Pitt Bull: A Pet or a Threat?

Question

Based on the stories of mutulation, fatal attacks, as well as attacks on their owners, these dogs are just becoming plain scary. I believe Denver has a new law requiring PB owners, even those who have had their dogs for years, to give them up. I am concerned b/c we have an owner in our condo complex with two VERY large ones & they are NOT friendly. The owner walks them in our tennis court so nobody will "risk" being hurt, and this is posing yet another issue. The owner says "I pick up after him" as if this is the real issue here. Our by-laws specifically state "no pitt bulls" so we are in the works to have them out of here (they rec'd by-laws before they agreed to buy home, and did not tell us about the PB's). I have read accounts the REAL problem lies within the owner (not the dog). Ignorant owner; ignorant dog type of thing, you know? What do you think? Pet or Threat? (serious responses only as this is a serious issue - remember PB's have killed people & will again).

Answer 1

What really amases me is that peoplewho walk Greyhounds Must have them leashed at all times plus the dog must be muzzled.Now in your living memory have you ever heard of a greyhound attacking a human being(of any age) A greyhound would lick you to death.Nor does it attack other breeds.Even the smallest dog is safe.
Now a Pit Bull Is a viscious killer,and no one or nothing is safe from it's lethal jaws.Most surprising of all this breed does'nt have to be muzzled.Most states in Australia ban the breeding of this dog.If they attack another dog which is leashed,they get the needle.If they attack a human being they get the needle.The only time theyPit Bulls)are not subject to strict rules is when the dog is in it's own totally fenced in area.Even then the owner must make sure that a person can't inadvertantly gain access to the property,especially a child

Answer 2

The owners are the real threat. Most any dog has that kind of mentality to be aggressive.It is the responsability of the owners to pick a breed that is suitable for the environment they will raise it in. A good owner will set rules, boundries and limitations when it comes too behavior. Their ability to follow through on a daily basis when these challenging behaviors come out is critical. An owner always has too be the pack leader in the home and outdoors, or a dog will take over....seeing owner as a weak link! Hope this helps!!

Answer 3

The only thing that will suffer is the dogs,who at this point have done NOTHING to anyone. Shame. This person will have to kill his pets just because they are what they are. They didn't choose their breed but they will pay with their lives because of it.I have been doing rescue work for years as well as a pet owner. If you are afraid do some research. You will find most uncared for dogs no matter what the breed can be aggressive.This clearly is not the case with these dogs. The owner seems to love them enough to give them exercise. From my extent knowledge of pit bulls who are properly owner are not aggressive towards people but typically do not get along with other dominate dogs.There are many dogs of other breeds who react this way as well. Think before you get involved. Is it really that big of a deal,really......?

Answer 4

It really depends on the dog and, more importantly, the owner. Some animals will have a naturally more aggressive nature, but Pit Bulls can be trained to be sweet, kind, loving dogs by their owner. The dog is not scary if it's been properly trained, unless you're a wimp. 90%+ of all pit bull attacks on humans have been by animals that were not trained or trained to be vicious. I've known serveral people who have owned pit bulls and they were the nicest, sweetest, well trained dogs I've ever known. My answer, long winded as it is, is: Pet. With the caveat that the owner needs to be vetted and safe.

Answer 5

Pit bulls you find at the pound have often been fought and mistreated. What you said about the "Real problem lying with teh owner" I definately believe is true. I have a pitbull who I have raised from a puppy. We had two older labrador retrievers, and she acts just like a lab. She is my husband's and my baby and I very strongly believe that you should "punish the deed, not the breed." Any animal that is neglected or mistreated will start to have mistrust for people.

Answer 6

I would think your bi-laws will hold up and the people who own the pit bulls will either have to move or get rid of their pets.

So keep on that idea of pursuit.

I think it's how the owner treats those types of dogs is the way they turn out...either mean or nice.

Answer 7

I agree with Sophy.Its really all in how they are bred. Alot of dogs get bad raps because you have these idiot breeders only in it for the money and could care less about the temperment or other things that are important.An the only reason why pitts are in the news so much is because they seem to pick a different breed every year to pick on.an the pitt is just one example how humans have totally screwed them up.Part of the problem is that we are led to believe that there are certain types of dogs that are extremely aggressive and vicious (like pit bulls) when, in fact, some of the breeds that are more likely to bite are those you'd never think about, like poodles or terriers.

About 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year. One million of those need medical attention. About 750,000 children are bitten by dogs each year; in most cases, these bites are from "familiar dogs" -- not strays. Approximately 12 people die each year from dog bites

All dogs can be provoked to bite. There is really no such thing as a "bad breed." Most (if not all) dogs can be properly trained and socialized to be gentle and tolerant. Your dog should be trained to obey basic commands: sit, stay, come, and down. This alone could prevent many dog-biting incidents.
Potentially aggressive breeds:

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
Typically gentle breeds that have "bad boy" reputations:

German Shepherd: great with kids

Bulldog: gentle, playful

Rottweilers: can be gentle, affectionate

Great Danes: gentle, affectionate

Boxers: good with kids

Mastiffs-very docile
"Pit bull" is a bit of a misnomer. There really is no such breed. Generally, "pit bulls" are a cross between a "bulldog" breed and a terrier. They are also known as American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

Most "pit bulls" are not aggressive by nature. They tend to be gentle, playful and loving. However, there are those that have been bred and trained to be aggressive. Even then, they are more aggressive toward other animals, not people.

Often, aggressive "pit bulls" have been abused and/or neglected. These are VERY dangerous.

Answer 8

threat,, because they have been bred by backyard breeders paying absolutely no attention to temperament, health etc.. same thing happend awhile back with the popularity of the cocker spaniel,,, when a breed becomes popular,, everyone and his brother breeds their dogs and the breed as a whole suffers from it.. such a shame,, but yes i will vote with threat - based on that analysis

Answer 9

Threat

Answer 10

Pet.

The majority of those who say they are vicious monsters haven't even owned one. Do some research, people. Instead of trying to ban these dogs you should be doing more to help them.

You're doing no good by exploiting them.