The problem: People or Dogs??

[NW Admin]

A lot of people say that the pit bull breed is just naturaly prone to attack because "they are built for fighting". Well, I say this is true for all dogs, we just don't like to admit that "Lassie" could have ever been a carnivorous flesh eating animal. Sure, it's true that the pit bull is known to be more protective and has a much stronger jaw then any other dog, but is their natural breeding that makes them this way? Or is what humans are doing to them that makes them this way??

We need to step back and take a look at the true nature of a canine. It's not to be our pet. They were intended by nature to live their own lives in the wild. They have survival mechanisms that entail bighting, clawing, and running. ALL OF THEM. They are meant to hunt down animals, kill them, and eat them. Every last breed. No questions about it.

What makes Pit Bulls different are what people do with them. They abuse them, make them feel like fighting is the only way to survive, and then these tortured souls get bred into the population of pits that make their way into unsuspecting family homes. Animals evolve over time to survive. Isn't it possible that we are causing these over aggressive tendencies to evolve into this breed?

If we were starting from scratch and saying that pit bulls were not domesticated, but were more wild animals, then I could agree that they are naturally mean dogs. But the fact is that pit bulls have been faithful loving companion dogs for centuries. I believe WE are making them into monsters.

So I do agree that we need regulations on pit bulls because we have made them aggressive and there is no way of knowing which ones are and aren't, but it should not entail the uthenasia of all pit bulls that animal control comes across. Instead, people who secure their pit bulls and take excellent care of them should be rewarded for doing the right thing. Those who break the laws, abuse pits, fight them, or anything else negative need harsher punishments. These small time fines and short jail "visits" are not adequate punishment. The offenders are not taking this issue seriously. They are not afraid of the consequences or they would not be doing it as much. Punish the people, not the dog.

[Almostallgrowdup]

Originally Posted by NW Admin

Punish the people, not the dog.

I couldn't agree more. ANY breed can be a vicious breed if it's raised that way.

[NW Admin]

That's for sure. Any creature can be made vicious if tortured long enough. People that do these things sicken me.

[KrittinKitty]

Originally Posted by NW Admin

That's for sure. Any creature can be made vicious if tortured long enough. People that do these things sicken me.

You know its so true. We were just discussing this at work tonight. I have to agree that Pit Bulls, Shepards, Chows, and Rots are often deemed as more aggressive/protective breeds. I always beleived that the way a dog is raised is depedant how they can act around others. I know a few friends who have the sweetest little pit bulls..and they are not aggressive at all.. not even playfully. But I also seen a golden retriever attack my cousin for now reason. So I know for a fact that any dog can attack when they are trying to protect there owner.

I had Be-Be (my rotwieller/sheppard mix) and she never once bit me in the whole 18 years of her life.

[Chelsea222]

I think that it's also the fault of people who do not control their dogs in the first place. Why is it that there are always pit bulls running around loose anyway? Knowing how people are and what could possibly come of it, you would think they would keep it under lock and key. Not saying it can't play in the yard or anything, but at least make 100% certain that it can't EVER get out of the yard.

[CarolineWH]

In my opinion any dog that has a vicious history of the breed, such as the ones named above, should be muzzled when they are taken for a walk....You never know what they will do or when they will do it....

In our local large nationally known pet store, customers are allowed to bring their dog in the store as long as they are leashed...My husband saw a child bitten in the face by a black labrador that a woman had leashed...She also had another one with her that was also on a leash...The child cried and his Father came to his rescue...He told him that the dog bit him in the face...It was plain to see the bite...The woman saw this happening and took off with both dogs in tow....By the time that this was called to the store's attention, she was gone...I would say she was around 45 years old....Now in her eyes, her dogs were tame....Gentle giants...But who knows what goes on in the mind of an animal or if they look at a child as a threat....It is bad enough trying to figure out what we are going to do rather than try and stay ahead of the mind of an animal....Me, I would rather stay safe...I would gladly muzzle my dogs...If the public fears this dog, it is their right to fear them...We cannot tell what our dog will do under all of the circumstance that may arise...Heck, we cannot even tell what we are going to do when we get stressed...If this means that all dogs should be muzzled, so be it....This is better than any child or adult being scarred for life or worse yet killed...

Just my thoughts...Take care, Caroline