 Sorry ... this is a long rant!
I have read all the posts and have really been enlightened by the links. I guess I will offer my 2 cents (not worth much really - haha) but it really is two different stories from the opposite ends of the spectrum.
I had a pitbull when I was a teenager. His name was Pitter and was a joy! I remember he used to chew on a stockpot (I kid you not)! He had chewed the handles down flat, but it was his favorite toy. He used to love chewing on it at 6:00 in the morning on Saturdays. Well, needless to say, I was a teenager and wanted to sleep until noon. I remember going out and scolding him and swatting him to stop and he never, ever showed any signs of aggression. The only time was when someone tried to get in the yard and there was an 8' fence around the yard. One evening I was sitting on our enclosed porch and I noticed a guy eyeing a motorcycle trailer in the yard. Well out of the corner of my eye I watched Pitter sneak along the fence until he had snuck up on the guy. He did nothing more than emit a low growl and just stood there. Well it scared the fire out of that guy and I started laughing. He said, "I didn't see your dog." I replied, "I know, but he saw you." That's it.... nothing else. He simply let the guy know that he was there and that there was no chance of him getting in that fence. I loved that dog and to this day feel he was one of the better dogs I have owned.
On the other hand ... we recently had two pit bulls get out of their yard in my neighborhood and attack a miniature horse. They just about tore it's ear off and mauled it pretty bad. It was a sad situation, but even more so because there are lots of kids in the area. They attacked without provocation of any kind. What if there had been a child walking? I'm sure it would be a different story.
My point? I don't think this breed should be banned, but I think that there should be stiffer penalties/fines, etc., on the STUPID owners of these dogs. Not just Pit Bulls, but Rotties, Shepherds, Labs ... whatever the animal is that bites or hurts someone. Maybe if they addressed the real problem (the owners) some things would change. I truly feel that the dog is maligned and only shown the negative. I am mixed in how I feel about this particular breed. On the one hand I have the wonderful memories of Pitter, but wonder how I would feel if those dogs that attacked the horse would have attacked my daughter. I don't think banning a breed is the answer. I think owner responsibility is. Charge these people and then maybe never allow them to own a dog again? I don't know of a good answer.
Rant over. Thank you for listening. |