General Discussion

baldguy

(36,649 posts) Wed Mar 27, 2013, 05:54 PM Mar 2013

If you believe Pit Bulls are inherently dangerous animals, & you support BSL to ban them

Then you don't know anything about Pit Bulls. Or dogs

(I posted this several years ago on DU2. Considering the amount of truly evil stupidity posted here recently, it seems it's time to post it again.)

Does Breed Specific Legislation reduce dog aggression on humans and other animals? A review paper

http://www.aiam.com.au/resources/files/proceedings/caloundra2003/PUB_Pro03_67_74_Watson.pdf

Key Points
• Breed specific legislation has not been shown to reduce the incidence of dog bites in any part of the world despite a twenty-year history. By its nature it is unjust.

• Breed specific legislation removes responsibility for dog biting incidents from dog owners and places the blame on dogs. This is a dangerously simplistic solution to a complex problem.

• Breed specific legislation engenders a false and dangerous perception that breeds not included will not show aggression.

• Enforcing and administering any law comes at some monetary cost. This would be better used implementing non-discriminatory laws which have an ability to enhance public safety.

• Aggression is a normal canine behaviour and can be shown by any dog of any breed or type.

• To reduce the incidence of dog aggression, all dogs should be socialised, obedience trained, understood and managed competently by their owners.

• People determine whether dogs will be useful inhabitants of a community or nuisances. It is the people who either intentionally or unintentionally foster viciousness in dogs whom legislators must endeavour to control.

• As the dog bite statistics demonstrate, every breed of dog will bite. The likelihood of an unwarranted bite is determined by the circumstances and level of control/restraint. The dog’s breed is not relevant. It is more about owner competence than anything else.

Pit bulls myths: Fear vs. Fact

http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/uploaded_files/publications/230603563_Pit%20Bull%20Placebo.pdf

FEAR:
Pit Bulls have "locking jaws."

FACT:
"We found that the American Pit Bull Terriers did not have any unique mechanism that would allow these dogs to lock their jaws. There were no mechanical or morphological differences..." Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, University of Georgia

FEAR:
Pit Bulls have massive biting power measuring in 1,000s of pounds of pressure per square inch. (PSI)

FACT:
On average, dogs bite with 320 lbs of pressure per square inch. The bite pressure of a German Shepherd, an American Pit Bull Terrier and a Rottweiler were tested. The American Pit Bull Terrier had the least amount of bite pressure of the three dogs tested. Dr. Brady Barr, National Geographic

FEAR:
Pit Bulls attack without warning.

FACT:
"Pit Bulls signal like other dogs." The Institute of Animal Welfare and Behavior of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany temperament tested over 1,000 dogs.

FEAR:
Pit Bulls are "ticking time bombs" that turn on their owners.

FACT:
"Attacks by family dogs of any breed or type are extremely rare, and should not to be confused with incidents involving resident dogs. Resident dogs are maintained outside the home (on chains, in kennels, or in yards) and/or are obtained for negative functions (guarding, fighting, protection, indiscriminate/irresponsible breeding). Resident dogs cannot be expected to exhibit the same behaviors as family dogs which have been afforded the opportunity to interact with humans on a daily basis and in positive and humane ways."

"There is no documented case that a single, spayed/neutered American Pit Bull Terrier, maintained exclusively as a household pet, has been involved in a fatality in the United States." Karen Delise, NCRC Founder and Director of Research, Author.

FEAR:
While there are some pit bulls with good temperaments, they are the exception not the rule.

FACT:
The American Temperament Test shows pit bulls consistently score above the average for all breeds tested, year in and year out! The American Temperament Test Society, www.atts.org

170 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

If you believe Pit Bulls are inherently dangerous animals, & you support BSL to ban them (Original Post) baldguy Mar 2013 OP

Du rec. Nt xchrom Mar 2013 #1

I know better Ron Obvious Mar 2013 #2

My son had a caregiver who had a pit bull kimbutgar Mar 2013 #40

Thank you for this, baldguy! smokey nj Mar 2013 #3

Why do we see so many stories about pit bulls killing children and attacking others? upaloopa Mar 2013 #4

Media reports are often inaccurate. baldguy Mar 2013 #5

Then there was the Golden Retriever that chewed the kid's legs off. DollarBillHines Mar 2013 #8

Quite simply, I do not believe you. Bonobo Mar 2013 #38

I was mistaken, the kid was in a swing and the dog was a lab/Golden mix DollarBillHines Mar 2013 #42

Occasionally a man DOES bite a dog, I guess. nt Bonobo Mar 2013 #48

A truly horrible story DollarBillHines Mar 2013 #73

Bonobo you are right & unfortunately it is people who made the pit bulls this way. However, it is EV_Ares Mar 2013 #54

It plays into the image so the story will get play time. sibelian Mar 2013 #150

Here is my Little Pit Bull Robbie.... Walk away Mar 2013 #6

Awwwwwww! smokey nj Mar 2013 #9

Awesome. pintobean Mar 2013 #13

What a doll! I have three (but only one Mini Pit) Walk away Mar 2013 #25

Great stuff. I watched several. nt pintobean Mar 2013 #32

He is freakin' adorable!! narnian60 Mar 2013 #63

Such a cute dog! nomorenomore08 Mar 2013 #157

Then you don't know anything about Pit Bulls. Or dogs Flashmann Mar 2013 #7

Pitbulls like any other dogs,are only vicious when trained to be that way. loyalsister Mar 2013 #29

I think he is not alone. Flashmann Mar 2013 #45

It is pretty sick really loyalsister Mar 2013 #97

Is it a myth that 60% plus of Americans killed by dogs are killed by pit bulls, which are 5% of Donald Ian Rankin Mar 2013 #10

Yes. baldguy Mar 2013 #17

No its not true Drale Mar 2013 #19

Yes it is true mimi85 Mar 2013 #96

Links? baldguy Mar 2013 #106

Here are statistics from the CDC whopis01 Mar 2013 #160

Of course you know about the various problems with the methodology of that report? baldguy Mar 2013 #161

LOL OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #128

What's your reason for believing that, please? I worry that it may be confirmation bias. Donald Ian Rankin Mar 2013 #152

You know which dogs are considered the most dangerous and vicious, especially to their owners? TrogL Mar 2013 #11

Vicious, perhaps, but dangerous? Donald Ian Rankin Mar 2013 #12

Pit Bulls are actually friendlier than most dogs by nature. Rotts are extremely loving too. appleannie1 Mar 2013 #14

I love that vet's quote narnian60 Mar 2013 #64

Dog Poop. Craven Desires and the Truth about frankenmaulers (pit bulls) JanMichael Mar 2013 #15

A bigot twice over. baldguy Mar 2013 #21

Three times by my count Drale Mar 2013 #53

never mind the bigotry waddirum Mar 2013 #114

That's what I was thinking! tavalon Mar 2013 #134

I am not sure if you are aware of this, but pansies is a derogatory term for La Lioness Priyanka Mar 2013 #132

you are right; I wasn't thinking JanMichael Mar 2013 #154

i do what i can La Lioness Priyanka Mar 2013 #164

we should require licenses muse03 Mar 2013 #16

As a dog owner and a friend of bully breeds, I would be A-OK with that. nt Ed Suspicious Mar 2013 #23

+1000. There are some people that just shouldn't be allowed anywhere near dogs. baldguy Mar 2013 #34

As a pit bull owner, I would be cool with that. Lucky Luciano Mar 2013 #58

+1000 narnian60 Mar 2013 #65

Absolutely get the red out Mar 2013 #155

Absolutely OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #129

I was attacked by a dog when I was three abelenkpe Mar 2013 #18

Rec. secondvariety Mar 2013 #20

Mixed dogs superior genetically ErikJ Mar 2013 #22

+1 baldguy Mar 2013 #28

Yay! So wonderful to see your posts after the haters got me depressed. Lucky Luciano Mar 2013 #61

+1,000,000 narnian60 Mar 2013 #67

I've got 2 PitBunnies that will rip a carrot to shreds. It's a terrible sight to see. BlueJazz Mar 2013 #24

Me too! Liberal Jesus Freak Mar 2013 #31

Thank you for bringing some science to counter the morass of inaccurate folk lore. Scuba Mar 2013 #26

Rec' ed for refuting a bunch of myths about pits War Horse Mar 2013 #27

A while back it was posted that all gun owners have blood on their hands. I am sure you remember it. ProgressiveProfessor Mar 2013 #30

30,000 gun deaths per yr vs 20 deaths due to dogs per yr. There's no comparison. baldguy Mar 2013 #33

Actually they are conceptually the same ProgressiveProfessor Mar 2013 #35

No, they are not conceptually the same in any way. baldguy Mar 2013 #47

I'm ticked off from scrolling, but laughing too. Good job. Hoyt Mar 2013 #92

Shut him up, too. baldguy Mar 2013 #102

Would you be so kind Boudica the Lyoness Apr 2013 #170

Oh wow, I thought OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #133

<3 Starry Messenger Mar 2013 #139

Now, take all your X's and The Straight Story Mar 2013 #148

The Zs are irrelevant, although the Ys are not Donald Ian Rankin Mar 2013 #153

epic Demo_Chris Mar 2013 #169

I've been bitten by dogs three times. Demobrat Mar 2013 #36

Explain to the families of dead children Tribalceltic Mar 2013 #37

And just who was the canine genetics & behavior expert who identified the breed of that dog? baldguy Mar 2013 #68

The dog was akc registered and was bought for breeding Tribalceltic Mar 2013 #84

Not according to the news account *you* linked to in *your* post. baldguy Mar 2013 #89

if it was AKC registered, why do they refer to it "Pit bull mix" several times? uppityperson Mar 2013 #100

Well OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #135

+1000-Remember the innocent victims! The Pit Bull Victims Foundation Inc. ErikJ Mar 2013 #72

I knew a pit bull once.... Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2013 #39

Thanks for posting this... Kalidurga Mar 2013 #41

So then, apparently what's needed are mandatory background checks for pit bull owners. Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #43

Mandatory training for dog owners, licensing & registration, baldguy Mar 2013 #49

Those are all good... Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #52

Licensing & registration should apply to any dog. And to anyone obtaining a dog, anywhere. baldguy Mar 2013 #56

So why are you opposed to mandatory background checks? Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #60

Read these and see some disturbing facts moonbeam23 Mar 2013 #44

DogsBite.org is full of lies & deliberate misinformation. baldguy Mar 2013 #51

People who allow their dogs to attack others shouldn't suffer legal consequences? nt Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #55

No, of course they need to be held responsible. baldguy Mar 2013 #62

I agree with DogsBite.org. Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #66

I've already agreed that ownershio should be regulated. baldguy Mar 2013 #75

Why is it unacceptable? Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #78

Common sense? OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #138

That seems to be the thinking regarding some things in society. Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #140

It's a slippery slope OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #144

stupid owners should be outlawed, for sure, but mopinko Mar 2013 #46

So many strawmen you could not plant a field to use up all the shit aandegoons Mar 2013 #50

It really amazes me how all the pit bull haters Drale Mar 2013 #69

So we should do nothing and just stand by while children die? Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #83

You sir are sounding more and more trollish with every post Drale Mar 2013 #86

Thank you sir, but I'm more orc than troll. Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #90

You know, this problem we have with people thinking OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #141

Post count means nothing moonbeam23 Mar 2013 #85

My only problem with Pit Bulls BootinUp Mar 2013 #57

They also fart alot Drale Mar 2013 #71

I know. baldguy Mar 2013 #77

someone should inform California of this PatrynXX Mar 2013 #59

I think people didn't want the parolees. Lucky Luciano Mar 2013 #74

Wasn't just about the parolees OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #142

well.... PatrynXX Mar 2013 #168

i'm not really a dog person keroro gunsou Mar 2013 #70

Remember the Innocent Victims! ErikJ Mar 2013 #76

80,000,000 dogs; average 20 deaths per year. baldguy Mar 2013 #80

Weres the page to remember the victums of bee deaths? Drale Mar 2013 #81

Experience ErikJ Mar 2013 #87

You're one of the people that cause dog aggression, and shouldn't be allowed near canines. baldguy Mar 2013 #91

I have great dogs. ErikJ Mar 2013 #94

I have no doubt. But if they're good dogs, that's due to *them*, not you. baldguy Mar 2013 #105

Seen it with many dogs ErikJ Mar 2013 #107

Boy, you must OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #147

Woman is bitten by a neighbor's aggressive pit bull as it was attacking her cat ErikJ Mar 2013 #149

Do you live in Oklahoma City? OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #165

Agreed. But those dogs most likely won't rip your dick off joeglow3 Mar 2013 #166

The most inherently dangerous animal of all time is Humans. gordianot Mar 2013 #79

there are no bad dogs..just bad owners madrchsod Mar 2013 #82

I have a better idea Trajan Mar 2013 #88

But should the person on the other side of town with an unrelated animal be punished also? baldguy Mar 2013 #93

The community has the right to restrict, or even ban ownership of dangerous breeds of dog. Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #98

That's not being responsible. It's the OPPOSITE of responsible. baldguy Mar 2013 #101

It's not about punishment. Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #103

It's not just the deaths moonbeam23 Mar 2013 #95

You're blaming Pit Bulls for *all* the aggression problems from *all* dogs. baldguy Mar 2013 #99

of the deaths by dog mauling/bite, a huge % are pit bulls. OregonBlue Mar 2013 #104

Don't just repeat the numbers from the Wikipedia page. baldguy Mar 2013 #110

I know someone who has a OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #145

Breed specific legislation Jenoch Mar 2013 #108

A gun can't be trained not to bite. A gun can't be socialized not to kill. baldguy Mar 2013 #111

A gun can't do *anything* without a person to wield it. Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #112

A properly trained & socialized dog doesn't cause any problems with anybody. baldguy Mar 2013 #113

That's just silly. Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #115

You're deliberately misrepresenting what I've posted. baldguy Mar 2013 #116

In what way? Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #122

But there is always OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #146

You do realize that Jenoch Mar 2013 #117

But anyone can pick it up and use it to kill. baldguy Mar 2013 #118

Dogs, especially aggresive breeds, Jenoch Mar 2013 #119

Which part of "properly trained & socialized" do you not understand? baldguy Mar 2013 #123

The part where it can't be falsified? nt Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #124

Which part of "properly trained & socialized" do you not understand? Every part, apparently. baldguy Mar 2013 #126

I confess that I'm not understanding how you're using the term. Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #136

Which part of Jenoch Mar 2013 #131

I regret I can only give this one rec. Stinky The Clown Mar 2013 #109

Well, they do seem to have more than fair share of 'bad' owners. Zax2me Mar 2013 #120

Thanks very much for this OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #121

Question: Is it possible for a "properly trained and socialized" dog to lose it's status? Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #125

Looking for pointers? Planning on torturing any puppies in the near future? baldguy Mar 2013 #127

Geez dude, you're losing it. Llewlladdwr Mar 2013 #130

wow. that's unwarranted La Lioness Priyanka Mar 2013 #137

The poster is trying to create a false equivalence between dog aggression and gun violence. baldguy Mar 2013 #162

I like cheese. progressoid Mar 2013 #143

What kind of cheese? (nt) The Straight Story Mar 2013 #156

A dog's personality & behavior depend completely on their owner and napi21 Mar 2013 #151

LOL, Pit Bulls. Iggo Mar 2013 #158

Yeah, nothing wrong with confiscating and killing people's beloved pets. nomorenomore08 Mar 2013 #159

true that La Lioness Priyanka Mar 2013 #163

I'm torn about this issue. Evoman Mar 2013 #167

xchrom

(108,903 posts)

1. Du rec. Nt

Reply to baldguy (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 05:57 PM

Mar 2013

Ron Obvious

(6,261 posts)

2. I know better

Reply to baldguy (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 05:58 PM

Mar 2013

I've met some of the sweetest pit bulls. A friend of mine had a huge one who would give you a full, standing hug and the only danger from him would be getting licked to death.

I remember his autistic son pulling on the dog's ears and laughing as he poked and prodded the dog. The dog just had a look of misery on his face, but never once retaliated, ever.

kimbutgar

(21,177 posts)

40. My son had a caregiver who had a pit bull

Reply to Ron Obvious (Reply #2)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 08:00 PM

Mar 2013

My son is also autistic and he was rough on that dog and the dog never growled or bit him. It was a sweet dog who looked scary.

smokey nj

(43,853 posts)

3. Thank you for this, baldguy!

Reply to baldguy (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 06:00 PM

Mar 2013

upaloopa

(11,417 posts)

4. Why do we see so many stories about pit bulls killing children and attacking others?

Reply to baldguy (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 06:01 PM

Mar 2013

I am really confused. We read a news story about every couple of weeks about a pit bull attacking a child and then comes all the posts telling us that pit bulls are really gentle playful dogs. What the hell gives?

baldguy

(36,649 posts)

5. Media reports are often inaccurate.

Reply to upaloopa (Reply #4)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 06:07 PM

Mar 2013

They tag any dog involved in any violent behavior as a "pit bull" - whatever the dogs actual breed.

Just look at this recent news article about Mark Kelly's and Gabby Gifford's dog:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2299347/Mark-Kelly-video-Gabby-Giffords-husband-stops-daughters-pitbull-viciously-attacking-sea-lion.html

The story describes the dog as a Pit Bull, a Bulldog, an American Bulldog, and an American bulldog mix - all on the same page, all referring to the same dog.

DollarBillHines

(1,922 posts)

8. Then there was the Golden Retriever that chewed the kid's legs off.

Reply to upaloopa (Reply #4)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 06:13 PM

Mar 2013

The kid was sitting in a high chair and that dog could not resist those dangling legs. Dad was 'sleeping' (read 'passed out') on a nearby sofa.

True story, but it did not get any press until the family's pit killed their other child.

The sad fact is that there are far too many clueless people who have athletic dogs.

Bonobo

(29,257 posts)

38. Quite simply, I do not believe you.

Reply to DollarBillHines (Reply #8)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 07:51 PM

Mar 2013

Produce a link or it did not happen.

Golden retrievers will not chew a kid's legs off.

I owned a lab for 15 years and no, they are NOT equivalent to pit bulls in terms of their danger.

Anyone who claims that pit bulls are not more dangerous than say, a labrador retriever, doesn't know about dogs.

Is it your claim that different breeds of dogs do not exhibit different behavior?

DollarBillHines

(1,922 posts)

42. I was mistaken, the kid was in a swing and the dog was a lab/Golden mix

Reply to Bonobo (Reply #38)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 08:07 PM

Mar 2013

Shit happens...

But I do not make shit up.

http://sandrarose.com/2012/04/while-dad-was-snoozing-family-pet-tore-the-limbs-off-2-month-old-infant/

Bonobo

(29,257 posts)

48. Occasionally a man DOES bite a dog, I guess. nt

Reply to DollarBillHines (Reply #42)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 08:21 PM

Mar 2013

DollarBillHines

(1,922 posts)

73. A truly horrible story

Reply to Bonobo (Reply #48)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 08:51 PM

Mar 2013

Knowing that you are a dog lover and a thoughtful, sensitive person (I have seen your posts, here) I hesitated to find and send that link, but I didn't want you to think I had made it up.

The parents involved are trash. A year after this incident, their three-year-old was mauled by another of their dogs. Once again, Dad was 'napping'.

From another link:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Following the baby's death, which was classified as a homicide, DSS officials removed the couple's two other children, a seven-year-old girl and two-year-old boy, from the home.

The children were returned to the McGrews in June, but were removed for a second time just two months later after the couple’s daughter told officials that she watched homemade pornographic films depicting her parents and witnessed them engage in a threesome with a woman."
<>
"That same month, Quintin and Chantel McGrew pleaded guilty to stealing a relative's wedding ring and were sentenced to a $750 fine each.

DSS officials told WCBD-TV that they are not aware of any plans by the agency to remove the McGrews' children from their home for a third time."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm not even gonna bother with a link because the whole damned thing is so sickening and sordid.
DBH

EV_Ares

(6,587 posts)

54. Bonobo you are right & unfortunately it is people who made the pit bulls this way. However, it is

Reply to Bonobo (Reply #38)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 08:32 PM

Mar 2013

very difficult to change an animal that has been programed/trained for what unfortunately pit bulls have been made to do.

Unless it is someone who is knowagable about dogs and specifically pit bulls, they are a dangerous breed.

sibelian

(7,804 posts)

150. It plays into the image so the story will get play time.

Reply to upaloopa (Reply #4)

Thu Mar 28, 2013, 03:16 AM

Mar 2013

Why put about a story about a border collie biting someone (which in fact is much more common)? No-one's scared of border collies, that's why. People ARE scared of pit bulls so stories that fit that perception feel more authentic and therefore newsworthy.

This pattern is quite common in a number of political subjects.

Walk away

(9,494 posts)

6. Here is my Little Pit Bull Robbie....

Reply to baldguy (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 06:10 PM

Mar 2013

OK, he's not a Pit Bull but he thinks he is. He was rescued by "Pit Bull Rescue" when they saved a group of abandoned Pitties on the coldest day of 2006. If it weren't for the Pit Bull mommy who adopted him and nursed him with her own pups, he surely would have frozen to death before the humans came to help. They called me because I work with little guys and they didn't know what to do with him. To this day we can't pass a Pit Bull without Robbie wanting to kiss them!
<a href=".html" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt=" photo 77ea5ffc-8ee0-4d5e-887e-38a92e57a2b0_zps5c84b5f2.jpg"/></a>

smokey nj

(43,853 posts)

9. Awwwwwww!

Reply to Walk away (Reply #6)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 06:14 PM

Mar 2013

pintobean

(18,101 posts)

13. Awesome.

Reply to Walk away (Reply #6)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 06:27 PM

Mar 2013

Here's my girl.

Walk away

(9,494 posts)

25. What a doll! I have three (but only one Mini Pit)

Reply to pintobean (Reply #13)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 06:59 PM

Mar 2013

I'm a Little Dog person and I work with about sixty little guys. Check out my videos if you like... http://www.youtube.com/user/bethpets?feature=mhee

pintobean

(18,101 posts)

32. Great stuff. I watched several. nt

Reply to Walk away (Reply #25)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 07:43 PM

Mar 2013

narnian60

(3,510 posts)

63. He is freakin' adorable!!

Reply to Walk away (Reply #6)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 08:42 PM

Mar 2013

nomorenomore08

(13,324 posts)

157. Such a cute dog!

Reply to Walk away (Reply #6)

Thu Mar 28, 2013, 05:49 AM

Mar 2013

Reminds me of my friend's terrier mix who (sadly) had to be put down last April. Though he did live to a very advanced age, something like 19 or 20!

Flashmann

(2,140 posts)

7. Then you don't know anything about Pit Bulls. Or dogs

Reply to baldguy (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 06:11 PM

Mar 2013

Absolutely!

Pitbulls like any other dogs,are only vicious when trained to be that way.

The half dozen or so pits,I've known personally over the years,were all "chuckleheads" who only wanted to chase balls and sticks or frisbees and be petted.Like any other dog.

loyalsister

(13,390 posts)

29. Pitbulls like any other dogs,are only vicious when trained to be that way.

Reply to Flashmann (Reply #7)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 07:19 PM

Mar 2013

Therein lies the problem. For some reason beyond my understanding, they have been frequently chosen to be trained that way. I have a former classmate who has been posting photos of his pitbulls in mean and pretty scary poses on facebook. I think he is not alone.

Flashmann

(2,140 posts)

45. I think he is not alone.

Reply to loyalsister (Reply #29)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 08:15 PM

Mar 2013

No.He isn't.People foster that perception.In truth you can just as easily make a Collie mean,but people don't,cuz that's Lassie.

What you say speaks to one of the fact-fiction points in the OP.It isn't the dog,it's the incompetent irresponsible owner.

loyalsister

(13,390 posts)

97. It is pretty sick really

Reply to Flashmann (Reply #45)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 09:38 PM

Mar 2013

Dog owners owners (not necessarily lovers) are the ones perpetuating the stereotype because they think it's cool to have a mean dog.

Donald Ian Rankin

(13,598 posts)

10. Is it a myth that 60% plus of Americans killed by dogs are killed by pit bulls, which are 5% of

Reply to baldguy (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 06:22 PM

Mar 2013

American dogs?

Now, that's still not that many people - dog attacks are not a major cause of death. But, nevertheless, if it is true, it suggests strongly that if you do want to (further) reduce the (already small) number of people killed by dogs while minimising the inconvenience to dog owners then breed-specific legislation would be a good way to do it.