Pit Bull Terriers are not my favorite breed of dog, I would never own one (I prefer dogs with long coats), but I am appalled at the actions of some cities (and military units) to take pets from loving homes and kill them for no other reason than that the dog is of a specific breed.
In cities around the world new laws have shaped the face of pet ownership forever. In some areas the dogs were impounded directly out of homes and taken to be euthanized even if the dog had never caused a problem. Some American Military units saw fit to take dogs out of the living quarters of military families and euthanize them. You can read more about this on the link below the second picture.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:American_Pit_Bull_Terrier_-_Seated.jpg This is Tuttle
Indeed Pit Bulls are strong dogs, bred to be bold and fight bulls, a use no longer in practice. As such breeders have since been mostly focusing on making a nice family dog. Unfortunately there have been incidences that the media grabs and runs with, cases where children are mauled. Let us not forget that children are bitten by other breeds, but because these bites may not be so damaging they do not hit the front page of the paper. Child bitten by poodle just doesn’t sell papers. Indeed let us also consider that many attacks on kids happen when the parent is not supervising the child, something that should be common sense around any dog.
So the law makers in their effort to protect everyone have enacted laws to the extent that in some areas like Denver, where this picture is from, dogs were removed from homes and killed. The selection was based on nothing other than breed or breed type. According to the photographer (click the photo image link at the bottom to read more) there were twelve pups under this massive pile of dead dogs.
Click here for the photo source and to read more about these dogs in Denver.
The problem is that when we allow these laws to be put in place we open the flood gates for trouble.
What next?
Probably Chow Chows, Rottweilers, and then Dobermans and Mastiffs. Eventually there may come a time when even our cats are at risk. It might seem far fetched, but who would have believed that trusted family dogs would be killed without having done anything wrong?
Problems with these kinds of legislation also exist because many of the dogs who were killed were killed based on type alone, rather than actual genetic tests. Indeed the word Pit Bull can refer to dogs of the breed known as the American Pit Bull Terrier, but also is often used to refer to Staffordshire Bull Terriers and other similar dogs. A hard line has yet to be drawn.
People need to be aware of the laws in their area. They need to speak up and push against Breed specific Legislation, instead they should support laws that encourage good ownership.
- Dogs should be kept in secure fenced yards, or dog runs, never chained (which often creates aggression).
- Dogs who are not used for show, and therefor not suitable for breeding, should be spayed or neutered (which lowers risk of aggression).
- Dogs should be required to attend a basic level obedience class within the first six months of ownership (which teach socialization).
We cannot deny that these dogs are dangerous, but it is time we blame the owners, not just the breed.
Related Links
Dealing with a Destructive Dog
Six Mistakes to Avoid with your Dog
Are you Raising a Dog or a Monster
If you have opinions, ideas, or knowledge, and would like to get Paid for sharing them by writing for sites like this, Click Here.
Liked it
User Comments
amandeep13
On February 6, 2010 at 8:46 am
Good Stuff
Keep the good work on
irenen1
On February 6, 2010 at 9:31 am
It’s hard enough putting down a terminally ill dog, but useless killings…
There should be more laws for euthenizing people!
martie
On February 6, 2010 at 10:10 am
Several years ago I got a rescue dog that is a pit bull/boxer mix. The dog was abandoned in Georgia a state that has a pit bull ban. The police who were involved in picking up Honey called a Michigan rescue (they knew the person) who then drove all the way to Georgia and brought her back.
If she had been unwilling to do so, my dog would have ended up put down. It is a very sad thing.
selwyn marock
On February 6, 2010 at 2:47 pm
I have not seen a change of character since as a kid reading Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and the new servant of the people that put him there Barack Obama the Monster,who appears to be supporting the slaughter of all living creatures,all the wild horses in america,increasing and encouraging the BSL laws etc.
I doubt this Lunatic will serve a 2nd term.
smarock10@yahoo.com
AlmaG
On February 6, 2010 at 6:56 pm
OMG that’s a horrible news. Animals whould be treated well too!
vipul darji
On February 6, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Good Post, Thanks For Sharing.
standingproud
On February 6, 2010 at 9:42 pm
OMG.
and some are being used a bait for fish.
Ruby Hawk
On February 6, 2010 at 10:32 pm
I don’t understand. I have never heard of this law. I live in Georgia and we see pit bulls on leashes in the parks and about everywhere we walk. I know they can be terribly dangerous. My niece had to have plastic surgery on her face and arms from a pit bull atack. and a woman was mauled and bitten to death down town by a pit bull not long ago.
Inna Tysoe
On February 6, 2010 at 10:44 pm
I agree. This is a terrible law. They tried to pass one like that here–a city ordinance–but people wouldn’t have it.
Regards,
Inna
Jenilia12
On February 7, 2010 at 4:25 am
Good post.
Thanks to share this one.
PR Mace
On February 7, 2010 at 4:39 am
How horrible to be killed because of your breed but it was the human race that caused this. My other dog Katie is a mixed pit-bull and she is the sweetest dogs we have ever shared our life with but many people are afraid of her because she looks like a pit.
selwyn marock
On February 7, 2010 at 7:51 am
2 points I would like to make,you mention Pits were bred for fighting assuming therefore are dangerous,I suppose one could say the same about the US Military they are also trained for fighting there one might say the whole US military are killers.
“We cannot deny these dogs are dangerous” How can you make such statement,I have 2 staffies and thanks to failing politicians who make a meal out of distorted facts to further their political career, tar my 2 Staffs with the same brush.It is utter Garbage.
Obama another politico who has now signed bills authorising the murder of all the wild horses in the USA.It is a bloody disgrace.
My standard question “Who are the Terrorists”?
B Nelson
On February 7, 2010 at 1:16 pm
to selwyn marock
the fact that the US Military is dangerous has nothing to do with the dogs.
I am NOT in support of this law, in fact I find it HORRID, I am trying to bring awareness to people.
These dogs ARE dangerous, so is a poodle, all dogs have the potential to be a problem, as I pointed out kids should not be left alone with any dog.
drelayaraja
On February 8, 2010 at 12:04 am
informative share..
qasimdharamsy
On February 9, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Great Post…Nice info…
Julie
On March 11, 2010 at 4:51 pm
great article. concise, factual, opinionated and to the point. well done.
Post Comment