Major problem here too. Some afternoons I want to take them for walks and I want do it by myself cause I am not sure if neighbors dogs are running loose. They are not bull dogs but big enough they would hurt or kill my dogs and I am afraid to go alone. So my the time the BF comes over its too late to walk.

I think the Animal Control offices in most counties and cities take control of all dogs that kill humans and it is those Oficers or Police Officers that report the dog's breed to the Health Department in that state. A dog bite reported in our city results in a visit by our Police Department if an actual attack or by the Animal Control Officers if just a bite, to track down the dog or cat, identify it, and take whatever action they deem necessary, such as enforced quarantine or seizure, and write a report for the Health Department, regarding the breed, vaccination status, etc.

Back when I was looking for a Yorkie rescue and used to practically patrol our local AC as well as those throughout D/FW, the greatest numbers of animals they had confined were actual pitbulls and secondly, other large bully breeds. It was a nightmare of one gorgeous animal after another standing there waiting for euthanasia, as many cities won't allow them to be adopted, only retrieved by the owner. I was told few owners ever call, let alone show. As long as TV shows and movies and gangsta videos keep glamorizing this breed, people will keep buying these dogs in overwhelming quantities and then throwing them away just as they do the garbage. Let's face it, so many people can't control their small dogs' behavior, let alone a large, powerful breed. It is so sad this is happening to a wonderful breed of dog.

When I was working peds ER we had more dog bites from small dogs than large ones. It is just that (usually) a smaller dog does less damage per bite than a bigger one.

My BIL always had Pits. His were well trained, lovable cuddle bugs who loved everyone and every thing. It's the owner and not the breed.

Let me ask this question; is it legal anywhere in the States to have these dogfighting arenas/spectacles?

Goddness I hope not.

I really don't think there is.

While this may be true, something still needs to be done for public safety. I live in a relatively urban area, a so-called up-scale community according to the real estate fliers, and I often feel like I live in the wild because I have to fear running into loose dogs.

I saw 2 more large loose dogs today while I was walking my boys in my neighborhood. :(

Also, everyone needs to respect that animals are animals (including humans :p) and the sweetest, most loving, and docile ones can do something completely out of character. I've seen it first hand many times.

As far as I know, no.

No animal fighting of any kind is legal.

I looked at this link and we have a #2 This is a French Mastiff and or known as a Dogue De Bordeaux. She is a lover!!!

I agree about the loose dog being scary, especially a big, powerful dog with a current breeding lineage of aggression and killing coursing through its nature, such as the poor pitbull has. Until some people stop breeding them for their deadlier traits and start breeding solely for health, good temperament and conformation, they will continue be a highly dangerous animal, despite the undeniably sweet, sweet side it also has. But whatever the breed, if it is big and running around loose, I am uncomfortable around it as I believe most any dog can suddenly attack under the right circumstances. I sue wish people would keep their pets at home or controlled on leash.

No.
but sickeningly...
Dogfighting a booming business, experts say - CNN
Note the legal changes since 2007-fines & misdemeanors are still not enough-thankfully it is now most a felony and even possessing "materials" contraband or any participation is prosecuted...just not enough IMHO.
ASPCA | Dog Fighting FAQ
http://animallaw.info/articles/ovuss...htingchart.htm

I agree.. the people who bother getting tags list them as mixed breeds.

I am afraid of large dogs (I guess you could tell by my post) -- if they are agressive at all I am reallly in trouble!! I think MOST aggressive dogs are made that way by the owners. BUT... some breeds have more aggressive problems.. and pit bulls is one. Dobbies used to be an aggressive breed that people were afraid of, but with good responsible breeding that has changed. I have a good friend who breeds and show dobbies.. they play with my pack. Maybe one day the pit bulls will be able to "breed" out their image--I also have friends who have pit bulls and I am told they are sweet hearts!!

I am just so sorry for the lady who was hurt and all the fear this has caused.

All dog breeds were bred for a reason and we have to remember that the reasons were often related to killing and aggression: for hunting and for protecting herds and more. While these breeds have become family pets and are ideally bred to have "good temperaments," and we train them, they still have instincts. Our Yorkies have instincts that have not been bred out of them.

I believe it does a great disservice to any dog breed to portray them as harmless and perfectly sweet in the right hands. If this were true, then we would also have to believe that people choose a doberman over a shih tzu based only on looks. There are differences.

I'm not sure how to adequately convey what I am saying. People need to be held responsible for their pets, and respecting the inherent traits of these pets is vital to instilling that sense of responsibility. My family had an 85-pound airedale, well bred, professionally trained, excellent temperament, a big goof ball. However, we respected the fact that she was capable of "aggression" because that was part of her breed. We wouldn't let her run up to someone and sit back and laugh while saying, "oh, she's harmless!"

So many dogs are in the "wrong hands" and therein lies the problem. Something needs to be done.

Exactly.

If you take on the responsibilty of a dog you must understand the breed.

:yeahthat::mademyday:goodpost:

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Very true.

I am sorry for the lady that was attacked. I hope she is okay.

I did have a question. Why are some pit bulls small boned and don't look very menacing at all, and some are large and bully looking with a very large head and cropped ears. They look scary to me.

Just wondering.

Because people are backyard breeders.... and don't breed to standard, LOL. Just like you see gigantic Yorkies (*ahem* Jackson...) and also have 'teacups' becoming such a fad, people think it's cool to breed these super gigantic monster looking dogs.

This is a properly bred APBT:
http://www.kodak.com/US/images/en/co...st-of-show.jpg

You are probably thinking of the Staffordshire Bull Terriers... they are built a lot different....

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images22...sFullGrown.jpg

Just variations in size and characteristics, I guess, as with Yorkies. There's everything to under 2 lbs. to 20 lbs. and maybe even greater variety. Some people breed for 150 lb. dogs whereas my neightbor's pitbull was in the 65 - 70 lb. range. From watching too much Animal Planet and Nat Geo, I've heard the bigger dog is not as good at fighting, etc., as the smaller more compact, faster dog. I used to take Dog Fancy Magazine and in the back of that magazine, there was at least one breeder that advertised 150 lb. Pitbulls!!!!

Wow! That dog is in amazing condition. Wish I had that kind of muscle definition. :p

Wow, I thought they were the same thing. Shows what I know..:)

:) you are not alone.
We have an American Staffordshire Terrier which is different from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Pitbull Terrier, HOWEVER, he gets called a pit bull often.

This is not Ernie, but what his breed looks like.

IMO, it's not only about the owners, it goes all the way back to the breeders. There are some out there that breed for aggression. You can breed aggression into a dog by choosing aggressive parents.

And, you can breed it out. Someone here posted a link to the show that was on PBS, I think it was called "Decoding the Dog," or something like that. Part of the show discussed a Russian project where they tried to breed aggression out of wild foxes. They selectively bred the foxes that were the least afraid of humans, and by the third generation the foxes were friendly. They wagged their tails at humans and everything.

Three generations was all that it took. In the hands of the right breeders, the ABPT could be turned around, but as long as there of those out there that still want to breed for aggression, that won't happen.

I saw a couple of APBT pups at the dog park, the guys that had them there said that they were "Gottilines" and had all of the aggression bred out of them. They were probably about only 15 lbs, still pups, but they were very stocky and kind of slow and clumsy -- the other small dogs could run circles around them. I wondered what "Gottilines" adults looked like, and googled the term when I got home. To me they look like someone took the head of a Pitt Bull and put it on the body of an English Bulldog. Kind of strange looking: .:GOTTYLINE PITS / 21 BLACKJACK:.

I hope the woman that was attacked makes a good recovery.

Wow, it's exam time and I've been away for a few days, I can't believe how many responses there have been to this... such a hot topic I guess.

Still no update on the woman or the community. I hope she's ok.

:yeahthat:And well most people confuse about 4 different breeds of bully dogs as being "pits" pit in fact are the smallest...well unless you get one from these breeders...http://www.muglestonspitbullfarm.com Someone DNA'd their dogs and they are closer to the Old English Bull Dog in characteristics than pits...go figure...:rolleyes:

OMYorkies! I posted and then saw your post! Great minds read the same research and find the same lunicy out in the world huh?:rolleyes:

Yes the ones "I swear it's not really Old English Bull Dog crossed" are mellower yet far more scary looking...hmmmmmm see anything AKC DNA on them...wonder why...

I'm a Staff girl personally gentle giants! Well with people not always other animal, their prey drive (chase) instinct is pretty darn strong...if you've ever been holding end of one's leash ya know, takes specific and competent training.

I watched that show.. the tame foxes were pets.. very very interesting!
My friend who raised dobbies said the same.