Grandma and Grandpa inherited a Pit Bull...Should I let my 5 year old and 2 year old play with the dog?

Question

I am deeply concerned with this. My wife's brother was a meth user and dealer. He currently is in federal prison for attempted murder. He had a pitbull for a pet.
When he was sent to prison, his mother and father (my children's grandmother and grandfather) decided to take in his pitbull as their pet a couple of years ago. The dog has no history of violence nor has it attacked anyone to our knowledge.

My concern is that I have a 5 year old girl and a 2 year old boy who will be visiting their grandparents over Christmas. My wife thinks I am "freaking out" over the fact that I am requesting that the pitbull be kept in the basement and that the children not be allowed to play with the dog . This is causing great stress in our marriage!
Am I truly "OVER-REACTING"?

Answer 1

DONT LET UR KIDS GO ANYWHERE NEAR THE DOG, trust me they can be really dangerous

Answer 2

Ive done animal control.

A) pitbulls are not aggressive dogs
B) pitbulls are also not considered to be smart dogs

They a like a pistol or a power tool. They are not mean, but they are dangerous. Pitbulls are not automatically more likely to do something. The biggest problem with pitbulls is that most of them have jaws capable of A LOT of damage. If it gets nervous about something, and bites, then its not just a dog bite. The media is not wrong to refer to pitbull incidents as "attacks" instead of "dog bite" because there is definetly a difference.

On the other hand, many people who say pitbull dont really know what they have. If you are still on the fence then visit a vet and have them examine the jows. Let them tell you whether this is a "dog bite" dog or a "mauled by" dog.

Answer 3

In the past a friend of mine had a pit bull, she was the sweetest dog, but she was also small-animal aggressive, which could be dangerous to a small child. I wouldnt let my younger cousins near her even thogh I liked the dog a lot. Responsible owners of pets know what type of personality they have, and wheather they should be let near other animals or children. You as I presume a responsible parent want to do whats best for your child(ren) to love them and keep them safe. I think you might be overreacting because you say that theres never been a problem. There is a first time for everything though. Immagine how you would feel if the dog did bite and the person it bit was your child. Theres a saying "better safe then sorry" and that seems to fit this situation.

Answer 4

I don't think you're over reacting at all. Even though the Pit Bull has never been seen as being violent doesn't mean that it's not capable of violence. Especially with children around, as they can be a little bit rough with animals sometimes. (Not on purpose of course, but just because they are kids.) And you don't know how the dog has been treated and if anything sparks a bad memory from the dog who knows how it will react. I would keep the kids away from the dog. Good luck with everything!

Answer 5

Pit bulls, are aggressive dogs. If this dog has never been around small kids like that, it might not be a good idea for this dog to be around your kids. You are simply be a dad, and protecting your kids. Last night, I was at a house, with a pit...and it actually snapped 2 times at a little girl, that the dog did not know. And this dog had been around kids all its life. I would feel the same way as you. You never know what the dog is thinking, and if anything happens, its too late at that point. I think that you need to talk to all parties..and get an understand of this dog, because you never know! But as far as Over reacting NO! You are not, you are simply looking at the "pit bull's" nature, and being a dad!

Answer 6

if theres no history then relax and let them play with the dog. i unlike some of the people who are answering this have a pitt and have raised them. i have 2 children plus 2 nieces and 3 nephews that my pitt adores them... theres no such thingas a bad dog but bad people make them bad... my brother has 2 pits and 7 pittbull pups and he wont just hand them over to anyone... pittbulls are very loyal dogs and thats why when they fall into the hands of the wrong people they can turn them mean... u know a lil dog can bite too... you just dont hear about it like u do when its a pitt... i wouldnt let my children hang and pull on the dog cause u dont know it ( i wouldnt let mine do it to any dogs at 1st). but after a day or 2 if u go there with an open heart i promise u will melt for the dog

Answer 7

absolutely not
you are right to be concerned even if it does not have a history as far as you know that is of not biting anyone
pit bulls have that instinct where they will attack for no given reason so if your little ones maybe pull on the tale or pet the dog when the dog was not ready it will bite them and possibly kill them. know i don't think it is right for the dog to be kept in a basement that kind of animal is not a house dog so
you need to say no to your wife and no to your in laws
good luck and remember you are doing this to keep your children safe not for any other reason some people wont agree with you but oh well
as long as you take care of you and yours the rest is everyone
Else's problems

Answer 8

Do not let your kids around that Dog. To many things can happen and it's not worth the risk no matter what. Those dogs can turn on a dime.

Answer 9

No, you're not over reacting. There'd be no way in hell I'd allow my children anywhere near that dog and I could care less who gets mad about it. I'd be telling them to kiss my ***, my kids safety comes first.

Answer 10

Keep the kids away from the dog.

Poor dog, lock yourself in the basement...