
Click here for Money Central article:
"Dog bites make up one-third of all homeowner insurance liability claims, according to the Insurance Information Institute, and cost insurers $356 million in 2007."
In fact, when you apply for homeowner's insurance the first question they will ask, "What kind of pets do you own" - if you say pit bull they most likely will not insure you or they will require you to take out a huge policy to make up for the dog bite cases, which pit bulls rank number one on the list of offenders. These insurance companies are not practicing discrimination: They are protecting their company's assets because they are the ones paying out the dog bite litigation.
Interesting to note, in Lancaster, California, there is a pit bull ban. According to city officials gang activities were drastically reduced after the ban - many gangs and thugs use pit bulls as weapons against police, to guard their crack, crank houses, prostitution rings, and used to spread terror to innocent people. Above all, pit bulls are a main source of income for these gang due to dog fighting ventures. These bans are not impossible to enforce - neighbors often snitch on people who breed them. Why? People don't feel safe with pit bulls living next door to them.
Passed January 2009, Lancaster, CA noticed a huge reduction with gang activities: “A year ago, this city was overrun with individuals -- namely, gang members -- who routinely used pit bulls and other potentially vicious dogs as tools of intimidation and violence,” Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris said in a statement. “These individuals delighted in the danger these animals posed to our residents, often walking them without leashes and allowing them to run rampant through our neighborhoods and parks. Today, more than 1,100 of these animals have been removed from our city, along with the fear they create. Lancaster is now a great deal safer because of it.” Unquote.
In this article, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, pit bull attacks were the main culprets reasons why children requiring neck and thoracic surgery.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090301094244.htm
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-03/aaoo-dba022509.php
Quote: "Dog bites a particular threat to young children, especially as temperatures rise
Alexandria, VA – Young children are especially vulnerable to severe dog bites in the head and neck areas, and there is a correlation between cases of dog bites and rising temperatures, according to new research published in the March 2009 issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery...The most common sites of bites to the head and neck were the cheeks (34%), lips (21%), and nose and ears (both 8%). Sixty-four percent suffered wounds in more than one location, with the average wound size 7.15 cm. ~~Pit bulls were the breed most commonly cited as the cause for the attack.~~" (unquote)
Dog bites are so common across this Country, there are attorneys who specialize in dog bites alone. According to ALL of these attorneys - who aggressively SUE owners of offending dogs, pit bulls are the number one culprits. Meet Kennth Phillips, Esquire-is the leading authority in dog bite law:
http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/meet_kmp.htm
http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/breedlaws.html#others
Attorney Kenneth Phillips writes: Quote: "One of the overlooked problems when discussing breed bans is the effect that fighting dogs have upon the rest of the dog population. Without a doubt, the pit bull was created for the purpose of killing other dogs. Although no formal study has been done, at least in the United States, it appears clear that pit bulls have engaged in a disproportionately high number of serious or fatal attacks upon dogs. This is the conclusion of Attorney Phillips, based upon thousands of the e-mail messages received through the web site Dog Bite Law.
From the Netherlands, canine expert Alexandra Semyonova writes:
"One thing all the experts ignore is dog casualties. I understand that lawyers and legislators are concerned with human victims, but those of us who love dogs have remained concerned about the many dog maimings and deaths at the hands of PBs and their ilk. When the pit bull was banned and the American Staffordshire, et al., were put on probation, dog maimings and deaths in parks dropped dramatically. In the two months since the ban [on ownership of pitbulls] was retracted, we are now getting reports of a sudden and alarming rise of dog killings by pitbulls and American Staffordshires. Some of these were on the public streets. Now that they will only get a fine for violating the leash laws, the owners of pitbulls and American Staffordshires are taking them out in public unleashed again. Several of the dog parks in my city are now unusable because they have become so dangerous for ordinary dogs. This occurred in the space of two months. Our research shows that -- just as with humans -- 64% of the deadly attacks on dogs are committed by pitbulls and pitbull-like dogs. Rotweilers and German shepherds together account for another 15%." Unquote.
It is by no coincidence over 95% of all dog attacks in the news- the pit bull is almost always the culprit.
Quote: "ER Doctors Say Dog Attacks Rising
Doctor Says Pit Bulls Too Dangerous For Kids
The number of dog attacks is on the rise, said Dr. Mark Wulkan, who works at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.
"National statistics show there are now over 4.5 million dog attacks per year, according to the Centers for Disease and Control. The number is going up," Wulkan said.
Wulkan said last year Egleston treated 29 dog attack victims. He said half involved pit bulls."
ATLANTA, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- "One child's scalp and ears had been torn off and other children suffered skull injuries, damaged tracheas and face wounds. Several children died, including a 5-day-old baby mauled by the family's pit bull, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported Wednesday.
Pit bulls and Rottweilers caused the most serious injuries among the children treated at Children's Healthcare, Wulkan said.
"With German shepherds, they bite you and then that's it," Wulkan said. "Pit bulls and Rottweilers, once they go, they're going for the kill."
The United States Marine Corps has officially banned pit bulls from their military bases due to the liabilities of the breed:
Marine Corps Order P11000.22 Ch 6, released in August, mandated all installations ban any breed of pit bull, rottweiler or wolf hybrid dog from residing on base. It also prevented visitors from bringing banned breeds on base."
Pit bulls exposed to dog fighting should be destroyed. It's too dangerous to take that chance. Instead, save the millions impounded never exposed to dog fighting-they will be destroyed instead. Even physicians - medical doctors - tell of the dangerous of owning pit bulls, yet even doctors' advice falls on deaf ears - when it comes to pit bulls.
But our nation, including Florida - has gone to the pit bulls. And no I am not a Michael Vick fan.
It's a pit bull world and you are just living in it.
Comments
Have to say I agree with you. I know it's not a popular position amongst animal lovers, but it's not all about "how they are raised". A breed is specific for one reason, characteristics. Pit Bulls are bred for aggression and they can be serious dogs, even without cruelty involved. I just don't follow the logic that they are all good and everything else is a lie. Sorry, just not true folks.
Pit bulls exposed to fighting - ALL of their life has only known pain, getting hit, beaten, and even given cocaine (fact). I can't imagine - considering the millions put to death in pounds without exposure to dog fighting - why pit bulls are the "be all" whilst other dogs - treated as though THEY DON'T EVEN EXIST. Pit bull mania and Michael Vick. That's why. Even at the cost of putting children and the elderly in grave danger.
A dog is a dog is a dog. If it is raised improperly and unsocialized or exposed to horrific conditions that is what you are going to get. "PITBULLS" Dont even exist. They are a group that is grouped by ignorant individuals. Staffies, American and Engish etc. NOT EVERY PITBULL TYPE DOG IS BAD OR GOING TO EAT YOUR KIDS. If you raise a dog properly you will get a friendly dog. If you adopt or raise a pitbull-type dog you need to be a responsible owner and realize the characteristics of the dog you have. ANY DOG CAN BITE OR ATTACK. If you ban one breed you do nothing but make a black market for that breed. Realize what we need is knowledge and proper training. NOT BANS BY IGNORANT OFFICIALS. END BSL
How are animal activists protecting dog fighters? Dog fighters are protecting dog fighters. Animal activists are trying to make it so that all breeds, not just pit bulls, have a fair chance at life. However, if you're going to write stuff like this, then you are doing nothing for any of the animals affected by dog fights. Instead of trying to encourage BSLs to stand, or to take effect in areas where they don't, use your time and energy to support other causes like finding and dissolving dog fights. They exist more than any evidence that ALL pit bulls are vicious. Ending dog fights is what you should be focusing on, not ending a breed. If you believe that pit bulls can be good, and should not be given a fair chance at life, ask yourself: Should the children of a parent who kills the another person whether should automatically be locked up to prevent a future crime.
Luke, the answer is simple - MONEY. Although Best Friends was ordered by the court to not solicit donations based on the Vick dogs, they sure enough did so and still do. These groups that take these fighting dogs are doing so for one reason, to get those donations. Pits are killing people in numbers unlike any breed in history so why aren't we passing laws against them? Baby cribs killed fewer and they are recalled. The pit bull breeders and the pit bull fighters (dogmen) have money and that influences legislation. Champion pits and their offspring fetch big bucks and are shipped all over the world. The pit bull issue is being forced on all of us and it is time for money to stop talking and legislators look at the evidence. People and beloved pets are mauled and killed daily by pit bulls and their types, it has to stop.
I'm sorry, but I can't stop laughing over this comment:
"Pits are killing people in numbers unlike any breed in history.."
What are you basing this on? That's just for starters. Secondly, how many people died in the U.S. last year from dog attacks? With over 70 million dogs owned, we had a little over 30 deaths. That is nothing.
Sorry, still laughing. I mean, really. Alarmist much? Probably FOX News Glenn Beck fan, I'm guessing. That sounds like something that would come out of his mouth while he is crying. Not fact based at all.
I am scarred for life (facial scarring) from a lab attack when I was 7. A breed ban certainly wouldn't have helped me. I came close to dying. I grew up with pit bulls and never got bit. It's the only breed I own (yes, I'm white, educated at USC and live in upper class neighborhood). How would your ban have protected me? Or the North Carolina girl who did get killed by the "family" (yeah, right, my family dogs lived inside the house not in a kennel in the yard) japanese akita?
The problem with banning one breed is that stupid people think only that breed is a problem. Then they leave their toddler unsupervised with their lab and their child ends up in the hospital twice in a month. Why not? Labs aren't dangerous. It's not a dangerous breed. The child then has to pay the price.
"mauled and killed daily" - really? You nutters are too funny!
impressive. the examiner has three writers that are capable of thinking critically and independently.
good job luke! i love the pit bull worship imagery. dead on.
Part 1:
I am the guardian to what was thought to be a fighting pit bull. While I can't be entirely sure of every last detail of her history, she came to me off the chain—with scars on her legs, head and stomach area. I am not what the author would probably describe as a typical pit bull owner, and I didn't go to a shelter seeking out a pit bull. While devoting countless hours of time and energy in my local animal shelter, I was drawn to her. This was pre-Vick, and before the days of mainstream Animal Planet shows glorifying the breed. Growing up, I had your typical goofy yellow labrador.
My adopted pit bull—like countless other shelter dogs with abusive backgrounds—has had her ups and downs. I wouldn't attribute this to being a pit bull. I would attribute this to being abused, neglected and essentially left for dead. She lives in my home with two cats and a rabbit—all adopted from the local shelter. Her best friend is the rabbit, in case you wanted to know.
Part 2:
When I was around 7 or 8 years old, I was chased through a field by an aggressive German Shepherd. While many of the "red tagged" aggressive dogs at my local animal shelter have been German Shepherds, you certainly don't see me using blanket statements to describe the demeanor and tenacity of the entire breed. Like humans, dogs have unique personalities and idiosyncrasies, and blanket statements—like the name of this article, for instance—are extremely alarming to me. Somewhere along the way, I feel like focus and rationality has been lost.
Dogs, like humans, are both a product of genetics and their environment. While it can't be argued that pit bulls were used for dog fighting and bull baiting since the 1800's or so, but I have met plenty who have been wonderful with other dogs up until their natural death—even some who were thought to be "rehabilitated" fighters. All dogs are not the same, and to suggest that they are is as ridiculous of a notion as saying that everyone born into the same family is the same. Environmental factors MATTER. Aren't we supposed to be "fighting breedism"? With pit bulls making up the majority of what’s filling up our local shelters, perhaps the fear mongering could be taken down a few notches? No? Well what about continuing to educate and push spay/neuter resources locally? A few bad apples do not make a bad dog. A few bad apples do not make a bad child. I have seen rehabilitation work in alarming numbers.
Part 3:
I don't expect to change any minds here. This subject just saddens me to no end. Humans completely disgust me—from the systematic training of these dogs to fight to the death, to the biased media slants, to the objectification of these dogs as weapons, and to a society collectively giving up on the most mistreated breed of all.
Signed,
An animal rights activist, vegan, and lover of all creatures great and small—no matter the breed or background.
gfgf
This was the most biased report that I have seen in a while. Pits are the sweetest & most loyal pet that I have EVER had. Dont blame the breed;blame the deed & the ignorant humans that TEACH this behavior.
First of all, you can't call yourself an animal activist if you don't actually believe in every animal deserving the same chance at life. When children come from bad homes we don't just get rid of them, we give them a chance, and let them live out their lives in society. Do they sometimes end up killing people? I'd bet on it. In fact I would bet on the fact that more people raised improperly kill children and elderly than pit bulls do.
Interestingly enough, every time I read an article that is all for BSL, and getting rid of pit bulls, the author neglects the fact that most attacks by pit bulls, are not actually identified correctly. Most people off the street can't pick out a pit bull out of a photo line-up.
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html
Typical pit bull nutter-other dogs don't exist. What about the millions impounded dogs that shall die, not involved with dog fighting who will be gassed alive or killed. They don't even exist to you.
I feel for you. Your fear is most evident in your article.
When you are ready to overcome it, contact a canine behavior professional and ask about the dogs you feel are such a danger. Education will help you through it.
Funny, I own a pit mix, and work with pits often, and still got it wrong. Most dog breed bite statistics are not reliable, which has been proven time and time again. Most people don't know enough about dog breeds to correctly identify the dog. As for these "family pets" that maul people to death, more often than not, you will find the dog has been chained for it's entire life, with little or no interaction, and no rehabilitation was provided to the dog if it was adopted. Try:
http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com
Breed specific legislation does nothing to prevent criminals and criminal activity, all they do is move to another area. People still breed the dogs, fight them, sell them, train them. In fact, as a person who spends hours a day networking adoptable dogs, I see tons of dogs in the HIGH KILL LANCASTER SHELTER, and those include your banned pit bulls.
Instead of proposing BSL, there should be stricter laws for owning and taking care of a dog, no matter what breed it is. Fighting one breed does nothing, and in fact, in many cities and countries that hold Breed Specific Legislation, they have found that it does not work. All it does, is punish the responsible people who make these breeds a part of their family, not just tie them up in the yard, or train them to fight. Then innocent animals get killed and families lose their loved ones.
One more thing... Since when are doctors able to tell what dog breed attacked some one? I didn't realize that a medical degree gave them the ability to tell exactly what breed caused a dog bite, especially considering the doctor never actually sees the dog?
Is a joke... along with this article. You didn't present anything that even remotely relates to what you titled your piece. No where in here does it mention the statistics of rehabilitating "fighting" dogs and how they succeed in society, it merely is a supportive piece for Breed Specific Legislation. Call it what it is.
THANK YOU!!!
AGREED!!!!!!!
@ "Wow":
My sentiments exactly.
@ LUKE!
Dont you see the problem!!
YOU are writing it down & it is right in front of YOUR face!!!
People buy or adopt cats off craigs list to uses as bait...
People breed these dogs
People Abuse these dogs
People fight these dogs
PEOPLE
PEOPLE
PEOPLE
PEOPLE!!!!
You my friend are a complete uneducated ass!
If ANYONE thinks "banning pit bull type dog" will stop criminals from owning or fighting these dogs, well your right next to this guy...an ass!
Criminals are just that CRIMINALS! Drugs...Guns/weapons (with out proper licensing)...murder...steeling...fighting dogs is ALL illegal. . .but yet the "Criminals" STILL DO & USE THESE THINGS!
WAKE UP PEOPLE!!
Black people commit more crimes than any other ethnically... Should we eliminate blacks? Or should we be afraid of every black person we see?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_the_United_States
Your logics and facts are completely off as is the statement above.
This is a sorry attempt for a less than mediocre writer to get some “buzz” around an article. Go back to English 101 and learn how to captivate your readers with your writing, not just fact-less arguments. And change your creepy profile picture.
HA! Agree!
I would put money on it that he never stepped foot out of that room and actually worked with one of these dogs!
MK9 - I ONLY commented on this because I saw your post on FB. You guys & gals are reaching people... :) Unlike this clown.
When I was a child I was attacked by a friend's Akita - my entire face was in it's mouth. I did nothing to provoke the dog other than make eye contact and say "Hi Doggy!". I needed stitches in my lip, which was hanging because it was ripped in half, and I still have scars on my face and chin.
That was the one and only time I ever met the dog, so I don't know how it was raised or treated on a daily basis - but the point is I never once decided to bash Akitas just because that one dog attacked me.
I've been bitten numerous times by Chihuahuas, but no one complains about them, do they?
I have owned pit bulls, and I know plenty of these dogs. They are sweet, loyal, and seek to please the people who care for them. This unfortunately includes the evil people who care for the ones who end up in their hands. They just want to make their owners are happy. And if they don't really *know* their owners because they're tied up outside all day, it'd be no surprise they'd be more "wild" in nature - and without being able to run or play or let go of the natural aggression that anyone has - ANYONE, people too - they're a lot more likely to be terrified or confused when confronted with other animals/people.
Any dog of any breed needs to be socialized properly to avoid unnecessary bites, attacks, etc.
This article disgusts me.
I own a Pit Bull and I own a home with home owners insurance. My agent was informed by ME that I own a Pit Bull and told me that no matter what breed, size or sex, the dog is covered under my insurance with NO additional fees.
State Farm doesnt discriminate.
Where is your unbiased journalistic analysis? Did you AT ALL research ANY counterpoints to your own assanine argument? Did you at ALL speak to any people who have pit bull-type ("pit bull", BTW Einstein is NOt a "breed") dogs as companions? Did you at ALL go to any shelters and acknowledge the percentage of these types of dogs that are relinquished all the time or are found as strays because PEOPLE brought or left them there?
Turn your journalistic scrutiny on the species that is the ROOT cause of ALL of these problems...HUMANS! When you boil it all down, WE are the reason these dogs are bred and then mistreated. It is not the dogs' faults and WE are the ones who should be paying the price, not the animals. More education and spaying and neutering of animals needs to take place everywhere and then this won't be as much of a problem.
So why don't you be part of the ultimate solution instead of pointing fingers at the outcome? You're ridiculous.
This article was so poorly written and factually devoid that it was painful to read. My rescue pit bull isn't good with other dogs (which is why she is leashed at all times, and with a halter and a collar) but loves people to the point of ridiculousness. She wags her tail at everyone, and given the slightest opportunity will lick you to within an inch of your life.
I fight BSL so that I can continue to own this loving, gentle, remarkable dog...not to aid gangs and criminals. I don't know who you stereotype more here..pit bulls or pit bull owners!
animal activist...really?
That was one of the most ignorant, uniformed articles I’ve ever read… except for maybe from the onion. I hope you’re not really trying to pass this off as journalism, I actually has to look at other articles on the site to make sure is wasn’t a fake news site.
There have been a lot of good facts pointed out in the comments. I mean the dogs do have to be TRAINED to kill and fight, and the only reason they do it is because they’re so loyal to their “owners.” You did fail to mention in your article that pit bulls were specifically bred for bull baiting… which seem to justify your point… until you take into account that they were also bred not to bite people so that their handlers could safely reach in and pull them off the bull… or dog as the case may be. You know the dogs are TRAINED by “PEOPLE” to be dog aggressive, NOT people aggressive.
The video is just precious as well. A grieving mother, the perfect example of rational thoughts and beliefs. Where did she get the dog? Biology does play part in personality, for all be know it had a people aggressive parents. Did she train the dog?
Was the dog ever taunted by the children? While attacking a person is rarely acceptable behavior there are always factors that go into any attack, and while it was the dog who went through with the attack it is the responsibility of every person to train their dog and ensure nothing like this ever happens, the dog is a dog, it does not know the rules of human society unless is it taught what they are, which clearly seems wasn’t the case here.
But you just keep on calling yourself a journalist and an animal advocate. I don’t know what I really expected, from someone who thinks a slanderous title such as this is appropriate. Not to mention you say you’re a member of PETA like it’s a good thing, no one who justifies one animal living over another because of the shape of its head or how challenging its life has been is clearly not an animal advocate, you might as well be the one shooting the sodium pentobarbital into their hearts when all they want is to give love and affection and ask for only the same in return. (wait I forgot that is PETA's final solution)
Right, and after you ban pit bulls to keep the thugs and gang bangers from abusing them then we can ban children to stop pedophiles from hurting them. How about holding irresponsible people accountable for their actions?
you don't seem to understand the article. By fighting pit bull bans you are giving the legal right for dog fighters to breed as many pit bulls as they like. Can't y0u read?
Dear "Anonymous" who posted 57 minutes ago,
While BSL may control breeding, it also has the ability to take good dogs out of loving homes. While I am not for any version of BSL for reasons I mentioned in my previous statements, not all BSL includes grandfather clauses.
Eugenics wasn't OK in Nazi Germany and it certainly isn't OK in this case.
Try again?
Get real. Go to the dog pound and adopt a dog there. Pit bulls are not the only dogs on this planet. This pit bull mania is crazy.
Oh my goodness, I can't believe anyone agreed to publish this crap. Forget the laughable content, but the rambling on of this piece makes it unbearable to even get through. I felt like I had some lunatic yelling at me as I was trying to read it. Does this site had a proof reader? By the way, I wouldn't listen to a word anyone affiliated with PETA has to say. Bunch of wackos and this "writer" proves it.
I agree, I could not make it all the way through either, it was dragging on. As far as PETA is concerned, they wanted all of Vick's dogs destroyed, all pits are no good according to them. Until people like this actually educate themselves by meeting with responsible owners.....Ah, forget that thought, their heads are so far up their a**es they will never see daylight. You show me a dog fighter or gang member that leaves a community due to BSL laws, and I will show you the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Get real facts from real people that have rescued these dogs. PETA is the same group that forced our animal shelter to throw our dead dogs in the trash and have them taken to the dump because they did not like them being picked up by a rendering truck, thanks PETA for making me sick each and every day that was forced on us.
I see you neglected to mention that most places that have BSL are over turning it, because BSL doesn't work. It's not about the breed of dog, it's about the type of people keeping the dog. Someone that wants a mean dog will have a mean dog, even if that dog is a standard poodle or labrador.
Look up dog bite numbers, in cities where there is BLS, while bites from certain breeds may be down, bites altogether have NOT gone down. That should tell you right there.
I'll en do the work you should have done with you had any journalist integrity..
After the United Kingdom banned pit bulls in the 1990s, a study showed that the number of dog bites remained the same even though the number of pit bulls had steeply declined. (Study cited in B. Heady and P. Krause, "Health Benefits and Potential Public Savings Due to Pets: Australian and German Survey Results," Australian Social Monitor, Vol.2, No.2, May 1999.)
Wow, tell me again how BSL works when the same nutcase owners are still getting dogs?
I think people really need to get their heads out of their butts. I have friends that own other breeds of dogs besides pit bulls and their dogs are more unsafe then pits are. I own a pit and have a 3 yr old grandson that she sleeps with everytime he is here. He was born with a pit in the house that used to play hide and seek with her bones. I have several friends that have pits and stand by them. It is how you raise these dogs, just like any other dog and to say that they are the worst is only because people want to publicize what pits do. Yes pit bulls were breed by mean hearted people for a sport but that does not mean that all pit bulls are doomed from birth. With the right socializing and training and people raising them they are the best pet you could ask for. Any dog who is abused, mistreated, isolated and neglected can be a viscious dog and turn on anyone at anytime. I know alot of people that have dogs that are ankle high and more viscious than a pit bull and just because they are small doesn't mean they do any less damage to an infant or small child you just dont hear about it. The dog didn;t ask for the reputation they have and its a good thing there are people out there that don't hesitate to give them a chance because they are one of the best dogs you could ever own!!. Don't judge these dogs without seeing first hand what kind of dogs they can be, thats completely biased and unfair.
History in this country has proven that the more we outlaw something the stronger its allure becomes! Alcohol and drugs are great example of a reactive response that blew up in legislatures faces. Let's start holding PEOPLE responsible for their actions not helpless animals. There is a cultural issue in this country that allows people to look at animals and children as property. WE as a society need to start demanding that people treat their animals and children with dignity, love, and compassion. If you look at the incidence of pit bull attacks their is ALWAYS a link to neglect of the animal as well as the child attacked. Abuse is a pattern it begins with animals and it escalates to people. Stop blaming everything on others and start dealing with the issue which is peoples lack of personal responsibility for their actions and decisions.
@VEEKAY
THANK YOU!!! EXACTLY!!
Who is supposed to be the smarter animal here. People or the dogs? Children and animals are products of their enviroments.Take responsibility for both!! BSL is one of the dumbest things thought of. I know better behaved "pitbulls" then most children. Thnak you.
Your comment about holland's pit-bull ban is false! they rescinded their 15 year ban on PB Jun,09,2008. Maybe you should check your facts before going to print. BSL is one of the most asinine things in the world.
Did you write this just to get a lot of controversy b/c if you really believe what you wrote then I am ROFLMAO - except it angers and saddens me at the damage you are inflicting on bully type dogs.
Articles like this are why I was convinced "pit bulls" were dangerous demon dogs different from all other dog breeds somehow. After having a "pit bull" who turned out to be the most gentle and loving of all dogs I've had (I've had great dogs but he really was the one who got under my heart) I realized what a frigging BIGOT I had been.
Now that I have spent the last 20 years specifically working with "pit bulls" I know from FIRST HAND experience that everything you posted is pretty much B.S. And I'm no tattooed thug with multiple piercings. I have an M.A. and come from a preppy town where "designer" dogs are the choice - and they all loved my "pit bull."
Your attitude and logic remind me of people who call other people "n****rs" and "ch***s" and "sp**s."
I notice that people who have not worked closely with many "pit bulls" are the ones who say things like this. When I have a few hours I will have to refute every one of your fallacies with fact, including statements directly from the CDC and statistics from towns that have enacted BSL.
I can't believe the Examiner allowed this kind of yellow journalism. Then again...
Seriously, one of the shoddiest, most poorly researched articles on BSL I've seen in a while.
10 pounds of shit in a 5 pound bag.
Do you even read the research data you pull from for this crap? Because if so, you'd realize that in many cases the information is either flawed (as admitted by the researchers) or ineffective (as often admitted by areas who put BSL in place). Or down right inaccurate, as you'd be told by any genuine authorities on the breeds (like breeders and fanciers, the registries, ect).
Ooooh... You're a member of PETA....
Well that explains it. PETA has been advocating for pitbull genocide for years. Their ultimate goal is the separation of humans and animal interaction. And the eradication of domestic animals.
So when you describe yourself as an Animal Activist... What you really mean to say is you are an activist for their extermination?
Your shoddily researched article makes more sense now.
This is a terribly written, poorly researched article. People cannot identify breeds of dogs, and pit bulls are not the only dogs in shelters getting attention, there are urgent postings all across facebook saving lives every day- are you doing anything to help? Or are you just complaining on crappy news articles? If you want to know the truth about pit bulls, go out and meet some. If you want to save the lives of other breeds DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Wild speculation is a waste of time. There's a reason the saying is "The truth will set you free." Because ignorance is a debilitating snare. Educate yourself, and maybe start by reading articles that are actually related to their titles.
And on a more practical note- outside of what kinds of dogs are biting children. Children are most often the victims of dog bites across the board, precisely because their parents do not teach them how to approach an animal. Let's not forget- dogs are *animals*. They have sharp teeth and particular ways they generally like to be treated. Teach your children how to approach a dog and you're well on your way to your offspring being smart enough to survive to another generation. And if you leave a dog and a kid alone? Sorry- but you're asking for it. That's simply bad parenting. Stop wasting your time blaming a breed for poorly educated dog owners passing their ignorance on to the next generation.
I guess every article that you don't like is poorly written. Looks pretty well researched citing articles written by the medical doctors and surgeons who deal with dog bites to back it up.
As far as "pitbulls" being rescued when other dogs are killed in shelters, did you know 93% of all pitbulls who end up in shelters will be euthanized?
Every responsible pitbull owner will spay or euthanize their dog.
Unfortunately most won't. They like their pitties INTACT because they think an intact pit bull is macho - an extension of their own masculinity and they like their pitties mean and intimidating. And that's the truth.
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