I do not know why there are some of you who thinks I need to apologise for my stand on breed banning?

Question

AN APOLOGY TO BREED BAN ENTHUSIASTS

I'm sorry you are frightened of my dogs and are trying to have them killed because they are pitbulls.

I'm sorry you lack the understanding of this breed's true history, gentleness with people, wonderful temperament, intelligence and behavioral conformation. I'm sorry you won't read the ATTS stats regarding our breed's true temperament, putting it in the top four for temperament, scoring better than breeds like Golden Retrievers, and cocker spaniels.

I'm sorry that you side with and protect animal abusers by marking the breed of dog, and not the irresponsibility of the owner. I'm sorry that by your logic I could steal a car, run some people over with it and then you can blame the make of car for the accident, as I walk free.

I'm sorry you generalize one breed of dog with one group of people. I'm sorry you can't see the love and determination that many often highly educated, non-criminal and "normal" types of people show towards this breed and the great personal sacrifices that they make to take care of their dog responsibly.

I'm sorry you cannot go into the shelters and see the hundreds of abandoned and abused pitbulls, dying only for the inane "crime" of being born the breed they are.

I'm sorry you cannot see the look of disappointment in their eyes as someone walks by their kennel, and refuses to consider adopting them based on an ill educated fear mongering reporter. I'm sorry that you cannot be there when the animal looks at a human for the last time, and in spite of betrayed by all humans they have met, their tail still wags as someone approaches with the syringe of Euthinol.

I'm sorry cannot be there when law enforcement shoots one of your dogs dead inside it's own home in front of the children it mutually loves for simply getting off the dog bed and walking over to say hello with it's tail wagging. I'm sorry you cannot be there to rescue pitbull puppies from a plastic bag in a dumpster, dumped there by someone switching their illegal, and inhumane activities to another, more lucrative breed.

I'm sorry you cannot understand the difference between canine and human aggression, in the way that this breed can. Yes, I'm saying my pitbull is smarter then you.

I'm sorry that the medieval witchhunting genetics of intolerance, generalization, and racism make you feel the need to vilify a breed of dog. I'm sorry that justice, equality, tolerance, common sense are all things you hold dear as a fellow Canadian, and expect from others, but do not yourself offer them towards a pitbull or its caregiver. I'm sorry that you don't take the constructive time to petition changes in the Canadian animal cruelty act, and in the criminal code that would deal out serious punishment to the real animal abusers.


I'm sorry you cannot see the disappointed look on a puppy's face when the people petting it quickly frown, and walk away when you tell them it is a pitbull. I'm sorry you feel the need to terrorize my family and my dogs for crimes we never have and never will commit. I'm sorry you don't have to live in fear of your dog's safety from hysterical, and mentally unstable people trying to inflict all manner of evil upon your dogs.

I'm sorry that you cannot see my breed working in some of the best Search and Rescue groups in the world, saving countless lives each year. I'm sorry our media censors and refuses to print the breed name "pitbull' when in connection with a positive act such as saving a person or child from a burning house, drowning, wild attacking animals, etc. I'm sorry you cannot see the many pitbulls registered as therapy dogs and bringing so much joy to another misunderstood, neglected demographic in our society, the senior citizen.

I am sorry you can't see a pitbull kiss a child, step carefully over a kitten, or play in a sunbeam. I'm sorry you cannot wake in the morning to feel a warm pitbull cuddled next to you in bed, and know that you are their total world, and even if the house caught fire and trapped you, they would stay with you to the end.

But, now that I really think about it, I'm not at all sorry you don't own a pitbull--you do not deserve one!

Answer 1

Very well said. As a child in the 50's and 60's my father used to rescue pit bulls from the ring. Us kids were never afraid of them nor was my father. He would introduce us to each dog and they became cherished members of the family. We own 3 pit bulls now and 1 insists on sleeping with her head on my pillow. We own 8 breeds of dogs plus 17 mutts and the pit bulls are the most loving of the dogs we have and run around freely with the kids with no worries or fears from me.

Answer 2

Same here - I own, love and train Dobermans and am frequently subjected to the fear and ignorance of the breed. Any dog can be wonderful in the right hands, just as any dog can be dangerous in the wrong hands.

I teach public obedience classes and last night was the first night of a new group. There was a young man with a pitbull - about 1 1/2 years old. I could tell the class was a tiny bit apprehensive (only a couple of people) And it's fine - you need to always watch out for your own dog. I purposely took the pit to the center of the room and used her as my demo dog for the very first exercise, to show I wasn't afraid & how wonderful and accomodating the dog was. I think she's everyone's favorite now.

However, I do think they are a powerful dog and need training and the owner needs to be informed before getting one. If a dog is lose - they tend to chase and can harm a child. Many dogs guard their food or toys and this is sometimes how the family child gets bitten.

I know other dogs bite more often than pits; but the Center for Disease control was keeping a list and the pits are at the top for most human fatalities, followed by Rotts, Dobermans, chows, and Shephards. (Or it was about 2 years ago) Again - I feel it's the owners, not the dog.

BTW - the most aggressive dog in the class last night wasn't the pit - it was another, very loved breed that I won't name so there is no backlash! LOL

Answer 3

I am sorry to say pit bulls are misunderstood animals. I personally have known good and 'mean' pits. I would own one. But because of stupid people who do not know how to train there dogs the pit has a bad name. Because this dog looks and acts tough stupid people havent trained them and like the fact their dog is aggressive. It is sad that people now see pits as a threat. Its even more sad that just approx 5 years ago the Dalmatian was the #1 biter. Even over a pit. But what can anyone do? People fear what they do not understand, and its hard for them to understand if the dog is raised right it is a great companion.
Yet, at the same time look at their point of view. All people see is the pits that attack and kill children and adults on TV. If that is all one sees that is all one believes. And its hard for most to want to understand a killer, which the Pit is promoted as. This is a battle that none will win. Pits will always be around and People will always hate them.

Answer 4

Well said !!!!!

A dog, no matter what its breed, is only as bad as its owner in my opinion.

Pit bulls are wonderful dogs, my daughter has a cross pit bull with something else, not sure what, but it looks just like a pit bull, he is wonderful and kind and gentle, he has learnt loads of tricks and obeys when my daughter tells him to do something.

I have 2 Dog's, Jamba is a Golden Retriever, now many say they are one of the Gentlest dogs, and yes they are correct, he is gentle and kind and loving, but.... if anyone tried to get into my Garden he would tear them apart, he has a side to him that protects his own, and rightfully so, but out of the garden he is so soft, my other dog is huge, he is 9 months old and a Rottweiler cross pointer, although he looks more like a pointer with the black face and white body with black spots, he has the build of a Rottweiler, his head is more like the size of a bull mastiff, he looks more fearsome than my Retriever, but he is as soft as they come, he hardly ever barks, and wonders what is going on when Jamba barks at strangers. The point I am trying to get across here, it that you can not judge a dog just because they have been labeled, most dogs are fine, and always will be, its the owners that make them into what ever they will become, if the owner is aggressive with the dog, then aggressive they will be, etc.. of course a dog can have some aggressiveness in them but if treated right, you will hardly ever see it.

Answer 5

It is very unfortunate this breed has such an aggressive reputation. Not all animals of this breed are aggressive but actually make great, loyal, family pets. However, you cannot ignore the FACT that there are terrible people who breed for aggression in pitbulls & other breeds. Your well written "apology" could actually be used as a tool to educate the public regarding kennels breeding for traits which are DESIRABLE in family pets. Maybe, if more people actually know an animal is bred for desirable traits we would be more willing to accept breeds known as aggressive. And finally, I would wish for all the breeders who are looking to create the next fighting champion a good, long stay in prison.

Answer 6

Well put.
I work with Dobermans who are having behavioral problems.
Mostly I need to show the owner how to handle the probolem that they have created. Most times it is operator error and not any problem with the dog.
Many breeds are given bad reputations from what some people do with them. It is very sad. They are not bad dogs but bad owners and irresopnsible breeders.
The dog pays the ultimate price for humans irresponsibility.
Pitt Bulls are wonderful dogs and I have worked with quite afew who I would have gladly taken into my home.

Answer 7

Hi,

I feel what you are saying and understand.We have the sweetest Pits that come into our Shelter all of the time and I Love them BUT, We have them from Dog fight busts and attacks on people.4 Pits killed a 2 year old child The other day, My Boss and I just went to a Seminar They spent one of the days fully on Pits. The people who breed these animals to fight are the lowest scum on Earth.And their history from 1820 from the AKC including fighting...It use to be Pros who knew what they were doing, Now these Street Hoodlums are getting them(the last 30 years)And messing them up..They have a pain threshold thru the roof,I seen the treadmills they make them run..with live bait at the end(a Cat or small dog) The Rape Boxes..A breeding contraption to hold the female down so she wont attack the male. All the Cruel stuff..I heard of a women who was so mad when her Dog lost a fight that she skinned it alive and Hung it in a tree to let her other Pits Eat..The Fighters Get Mad when th dog loses and if the Dog Lives thru the fight they generly kill them..These fights last from 30 minutes to 4 hours....The Pits are innocent Victims of this.But thats what kinda breeding lines are getting in with our Pits now...We have had to quarentine many for really bad bites and send heads off on others for rabies checks.I'm sure these where of Bad breeding.I dont want themn Banned I want the Fighters Banned and in Jail or Hell

Answer 8

I have 3 pitbulls and they are the greastest, they wouldn't harm a fly, it's the owners not the dogs! I think banning them from certain places though are necessary, like if you ever watch the animal cops it's better for the dogs when there is a ban on certain cities because they are huge fighting areas, so i think that's good on the dogs myself, it's sad people get pleasure by watching dogs rip eachothers throats apart, sick! Very well said BTW

Answer 9

I have to admit...until I have read some of the post here answers, I too, was not aware of the wonderful pets that pit bulls make. It is true that most people have misconceptions, and there are not many people who, like you, stand up and say something. I am a new pet owner of a yellow lab and I am sure that if I choose to make him mean, I probably could. I commend people like you who do make a stand. Thanks for the information. I don't think you owe anyone an apology.

Answer 10

You are TOTALLY right. Pit Bulls only have the bad reputation that they have because of the stinkin' owners. Only responsible owners with experience in owning these kinds of breeds should have an Am Pit or Staffie, because there would be a lot less bites.