Pitbulls Used to Be Considered the Perfect "Nanny Dogs" for Children --

[defacto7]

361. Thank you for your kind reminder to read the OP

Actually... I had read it already and am quite familiar with the content. But reading is doesn't mean it's factual in it's application by the poster or alternet. As a matter of fact, it's quite well cherry picked. Not everything mentioned was incorrect but the context was stretched, glamorized and stuffed pretty well with prejudiced opinion.

First, I have no reason to vilify the AVMA, but they are not without a political PAC in Washington to promote their opinions to congress which in itself is not bad... it's just part of the game which means they are funded by political interests and will be required to participate in return. They receive a great deal of money from the AKC. The AKC are an ass. They are a despicable blight on breeding. To me there is enough in just that one connection to make me very wary of AVMA's advocacy.

Second, I have read the actual studies that have been roughly... very roughly compiled by the AVMA. It does have very good information about dog bites and injuries some of which are directly quoted out of context by the alternet article. The compilation of studies provided do give credence to the notion of dog owners and their problems, but it also puts Pit Bulls into perspective. They are considered one of the most dangerous "breeds" though outdone by German Shepherds in that regard. They also make fairly clear the fact that Pit Bulls are not really a breed at all but are called "Pit Bull Type" dogs. They are also referred to by some other countries as "Mixed Breed" dogs.

The AVMA report in incomplete and disjointed because they did not do the studies themselves but compiled it from many other sources so in itself, it's not what you would call a good study. But it is informative much more so than anything from alternet. One thing is, it does not relieve Pit Bulls as a pseudo-breed from the top 2 aggressive types of dogs, but it does enter the "possibility" that environmental factors may play a roll in all dog aggressiveness, and that I do not disagree with.

You can make your own analysis of course... if you'd bother to read it:

AVMA article on dog bite risk