Another responsible dog owner: Boy dies after pit bull attack in Wisconsin

[BainsBane]

17. They were bred to keep down vermin on farms

Like all terriers, including Westies and Scotties. They are American Staffordshire terriers, which were originally developed as a breed between a fox terrier and a bull dog. http://www.akc.org/breeds/american_staffordshire_terrier/history.cfm

Terriers were bred in England as smallish dogs with a predatory drive that farmers of modest means could use to keep down populations of rats, badgers, and other vermin that infested their farms. The fact terriers were smaller meant they were cheaper to feed. Anyone who owns ANY kind of terrier needs to be prepared for a very active dog. Because of the influence of the bulldog in the American Staffordshire, or pit, they are less high strung than many terriers.

Pits have indeed been popular among people who raise dogs for fighting because of their powerful jaws. Dog fighting is already illegal and can't be prosecuted strongly enough to suit me. Many of Michael Vick's dogs have been rehabilitated and some even serve as therapy dogs now. Others of his dogs were deemed too aggressive and put down.

Such bans are the result of ignorance. I can't tell you all the friendly pits I see at the dog park all the time.

I have a mix who people commonly mistake for a pit. She could have some pit in her, but I couldn't say for sure because she's a rescue dog. I was told she is a boxer/hound mix. She's the gentlest dog ever, a wimp really. She's very friendly with the neighbor cat and loves kids. If you're a squirrel or a rabbit though, watch out. That's to be expected because dogs have natural prey instincts. They also naturally look to human beings for direction. The people who owned those dogs are negligent, perhaps more than negligent. Obviously the dog has to be put down, but that doesn't make all dogs that look similar dangerous.