Would you support imposing restrictions to breeding pit-bulls?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

A lot of problems around the breed (pit bull terriors and american staffordshire terrier) are around poor breeding. Would you support laws to restrict breeding to 'reputable' breeders? Creating stringent categories of what is reputable and what is not reputable?

I am addressing these to people who generally like pit bulls and think they get a bad rep due to poor ownership/socialization/breeding

27 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes
	17 (63%)
	No
	9 (33%)
	Something Else
	1 (4%)
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[darkangel218]

1. Fuck no. Make laws for all breeds then, why pick on pits only??

[La Lioness Priyanka]

8. look at the shelters in NYC for instance

packed full of pitbulls. people are adopting these dogs, from backyard breeders not being able to properly socialize them and abandoning them

its bad for the breed. that's why.

[darkangel218]

16. I dont know, i love pits. Maybe you have a point

I just hate when people think so low and negative about the breed itself.
My parents have an aged pit bull, granted they live in Europe. Max is the sweetest dog ever. My mom is ill now, he is cuddling with her all the time, I think he knows she's suffering.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

19. i am not negative about the breed per-se but i do think the breed requries

a certain level of socialization that most other breeds dont. hence having irresponsible/unknowledgeable owners are literally killing the breed

[darkangel218]

37. I agree with you.

There are a lot of irresponsible pet owners out there, and some of them own pottentially dangereus animals ( physicaly speaking). I'm torn on wether there should be restrictions or not.
But then again, we allow irresponsible humans breed without any restrictions, so why should we restrict animals?

[uppityperson]

53. Shelters are packed full of mutts. Make the same requirements for all dogs.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

67. not in nyc. we have a lack of non-pit mutts

so much so that there are rescues here that go to other parts of the country, to bring adoptable mutts to nyc

most of the animals in the nyc shelters are pit bulls, all of which come with a warning of "experienced dog owners only" and "needs to be only animal"

[uppityperson]

121. Wow, there are that many akc "pit bulls" in the shelters there? Or do you mean a dog that looks like

it may have some pit bull in it's heritage?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

122. backyard breeders are akc certified usually? the shelters id them as pits or pit mixes

or staffordshire terriers. when people abandon their dogs to shelters, do they usually give certifications

[uppityperson]

126. Ah, so any dog a shelter says is a pit is a pit. Totally subjective. Got it, thanks.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

127. you can argue with me for arguments sake, but look at the dogs

and tell me why restricting the number of them, when a large number will get killed is such a terrible idea?

all these shelters will tell you that the non-pits get adopted out really quickly, its the pitts that end up on doggie death row.

[Sunlei]

153. shelters usually don't just go by looks.

except if it's an obvious pitbull, like a huge unneutered male that glares at all the other dogs and is to aggressive (to other dogs) to even consider placement.

We went through about a 10 year period right after the movie the Omen, where the rottweiler breed suffered popularity explosion. Thats a breed that also needs a good early life and early training to become the best pet. At that time shelters were full of dumped young rotties, raised in the backyard and some quite aggressive from dumb owners not spending time needed with their pup. Thank God rotties quickly dropped down in popularity because they won't take the abuse from bad owners like a pittbull will.

Anyway shelters go by looks of course, but then the way the dog acts around humans and especially other animals usually seals their fate in the put to sleep pile

[FreeState]

115. Not here - 40% is just Pits & Chis (CA) n/t

[Lizzie Poppet]

133. Up here (Oregon)...

Up here in Portland, the Pets section of Craigslist always has a huge abundance of pits and chihuahuas desperately seeking adoption. It seems like any breed that becomes trendy is destined to see a lot of unwanted animals living in shelters (or on death row, if they're not lucky enough to land in a no-kill shelter). It's heartbreaking.

[dorkzilla]

55. Got my pitty girl from the NYC ACC

They're packed to the rafters with pits. Sadly, most of them are destroyed...my little girl was hours away from the big sleep...and she got a perfect "Beginner" evaluation meaning even someone who had never owned a dog would be okay with her. And she was only 8 months old. She is the BEST, SWEETEST and SMARTEST dog I've ever had, and I've had them my whole life.

[darkangel218]

60. +1000

My parents own an awesome pit. He is about 12 now, they adopted him from the shelter too. He is a silly goose, wouldn't hurt a fly. My mom and dad had several outdoors cats over the years and Max was their best friend. X

[dorkzilla]

76. You mean like this???

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/106380123047417523787/albums/5880475834023169761/5880475836425383362?pid=5880475836425383362&oid=106380123047417523787

I have 3 kitties and she loves this one in particular. They're both super-smart. The cat (and her litter mate) has been with me since she was about 4 days old.

[alp227]

148. your link doesn't work nt/

[Sunlei]

155. they are popular because they are cheap and the poormans 'gun' a street status dog

(and some people fight them, not as pros but as another street type youth activity)look at your craigs list for example. It's probably loaded with 50 dollar pups where the breeder uses key words to attract the kind of buyer who do dump dogs and get another.

[Sunlei]

156. and here, I mean cheap, 'poormans status' and keywords like this, heres a link

look at these pictures that come up with the key words "red nose pitbull game puppies" a lot of those ear crops are done with scissors when the pups are a few days old. some people suck as dog owners and it is a shame the breed gets blamed and targeted.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=red+nose+pitbull+game+puppies&FORM=HDRSC2

[La Lioness Priyanka]

161. no arguments here

[pipoman]

44. Something like 60% of fatal dog attacks are attributed to pits..

granted the pit breed is a bit ambiguous but...there are like hundreds of breeds of dogs which couldn't be confused with a pit..

[darkangel218]

47. Humans kill too.

Restrict their/our breeding as well then.

[pipoman]

48. LOL..no differences there, eh? FFS

[darkangel218]

50. Whats the difference?

Humanity has killed and destroyed more than any species or breed of animals ever has or ever will.

Oh, I forgot, we are the blessed ones!! Excuse my ignorance and allow me to puke.

[pipoman]

99. LOL..again..We're talking about dogs here..

food in some parts of the world..just like there are 60k hogs killed daily in my state..and nobody is talking about killing the dogs, just making sure the owners are capable of owning them responsibly..making sure the owner has no history of animal violations, etc..not much different than the local humane society doing home visits and screening of people who wish to adopt animals..dogs have no rights..only dog owners..if you wish to start a movement for a dog bill of rights, that's your business..'til then..

[darkangel218]

110. So the other species are just food for you?

Like the bible teaches, animals are just for your use?
There are humans who are cannibals in certain parts of the world, does that mean we are all cannibals??
Your post is beyond fail.

[pipoman]

111. Apparently virtually everyone else in this thread sees it differently..

even the most ardent pit defenders don't argue 'dogs are people too' absurdities..the whole planet is wrong but you're right.. ROFL

[darkangel218]

112. ROFL all you want.

That is why we have destroyed the Earth, because of mentality if yours.

Animals have the same right to exist as you or I do.

[pipoman]

113. Not if I am paying to feed, care for and house them they don't..~snick~

[darkangel218]

114. So your parents paid to house and feed you.

So do many homeless shelters. Or red cross. Does that give them the right to tell us who should or shouldnt breed??

[pipoman]

117. Absurdities..

and pre-teen logic..you win..

[darkangel218]

119. No, its facts!!

Pre teen?? I'm in my 30s. What are you going to do, call everyone you disagree with "preteen"?

Pretty immature of you.

[pipoman]

130. Sorry for the delayed response..

I just spent the last 2 hours butchering 3 roosters..unnecessary eaters..one will do..the main reason I killed them today was, however, because I was tired of seeing and hearing chicken rape every 15 minutes..they'll probably be paired with noodles and maybe mashed potatoes..

We also have a 12 year old dog with severe arthritis/dysplasia..he can barely get up. We are prepared for the day he can no longer get up..on that day I will dig a hole and put our good friend out of his misery..(we won't eat him)

Some people's logical abilities stall..

[randome]

135. !

I don't know whether to or to ! Maybe this is better:

[pipoman]

146. Yeah, I know..

it's all true..I haven't killed any chickens for over a year, and on the day I do, I'm in this conversation..

edit..The point is, out here on the farm, life's a bit more real sometimes..I have a calf we got as a bottle calf from my FIL it's now around 1k lbs..a couple hundred more and I'll take him to the local processor and eat him for the next year or more..I've had to chase him down after he got out of his fence, treated him for flies in the summer, carried him water when the hydrants were frozen, packed hay and feed to him,..every day for a year and a half..he is food and I've taken good care of him. Same with my chickens..they give me eggs and I take out the terror that was having 3 roosters and a cockerel in a flock of 12 hens..We kept the cockerel. The last animal I killed was a cat that was hit by a car on the road and was dragging his hind quarters..we currently have 9 outdoor cats..we take good care of our animals, but all have a purpose..

[baldguy]

140. That's a lie.

http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dogbites/dog-bite-related-fatalities/

In 2011 there were 31 dog bite-related fatalities. 3 were Pit Bulls, 2 were Rottweilers, 1 was an American Bulldog, 1 was a Cane Corso, 1 was a Doberman Pinscher, the remaining 23 (74%) were indeterminate mixed breeds or unknown breeds. And in passed years, there have been documented German Shepherd dogs, Akitas, Chows, Huskies, a Wolf-dog cross, Boxers, etc, etc, etc. In short, all medium-to-large dogs. Breed is not and has never been a determinative factor in predicting dog aggression.

What ARE determinative factors are if the dog has not been socialized to humans & other dogs, whether the dog has not bee spayed/neutered and whether to dog has been abused or neglected. Any of these factors can be present in ANY dog. Breed makes no difference.

[Marrah_G]

52. Look that the enormous amount in the shelters

That is good enough reason.

[darkangel218]

56. Look at the homeless/orphan children

Do they deserve that?

Oh, but pits are dangereus! Well, so are humans who grew up kicked and shoved on the streets, because no one wanted them.

I don't think its fair to pick on animals and specially on a particular species and breed, without taking a good look at ourselves.

[Marrah_G]

59. omg it's impossible to have a conversation with you.

I'm done trying.

[darkangel218]

62. We are having a conversation, you just dont like what i have to say.

Not everyone agrees with everyone, that's life.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

81. replying with nonsensical responses is not the same as having a conversation. nt

[darkangel218]

88. My reaponse was right to the point.

Avoiding the core may be convenient to you, but its like hiding behind the curtains.

Not to mention my reply was to someone else and not to you.

[quakerboy]

163. I think you prove the opposite of what you want to prove.

Orphaned or unwanted kids also do not deserve the rough lives that many of them have.

Perhaps we should be doing things to help people not to have unwanted children. And to take care of those who lose parents.

And if someone starts having children to sell them, killing off the ones that don't breed true, starving them to make them mean and then putting them in fighting pits, yes, I definitely support the need to restrict that person from having or being around children. Or dogs.


In short, I doubt we need to focus on Pits so much, but we definitely should regulate the animal breeding industry, particularly dogs. Puppy mills and such are a major blemish on humanity. War and human on human crime are as well, but that does not change the fact that there are a ton of irresponsible breeders and owners out there. Regulating the pet industry isn't an anti dog position, in my opinion. Its a pro-dog, anti irresponsible people position.

[darkangel218]

165. The OP and many others are focusing on pits only

They think this breed is genetically broken which I think is ludicrous. How a domesticated animal behaves has everything to do with the environment, and very lil with the genes.
Regulating puppy mills is one thing, but "regulating" pit bull breading in particular is another.

They don't want to do it for the safety of the dogs, they want to do it for their own safety, since they perceive pits as a dangerous breed.
That is pretty effed up.

[Left2Tackle]

143. +1 nt

[jazzimov]

151. Agreed. ALL breeds. nt

[Cooley Hurd]

2. There needs to be a screening process before adoption

[La Lioness Priyanka]

5. in addition to breeding restrictions or instead of?

[Cooley Hurd]

11. Breeding restrictions are best across the spectrum...

[La Lioness Priyanka]

13. no debate there

[Smarmie Doofus]

20. They DO screen. But not well enough, it appears.

Maybe they should have a "turn-in-your-pit bull - that-you-can't -handle" -type amnesty.

You know, like they do w. reefer, guns and annoying children.

[Arkansas Granny]

45. Most "adoptions" are from one individual to another and don't involve any type of screening.

Around here, many people brag about the how tough and mean their dog is. I've even heard some people talk about the cats and small dogs that their "pet" has killed. Even if a dog is not bred exclusively for fighting, it is that type of dog that most seem to want and there are unscrupulous people willing to provide them.

[Drale]

70. Its not the dogs from the shelters that are the problems most of the time

its the backyard breeders who sell the puppies on craigslist and such. Those are the dogs that end up in fighting rings and being abused because there is no screening process.

[tosh]

3. I would support restrictions

on breeding ANY type of dog or cat.

There are far too many homeless pets in the world.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

9. true enough

[G_j]

23. +100

[quakerboy]

164. This

Homeless, neglected, or outright abused. Way too many.

[cynatnite]

4. I don't like these breeds, but this is over reaching, IMO...

I do think the owners of pets that attack humans should be at the very least fined. They should be held accountable for the actions of their dog.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

6. this is over reaching but breed specific legislation

that disallows the breed from existing is not?

[cynatnite]

18. I never said that....

If people want these dogs that is their right. I think they should be held liable for the actions of their dog...no matter the breed.

[randome]

29. 'Being held accountable' after the fact does no good when someone is maimed or killed.

A fine should take care of the problem? I don't think so.

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[La Lioness Priyanka]

30. i know you never said it, i meant that i propose this

in response to people who have proposed much more punitive restrictions towards these breeds

[cynatnite]

42. I understand. Thanks. n/t

[bunnies]

7. First they came for the pitbulls...

[Smarmie Doofus]

25. And there was no one left to woof. n/t

[Drale]

10. Yes BUT the restrictions need to be to protect the dogs.

We need to stop backyard breeders and dog fighters. Breeders need to be licensed by the state. We need to put an end to bad people having these animals and training them to fight or be "guard" dogs or mistreating them in general. If your not going to treat a pet as a part of your family you should not have that animal. Banning a breed will do nothing, because the bad owners will just change to another breed and you'll see golden's in fighting rings. Just like Guns need to be kept out of the hands of people who wish to do hard to living beings, so do dogs and other animals.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

12. yes, i am saying to protect the breed generally

personally i think back yard breeding for all dogs should come under great scrutiny, but at least in NYC pits are abandoned at shelters at much higher rates than other dogs

[randome]

32. And how are we going to do that?

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[Drale]

38. How do they enforce BSL laws?

I can be done. I don't have a plan for it but a plan needs to be created.

[randome]

43. Line of sight, I suppose. Public awareness and a central registry?

The same way illegally parked cars are ticketed, even in suburban communities. If a neighbor complains to the police, they probably know the person's name and the police can check and say, "He has a license" or they can send someone out to the area.

If you take a banned breed out in public, be prepared to show your license allowing you to own it.

If you own one illegally and keep it out of sight, that's okay with me since it's not on the street.

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[Drale]

46. There shouldn't be any banned breeds

all breeds need to be regulated. No one should be able to let their dog breed unless they are a licensed breeder, regardless of breed.

[randome]

54. Why? For the sake of consistency?

People fear pit bulls. Ban them and let those still here die out. Problem solved. I don't think we need to come up with some extravagant set of laws just so no one breed is singled out.

Rightly or wrongly, we want to single out pit bulls.

And no one should be allowed to breed dangerous dogs, I don't care if they're licensed or not.

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[Drale]

61. Whose we?

I don't want to single out pit-bulls. Intelligent people who actually do research don't want to ban pit-bulls. Stupid reactionary want to ban pit-bulls. I fear people with your ideas about banning living beings than any animal living or dead.

[randome]

65. If 'reactionary' means 'react to a dangerous situation', them I'm guilty as charged.

Pit bulls, like all domesticated animals, contribute nothing to the ecology. There are 40 breeds of dog already extinct. Why not add a 41st?

They are a 'manufactured' animal and since pit bulls don't have breed awareness, we are fully capable of banning them if they are deemed dangerous. The same way we ban BPA and other dangerous chemicals (although we don't ban nearly enough of them).

And I'd say the poll reflects the fact that more people would like restrictions if not outright banning.

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[Drale]

66. "And I'd say the poll reflects the fact that more people would like restrictions

if not outright banning." How about you read the comments before you comment yourself? This poll has nothing to do with banning the breed, and restrictions mean keeping the dogs out of the hands of people who would do harm to the dogs or other people.

[one_voice]

74. Who is 'we'?

we want to single out pit bulls.

If we're gonna talk about dangerous breeds...lets put it all out there.

Rotties, Boxers, German Shepherds, Mastiffs...etc.

You get rid of pitts and you'll just increase these other breeds to take their place. They'll be bred to be the 'bad ass'. Breeding is an issue as is ownership.

All these dogs need careful and responsible ownership.

The meanest most vicious dog I ever came in contact with was a Shepherd, it killed our Maltese, my brother barely got away. It had to be put down. Another Shepherd knocked me off my bike and had a hold of my jeans if it hadn't been for my neighbor I don't know what would have happened, I was 10.

My mom knew a little girl that was mauled my the family Shepherd, the father shot it right in the back yard.

I don't hate the breed, as a matter of fact we had one when I was growing up. Her name was Amy and she was a great dog.

The little girl that lived next door to me was mauled by a basset hound, she has to get 16 stitches. They never reported the attack, it was the family pet.

I wonder how often other attacks go unreported.

There is a bias against pits, there's no denying that. You see it here on DU. They don't get the same 'benefit of the doubt' as other breeds do. People don't wonder if they should report the bite they ALWAYS do.

We've seen OP's here were people have said they've had a bite/altercation with a dog and aren't sure if they should report it.

I know Pits can kill but so can Rotties, Shepherds, Boxers, Mastiffs etc....

If you stop breeding Pits, another dog will take it's place. You'll outlaw them. Eventually we'll all be walking around with our dogs in our purses.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

78. i dont know about others but while i was asking for pit bulls

i am perfectly ok with same restrictions on all these larger dogs.

the worst dogs i have ever encountered are akitas.

[one_voice]

90. I also agree with what others...

have said. I wish we could have a moratorium on breeding all together for a while and get some of the shelters cleaned out.

We have a law here in Delaware for the city of Wilmington, people that own Pits have to register them and license them. If you don't you get fined and the dog is taken from you and placed in the SPCA. This doesn't work either because what happens is people just go get another dog and leave that one in the SPCA. It's filled with pits, I'd say 90% are from people not following the law in Wilmington.

At least they're not putting them down, they've tried to become a no kill shelter. But still it's sad to see dogs there for a year or so. Most pits most because of the law.

There has to be a better way. Regardless of the breed, it breaks my heart. No animal should have to live in a cage.

[randome]

91. And the next breed that causes this level of fear should then be banned, as well.

I love animals. Animals love me. But domesticated breeds are our invention. We can change the configuration around all we want and Mother Earth won't give a damn.

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[cui bono]

132. No. If you let pit bulls die out then people will miss out on their exceptionalism.

No other breed is as wonderful as pits. I've had many different breeds of dogs and the pits were like kids to me. Never want to own another breed again. Pits are so much more "emotionally" (for lack of a better word) evolved and bond with you and understand you like no other breed.

[randome]

136. I don't believe that. Any dog can be a warm and loving companion.

But having never owned a pit bull, I suppose I'm no expert.

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[cui bono]

139. Any dog can be that. But in my experience Pitties are the best.

Even my neighbor's pit has a special place in my heart, more than any other dog not owned by me. I bring him over every day to hang out with me and my cat when I'm between jobs. (I'm not ready to get dogs again)

There is something really special about them and how they interact with you.

[PeaceNikki]

14. Something else. I agree with the ASPCA position on BSL

http://www.aspca.org/about-us/policy-positions/breed-specific-legislation-1.aspx

Ideally, a breed-neutral approach should include the following:
Enhanced enforcement of dog license laws, with adequate fees to augment animal control budgets and surcharges on ownership of unaltered dogs to help fund low-cost pet sterilization programs in the communities in which the fees are collected. To ensure a high licensing rate, Calgary, Canada—its animal control program funded entirely by license fees and fines—imposes a $250 penalty for failure to license a dog over three months of age (Calgary Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, 2006).

Laws that mandate the sterilization of shelter animals, ideally before adoption, and make low-cost sterilization services widely available. (See ASPCA Position Statement on Mandatory Spay/Neuter Laws, 2008[link])

Enhanced enforcement of leash/dog-at-large laws, with adequate penalties to ensure that the laws are taken seriously and to augment animal control funding.

Dangerous dog laws that are breed-neutral and focus on the behavior of the individual guardian and dog (taking care to ensure that common puppy behaviors such as jumping up, rough play and nipping are not deemed evidence of dangerousness).

Graduated penalties should include mandated sterilization and microchipping (or other permanent identification) of dogs deemed dangerous, and options for mandating muzzling, confinement, adult supervision, training and owner education. In aggravated circumstances—such as where the dog seriously injures or kills a person, or a qualified behaviorist who has personally evaluated the dog determines that the dog poses a substantial risk of such behavior—euthanasia may be justified. In Multnomah County, Oregon, a breed-neutral ordinance imposing graduated penalties on dogs and guardians according to the seriousness of the dog’s behavior has reduced repeat injurious bites from 25 percent to seven percent (Bradley, 2006).

Laws that hold dog guardians financially accountable for a failure to adhere to animal control laws, as well as civilly and criminally liable for unjustified injuries or damage caused by their dogs. Calgary, Canada, has reduced reported incidents of aggression by 56 percent and its bite incidents by 21 percent by requiring guardians of dogs who have displayed aggression to dogs or to humans to pay fines ranging from $250 to $1500 (Calgary Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, 2006).

Laws that prohibit chaining or tethering (taking care also to prohibit unreasonable confinement once a dog is removed from a chain), coupled with enhanced enforcement of animal cruelty and animal fighting laws. Lawrence, Kansas, significantly reduced dog fighting and cruelty complaints by enacting an ordinance prohibiting tethering a dog for more than one hour (Belt, 2006).

[whatchamacallit]

15. Until it's established that the problem is the breeding

and not the breed, the effectiveness of such measures would be dubious. I have seen no evidence or data that supports the notion that these dogs are only ever dangerous if abused.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

22. abuse is not equal to breeding

poor breeding practices creates other problems that has nothing to do with abuse

good breeders make sure to keep certain traits alive (such as non-aggressiveness towards humans, which incidentally pit bulls were bred to be).

[Drale]

71. I believe the poster means that breed is a problem

because they are being over breed by backyard breeders. Pits end up in shelters more than any other dogs because of over breeding, which also leads to the dogs getting into the hands of dog fighters and other abusers.

[MH1]

17. I might support restrictions on breeding essentially all animals

I guess you'd have to leave loopholes for kids experimenting with bugs or fish, or someone having a pet that accidentally gets pregnant. (Everyone should spay/neuter, but too much 'average person' behavior is already criminalized in this country.)

The intention would be to license and regulate commercial / for-profit breeding of dogs, cats, wild animals, etc.

But singling out one breed? Nope. Not worth the ink.

[whatchamacallit]

21. Let's say an animal from a "reputable breeder" is involved in an attack

what then? Should the owner be liable for damages and/or subject to criminal prosecution?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

24. yes, in as much as it was the owners fault

[whatchamacallit]

31. How is that established?

The problem with the belief that these dogs are only capable of violence if directed through training or abuse is that they're given cover by something that's impossible to prove.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

34. for instance if you broke into my house and my dog mauled you

its not my fault or the dogs.

that what i mean, as the aggression being the owners fault or not

[whatchamacallit]

36. How 'bout if I'm just out jogging? n/t

[La Lioness Priyanka]

72. i think owners should have to pay damages or whatever

commensurate to what occurred.

yesterday my neighbor came to talk to us, and the dog escaped (boston terrier/pointer mix) and she ran right out the front door. She could have toppled over some baby in her attempt to run away. that is the kind of gray area i am talking about. Now an argument can be made that if my dog had a history of biting, i should have been more careful. However my dog is non-violent and i could not have foreseen her knocking over a kid accidentally. (she didn't, this is just a hypothetical example)

[whatchamacallit]

101. Act of Dog?

Liability should apply regardless IMO.

[randome]

116. Have you seen some of the pictures of children mauled by pit bulls?

'Damages' or 'fines' will do nothing to make up for that.

And will do nothing to discourage owners because, like loaded guns in the home, 'it will never happen to me'.

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[HappyMe]

83. Kind of what I would like to know.

It's highly unlikely that I'm breaking in to anybody's house.

I think that the dog's owner should be responsible for ALL hospital bills if I am attacked, and my funeral if their dog kills me. Besides a stiff fine.

[whatchamacallit]

102. In the case of death or maiming

criminal prosecution.

[HappyMe]

104. Absolutely.

[sinkingfeeling]

26. Why limit restrictions to just two breeds?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

28. many reasons

1 no. of abandoned dogs of that breed (the popularity of pit bulls is ruining the breed generally)

2. the breed requires a certain amount of socialization with other dogs than most other breeds do

3. people are scared of this breed and are proposing much more stringent and punitive laws about this breed, where a simpler and less punitive law might fix any future problems. To take how people feel out of any proposed legislation or action is silly. We make laws, if we feel poorly about something, it begins to become important

[sinkingfeeling]

33. Don't buy it. The meanest dog and the only one to bite me was an Australian

Shepherd.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

35. look at polls about how people feel about pits and look at communities

that have enacted breed specific legislation around pits. and you'll see that i am not making this up.

would be really strange if i were

[sinkingfeeling]

40. Look, I know you hate the non-breed, pit bull, but I don't recognize any

difference in breeds. I fought to keep stupid breed specific laws off the books here and will continue to do so. I know and like a good number of neighborhood 'pit bulls'.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

49. how do you know i hate the pit bull?

thats really alarmingly absurd

[whatchamacallit]

41. Why do you suppose that is?

You act as if people have totally irrational and unsupported fears in this matter...

[XemaSab]

145. What happened when it bit you?

I got bit by a border collie once. It left a giant bruise on my ass.

What it didn't do was maul or kill me.

And there's the difference between pit bulls and other breeds.

[sinkingfeeling]

167. By sneaking up behind me, bit me on the back upper thigh and

wouldn't release until the owner forced him to let go. This was my neighbor's dog that I saw every single day and even fed! Required stitches.

[ohheckyeah]

158. Ditto....

got me on the back of my ankle.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

168. Do you think pit bull are happy with a single nip?

They break your bones and gulp down whatever they can chew off. Human body parts have been retrieved from the stomachs of pit bulls after they "bite" someone. How much of you did that Australian shepherd swallow? How many bones did he crush? Did he bite off your arms and legs, nose, ears and eyes? THAT IS WHAT PIT BULLS DO WHEN THEY BITE.

[pipoman]

100. And 60% of human fatal dog attacks are attributed to pits..

and of those, 80% of the 'off owners property' fatal attacks are by pits..

Statistical evidence is what should drive any legislation..

http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics.php

[ProdigalJunkMail]

27. no, but I support brutal punishment for owners who abuse

the dogs AND for owners whose dogs attack anyone for reasons other than protecting their property/owner.

sP

[The Link]

39. Absolutely.

I would outlaw the breed completely.

[baldguy]

142. You just hate dogs.

If you label something as evil & worthless, you invite it to be abused.

[Marrah_G]

51. I would support restrictions on ALL breeding

But even if it was just pits I would support it.

We don't need to ban, just regulate, license, etc.

Shelters are filled with this breed and mixes of the breed.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

77. yes, i think people who equate this to orphan children or killer humans

dont actually really care for dogs. there is no way one can care for dogs, and not see the problem that the pit bulls popularity as a breed is costing individual pit bulls who are adopted from backyard breeders for ALL the wrong reasons and then abandoned

[Marrah_G]

80. yup

There are to many of these dogs. They are cheap or free and are abandoned at the drop of a hat.

I think any shelter would tell you they would support a restriction on breeding these dogs.

[GoCubsGo]

57. Only as much as I do for every other dog breed, as well as mutts.

Cats, too. My issues are mainly with the millions of animals that are euthanized every year in shelters, because there aren't enough homes for them. I have problems with breeding more and more of them, while perfectly good mixed breeds are killed by the thousands every day. Then there are the issues that come with inbreeding...

I don't see the need to single out pit bull-type breeds, because shit goes on with every other breed, too. I'm not a pit bull aficionado, but I also don't believe they deserve the reputation they have. I have met many nice pit bulls. I have also met a number of dogs of breeds that are supposedly more reputable (Labs, etc.) that were just plain assholes. A few mutts, too. Little dogs are the worst. And, in most cases, the owners were assholes, or just plain stupid.

[Betsy Ross]

58. I toured our local animal shelter recently.

Of the 30 or so dogs I saw, two were Chihuahuas and one a Beagle. All the rest were Pit Bulls. The dog's character is not in question, there are too many that are homeless. Breeding must be reduced for the sake of the animals.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

73. so true. i am not sure where you live but the NYC shelters in all 5 boros are

full of pits

we got our mutt from selma, alabama as the pits we saw required 1.experienced owners 2. only animal house 3. no kids.

[dorkzilla]

92. To underscore your point about the pits in NYC...

Here is a snapshot of just the dogs who are being put down RIGHT NOW. When I adopted my girl, 32 other dogs--95% of which were pits--were destroyed.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=613514195328130&set=a.611290788883804.1073741851.152876678058553&type=3&theater

[La Lioness Priyanka]

95. yes, i wonder how many people think i was exaggerating

but i am completely not exaggerating this problem in NYC at least

[Marrah_G]

141. It's the same everywhere I think

They have become disposable. Rather then actually train and care for the dog, like one might if they were invested in it, they can just dump it and get another cute little puppy from some other person who hasn't fixed their dogs.

[magical thyme]

63. something else. 1. Laws about breeding dogs and cats generally

Millions of homeless dogs and cats are killed each year. Keeping dogs and cats intact should come with a heavy-duty price-tag. Breeding licenses for small, family pet or working breeding operations only, and no puppy mills.

2. Crack down seriously and big-time on dog fighting rings. Football celeb should have been banned for life and should have been made to pay for complete surgery and medical treatment, re-hab and lifetime support for his surviving victims.

[Tien1985]

64. Yes with one caveat

I think it should be for all breeds. There are too many dogs as it is.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

69. in essence i agree with you. in reality, i dont see that happening

because other dogs simply do not seem to scare people the same way as pitts do

people make legislation, to ignore the people element in this in many ways is naive

[Tien1985]

128. The people element

Makes me think we won't see legistlation like this at all. As a rhetorical question, I'm for this type of law for all breeds. As a reality, I don't see it happening at all, for pits or otherwise.

I think people are more likely to go to extremes--either doing nothing, or banning the breed. Basically, more of what is happening now.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

68. I support breeding restrictions on the people who train dogs to fight.

I'd like to restrict them with rusty scalpels.

[darkangel218]

75. I support breeding restrictions on people period.

Why should we dictate over other species? Why are we special? We want to regulate other species to serve our own interests.

So we should start regulating ourselves, or shut the f up.
We are killing the planet. We are overpopulating, we are taking over other species habitat, then we shoot them and kill them if they cross "our" bounderies in search for food.

Get off the high horse humanity, we are not that special, we just impose ourselves to be.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

79. we do regulate ourself. we also dont breed ourselves to sell to profit

you seem to have a fundamental problem understand how dogs and humans are not the same. one cannot really have an adult conversation with someone who doesnt acknowledge something so fundamental.

1. dogs were bred for our convenience. we domesticated the dog from wolves. not vice versa

2. we sell and profit from dogs. not vice versa

3. we do control our breeding. its called birth control. lots and lots of people use it.

4. we dont kill abandoned children. we send them to adoption agencies and foster families. we kill dogs and cats.

5. we can control dogs/cats. we can't control other humans. a matter of basic human rights.

i could go on. but i suspect you will say something incredibly naive and immature.

[darkangel218]

84. You couldnt be more wrong! we do not control our breeding!

Hence the insane increase of human population worldwide. We consider ourselves to be the smartest beings on earth, thus we have the right to abuse, use and destroy all other species if deemed necessary.

Again, I.just want to puke on thar thought. We have no more rights than any other animal to inhabit and live on this planet.

[Fresh_Start]

82. I'd support breeding restrictions for all breeds

too many dogs and cats in shelters and put to death.
We don't need breeding programs, we need caring programs.

[hamsterjill]

87. Well said!

Don't buy while shelter pets die! And if someone is looking for a specific breed, there are many breed specific rescues.

Please spay and neuter your pets!

[Jamastiene]

85. The laws should be stricter for all breeds and all breeders.

Not just pit breeders, but all animal breeders. If there were stiffer penalties for puppy mills and crappy breeders, less of that type of stuff would happen. As it is now, they get a slap on the wrist and are back in operation in no time. It's a damn shame what animals have to go through for human greed and derangement.

[darkangel218]

89. +100

[Sunlei]

86. no, all dog breeders should be restricted to 'reputable' breeders'

give the puppymill breeders a free pass to produce their 2 million defective puppies from abused dogs a year and regulate 'one breed' with human crap as owners? No way is that fair.

There is nothing wrong with the bullie breeds, in fact more of those breeds pass official Ttests than a lot of other pure breeds.

It is the dumbass humans who always get the dog they deserve.

[Sunlei]

94. I would support a national id system for all dogs and require all dogs wear their tag.

microchip is very cheap and comes with a tag. Then we can ID any stray that causes trouble, hurts people and go right to the 'owner' with criminal charges.

same thing for all pets, most good pet owners do use a microchip incase the pet gets lost...everyone should!

[XemaSab]

147. Humans always get the dog they deserve?

I have three dogs, and two of them were adopted from shelters. I think both of them were seriously abused/neglected before they came to live here. If one of them did something bad, would it be my fault?

[Sunlei]

150. people get the dog they deserve.

maybe you did get a dog abused, or one not socialised as a pup and youth. Now if you think the dog will escape and hurt someone, yes it would be your fault for letting the dog escape. Never the dogs fault.

[ladjf]

93. No. But I would pass laws that would make it a felony to allow anydog, capable of killing humans, to

run free on public property. A $100,000 fine along with a ten year prison sentence for the crime of manslaughter would take care of this problem in six months. Owners of dangerous animals would be forced to purchase expense liability insurance and run the risk of a long jail sentence.

The dogs run loose because the owners don't give a damn about the public safety.

[Sunlei]

96. It is a felony if your dog kills someone. problem is no one claims ownership of strays.

[ladjf]

109. Dogs in our neighborhood are required to register their dog's DNA with shows also ownership. nt

[Sunlei]

157. I think it's easier to use a scanner for a microchip,shelters,animal control and Vets have scanners.

used to be a tattoo was the way to ID dogs, but these days microchips are cheap and scanners are everywhere.

got the DNA test on my last pet that looked pittie, happy shorthair brindle but then the test came back as lab, chow, beagle and poodle

[Sunlei]

98. another point is, dog fighting is a misdemeanor charge in some states, should be a felony.

[gopiscrap]

97. yes I would also support imposing restrictions

for breeding republicans!

[demwing]

103. No

next question?

[LostOne4Ever]

105. Just checking

You are NOT going to ban the breed, but rather make sure that breeders meet rigorous standards that ensure the dogs are bred to minimize disease, ensure health, treated well, and require the breeder to make absolutely certain that the dog is going to a loving home that will treat it right and fulfill their responsibilities?

Also, are you going to require that they are neutered/spayed if they are not going to be used for breeding by professional breeders?

Honestly this sounds like a good idea for all breeds.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

125. no, not proposing banning. infact proposing this because banning a breed is just weird

Also, are you going to require that they are neutered/spayed if they are not going to be used for breeding by professional breeders? YES

And yes, it does sound like a good idea for all breeds. The reason i suggest it for pits specifically is because no one is getting alarmed about the radical increase in beagles. or beagle attacks.

although i owned a beagle from a backyard breeder and the dog was so screwed up

[whatchamacallit]

106. I'll give you this LLP

although I have doubts that what you propose would eliminate the problem, I appreciate your effort to address the issue logically. The folks who refuse to acknowledge any difference between pits and other breeds, are doing society, and the breed, a disservice.

[Zoeisright]

107. I support restrictions on breeding most purebred animals.

There are so many "mutt" animals who are killed because no one adopts them. No one needs a purebred dog.

[clarice]

108. Yes. nt

[Gormy Cuss]

118. Restrict just those two breeds and unreputable breeders will move on to other breeds

or breed mixes to fill the demand.

I think that ALL pet breeding should be heavily regulated. Dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, etc.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

120. this is a really good point. nt

[RebelOne]

123. I voted yes.

I have owned pit bulls and my son used to breed pits, though he doesn't any longer, but now breeds French bull dogs. From my observation, pit bulls are very aggressive and cannot be trusted around children.

[Blue_Tires]

124. Other: Fully crack down on the underground fight scene...

and the popularity of pits will get halved...

I'd said way back when that making an example of Michael Vick was pointless when the other thousands of people involved in the culture all got to sit back and sleep easy...

[cui bono]

134. Yep. And if they're selling dogs on Craig's List, crackdown on that too.

Make it illegal to sell dogs without a license or something.

[quinnox]

129. oh hell yea, and I would go farther and ban the things

They are a danger to society. This is proved just about every day somewhere in America.

[cui bono]

131. Another thing that is proved even more every day somewhere in America

is what sweet, loving, affectionate, obedient, devoted, goofy and wonderful dogs Pit Bulls are.

[baldguy]

137. How many times does this have to be said: the breed isn't the problem. The people are.

Their are certainly dogs that have aggression issues - but that is by no means limited to Pit Bulls. And Pit Bull breeds actually score better on ATTS testing than many other popular breeds.

Yet lazy, sensationalistic media will always refer to any dog in any story about incidents of aggression as a "Pit Bull", no matter what the actual breed is.

Then there are the misleading dog bite surveys, which count every one of several breeds as a Pit Bull, and any Pit Bull mix as a "Pit Bull" with no accounting for what other breed may be in its make up, and then any dog that looks like a Pit Bull gets counted as a "Pit Bull".

What we have is a problem with people being irresponsible & allowing dog bites to occur. This problem exists regardless of the breed. To solve it we have to force people to be responsible. Every dog should be trained and socialized too be around people & other dogs. Every dog should be spayed or neutered. Every dog should be safe from abuse & neglect.

The breed doesn't matter.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

138. except it does to dogs in that breed. hence responsible breeding + screening of ownerse

become more imp in some breeds than others

[Left2Tackle]

144. Prosecute owners of dogs that bite and hurt someone.

If you're an owner of a dog, it's your responsibility. Of course there are many stray dogs that don't belong to anyone and when these attack...you'd better be packing!

[SteveG]

149. I voted no, but

I would support legislation on the breeding of their owners.

[Live and Learn]

152. I vote to restrict all breeding as long as any dogs

are put to death just for being homeless.

[flvegan]

154. Winning answer. Close the thread.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

170. No, I don't want a dog that is someones else's breeding mistake.

I buy the puppy I want from a breeder of my choice. And that puppy gets a fantastic home.

I have reserved a pup right now from a breeder and will be getting her in another month. I picked her out when she was two days old. All the pups from the litter have been reserved and their new families are counting down the days when they are ready to leave their mother. The breeder is breeding a breed of dogs that people not only, want but NEED.

I went into a animal shelter, last year, to offer a farm/ranch home to feral cats and while there I took a peek at the dogs. They were all pit bulls or pit bull crosses, except for one. Why is that? Bloody things probably got taken to the shelter, or abandoned, after they killed the family cat, neighbors dog or went after too many children. There's a good reason why so many of the nasty monsters are locked up behind bars! I don't want those monsters taking over the dog world.

Some of us want and need decent loving, hard working, trustworthy, reliable dogs.

[Live and Learn]

171. Breeding mistake???

Wow, I bet that is what the 1% thinks we are.

Sorry but everyone of my dogs has been a "breeding mistake", tossed away by someone else and all of them have been wonderful, loving, trustworthy and reliable. I didn't get them as slaves, so i don't require them to work instead i just enjoy their being and diverse personalities.

[kentauros]

159. Only if they're breeding them at Olive Garden.

[TorchTheWitch]

160. I voted no for one reason

ALL dogs should only be bred by reputable breeders. Why on earth should Pitbulls be the only ones? There's nothing whatsoever about the breed that makes some of them a problem. It's the dog fighting industry that made them a problem and by extension the mass number of people that think having a "fighting breed" is cool.

Incidentally, one of the most attractive qualities of Pitbulls to dog fighters is that they are NOT very prone to attacking humans. Dog fighters don't WANT a breed like that or they would be useless (not to say dangerous) to them as a fighting dog. As an example the dog fighting world tried to introduce Presa Canarios to replace Pitbulls as they wanted a larger and stronger fighting dog, and it was an EPIC disaster (good!) because without proper obedience training and socializing by a knowledgeable handler they become dominant and aggressive toward even their own masters. Try beating them into submission and you'll just piss them off, and they'll rip off your face.

[roody]

162. I support banning all breeding.

I'm almost 60 and I'm getting f...ing tired of walking homeless shelter dogs.

[LWolf]

166. I support reputable breeding for all breeds of all domestic animals.

I don't see any reason to limit regulations to one breed.

Back in the late 80s, I took my 10-yo son to pick out a dog at the pound. We walked the aisles, overwhelmed by all the poor creatures looking at us hopefully. He stopped in front of a cage full of puppies. One of those puppies leaped forward, stuck her head through the bars, and claimed him. He was done. I asked about the litter's history as we went through the adoption procedures. The litter was dropped off because the bitch, a whippet, got caught in heat by a neighbor's pit bull, and the owner didn't want to "deal with any pit puppies."

So we brought her home, and kept her for life. For that entire life, from the first day home to the day she died, she was sweet, loving, and completely submissive. To everyone, human, canine, and feline. She wasn't bred responsibly. She was raised right. But that sweetness of spirit, that submissive nature...it was all her. We didn't teach it to her, it was part of her from the beginning.

[ehrnst]

169. Yep, restrict it for all breeds - until the shelters are empty. (nt)