why are people so mean about pit bulls, when they are the ones that created the bad rep for them to being with

Answer 1

People are usually scared of what they are told to be scared of. The media goes crazy over every Pit Bull attack, thus people see what kind of damage Pit Bulls can do. It is proven that there are more people bit by other breeds of dogs than Pit Bulls. I guess if we use the medias criteria for what we have around us, then we definately need to stay away from people since they harm far more people than dogs. Just a thought.

Answer 2

Same reason so few people realize that a single volcano does MUCH more damage to our atmosphere than all of mankind's work over the centuries--sensationalism. Everyone wants to hear (and tell) about the "bad dog." And, unfortunately for so good-natured a breed, pit bulls WERE bred specifically for strength, tenacity, and ignoring pain. A happy, friendly pit could very easily play just a little too rough (they don't always know their own strength), and if their playmate (human or animal) starts making noise and struggling, the pit can simply assume it's all part of the play. And if the abused playmate tries to beat the dog off, the dog can easily think that's also part of the play, because they just don't always react normally to pain. My in-laws have a mostly-pit mutt that is just the sweetest, stupidest, happiest, friendliest dog *IF* he recognizes you, but even he has shown signs of being very dangerous if he gets out of the yard and encounters a stranger (like the guy across the street, whom he threatened in the guy's own yard when the dog got out one time). I'd trust my life to such a dog as a guard--he's both sweet and extremely protective--but I would never let a little kid play with him, especially unsupervised.

BTW, my husband has worked in the pizza business for several years, and he says that the many delivery drivers he's known have agreed that the single most aggressive and likely-to-attack breed is actually the dachshund. Good thing they're small.

Answer 3

Many people are uneducated about the breed and just think they are vicious animals that can't be trained. The problem is, the dog fighting circuit has really ruined the pit bull rep, because all anyone sees and hears about is these dogs ripping each other apart, or getting lose and mauling children. Of course ANY DOG that is raised inappropriately can be JUST AS DANGEROUS. I was bitten as a child by an Australian Shepherd! It ripped open my back! A pit bull has never hurt me and I have dealt with many in my profession.
We just need to educate the public about this breed, along with Rotties, Dobies, and any other supposed vicious breed.

Answer 4

I feel sorry for all the pit bulls but they are all very strong and powerful dogs and should only be owned by people who know how to handle them...unfortunately, most people don't have any idea of how to raise them, there was another question on this site asking how to tell the sexes of their puppies, I can just about guarantee that they were pit pups! People that know nothing about dogs should not own a pit. If they are not raised correctly, they can be very dangerous. I think that the majority of people killed the last few years were all by pits, other dogs do bite but are not as likely to kill or do as much damage as a pit.

Answer 5

The big problem with Pit Bulls is that they are a rough and tumble dog. They can hurt or kill a small child without meaning to because they are so rough when playing. People who have small children should not have Pit Bulls for that reason.
Another caution to beware of when buying a Pit Bull is do not buy from a breeder that fights dogs.
It is almost like two different breeds of dogs. The Pit Bulls bred for dog fighting and Pit Bulls bred and raised to be pets and companions.

Answer 6

I agree, I live in Atlanta, and they just had the most heart wrenching story about this security cop at a high school who shot a pit bull because he was running towards some kids...he wasn't barking or snarling or anything, and his 2 owners were right behind him trying to catch him. Anyway, the security guard shot the dog, the bullet bounced on the ground went in the air and hit one of the owners in the shoulder. The dog is okay and they had an interview with the dog and the owner and the dog looked like the sweetest thing. What made me even sicker was the security cop wasn't even put on administrative leave, he is still working with pay. Made me sick.

Answer 7

That is only partially true.
Just like a Shepard has a predisposition to heard animals, and a retriever has a predisposition to retrieve, a Pit has a predisposition to fight (bite)
In most cases a Pit is a wonderful companion right up until the moment it decides to bite someone.
Some are however taught to be mean, in these instances the owner should be prosecuted just the same as if they had assaulted the person that was bitten.

Answer 8

Firstly I beleive the bad dogs are often more the fault of bad owners.. HOWEVER it must be said that Pit Bulls have been bred for hundreds of years to be TENACIOUS and AGGRESSIVE, after all they were bred to fight BULLS....(in pits) so.. when you start with a base and build on it you shouldnt be dishonest and say "they are wonderful dogs" etc.. lets be honest here and admit the dogs are very very strong and in the wrong hands can be very very dangerous..

in truth Cockers attack more people than Pitts.. however the bit of a cocker is not as serious...

Answer 9

the family pet pit bull killed the next door neighbors 6 week old baby a few years back
the baby was on the floor ( not too sure why anyone would leave a newborn on the floor with a dog in the room)
but
the dog picked the baby up by the back of the neck shaking it violently.. killing the newborn when his head was severed from the body

The family owned the dog for 4 years without incident until that evening

Answer 10

What's funny is that pitbulls arn't even the most agressive dog in north america. ROTTWIELER's account for more then half of attacks on humans in North America, but the media plays a strong role in censoring this.

Actually here's a list of the most agressive dogs:

* Llasa Apso: can be cranky with kids
* Toy poodles: bite out of self defense
* Dachsunds: not very patient
* Rhodesian Ridgebacks: very dominant breed
* Miniature Pinschers: "big dog" mindset in little body
* Pekinese: intolerant
* Chihuahuas: prefer adults, not tolerant of kids
* Chow Chow: one-person dogs, bite without warning
* Giant Schnauzers: very dominant breed, will even challenge adults
* Old English Sheep Dog: very protective of owner
* Cocker Spaniel: very protective of owner
* Rottweilers: very protective

It really comes down to the owner, and taking responsibilty for their dogs behavior!