3 children attacked by pitbulls in New Orleans in one week!

[ranant12]

Third New Orleans child attacked by pit bull in one week | - NOLA.com

You can argue all day long that pits are not dangerous, but seriously, something needs to be done. I've lost 2 yorkies to pits and another YTer's son was recently attacked by one.

For those that argue that other dogs are more aggressive, like dachsunds for example; bites by a weenie dog rarely cost a child their life!! You may have been bitten or snapped at by a small, vicious chihuahua, but I bet it did not lock onto you and refuse to let go, causing serious bodily damage or death.

I'm tired of hearing about children dying from this breed of dog that the "street thugs" breed and abuse to make themselves look cool. A dachsund may be aggressive, but I haven't heard of them being used in dog fighting rings! (unless they were the unfortunate bait dogs)

Once again, while I don't believe the dog should be totally banned, I do believe that there should be VERY strong regulations regarding ownership and breeding of these dogs. Start with a yearly fee for owning one dog, like $500 per dog. Then allow a very limited number of breeders to breed and hit them with so many rules and regulations that only the truly dedicated will want to breed them.

Just my 2 cents, but I had to vent on this. I almost don't want to look at the news anymore because this kind of thing is almost a weekly story around my area.

This site may open so of your eyes to the "truth" about pits and other dangerous dogs Pit Bull Attacks and Pit Bull Legislation - DogsBite.org.

[ARCHIE]

I, for one, totally agree with you. It's really sad to think this breed has gotten
to where it is today, untrustworthy with the potential of being extremely
dangerous. Laws need to be changed to protect the innocent and to protect
the dog. Any owner should have to go threw extensive training and prove
himself fit for ownership. Pounds and shelters are loaded with pits. Anyone
can adopt one from these places. It will never get better unless regulations
for owning one are made into law with consequences to pay if the dog
does damage. As much as I fear one I also feel sorry for it.
I hope those children will be ok and not dramatized in the future.

[Maximo]

I wish for some way to make all dog owners more responsible for their dogs. Leash/containment laws need to be enforced. We need to make liability enough of a deterrent for negligence.

I cannot own a lion and allow it to run freely around the neighborhood. Why should anyone feel free to allow their dogs to roam the streets and terrorize people and their leashed pets?

We could ban Pits tomorrow, but the irresponsible people who made Pits a problem would only replace them with another breed and the problems would continue.

[shodanusmc]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I wish for some way to make all dog owners more responsible for their dogs. Leash/containment laws need to be enforced. We need to make liability enough of a deterrent for negligence.

I cannot own a lion and allow it to run freely around the neighborhood. Why should anyone feel free to allow their dogs to roam the streets and terrorize people and their leashed pets?

We could ban Pits tomorrow, but the irresponsible people who made Pits a problem would only replace them with another breed and the problems would continue.

Ma'am, you are on target. It is a combination of some bad breeding and worse owners. My Corso was banned in a few countries...I agree, Pits and large breed mastiffs are not for everyone. I would gladly pay for the priveledge to have a dog like him, but some BYB's are starting to ruin the Corso, and out East, they are becoming known as the Pit Killers. .

Also, for the OP, Pits do not have locking jaws....they do not even have the most powerful bit per SQ IN, but they are tenacious and need obedience, socialization, and a dominent owner. A quality bred Pit will not bit a human, but they are dog agressive. Can't really take it out of them, but you can lesson it. I would own a quality bred pit.

[megansmomma]

It is the irresponsible breeding for aggression that has caused so many problem involving Pit Bulls. While some will argue that Pits need to have owners that know how to handle them responsibly it is also being bred deeper into their lines. Just like a responsible breeder looks for certain characteristic and genetics irresponsible breeders that look to use Pits for aggression or worse yet dog fighting breed for these traits. From my understanding, when dogs are bred for fighting they consider things like the strength of their jaws, jumping ability, aggressive nature when they are paired together for breeding. Its much like breeding as a champion on the grayhound track or horse track. If you want to win then you take the best and go from there. I have heard very reputable members of YT refer to needing to know many generations back and how a recessive gene can come through with a breeding. If you take this theory and apply it to irresponsible breeding for this purpose what you get is dogs that are attacking and KILLING people. IMO there really is no argument for this because it is genetic and you cannot control genetics with behavior modifications.

[Wylie's Mom]

These poor children . I agree with you in that there are so many humans who have victimized and abused this breed. I am against BSL (breed specific legislation). I would support harsher punishment for humans involved in dog fighting.

I would also support leash/containment laws and some other laws, perhaps, as well.

Best Friends is a great place to learn about the misconceptions about Pit Bulls (they rescued and rehabbed Micheal Vick's dogs).

Small dogs kill too, does anyone remember this (QUOTE):

The most horrifying example of the lack of breed predictability is the October 2000 death of a 6-week-old baby, which was killed by her family's Pomeranian dog. The average weight of a Pomeranian is about 4 pounds, and they are not thought of as a dangerous breed. Note, however, that they were bred to be watchdogs! The baby's uncle left the infant and the dog on a bed while the uncle prepared her bottle in the kitchen. Upon his return, the dog was mauling the baby, who died shortly afterwards. ("Baby Girl Killed by Family Dog," Los Angeles Times, Monday, October 9, 2000, Home Edition, Metro Section, Page B-5.)

In Canine homicides and the dog bite epidemic: do not confuse them, it has been pointed out that the dog bite epidemic as a whole involves all dogs and all dog owners, not just the breeds most likely to kill.

In all fairness, therefore, it must be noted that:

* 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 the Pomeranian that killed the infant (see above).

* 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. (end QUOTE) From this site: DOG BITE LAW

[cathys]

Those poor children. I don't care what breed it is, it all comes back to the owner being irresponsible. Make the punishment fit the crime. We are responsible if our children hit someone with a car, we should be responsible for the actions of our animals.

[spiritwings1202]

I think the problem with Pitts are that they are so very strong and if they are not raised or bred correctly they are very dangerous bc when they attack their jaw locks and it is like trying to open a vice. I know this all to well bc I lost a cat to an attack by a neighbors pitt and it was an awful thing to see.

I tried to save her and neighbors heard me screaming for help and two men came running and one got the dog in a head lock and the other stepped on its shoulder while I stuck a meatal broom it its mouth to pry it open. My cat died 3 hrs later at the vets from internal injuries.

So needless to say, I don't feel safe around this breed and whenever I see one, when me and my girls are out walking I keep my distance!

I know that everyone argues about the fact that it is the way they are raised and probably there is good truth to that. I just think that they are a breed that SHOULD NOT be around children or other small pets! Just my opinion

[Breeze]

This is a "yorkie" site and many of us here also support pitbulls, own pitbulls, and other bully type breeds and are against breed banning and to see these hate threads every week is a little upsetting.

And with that I'm going to focus my attention to other threads before I get angry.

[MauiGirl]

It breaks my heart to hear of more attacks; bless those children that will be physically and mentally injured for life due to this.

It is unfortunate that bad breeding and irresponsible owners are furthering the dislike of this breed.

Hawaii is full of Pit Bulls and Pit mixes. There very well may be some nice sweet ones out there, but how would I ever know which is nice and which is a potential killer? Bottom line is I can't tell the difference, so I avoid ALL of them for the safety of myself and my doggies.

I am all for owner responsibility, and feel ALL dogs, regardless of breed should be restrained PERIOD, and failure to do so should be punishable!

[ranant12]

Quote"The most horrifying example of the lack of breed predictability is the October 2000 death of a 6-week-old baby, which was killed by her family's Pomeranian dog. The average weight of a Pomeranian is about 4 pounds, and they are not thought of as a dangerous breed. Note, however, that they were bred to be watchdogs! The baby's uncle left the infant and the dog on a bed while the uncle prepared her bottle in the kitchen. Upon his return, the dog was mauling the baby, who died shortly afterwards. ("Baby Girl Killed by Family Dog," Los Angeles Times, Monday, October 9, 2000, Home Edition, Metro Section, Page B-5.)Quote

I agree that pits are not the only dogs responsible for for killing, however, I have yet to read a story where a small dog killed a 5 year old child. I can however post many stories of pits that have killed children and adults. The above quoted story is tragic, but is as much a story of the adult being neglectful as the dog being responsible. I have raised 3 children and have always owned dogs and cats. I NEVER left one of my babies unattended with any pet of mine.

As for the comment about this being a yorkie site, I agree. However, my family has been the victim of pitbull attacks (lost 2 yorkies), and I am not the only YT member that has had run-ins with pits. This is the section on YT for posting "everything else", so I chose to post my vent here.

Lastly I would like to say that pitbulls do "lock" when they bite in attack mode. Dog fighting breeders breed their pits to win fights. In order to win, they must be tenacious enough to "fight to the death". They purposely breed the dogs that show the most determination to never give up in a fight. This involves the dog grabbing hold of it's opponent and not letting go unless they are literally "pried" off of the other dog with a bite stick. Dogs that do not meet these requirements are generally killed and not contributing to the next generation of pit puppies. I promise there are many more pits loose on the street that were bred by this kind of person than pits that were bred by good breeders.

While some may own pits that were purchased from good breeders that loved the breed, it does NOT mean that all pits are sweet dogs that would make great family pets.

When yorkies, pomeranians, chihuahuas, and poodles start killing children and adults and become the sidekicks for drug dealers and street thugs, then I'll start posting stories about that. Right now I post it like I read it.

[ranant12]

Oh yes, as far as leash laws go. If a person has a criminal history, including but not limited to; dog fighting, drug abuse and selling, gang related crimes, etc., I seriously doubt that they are concerned about making sure that their pit is properly controlled by a leash. Furthermore in many areas, like the small rural town that I live in, there is no leash law outside of the city limits. There is also no animal control other than the local Sheriff's Office, that has limited resources and manpower. What happens then?

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ranant12

Oh yes, as far as leash laws go. If a person has a criminal history, including but not limited to; dog fighting, drug abuse and selling, gang related crimes, etc., I seriously doubt that they are concerned about making sure that their pit is properly controlled by a leash. Furthermore in many areas, like the small rural town that I live in, there is no leash law outside of the city limits. There is also no animal control other than the local Sheriff's Office, that has limited resources and manpower. What happens then?

Well, I do believe that people are capable of rehabilitation, so I don't feel that bc they have a criminal record that we can make generalizations about them like above. Also, assuming some people may not obey a law (ie, leash or whatever) -- this then means we should move forward to *discriminate* against a breed?

And, bc rural areas have less animal control - again - that means the answer is Breed legislation? I don't see how this is the answer....

When we discriminate against ONE breed, we discriminate against ALL breeds, in my opinion. First, Pits, then, Rotts, Labs, Malamutes....then, what, eventually, Yorkies?

What happens then?

[TwoforFun]

In my opinion I think there should be a law that requires a person to take dog behavior and training classes to be allow to purchase that breed. A fine is useless but a class can be essential and very educating. So if the dog does attack the owner can't say: I dunno.

I don't like that breed but it's a creature who deserves a chance in having a good life.

If my breeder required me to take classes for even my toy breeds why would I refuse if it benefits both.

Just a thought.

[QuickSilver]

If I lost a pet or human companion to a pit, I would hate them too. Absolutely you are entitled to feel that way. I am so sorry that this happened to you and your dogs.

Like Wylie's Mom, I don't believe in breed-specific legislation, and I also agree that jerks would just focus on another breed, as they have in the past. German Shepards, Dobermans, Rottweillers, etc.

FYI, the three breeds I mentioned have had aggression bred out of them over the past decade(s). So it is possible. I imagine some other breed will become more popular, and the pit will fall out of favor, as other breeds have in the past.

I know one poster here had a yorkie killed by two labrador retrievers. It really can happen with any breed.