What do you think about Pitbull bans?

Question

I personally dislike the bans because they are punishing the breed instead of the owner who doesn't know anything about the dog and just wants to own one. When a pit attacks they blame the pitbull but what about the owner? The owner wasn't calm and assertive(dog whisperer). I know some of my neighbors who HATE pits witha passion and won't give up the fact that it's not the dogs fault. The bans never work.

Answer 1

I think that in terms of the dog it is a shame because it is the people who are to blame for raising it wrong. On the other hand, given the breed's track rating of violence, something should be done to protect innocent people from the bad animals of bad owners.

I think then that there should be a special license that a person has to have before owning a Pittbull. The license would involve both a written test about training, as well as a visit to the home of the owner to make sure they have the right enviroment and motivation to properly raise a pitbull. I think a licensing system would be much more effective than a ban.

After all, some people can own animals much more deadly than a pittbull and all they need to do is demonstrate competence. I think the same should be true of any known dangerous animal. Pittbulls were bred to "pitt bulls" literally so they are bred for agression. However, with the right training they can be as good of a pet as any other.

Answer 2

As a trainer working in a Pet store, I have seen way more friendly pits come in then aggressive. Actually, I have yet to see an aggressive one come in. They all act a lot like Labs, all happy and sweet. I have actually had a Lab attack another dog in class and have met another aggressive Lab.. I've also had someone come in one day to tell me that there dog was viciously attacked by a Lab.. They called the police and the police asked what kind of dog it was. When they told the police it was a Lab, they didn't do anything about it. Almost any type of dog can become aggressive and any dog can be very sweet. All depends on training and socialization. I'd have to say it's 95% the owner and 5% the dog. I think it should be mandatory for all dog owners to be required to take training classes with their dogs when they are adopted. If they have the right knowledge and train and socialize the dog right, there's less likely a chance to be any problems. It's very rare that it's the dog's fault. The owners who decide to "fight" the dogs or don't get them properly socialized should be banned.

Answer 3

Dog breed bans are ridiculous. Any discrimination because of a dog's breed is completely moronic and, you're right, oftentimes inaffective.

We had an issue here in Michigan a few years back....insurance companies were cancelling/refusing home insurance policies to people who owned certain breeds of dogs (Shepherds, Rotts, Pits, Dobermans, etc.). Our state's attorney general had to threaten them to get them to stop this unfairly discriminatory practice.

I know a woman in Arkansas whose county recently passed strict pitbull laws; any person owning a pitbull is required to purchase $10,000 worth of insurance on the dog (which is increasingly difficult when the insurance companies are refusing to sell the policies to people), the dog must be neutered, secured at ALL times (even in their own yard), and muzzled when out in public. Anyone caught not in compliance with any ONE of these laws will have their pit confiscated....it will then be put down, and the owner fined.

I grow so tired of people thinking that certain breeds are just always vicious. You're right, it's usually the owner's fault. My SIL tried saying that Dobermans are mean, after which my brother went on a tyrade about how ignorant it is to think that, lol. My family loves dogs:)

To top it off, the meanest dogs I've ever met in my life (and I've met and lived with quite a lot) have been those little yappers. I can't even count how many times I've been bitten by little dogs....not once have I been bitten by a large dog.

Answer 4

Brian why do you say that? I would like for you to come and meet my dogs ,then you'll know what a well mannered , loved and well bred true APBT is.

Breed bans don't work .All it does is hurt the poor innocent dogs on the other end of the ban ,not the bad owners. Like those poor dogs in Denver Col , Mimame Dafe Fl , the ones beinf crucifide in Can.Case in point Neville was one of those APBT in Canada who was lucky enough to get out . He's a now a working drug detection dog in the U.S. Go Neville.

When breed bans are enforced, working dogs such as Neville , Popsicle , Dakota , Cheyenne , and Tahoe then can not do their jobs. They should be punished from helping humans because of their breed .It's not right. How many therapy dogs that are Pitties are being punished for being what they are because of breed bans.

Breed bans are not right and do not work. Criminals will find another breed of dog to malign.

God forbid they try to come to my home to take my dogs.

Answer 5

I hate pitbull bans. It discrimination in the animal world and the animals cannot even speak to defend themselves.

People think that having a mean dog makes them meaner somehow. Some owners get a pit bull so they can feel tough.

Saying that ALL pitbulls are mean is like saying that ALL roses are red.

Answer 6

Exactly. It's the owners, not the dogs. Pitbulls are NOT naturally "mean" or "beasts" like a lot of people think they are. Owners get pitbulls because they are easy to train to become this kind of dog. If people are discriminating against a certain type of dog breed, whats next? Seriously.

Answer 7

Why stop at pitbulls? German Shepherds are just as bad.

Well-bred German Shepherd Dogs have powerful jaws and strong teeth, can develop a strong sense of loyalty and obedience, and can be trained to attack and release on command. Poorly bred GSDs such as those from puppy mills can be fearful, overly aggressive, or both. GSDs (like Pit Bulls, Rottweilers and Dobermanns), are often perceived as inherently dangerous, and are the target of Breed Specific Legislation in several countries. If a GSD is violent or aggressive, it is often due to the combination of poor breeding (bad nerves) and the owner's lack of control or training. GSDs are often used as guard, attack and police dogs, which further contributes to the perception of being a dangerous breed. However, many GSDs function perfectly well as search dogs and family pets - roles where aggressive behavior is unsuitable.

GSDs' sense of loyalty and emotional bond with their owners is almost impossible to overstate. Separation trauma is one reason they are now used less often in guide dog roles, since guide dogs are typically trained from puppyhood by one owner prior to final placement with their employer.

Temperament differences among lines

The different types or lines of GSD display differences not only in appearance but also in ability and temperament.

Dogs from working lines have very high energy, and have been bred to have a natural drive for protection, tracking, and obedience. They are bred primarily for consistent temperament, working drive, and intelligence. These dogs can be used as pets, but will be unhappy if not exercised daily or trained to do a job of some sort. Many of these dogs populate dog pounds in North America due to their destructive tendencies when not properly trained.

Answer 8

I dont agree with ANY breed ban....if we as a country dont stop this NO breed of dog will be safe...after all pitbulls are gone what breed will be next???? there needs to be laws in place to punish bad owners and I belive it should go as far as not allowing anyone caught fighting or mistreating a dog to ever be able to own one again!!!! leash laws need to be enforced and if a dog(any breed)is aggressive and has bitten they should have to be spayed/neutered and always kept under control....

Answer 9

I agree, it should be the owners, not the dog, to get punished. They raise their dogs to be aggressive. A close friend of mine has a pit bull and they raised him since he was a puppy and he is such a friendly dog, he also grew up around a beagle, which got funny to see them playing together! But this pit bull thinks he's a small dog, despite how big he is, he'll climb up on someones lap and lay there. I agree about the small dogs being more aggressive, I've been bitten loads of times by those little guys!!

Answer 10

I think its crazy,I had a pitbull he was a great I have 2 children he loved my 2 year old use to sit on him and watch cartoons ,its all in how you raise them .I think its crazy they have an insurance you need with certain dogs, I think if you need insurance for a dog it should be all breads b/c an animal can turn at any time not just a pitbull or any other dog on the list.