Witch Hunt For Pit Bull Puppies
In Mashpee, MA. a new kind of witch hunt has begun, not for humans, but for pit bull and pit bull mix puppies. Under the guise of a new bylaw claiming to protect children the owner (or keepers) of any “pit bull type dog” who has a litter must bring them to the town kennel for destruction. The bylaw claims certain breeds have “a strong instinct for dominance” and a prey drive that results in “aggressive pursuit of . . . human children.”
I find this disturbing on so many levels, I hardly know where to begin. When your power of choice is taken away and someone else steps in to make your decisions you no longer live in a free country. This isn’t about protecting you from a dangerous breed, it’s about the government coming in and telling you what it deems a dangerous breed and therefore making it so.
Are we not capable of making our own decisions anymore?
Here’s a comment from Best Friends Animal Society, eloquently summing up all that is wrong with the proposed bylaw.
Best Friends Animal Society feels compelled to emphasize that the aim of this bylaw is to hunt down all dogs that have the appearance of a certain breed of dog and destroy any offspring.
This bylaw is a representation of misinformed policy-makers and public making panic-induced decisions without consideration of civil liberties and reason. It takes on a school of thought similar to the witch hunts that took place in Massachusetts over three hundred years ago whereby paranoia and panic is taking over logic and reason.
These assertions and recommendations are counterproductive to ensuring the safety of town residents and are wholly unsupported by any scientific evidence.
There you have it, start with this law and what’s next? Maybe only dogs with blond fur and blue eyes will be allowed to live-sound familiar? Who’s going to be the judge of which dog has too much pit bull? And what exactly is too much pit bull? After the pit bulls are destroyed what breed is next, and where does it end? Or will it ever end?
To all owners out there, just remember the old adage: First they came for the pit bulls and I didn’t speak up because I didn’t own one. Then they came for German Shepherds and I didn’t speak up because I didn’t own one. Finally they came for my Shih Tzu, and by that time no one was left to speak for me.
A law like this must not be allowed to pass, it is unjust and unfair. It takes away one of the best things about being an American….freedom of choice.
The City of Mashpee will hear about this alarming breed discriminatory bylaw at its Annual Town Meeting on October 19, 2009. Best Friends implores Massachusetts residents to take action and get in touch with their town representatives regarding this proposal. Please go to their website for all the contact information and specifics on what to do.
*Pic of Sasha and Charlie courtesy Best Friends
Show me a story where the dog attacked and the owner wasn’t responsible in some way…
it is not the dog that is the monster it is the owner that is at fault.
This law is absolutely ridiculous. Its discrimination!! Just because a dog looks a certain way it is supposed to act a certain way?? We are not supposed to stereotype against each other, why are we doing it to our best friends. These law makers are nuts.
Sad to say that this is becomming too common in the United States. Our town has a similar law but it was not worded in the same way as this. Two years ago our city commission passed a legislation requirring those who own pitbulls and pitbull mixes to muzzle the dogs when outside, for the dogs to be chained even within an 8 foot tall kennel. That the property owners must have 100,000 liability on their home-owners insurance just in case the dog bit someone.
For the most part Pitbull owners did go along with this legislation and I did not hear of any pitbull attacks for the last 2 years.
Recently our city commission passed another legislation forbidding Pitbulls and Pitbull mixes within city limits. If you get caught with a pitbull or pitbull mix , you have 3 days to remove the dog or find it another home. If the police come back and the pitbull is still there, you can face jail time, a large fine and the dog is removed to be put to sleep. Our city police would determine what dogs are pits and if you have a dog that is similar to a pitbull, you have to proove the dog isn’t a pitbull.
I myself as a dog owner do not agree with this legislation because all pitbulls are paying the price for the isolated incidents of a few. I would not own a pitbull nor am I comfortable around a pitbull for my own reasons but to destroy something because of its breed is wrong. Most Pitbull and Pitbull mixes live happily with children and other animals without displaying violence but then again they have responsible pet owners.
I have been bit by a chihuahua, and my husband has been bit multiple times by the same chihuahua and the rest of its pack but yet we aren’t destroying chihuahuas yet. What is next? Rottweilers? German Shepards? Dobermans? Shar Peis?
Are these people forgetting the results of the rehab of the Vick pit bulls. Most have gone to become great family pets. There is even one or two who have become Therapy dogs or working towards that with great out comes. No breed should be killed off just because of stupid and mean humans. If this one town passes it wh o or where will the next town be. This town’s law makers should spend some time with some good pit bull parents and dogs to see the true breed, not judge from what has been heard. It is just wrong in a country who preaches about freedom. These are some very misinformed people. I hope the twon people have the sense to not let this happen. Even a small breed can be made a vicious dog.
Furthermore my own Bully Girl, an AM Staff is the most social of my three dogs. I nick name her my Social Butterfly. My other two are German Shepard mix and Border Collie mix. They all are rescues. I’ve had my bully girl for three years and even before I took her from the street, where my neighbors and I fed her, she was a sweet heart, no agression at all. She just loves to cuddle and a real couch potatoe. Now she believes in protecting her home, but out side the house she is a lover. It is just wrong to kill a dog because of it’s breed.
I rescued a pit bull mix from a neighbor. Her name is Baby and she is so sweet and gentle. She gets along well with all the other pets a Chow Chow Bear a Lab mix Brandy a Shar Pei mix Bo Bo a rescued kittten Patches and also chickens. Any dog can be made to be mean. It is all in how they are treated.
Great – just what we need – another Denver. I’m just more and more saddened every day at the routes that the human race is taking to get rid of these dogs:(
Speaking from experience… this law is demonstrates the sad state of our government… particularly those who propose, push and pass such idiotic laws. I say from experience because I was personally attacked (3 times actually) by a pit bull. My ex-wife and I were trying to give him a better home than he had during the his first three years. He was bred by an idiot for fighting and sadly during those pup years where “nurture” could override “nature” he was tied up in the back yard and ignored. He was never properly socialized and grew protective and dominant because other than the food he was brought he had no interaction with anything loving in his life. Pile on the exposure to extreme weather of the Bronx made him needing a new life. We tried to give it to him and saw breakthroughs here and there but it was the unexplicable “snaps” back to his old ways that almost left me without my right hand – 30 stitches and months of rehab. We did everything we could to save this animal and still feel guilty for not being able to – once I was bit that 3rd and final time the town required us to put him down… I couldn’t have imagined the results if my hand was a child’s. He wanted to be a good dog and be loved. I wish I could have done more but in the end it wasn’t his fault… it was his breeders and previous owners.
That is a ridiculous law. Our law should spend time and energy in other ways to improve life not destroy it.
Until we toughen up the laws, for dog fighting, abuse, etc, the public is not going to change their minds about what constitutes a dangerous breed, because that’s all the news shows and papers and magazines report on , it sells their products, sensationalism. So maybe if we required that every publication , whether, tv. or paper, for every mean light they shed dogs in they have to do a kind story about that breed too. Equal time, fair reporting, but until people stop watching , and buying these horrible stories , nothing is going to change.
Any dog is capable of violence or biting, even my sweet mixed breed dog Rudie. How an animal is raised influences its behavior with other animals and humans. I am outraged by destroying a breed of dog because of stupid laws. It happened in my city, now in Mashpee, MA. If we don’t stop this now pretty soon it will be more and more cites and finally a federal mandate. Instead of destroying a breed of dogs why not make the owners or caretakers of these dogs responsible? It is those few owners neglecting or abusing these animals that make them turn bad. It is these owners that teach the dogs to fight and encourage it.
This is absolutely disgusting. Who the heck is running our goverments anymore??
My last Doberman Pinscher died after being attacked by a Pit Bull. We were walking around the block, my dog on a leash. These 2 Pit Bulls came pounding out of the house. The owner caught the big white male and said the other one was ‘chasing the cat’. Yeah, right. Chasing the cat my rear. This female, tore after my Doberman, clomped down and wouldn’t let go. I kicked, punched and even tried to pry the teeth open to no avail. I lost my footing and fell. The owner finally came over and really did nothing. I kept screaming. When my dog was finally freed, there were multiple abrasions on her. We went to the Veterinarian. The Pit Bull owner paid for the bill, however, did say that his dog sustained wounds. I told informed him that his dog was aggressor. He paid the bill. Animal Control was notified. I don’t kinow what happened and I don’t care. I hope that nasty dog was euthanized. Mine died 5 weeks later. To this day, I can still hear her cries. I should have been able to protect her and I couldn’t. Animal Control said to carry a golf club and if another one is looking to attack, to shove the golf club down it’s throat until it can’t go any farther. The Officer said NO A/C or Sheriff’s Deputy would fault me or anyone against that breed. I understand that bad dogs come from bad people, however, this particular breed seems to only be owned by the majority of ‘bad’ people. This breed should be EUTHANIZED. I had one dog die from them and I will not lose another because of sloppy/careless owners.
Some breeds were bred by certain types of people to enhance meanness. This is all there is to it. Sure there are pros & cons to every breed, a Rot attacked my sweet little Snowball one time, tho she did survive (my smypathies to you E’s Mom), but I cannot condemn all Rots, can I?
It is possible to breed out. I understand that German Sheppard’s aren’t making the best police dogs anymore because so many families have had them as pets.
I propose that the police force take on the pitt bull breed as a project, and eventually the taint will breed out.
Disgusting! But I can’t imagine how you get people to turn the puppies in. Wouldn’t efforts be better directed at being proactive and getting the dogs spayed and neutered so the puppies aren’t even an issue?
What’s next? Will all dog owners be required to have their dog’s teeth and claws removed, after all any dog is capable of attacking a person. And also have their legs amputated so they can’t run after anyone. I know this sounds ridiculous but no more ridiculous than this insane law or any other breed specific legislation.
I believe in voluntary altering of dogs, or even mandatory for CERTAIN owners (ie: owners who have intentionally raised dogs to be aggressive, owners who’s unaltered dogs keep getting impounded at the local shelter or AC facility), but this is absolutely outrageous.Prey drive is a serious issue but for heaven’s sake ALL dogs are predators by nature and most terriers and working breeds (even the beloved family Labrador Retriever is prone to high levels of prey drive) have some level of prey drive, but I see no efforts to ban them unless they look like “Pit Bull type dogs”, Rottweilers, or GSDs.
I wonder what they’ll do when other breeds start attacking at higher rates like what happened with the Ontario “Pit Bull dog” ban, because the people that own “Pit Bull type” dogs start moving to another breed?
This is the result of too many people looking to government to solve every problem they may perceive.
If “ignorance is truly bliss”, then the vast majority of politicians should dwell in a state of perpetual elation. But they don’t; in order to feed their egos, they need to show action, and to a politician, that means more laws. And they will always pick the easy targets. Never mind the facts, just stir the emotions. Ban those baby killers! They were born and bred for murder and mayhem!
The pitbull type of dog, by whatever name, has a long and honorable history in the USA and elsewhere. But they are doomed unless people wake up and realize that humans are the cause of the problem, and humans must solve it… one individual at a time… by dealing with other humans.
Seeking a government solution to this problem will result in more laws covering more and more breeds until there are no dogs left. What kind of world would that be? I wouldn’t want to be part of it.
This response is to “Elise’s Mom….
First of all, I am sorry about your Doberman. That pitbull was owned (and probably NOT trained) by an irresponsible person. NOT the dog’s fault. Was your Dobe trained? If yes, who trained her… or did she train herself? Your dog had a responsible owner, the pitbull did not. Again, NOT the pit’s fault.
Because of this attack on your dog, by ONE pitbull, you want the ENTIRE BREED euthanized???
When my daughter was 2 yrs old, my mother’s DOBERMAN bit her in the face and on top of her head. I do NOT want ALL Dobermans euthanized. To blame an entire breed for the actions of a few is down-right stupid. People who think like you are part of the problem. When all the pitbulls are gone, the idiots will just move on to another breed…perhaps Dobermans. Think about it.
I live right behind an elementary school which is bordered by a park. Surrounding the park are backyard fences. Behind these fences are many snarling, lunging, almost hysterical “pit bulls” either Am Staffs or APTBs. Using the park are many young men who are often walking their “pit bulls.” As I walk by with my 15 lb terrier mix, these “pit bulls” are lunging on their hind legs, snarling like beasts. The young men and their groups are usually laughing as this occurs. I have yet to meet one that I could approach, either myself to talk to or pet their dog, or me with my dog, to play. At several other neighborhood parks where I take my dog to walk, it is the same. I do not blame the dogs themselves. I don’t blame a car for being driven by a drunk driver, nor do I blame a gun manufacturer for a bullet that cuts someone down. But these young men, they don’t have Golden Retrievers, they don’t have Pomeranians, they don’t have Blood Hounds. Culling “pit bull” puppies is not the answer, I don’t know what is, but “we” have been unable to stop the people who mistreat and abuse these dogs and turn them into vicious beasts. There are way too many laws that protect individual freedoms, so the laws have turned to picking on the breed, BSL. I am happy to pat any well-behaved dog on the head, scratch it behind the ears, and let my dog play with it. I know that there are plenty of well-behaved “pit bull terriers” out there, they just don’t live in my neighborhood!
People we must get involved in our community ordinance process and stay involved! Attend you local county commissioner’s meetings, check to see if there is a county Animal Advisory Committee that reports to county government. You can stop these types of laws….WE HAVE DONE IT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FLORIDA!
Roll up your sleeves and get busy!
I encourage everyone to visit the links above to get contact email addresses for the city of Mashpee.
I certainly hope that the residents will come out in force to show their opposition, & hope that legal action follows if the law is enacted.
My suggestion to them was that each council member should have to look a child in the eye & tell them that they’ve come to kill their best friend…
I received this note this morning from the city of Mashpee:
This is such a difficult and emotional topic. I have, personally, experienced that it is NOT always the owners who are at fault, when bully breed dogs go bad. A few years ago, I thought I had fulfilled a lifelong dream, when I purchased a gorgeous, very well-bred white English bull terrier with intentions to show her. I raised her as I have raised many dogs in my life, and she was a wonderful, intelligent, loving companion — until she became about 1 year old, when she bit my 13-year-old son on the hand without provocation (I saw it, I know there was no provocation) & a few days later, she knocked down my 75-year-old mother and would have mauled her if my wonderful shar pei & PIT BULL MIX had not driven her off. This dog had to be put down. I did not want to condemn the breed, nor be fearful myself, so I did obtain another bull terrier, from different bloodlines, and he was a wonderful, loving, social dog who was good with all people and other dogs. Sweet Polly Purebred is a wonderful pit bull mix who is very non-aggressive — however, in a pack situation she can become aggressive to other dogs if the pack has started picking on one. One of the reasons that pits and mixes are so feared is because, unlike a chihuahua or yorkie, the damage they can do if they are bad is horrendous. When I was an insurance claims adjuster, years ago, the breed which bit people most often, statistically, was the cocker spaniel. However, the injuries from the bit of a cocker are nothing compared to the photos I saw of bites by rotts or Dobermans. There is no easy answer to the problem. However, it would be interesting to compile the stats from cities like Denver & Miami, where bully breeds have been banned for several years, & find out if the incidents of dog bites and their severity has really been curbed. And…I cannot condone an ordinance such as this one in MA.
oh my good – this is horrible!
Welcome back to the dark Medieval times……
Horrible.
This issue is so prevalent that it crushes my very spirit. The dogs are not to blame! As Sweet Polly Purebred above described, any dog can have a psychological break and become aggressive. Doesn’t mean the whole breed will. Thanks for telling us about your second pittie Polly! I have a friend that has a chi mix who has had that psychological break. Sweet little girl became crazy aggressive. Should we eliminate chis too???
In response to Elise’s mom…
I’m terribly sorry for what happened to your doberman. I will remind you though that dobermans were similarly tainted several years ago. What if they had eliminated all dobies back then? You would never have had your precious girl. You state “I understand that bad dogs come from bad people, however, this particular breed seems to only be owned by the majority of ‘bad’ people.” That is not at all true. The only reason it seems that way is because the media only reports the ‘bad’ occurrences. How much do you hear about the pitts that are service dogs??? How much do you hear about the pitts that are therapy dogs??? How often do we see a picture on the news of a pitbull being poked and prodded by a toddler and lays there with a kitten on it’s back??? You won’t because there is no media shock value in it. No, it’s not the dogs at all. It’s the people. Punish them, not the breed.
I have never been a fan of pitbulls….until we had a teen come live with us last year and he had a sweet 6 month old female pit/boxer mix named “Honey”. She had the sweetest disposition I had ever seen in a dog. I also had 3 chihuahuas and a lab mix at the time. I was conerned for my chi’s, til I got to know Honey. It was then that I ultimately realized it is absolutely the owner and the way the animal is raised. I am sure there are remote cases of “bad” dogs but they should be spotted and worked with as puppies and then again we go back to the owners. This can happen in any breed. This law is outrageous and should be fought tooth and nail for the citizens and dogs of Mass and the rest of the USA, because who knows what state will be next……
Elise’s Mom
I agree with the other comment that people like you are part of the issue here. You are stereotyping that bad people buy bully breeds and are the cause of the sad situations that happened to your pup. If you remember back in the 90’s it was YOUR breed of dog, the Doberman’s, that were most feared and owned by “bad people” that made bad decisions with regards to dog ownership. There are plenty of service dogs that are bully breeds and they would not be certified if they were of a bad temperment or nature!!
Sweet Polly
Thank you for being honest in that the bully breed is NOT the most commonly agressive dog. Yes, they might top the list as the most damaging, but its their anatomical build. Also you had mentioned that the dog you had didn’t do quite as much damage as he would have had he not been stopped or diverted. That just goes to show they can be trained and it takes consistency. It’s also hard for an untrained eye to noticed if a dog was provoked or not (unless you are a professional dog trainer).
I totally agree with this blog in that it should not be the breed of dog that is banned, law inforcement should not be so lazy and take out the owners or breeders of the fighters. Someone mentioned the Michael Vick dogs. Of course they can be rehabilitated, but yeah they probably will always have those insticts in them you just have to be consistent in training and not expect a “perfect” dog as no dog is perfect.
i have a bassett hound, a beagle mix, and a pit bull. all were rescues. my bassett has a tendency to bite me or my husband if we discipline him. my pit bull has NEVER bitten us, or anyone else for that matter. he sleeps with us and gets along great with my bassett and beagle, and my two cats. he’s the sweetest, smartest dog i’ve ever had in my life. and yes, maybe bad owners choose pits, rotties, dobies, german shepherds for a reason, because they look tough. how many of us would think a young guy walking down the street with a bassett hound looked tought? a pit’s “fighting instinct” is actually a protection instinct that has been abused by a human. when a pit attacks another dog in a ring, it got that way because it started out thinking it was protecting its owner. then it became habit bc attacking was rewarded. then it becomes a fight for its life. how many of us would lay down and die if someone were attacking us?? i know i have personally been bitten by a chihuahua way more often than any other type of dog. i can’t stand the little dogs and i would never in a million years own one, but do i think they should all be euthanized? no, absolutely not. punish the owner, not the dog. i mean, hello… does anyone watch the dog whisperer?? what kind of dog is daddy, and who does cesar always take with him to rehabilitate the really hard cases???
I’d Like to thank Dogster for my straight A’s.
It’s stories like this that fuel the fire and push me futher towards my goal of graduating from law school and FINALLY practicing law so I can eventually take on ridiculous laws like this. I’m just frustrated I can’t start tomorrow.
Thanks guys! Keep the motivation coming!
THIS IS FOR MAZIE’S MOM:
If you read the news, there are everyday happening of Pit Bulls attacking people. Catch one show and you will see the Pit Bull is at the top of the list on dog bites.
Yes, this was a irresponsible owner, I have seen plenty. Where have you been? Didn’t you hear about Michael Vick and his Pit Bull’s? I guess you are living under a barrel.
What gives you the right to ask if Scarlett was ’self-trained’? My Scarlett was trained by professionals, was your dog? Scarlett was a Service Dog, this POS Pit Bull took away my lively-hood.
I have owned Doberman’s since 1984 and have NEVER had a problem with them. I do understand that there are bad owners with every breed, however, Pit Bulls seem to encourage the bad owners. Saying you have pissed me off is an understatement. How dare you make such comments. My Doberman’s are wonderful members of their communities. Are yours? Can your dog to into the grocery store, the movie theatre, shopping mall or anywhere you go? Scarlett did and now Elise does.
I don’t know what kind of dog you own, perhaps your dog should be put down.
You should have thought more than to pick on my ‘daughter’. I will defend her with my life.
My comments were not meant for ‘bully type breeds. This was specifically for Pit Bulls. If you can’t differentiate between the two, read some books. There is a pit bull in our complex, unaltered. This is a vicious dog. Elise has tried to be friendly, however, the owner says that the Pit Bull is very aggressive. How did they get in? They rent from a condo owner and can sneak their pits in.
This makes me mad that people like you and other losers are trying to now blame my breed. The Doberman Pinshcer has been out of the limelight for at least 20 years. How long has it been that we haven’t heard of a pit bull attack – sorry maybe 20 seconds.
Scarlett had been attacked by Golden Retrievers and Labordors. All you hear about those 2 breeds is that they are ’such good family dogs’. Scarlett had a pierced ear from a chocolate labador. Maybe it was because my Doberman was a very gentle dog.
This is what I have meant about bad people. This goes especially to the one that said ‘people like you’ – meaning me. I wonder, all you that are defending the pit bull, what kind of dog do you own?
This is my final comment. I can’t stand stupid people and has definitely brought them out of the wood work. Why don’t you move to MA?
This is for Cato’s Mom – HOW DARE YOU ?
Ceasar Milan has a very unique Pit Bull in Daddy. He too can’t have that dog attacking dogs on TV. That wouldn’t work very well, now would it?
Did anyone watch Dog Town featuring the Michael Vick dogs? The one had her teeth surgically removed so they could mate her. That was really sick. If feel for these dogs. If they were brought up with the proper people, this would have never occurred. I get comments all the time on Elise. People are always saying how “sweet, gentle, calm” Elise. is. I always tell them, the dog normally takes on the personality of the owner. Of course, won’t believe I am a nice person. I get EXTREMELY DEFENSIVE when someone picks on any one of my ‘daughters’.
Wow! and Pit Bulls can fly and breath fire out their mouths! What else will they believe?!?
Alicia – you’re too funny!! You made me laugh – thank you!
Its all human error. Irresponsible breeding and training HUMAN error. One man can kill 15 people and not be euthanized, should all men be euthanized because of some mens actions? Pit bulls were once used to watch over the royalities children..Humans made the dogs what the are today and they should be responsible. To kill of an entire breed because of human error is unethical. Rotties, German Shepards, boxers and dalmations are all in the top 10 dangerous animals. Why target just one?
My chihuahua was attacked by a pitbull, and If my dad wasn’t there to kick and punch it my chihuahua would have been dinner. My dog suffered cuts and scrapes, but was ok. My dad was hurt more than my dog.
To this day, I do NOT blame the pitbull breed just because ONE attached my chihuahua. They aren’t ALL like that! Sure, I blame the one (and owners) that attached my chihuahua, but no others that have done nothing but be good family pets.
Elise’s mom, nobody was attacking your daughter. I love all dogs. That includes Dobermans. My pit bull Frankie and my now deceased pit/lab mix Rosebud are the best dogs I have ever owned. They are/were contantly praised by people for their good behavior. You hear about “Pit attacks” all the time because they get ratings and rile people up. I actually hear a reporter tell someone they wouldn’t report on a FATAL lab attack because it wasn’t a Pit or Rot attack. The media is super biased. You said that your dog was attacked by a Lab. Was that attack making headlines? No. Because it wasn’t a pit or rot. Years ago all you ever heard was Doberman attacks and German Shepard attacks. It goes in cycles. And if all pits were eliminated another breed would become the breed of choice for thugs and would be unfairly villanized. Perhpas Dobermans, perhaps Akitas… who knows? But the thing is, with laws like this, it doesn’t stop at one breed. It is a violation of our freedom as people. My Frankie gets compliments all the time from people. He is the sweetest dog I have ever known. It is not fair to punish him because some rotten thugs also like that breed. He is friendly to everyone he’s met and has never once shown aggression to anyone or anything. He loves children, cats and other dogs. You can not comment on wanting all of our “babies” killed and then get mad when people question your doberman. I am certain that your dogs are wonderful. I am deeply sorry for your loss. My former dog Rosebud was a pit mix and was visciously attacked by a Rot. She survived. Barely. I do not hate all rots. That Rot was not a good dog. But I have met many others who are.
Again, I am sorry for your loss. But killing all pits is not the answer and will not bring your beloved dog back. If anything by going along with this law, you are contributing to the eventual condemnation of many other innocent breeds. If pits go away, Thugs will find some other breed to favor and treat badly and make “mean”. It won’t end. It really won’t. Punish the bad owners. Punish the individual bad dogs. But you will have to pry my dog from my cold dead hands.
This is so sad…I just hate what this country has become. Geesh, they’re going after harmless dogs for hyped-up Pit Bull rumors, but they let rapists and murders get off with narry a slap on the wrist. Makes me so angry.
Yes, I have often wondered if the same people who are so dead-set on eliminating pits are the same people who are opposed to the death penalty in humans.
Thanks for the great article. Sadly, people are put into the position of voting on something that they generally know nothing about. Hopefully, folks that have good insight can stand up at the meetings and present the facts. Here is a good article that may be helpful: Click Here for Pitbull Temperament Info
Elise’s Mom – While I am sorry for your loss, I feel that loss has made you very ignorant to the facts about this particular breed.
I own six American Pit Bull Terriers. I can take all of my dogs anywhere, anytime, in any situation, and not have a problem with any type of aggression (human aggression or animal aggression). I take my dogs to schools in my area to teach about dog safety. I also have four children ranging in age from 4 years old to 9 years old. And every dog I own will listen to commands from all my children including my 4 year old daughter.
What you fail to realize is that every decade has had their “pit bull”. Meaning a breed of dog that was stereo typed so much that most people believed myths and untruths rather then the facts. For example… In the 70’s your beloved Doberman, would have been number 1 in the “Top Feared Dogs in the US” list. In the 60’s it was the German Shepherd, and in the 80’s it was the Rottweiler. And most people still have that stereo type of Doberman’s just as they do “Pit Bulls”.
Doctors, lawyers, judges, Senators, House Reps, and even Presidents have owned or do own “Pit Bulls”. APBT’s are increasingly being used as therapy dogs, search and rescue, aids for the disabled, and the list can go on. They are in family (with children) homes across the US. APBT’s are also within the TOP 5 for dog breeds with the BEST temperament according to the American Temperament Test Society. The American Pit Bull Terrier scored 84.1%… The Doberman Pinscher scored just 76.5%.
So please learn the facts, and don’t judge every APBT based on your one bad experience. And before you think about saying all of them should be euthanized, think about someone saying that about the Doberman. Dobermans are on the BSL list in several states as well because people refuse to learn facts or interact with more then one.
And to the rest, that are for this type of legislation… According to the CDC the #1 biter in the United States (this includes human and animal) is the GOLDEN RETRIEVER! A study just done in CO also backed the findings from the CDC as well. They also found that “Pit Bulls” or “Pit Bull Type Dogs” only account for 2% of bites across the country. That leaves 98% to other dog breeds. Are we going to kill them all?
Elise’s mom,
Nobody is trying to blame your breed, but rather show you the correlation between dobermans and pitbulls which you don’t seem to be getting. Like others have said, Dobermans once had the same bad rep that pitbulls have today. What if someone had forced you to get rid of your dog or to put your dog down? That would have been AWFUL!! You’ve explained how sweet and gentle your dobie is, so is it not possible for there to be sweet pits? It’s strange that your upset, and rightfully so, about the death of your dog but you don’t mind if others who own amazing pitbulls lose their “child” just because of one bad experience with a pitbull. You even said “This breed should be EUTHANIZED. I had one dog die from them and I will not lose another because of sloppy/careless owners”, so if it’s not the dogs fault then why the talk about euthanization? Why is it okay for pitbulls to be killed off when dobermans were in the same situation years ago? Because your dog got attacked by a pit? Because you don’t own a pit and therefor have no reason to care? Well I do have a reason to care. I have a pit mix, and my brother has a full pit and they are both gentle, friendly and playful even with strangers! Also, most dog attacks are not caused by pitbulls. Over 20 dogs are confused with pitbulls! Have you actually heard about Michael Vick? Have you seen the outcome of the dogs? Therapy dogs…rescue dogs…oh but of course, you want all of them euthanized. So how dare you say our dogs should get put to sleep because of one bad experience. Just look at the comments…everybody disagrees with you. It’s sad the way you think. Really it is. I’ll have to pray for you. And meanwhile…check out this video. Pitbulls, like mine, will just lick you to death.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNV9BtIwlCc&feature=related
This is not the way to control these animals, in my opinion. The laws need to change to punish the owners who don’t know how to train or purposely train their dogs to be mean and feared. Killing babies like this is disgraceful and these people making the laws should be thrown out or educated about proper training of pitbulls. I do not own a pitbull but know many friends who do and their dogs are well trained and not aggressive. This looks like taking the easy way out.
When will people learn that it is not the four legged animal who is the problem but the two legged person who holds the leash?!? Mom and I agree with Nancy and Brittany.
This is a cop out!
Brittany that video is awesome.
Those who do not remember history are condemned to repeat it. It never ceases to amaze us how some neophyte ends up in charge and starts makin’ rules and regulations that make ones skin crawl. OMG!
Elise’s Mom,
I am so sorry to hear of your loving Dobie’s death. But, if we were to follow your rationale, there would be no Dobies! Yes, back in the late ’60’s and early ’70’s, Dobie’s were the vicious breed. I believe they stole this moniker from the Chows. Dobie’s were “the” attack dogs used by people and businesses. There were numerous stories of attacks by Dobies and a small push to have the breed banned. What stopped that push? Rotties came onto the scene. “Devil Dogs” they were called because of a movie. Just as you had a sweet Dobie, MOST pits are sweet dogs. You hear about those that are NOT sweet, but not about those that are, and you are judging the entire breed by a few. If you destroy the Pits, those idiots will just select another breed to fight and use as status. It could very well be your Dobies!!! It isn’t the breed, it is the OWNERS. Go after the idiots and you’ll all but stop the problem.
do not let anyone take your pitbull. They are the most faithful being you will know.
Get an attorney to fight for you. Protect your pit. They are the love of your life.
Breed Specific Legislation is becoming disturbingly common across the U.S. To see which communities ban or severely restrict certain breeds, the criteria used to determine what breeds are regulated, and what you can do to stop it, visit http://www.stopbsl.com.
What might happen if, instead of culling a breed, they required demonstrated obedience skills? With verification of some sort?
It may help to give lawmakers an alternative like that when fighting breed-specific legislation.
please do not do this to these precious dogs; these dogs are not the problem, it is the people.
why would you put to death and innocent animal.
I am just sick over this.
The first person to register an American Pitbull Terrier was the president of the AKC (American Kennel Club). I rescued my Pitbull off deathrow here in Las Vegas. There simply because of her breed and previous owners were unable to care for her. She is less aggressive than the champion spaniel I had growing up and maybe smarter. Liberty is an ambassidor for pitbulls. Changing the stereotypical stigma put upon pitbulls with everybody she is introduced to.
10 years ago I was attacked and bitten by a neighbors shepperd. 3 boston terriers and the german sheperd charged, cornered, and ultimately bite me twice. The neighbor sat on there porch doing nothing. The sheperd had a rap sheet. Animal control was involved and still no punishment dealt to niether dog nor owner. If a pitbull would have done that the owner would have been prosecuted and the dog put down. Believe that.
ambassador?
I just received this email about the meeting held on 10/19/09
RE: breed discriminatory bylaw
Thu, October 22, 2009 11:52:37 AMFrom: Deb F. Dami Add to Contacts
To: Stacey Pattie >
——————————————————————————–
Stacey,
The article failed at town meeting the other night.
Deb
This the great news from the previous poster.
THESE ARE THE WORDS THE PITBULL WOULD BARK:
You made me what i am today,courage at it’s best.
You wanted me to know no fear,a cut above the rest.
Not only did I master that,I’ve thrown in loyalty too.
Look past my eyes into my soul,you know I die for you.
I’ll watch your kids,I’ll watch the house.
your praise will be my crown,ask what you will,i’ll do my best,
I even be your clown.
but some of you don’t like me,i’m sure I don’t know why.
the only thing i’m guilty of is courage,love and try.
but still they want to see me go,they want my breed to end.
will I see you sitting idly by?
you,whom I call my friend!
you made me what i am today,you never saw me waiver.
i’ve done my best to keep you save …
won’t you please return a favor?
GOD,please stop this stupidity.
what a ridiculous waste of time and energy…i am a husband and father of 3…we have an american bulldog(11 mos), an alapaha blue(14 weeks),and an old family redd(12 mos), all of which my 9,7, and 4 year old interact with an a daily basis and there has not been one scratch where the skin was broken, no blood drawn by the ‘vicious beasts’ who prey on the world’s children…why do people who have the power, the voice, or the opprotunity to make a difference in this world focus on such frivolous matters…point blank-A DOG IS THE REFLECTION OF HIS /HER OWNER… my dogs have gotten loose and ran down the street while small children were out there and not one has ever been bitten or harshly sniffed by my dogs…FREE THE APBT AND HIS FAMILY!!!
wanting to kill off a certain breed of dog is b.s i am the owner of my second red nose. jewelz is 10wks n is great around my kids. it would be nice if people would remember that if you are a kind and gentle owner you will have a kind and gentle pet. dogs will protect their owner dogs will fight other dogs it happens. what about those aggressive toy dogs?
I am the PROUD owner of an 18 month old male nuetered pit bull. Being a first time pit bull owner I am absolutely heart broken over the discrimination that both my beloved pooch and I face every day! I am currently trying to by a condo for my daughter and can’t believe that our dog will never even be able to visit her purely because he is a pit bull. One condo association actually called an emergency board meeting to ban all pit bulls and agressive breed dogs from ever stepping foot on the premises when they found out we put an offer into buy a unit. These dogs need our help!!!!