Pit Bull Ban?

[Mok]

What do you guys think?

I'll post my comments up in a bit, gotta collect myself, heh...

[Focker Singh]

I dont think they should ban Pitbulls, I think they should ban BAD pitball owners and breeders!! Some may argue that Pitbulls are genetically and aggressive attacking dog which is true. However, I heard on the news that its bad dog breeders that cause most of the problem. Its the unlicensed breeders that genetically make some Pitbulls even more aggressive for underground Pitbull fighting. Unfortunately, some of these dogs are then given up to others to own or breeders after a fight or after their prime.
Also, lots of Pitbull owners aren't knowledgable enough to own Pitbulls. For the casual owner one should research and know the things the trigger a pitbull attack.
Its not the poor dogs fault for acting the way is was meant to act!!!

[Ego Woods]

Ban them. Week in and week out we hear of many pit bull attacks, some to the point of severe hospitilization and other smaller dogs getting mauled to death. Now i hear of quite a few citizens who need care and treatment for the rest of their life all cuz of some crazy breed.

If it were just dogs in general, that would be another topic, but it's always the same breed that is the focus of these attacks. It can't be a coincidence. :mad:

[Ego Woods]

Its not the poor dogs fault for acting the way is was meant to act!!!
If it's intended nature is to act very aggressive, then that is a strong case that they should be banned.

This is why we can't have lions, tigers, or wolves as pets either....:D

[RidetoGolf]

Ban Them!

pit bull owners or breeders would not be considered bad until their pit bulls attack someone. the only way to keep the society 'safer' is to ban the pit bulls.

[Mok]

Here is the news release from the attorney general:
MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE PIT BULL BAN (http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/news/2004/20041015-pitbulls-nr.asp)

I think that pit bulls should not be banned. Why? Because
pit bulls aren't even a breed of dogs recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club (http://www.ckc.ca) ... so how would they determine what is a pit bull and what is not? pit bulls are just a mix breed
there are other dogs out there that could do the same amount of damage. Would that mean banning rottweilers, terriers, german shepherds, etc. also? those dogs are potentially dangerous as well (it's just we don't hear stories about them on the news recently) all dogs have the potential to be agressive, it's up to the owner to be responsible
it should be up to the owners to be responsible for their pets, just like a car driver has to be responsible when driving a car

[Focker Singh]

Here is the news release from the attorney general:
MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE PIT BULL BAN (http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/news/2004/20041015-pitbulls-nr.asp)

I think that pit bulls should not be banned. Why? Because
pit bulls aren't even a breed of dogs recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club (http://www.ckc.ca) ... so how would they determine what is a pit bull and what is not? pit bulls are just a mix breed
there are other dogs out there that could do the same amount of damage. Would that mean banning rottweilers, terriers, german shepherds, etc. also? those dogs are potentially dangerous as well (it's just we don't hear stories about them on the news recently) all dogs have the potential to be agressive, it's up to the owner to be responsible
it should be up to the owners to be responsible for their pets, just like a car driver has to be responsible when driving a car


I agree with the point about other dogs having the mentality to be aggressive. We are hearing a lot about pitbulls in the news because of the focus on this issue. The media tends to do that. Just like the wheels flying off trucks a few years back that killed a few people. It hasn't stopped, people are still being killed for that same reason, we're just not hearing about it. Dog attacks happen everyday.
I also agree that the owners should be responsible. Is it true that the owner can be charged and even serve jail time if their dog attacks and causes bodily harm? Just like bad drivers, you can't ban them from driving and ultimately they are responsible.

[TorontoGolfNuts.com]

I agree with the point about other dogs having the mentality to be aggressive. We are hearing a lot about pitbulls in the news because of the focus on this issue. The media tends to do that. Just like the wheels flying off trucks a few years back that killed a few people. It hasn't stopped, people are still being killed for that same reason, we're just not hearing about it. Dog attacks happen everyday.
I also agree that the owners should be responsible. Is it true that the owner can be charged and even serve jail time if their dog attacks and causes bodily harm? Just like bad drivers, you can't ban them from driving and ultimately they are responsible.
I agree that the media definitely skews things, and dog attacks probably do happen everyday, but the extent of the severity of the attacks by pit bulls is too much to ignore. They are unprovoked in their attacks and tend to act like wild animals instead of domesticated pets....

I also agree that owners s/b held responsible, but I think it's better to be preventitive before the attack occurs instead of punishing the owner after the attack. The government took the right step in assuming responsibility as opposed to leaving it up to the owners...

Based on the press release on Mok's link, the ban already has a strong backing from David Miller, Julian Fantino and Dalton Mcguinty. I know all 3 levels want to ensure safety. Also I see that the ban tactic used by Winnipeg has worked for 14 years, so I'm definitely all for it.....

[Meow]

I will admit I am a dog lover, but when there are vicious dogs like pit bulls, yes, they should be banned.

[Mok]

Hi Meow, welcome to the board...

[Ems]

The Media skews reality and broadcasts the same types of news to re-enforce what they want to portray to the public... I'm very cautious with what I hear on the news, if they exagerate a situation or leave facts out.

I don't think pit bulls are the only aggressive breeds... if we ban one... when's the next?

Public safety is important... but perhaps another means of addressing the issue should have been looked at before taking the extreme route. More money spent on educating breeders and dog owners, channels of communication through pet stores and vetinary clinics? Maybe the municipality has put in these kinds of initiatives... but I haven't been exposed to them, and the media hasn't talked much on it from what I have been able to gather passively.

I tend to lean towards educating the general public over forcing policy on people... for example censoring people's opinions, censoring television, banning pit bulls... I think it's always better and more effective to promote an educated and responsible public over forcing people to behave a certain way without them understanding why. There's probably going to be a black market for pit bulls or something... you can't enforce a ban like this absolutely... and I have a feeling it wouldn't work as well in Toronto as it did in Winnipeg... if you consider a ban 'works'. People who love pit bulls certainly wouldn't think Winnipeg's ban 'works'.

[Mok]

The Media skews reality and broadcasts the same types of news to re-enforce what they want to portray to the public... I'm very cautious with what I hear on the news, if they exagerate a situation or leave facts out.

I don't think pit bulls are the only aggressive breeds... if we ban one... when's the next?

Public safety is important... but perhaps another means of addressing the issue should have been looked at before taking the extreme route. More money spent on educating breeders and dog owners, channels of communication through pet stores and vetinary clinics? Maybe the municipality has put in these kinds of initiatives... but I haven't been exposed to them, and the media hasn't talked much on it from what I have been able to gather passively.

I tend to lean towards educating the general public over forcing policy on people... for example censoring people's opinions, censoring television, banning pit bulls... I think it's always better and more effective to promote an educated and responsible public over forcing people to behave a certain way without them understanding why. There's probably going to be a black market for pit bulls or something... you can't enforce a ban like this absolutely... and I have a feeling it wouldn't work as well in Toronto as it did in Winnipeg... if you consider a ban 'works'. People who love pit bulls certainly wouldn't think Winnipeg's ban 'works'.
agree with you there Ems, good thing there is internet, the internet is the ultimate free speech tool! Very hard to censor what's on the internet.

[Ego Woods]

if you consider a ban 'works'. People who love pit bulls certainly wouldn't think Winnipeg's ban 'works'.
Well if you look at it that way, then I also think we should consider all the poor souls and their friends and families who have most likely had their lives changed by a pit bull attack.......they would probably think the ban s/b implemented and will work.....

[Ego Woods]

Ok, let me ask a hypothetical question.

Let's say perhaps that a study was done by a reliable research group or a reliable pet scientist or pyschiatrist (there must be some person for that type of job :D ).

If the findings came back that a pit bull's intended nature was to act more aggressive and maybe even to the point of visciousness compared with a typical dog, would the ppl who opposed the ban, change their minds?

I am always the type of person to go on factual information. If to me, such findings came back that said, that pit bulls act like any normal breed of dogs, then I would probably change my tune and oppose such a ban and perhaps relate the attacks to the owners of the pet.

[Mok]

ok, i saw this and wanted to share it!

several people have something against pit bulls, and believe that these animals are means and viscous creatures wanting no more than to kill


















after viewing this video............................
















you will never view of of these creatures the same way again........................
















http://www.deviantart.com/view/11454716/

it's like guns, it's not the dog that's mean, it's the owner.

[Queen of the Beach]

I dont think they should ban Pitbulls, I think they should ban BAD pitball owners and breeders!! Some may argue that Pitbulls are genetically and aggressive attacking dog which is true. However, I heard on the news that its bad dog breeders that cause most of the problem. Its the unlicensed breeders that genetically make some Pitbulls even more aggressive for underground Pitbull fighting. Unfortunately, some of these dogs are then given up to others to own or breeders after a fight or after their prime.
Also, lots of Pitbull owners aren't knowledgable enough to own Pitbulls. For the casual owner one should research and know the things the trigger a pitbull attack.
Its not the poor dogs fault for acting the way is was meant to act!!!I disagree. Pitbulls were bred to be aggressive and to be attack dogs like you said. So how can an owner control their dog if it is doing what just comes naturally to them? Can a zookeeper control a lion if someone jumps into the den and taunts it? I am sick of hearing about pitbull attacks on humans and other dogs. They are a very real dange and I think Pitbulls were just not meant to be pets. My opinion is to Ban them!

[Queen of the Beach]

ok, i saw this and wanted to share it!

several people have something against pit bulls, and believe that these animals are means and viscous creatures wanting no more than to kill

after viewing this video............................

you will never view of of these creatures the same way again........................


http://www.deviantart.com/view/11454716/

it's like guns, it's not the dog that's mean, it's the owner.
I THINK THAT THIS PERSON WHO CREATED THIS VIDEO JUST WANTS TO PORTRAY A COMPASSIONATE VIEW FOR THE PITTBULL AND HE/SHE IS ENTITLED TO THAT VIEWPOINT. Humans abusing these poor animals is not the answer. Bad Pitbull owners are bad dog owners in general. Those people who torture and brutalize animals should be behind bars. However, 'a bite' vs. 'an attack and being mauled to death' are 2 different things. Most Pitbulls don't just stop at a bite!

[Ego Woods]

http://www.deviantart.com/view/11454716/

it's like guns, it's not the dog that's mean, it's the owner.
Sounds very exaggerated, just like the media exaggerates.......just one view point that this individual uses to support his/her arguments..

[Ems]

Well if you look at it that way, then I also think we should consider all the poor souls and their friends and families who have most likely had their lives changed by a pit bull attack.......they would probably think the ban s/b implemented and will work.....
I am just asking what is considered a large enough number of attacks by the same breed of dog that justifies the ban. Mok quoted a guy who said that rottweilers, terriers, german shepherds, etc. have also been known to attack humans. What are the number of recorded attacks? And does each victim in that scenario think that those breeds should also be banned? Has anyone of those victims come out to say that in all this debate?

It sounds like it's all relative to each person's opinion as to when they think it would be appropriate to ban a breed of dog. I know of a childhood friend who got attacked by a dog, but she never wanted the dog to be put away nor did she hate the entire breed. If I was attacked by a dog I would look towards the owners, did they train and care for the dog properly?

I'm also curious to know how many pit bull owners are there and how many attacks have been reported on them? Let's see the stats on all breeds. I'm sure they must have it somewhere.

I don't think it's fair to compare pit bulls to lions, because while Pit Bulls has been domesticated, lions have never been. Even though pit bulls can be more aggressive, they can be taught to be obedient as well, this can't be said for lions... unless you want to experiment with that. At the same time, even a domesticated cat has the potential to inflict serious wounds, it's the law of nature that you can't control any animals or any humans around you 100%.

I don't see a ban as a solution, it's just an easier way for politicians to quell all the media sensation on this issue.

[Mok]

I don't see a ban as a solution, it's just an easier way for politicians to quell all the media sensation on this issue.

and for politicians to gain votes :rolleyes:

[Melissa]

I disagree. Pitbulls were bred to be aggressive and to be attack dogs like you said. So how can an owner control their dog if it is doing what just comes naturally to them? Can a zookeeper control a lion if someone jumps into the den and taunts it? I am sick of hearing about pitbull attacks on humans and other dogs. They are a very real danger. Pitbulls were just not meant to be pets. Ban them!
This seems to be a very hot topic. Pitbulls are NOT 'bred to be aggressive'. I agree with those saying that it is the owner's responsibility to control their pets. Even at the zoo, the zookeepers have been highly trained and have worked with specific animals for many years. Those dealing with lions will not be traded to be keepers for monkeys or reptiles etc.. Zookeepers have in depth knowledge on how these animals live, what type of habitat will fit them, so on and so on. In most cases of attacks from animals, there is always something or someone that provokes their aggressiveness. Nevertheless, there will always be animals that attack for no reason (like the lion that attacked Froy?... Is that how you spell his name?). Those cases are however, minimal compared to attacks that are provoked. Unfortunately, sometimes these measures cannot be prevented.

In addition, animals are as conditioned as we are, the way we are brought up and nurtured, has a lot to do with how we act around people and the society as a whole. The proactive thing to do, would be to have the government put strict regulations for pitbulls owners, and perhaps raising the price to own a pitbull will help too.

[Queen of the Beach]

This is a topic I feel strongly about...otherwise I wouldn't have posted my opinion so many times. I concede that lions and pit bulls are 2 very different animals and it wouldn't be fair to equate the two. (As I also used this comparison) However, Pitbulls were originally bred for dog fighting. It was back in an era when dog fighting was legal in England. It was a blood sport that Englishmen wagered on. Hence my use of the word aggression. These dogs have some natural aggression tendencies towards other dogs and small animals. It's true that this aggression is usually not towards people unless they are provoked. There were some cases this year of unprovoked attacks but I don't know the exact numbers.

In my opinion, I think that there are many dog owners that don't do enough research on the type of dog they have. For example a lot of people buy small dog breeds because they are cute without realizing how much energy they have or the exercise these dogs require. I think we don't have proper 'pitbull' education out there for people who want to own pitbulls. The popular misconception is that these dogs are only good guard dogs and that they can be used to attack other people. Those are the types of people that would most likely become bad dog owners. I think there needs to be more wide spread public education about these animals. But before the public can be properly educated, I think that we need a ban or some sort of government regulation on pitbulls so that pitbull attacks can be minimized.

[Ego Woods]

I am just asking what is considered a large enough number of attacks by the same breed of dog that justifies the ban. Mok quoted a guy who said that rottweilers, terriers, german shepherds, etc. have also been known to attack humans. What are the number of recorded attacks? And does each victim in that scenario think that those breeds should also be banned? Has anyone of those victims come out to say that in all this debate?
I can't give a actual number, but let's say for example that the # of pit bull attacks are significantly higher than other breeds of dogs as well as the visciousness of the attacks were relatively the same....would you still hold the same opinion?

If I saw that the # of attacks by pit bulls was the same as any other breed and attacks were of the same severity....then yes, I would change my opinion about pit bulls.....

[Mule56]

[ If I saw that the # of attacks by pit bulls was the same as any other breed and attacks were of the same severity....then yes, I would change my opinion about pit bulls.....

I have to say up front first, I am a former Rottweiler kennel owner. I got out of it due to a change in location and a city by-law that forbid more than 3 dogs on a property (we had 8). Base your opinion of what I am going to say off that.

In a documentary aired on A&E three years ago it was found that the Cocker Spaniels recorded the highest number of bites in a single year in the US. Problem is when a Spaniel bites your lucky if you bleed. When a Bull bites your lucky if you have anything left to bleed.

The pit bull was breed to fight other animals, not people. I have seen both sides of this breed. The one the will knock you to the ground to lick you and the one that will tear your leg off to get to your neck. The difference in both cases was the demeanour of the owner.

The real problem here is the breeders and the owners. There are breeders out there that will sell to anyone walking in off the street. To get a Rottie from me when I had my program, it took you 3 months from the first call, if you got one at all. Interview and a home visit was a must. Non-show dogs had to be neutralized at 1 year. Dogs to be breed had to be reviewed prior to breeding. This is what responsible breeders do. I learned this from the breeder I bought from, she learned if from the breeder she bought from.

Once you go through that there is follow up that is required. Once I had to reclaim a dog after I found out things had changed and the dog was being abused. That was out of some two hundred puppies. That dog was immediately put down. Proper training can over come "most" hereditary issues. But it must be consistent and any signs of failure must result in termination.

Now for the part that I wish I did not have to say. Bad breeders and bad owners have sealed the fate for dog owners of all types. This will not stop at Pit Bulls. If the Cocker Spaniel gets the press next it will be them. It's sad but it may be required to bring things under control. Legislation on breeders and licensing owners would have been a better step. The cost of that step, to Joe taxpayer, was something the government could not see fit to pass on. A breed which was turn out some great companion dogs is about to be eliminated.

Mule

[69_Iron]

I can't say that I'm really educated on the subject at hand so I can only talk from first-hand experience. I know a couple of people who own pit bulls and I can honestly say that their dogs are harmless. I actually have heard of other stories regarding other dogs such as rottweilers and dobermans lashing out and attacking people for no apparent reason. But those stories are rarely heard.

I personally think it is a stereotype to say that Pit bulls are bred purely for attacking people, dogs etc. Pitbulls are just like any other dogs and every owner has a part in a dogs personality. I'm sure there can be other solutions on how to regulate these attacks rather than banning them outright.

[Jaydog]

the owners and the breeders definitely have a large effect on the dog's behaviour. yes, there are physiological predisposed issues to the breed but most as mule56 said can be overcome.

after bans of a particular breed in an area, studies have shown that attacks by other breeds increase. the cause is due to owners training the other "legal" breeds to a be aggressive. clearly, banning one breed will not solve the problem of dog attacks. it's just a very small percentage of breeders/owners that are responsible for the aggressive dogs giving them all a bad name.

when people train dogs for fighting, the results are often sad for both humans and the dog. the damage inflicted can be extreme especially with larger dogs or dogs with lock-jaw (such as rottweilers or pitbulls). you can see some of the damage to dogs on qb's thread.

http://www.deviantart.com/view/11454716/

[Mok]

you can see some of the damage to dogs on qb's thread.

http://www.deviantart.com/view/11454716/

actually i posted the link ;) http://www.deviantart.com/view/11454716/

[Jaydog]

actually i posted the link ;) http://www.deviantart.com/view/11454716/

sorry...copied it from the wrong post.

[Ego Woods]

This is a very good topic/debate going on here.....i love the arguments by Mule56 and jaydog and it's making me think twice about aggressiveness nature of such animals.....

One thing I'd like to know is that do you guys think that all animals behaviours are influenced by the environment rather than genetics? And if you don't believe so, then how do you know which animals act more aggressive than others?

The reason I ask is that if animals such as gators, tigers and sharks are considered dangerous and can't have as a pet (I know I'm stretching it here), then how do we know that maybe pitbulls weren't intended as being a domesticated pet either? Is it just because they're a breed of dogs?

[Mok]

i think a VERY similar animal comparable to the pit bull is the rooster! heh...there are rooster fights and they are pretty dangerous! we can't ban all roosters now right?

[Ego Woods]

i think a VERY similar animal comparable to the pit bull is the rooster! heh...there are rooster fights and they are pretty dangerous! we can't ban all roosters now right?
Since when were roosters pets???

[Mok]

Since when were roosters pets???
they are not domestic pets, but some people keep them around, heh...

[Ego Woods]

they are not domestic pets, but some people keep them around, heh...
errrrrrrrr......ok......:confused:

[Mule56]

One thing I'd like to know is that do you guys think that all animals behaviours are influenced by the environment rather than genetics? And if you don't believe so, then how do you know which animals act more aggressive than others?

The reason I ask is that if animals such as gators, tigers and sharks are considered dangerous and can't have as a pet (I know I'm stretching it here), then how do we know that maybe pitbulls weren't intended as being a domesticated pet either? Is it just because they're a breed of dogs?Ego,
You make a good point, but that answer is easy. I have always told my daughter "your pets only understand two things, food and love". Give them lots of both, from the time they are born, and the will return the love 10 fold. Any living thing will yield the same results. Take a baby tiger that never knows it should kill for food. Hold it, care for it, feed it and never let anyone mistreat it, and watch the results. It’s been done with bears, gators, wolves, falcons, and to many other to name.
I was once told that when we were young, if some one told us the colour blue was actually red, we would answer the question the what colour is that as red, until someone proved us wrong. Same thing with any animal. If they don't know that they are supposed to attack they won't. Same thing with people we tell them the some animals are dangerous, but we still find people that care for and treat those dangerous animals with respect and have terrific results. Gorillas In The Mist: The Jane Goodall Story rings a bell.
I know people are going to bring up the question about attacking circus animals. Don't! Watch how they are treated. See how they are conditioned to stay on the edge. If someone did that to me I would attack.
If any living thing feels threatened if will defend itself. If it feels that it is not going to get it next meal it will find a way, in its means, to get that next meal. People are the only living thing that will give up without trying. Yet we feel the need to control every other living thing we can get control of. Most of the time by force. And again, try that with me and see if I don't fit back.
Environment baby. Watch the movie Trading Places. Science has proved that environmental impact of up bringing. Time and time again the human race are the only ones that have fooled them. Poor people making it big, silver spoons messing it up.
Mule

[Mok]

Ego,
You make a good point, but that answer is easy. I have always told my daughter "your pets only understand two things, food and love". Give them lots of both, from the time they are born, and the will return the love 10 fold. Any living thing will yield the same results. Take a baby tiger that never knows it should kill for food. Hold it, care for it, feed it and never let anyone mistreat it, and watch the results. It’s been done with bears, gators, wolves, falcons, and to many other to name.
I was once told that when we were young, if some one told us the colour blue was actually red, we would answer the question the what colour is that as red, until someone proved us wrong. Same thing with any animal. If they don't know that they are supposed to attack they won't. Same thing with people we tell them the some animals are dangerous, but we still find people that care for and treat those dangerous animals with respect and have terrific results. Gorillas In The Mist: The Jane Goodall Story rings a bell.
I know people are going to bring up the question about attacking circus animals. Don't! Watch how they are treated. See how they are conditioned to stay on the edge. If someone did that to me I would attack.
If any living thing feels threatened if will defend itself. If it feels that it is not going to get it next meal it will find a way, in its means, to get that next meal. People are the only living thing that will give up without trying. Yet we feel the need to control every other living thing we can get control of. Most of the time by force. And again, try that with me and see if I don't fit back.
Environment baby. Watch the movie Trading Places. Science has proved that environmental impact of up bringing. Time and time again the human race are the only ones that have fooled them. Poor people making it big, silver spoons messing it up.
Mule

very inciteful mule, very good response.

[Ego Woods]

Read in yesterday's Toronto Sun, that Canada Post is NOT delivering to about 30 houses in a certain area because of a loose pit bull in that vicinity.....also read in the past couple weeks of 2 pit bull attacks.....

If we were to say that we were not banning pit bulls, then something has got to be done soon to prevent this from happening to future victims......what are some possible suggestions?

[Mok]

possibly jail time for owners?

[Mule56]

possibly jail time for owners?
The heck (had to clean that up) with that. Hit them in the pocket book and remove the pet from their charge. They can have the pet back after they take a course which they pay for and pass a test. Ban them from having any pets until they do. Treat them like drunk drivers. License the breeders and go after them if they break the rules.
Mule

[Ego Woods]

The heck (had to clean that up) with that. Hit them in the pocket book and remove the pet from their charge. They can have the pet back after they take a course which they pay for and pass a test. Ban them from having any pets until they do. Treat them like drunk drivers. License the breeders and go after them if they break the rules.
Mule
Might be asking a question that is painfully obvious since I know that u are a dog lover, but if the pet has attacked somebody, do u think they should be put down? If not, can they really be trained?

[Queen of the Beach]

Here is an addition to this hot thread topic...

I came across an article today in Toronto 24 Hours that said Ontario has an underground railroad that is 'spiriting' pit bulls out of the communities that have banned pit bulls as pets. They are transferred to family and friends that live in another community, one that is more 'accepting' of pit bulls. What do you think of this? Since there are so many 'poorly trained' pit bulls that have turned vicious does the public have a right to be concerned. Do you think it is fair to the rest of the community members that fear for their own safety? Should all pit bull owners be registered so that people living in that community know that there is a pit bull in the vicinity? Or do you think that these pit bulls going underground are harmless well trained family pets?

[laxgolf]

I haven't read any of the posts in this thread because I want to have a completely unbiased opinion...this is how I see it.

I have a big and goofy 2 year old yellow lab at home. I think he's the most gentle creature on the face of the earth and is absolutely fantastic with kids. We got him as an 8 month old puppy and have yet to hear him growl. In fact he rarely even barks. When my wife and I decided on getting a dog, we wanted something that was going to be good with kids so we ultimately decided on a lab. While visiting different breeders and playing with all different breeds of puppies, I came to the realization that all puppies are the same regardless of their breed, pitbulls included. They're playfull and have sharp teeth!!

My dog's been through 3 sets of obedience classes and is very comfortable around people and other dogs. My reasoning in having him go through such extensive training was twofold. I wanted to make sure that I have a well behaved dog and I wanted my dog to get lots of interaction with other dogs and people. Ultimately I guess I felt it was my responsibility to ensure that my dog was not dangerous around other people and people didn't feel threatened around him. He's very well socialized and great with kids. They climb on him and pull and poke him, yet he just lies there and loves every minute of it. All that being said, I'd never leave my dog unattended with a child. People tend to forget that a seemingly well-behaved dog is still a dog with an aggressive nature.

I'd be in full support of the government instituting mandatory pet owner licences. In order to be able to have a dog, the owner should show some basic pet care competencies and the dog should have to go through some basic training. I realize that this is a pipe dream since controlling the sale of dogs is next to impossible and enforcing such a program would be expensive, but it would be a start. Specific laws should be instituted where a dog owner is ultimately responsible for the dogs actions. Example: if your dog attacks someone, you're brought up on assault charges and you either pay a heavy fine or depending on the severity, you go to jail. Plain and simple. The problem isn't the pitbull and it's so-called inherent nature of being aggressive. The real problem is the mindset of the owners who's dogs are causing all the problems. The media plays a significant role in all this as well. They pick up on a pitbull story and run with it. Then you get uninformed people getting all hot and bothered. I'd be curious to know the percentage of dog related injuries are a result of pitbulls. I wouldn't be surprised if labs are higher on that list than pitbulls are, yet I've never heard the media report on a lab attacking anyone. The real problem in all this is the irresponsible dog owner who has his dog as 'protection' or as a status symbol. They're the ones that should be dealt with. Brushing all pitbulls and owners with the same brush is wrong. Something definitely needs to be done, but banning pitbulls outright is not the solution.

I'll get off my soapbox now.

[jsunsun]

I say ban them. Whether it's because of their agressive nature or cuz of poor training from the owner, imagine if your kid was among one of many attacked by a pitbull.

[Ems]

I say ban them. Whether it's because of their agressive nature or cuz of poor training from the owner, imagine if your kid was among one of many attacked by a pitbull.
I recently heard on the news about a lab who bit his owner's grandchild in the face. I say put a ban on labs too! :mad:

[Mok]

I recently heard on the news about a lab who bit his owner's grandchild in the face. I say put a ban on labs too! :mad:
hahaha Ems

[Queen of the Beach]

I haven't read any of the posts in this thread because I want to have a completely unbiased opinion...this is how I see it.

I have a big and goofy 2 year old yellow lab at home. I think he's the most gentle creature on the face of the earth and is absolutely fantastic with kids. We got him as an 8 month old puppy and have yet to hear him growl. In fact he rarely even barks. When my wife and I decided on getting a dog, we wanted something that was going to be good with kids so we ultimately decided on a lab. While visiting different breeders and playing with all different breeds of puppies, I came to the realization that all puppies are the same regardless of their breed, pitbulls included. They're playfull and have sharp teeth!!

My dog's been through 3 sets of obedience classes and is very comfortable around people and other dogs. My reasoning in having him go through such extensive training was twofold. I wanted to make sure that I have a well behaved dog and I wanted my dog to get lots of interaction with other dogs and people. Ultimately I guess I felt it was my responsibility to ensure that my dog was not dangerous around other people and people didn't feel threatened around him. He's very well socialized and great with kids. They climb on him and pull and poke him, yet he just lies there and loves every minute of it. All that being said, I'd never leave my dog unattended with a child. People tend to forget that a seemingly well-behaved dog is still a dog with an aggressive nature.

I'd be in full support of the government instituting mandatory pet owner licences. In order to be able to have a dog, the owner should show some basic pet care competencies and the dog should have to go through some basic training. I realize that this is a pipe dream since controlling the sale of dogs is next to impossible and enforcing such a program would be expensive, but it would be a start. Specific laws should be instituted where a dog owner is ultimately responsible for the dogs actions. Example: if your dog attacks someone, you're brought up on assault charges and you either pay a heavy fine or depending on the severity, you go to jail. Plain and simple. The problem isn't the pitbull and it's so-called inherent nature of being aggressive. The real problem is the mindset of the owners who's dogs are causing all the problems. The media plays a significant role in all this as well. They pick up on a pitbull story and run with it. Then you get uninformed people getting all hot and bothered. I'd be curious to know the percentage of dog related injuries are a result of pitbulls. I wouldn't be surprised if labs are higher on that list than pitbulls are, yet I've never heard the media report on a lab attacking anyone. The real problem in all this is the irresponsible dog owner who has his dog as 'protection' or as a status symbol. They're the ones that should be dealt with. Brushing all pitbulls and owners with the same brush is wrong. Something definitely needs to be done, but banning pitbulls outright is not the solution.

I'll get off my soapbox now.
Hey laxgolf...I like how your presented your opinion. I used to be in favour of the pit bull ban. Because I knew that one of my coworker's neighbour had a grandchild that was mauled by a pit bull. I used to think that all pit bulls were dangerous. However, I concede now that some are not. It would be unfair to brush them all with the same stroke. I am a dog lover. Though I am not a dog owner or an owner of any pet...so I don't know the love and attachment that you feel for a pet. But I can imagine that it is hard to give up the family dog of 'x' amount of years due to a ban that appeases the public.

There is no denying the fact that there are a LARGE number of unsafe, poorly trained, vicious pit bulls out there. How do we protect the children and the rest of the general public from these unsafe dogs that are already out there? These dogs can be used as weapons and as such they should be registered just like guns are registered. Especially now, owners are going underground and trying to hide the fact that they own a pit bull. Laxgolf I think your idea of pet licenses is a step in the right direction. I don't think a license will ever be implemented due to costs but I suggest that all mid to large sized dog owners should be registered with the government. This gives people options to live in an area that allows dogs or no dogs; sort of like Condos that are pet free. People who want to live right next door to a pit bull owner (or other large dogs used for protection) can still do so.