My wife and 4 year old continues to get on me about getting a pet. I want to get something a little less vicious than a Pitbull. I'm thinking maybe we should get a Lion.

2 children were killed in ATV accidents this past weekend in Kentucky. Why are we discussing banning these as well?

 

Because this is a thread about pit bulls??? :idunno:

Because this is a thread about pit bulls??? :idunno:

 

I haven't heard of anyone "getting attacked" by an ATV.

 

I haven't heard of anyone "getting attacked" by an ATV.

 

No...but one could argue that the irresponsible ownership of either leads to no good.

Little girl attacked by pit bulls in Cincinnati comes homes from hospital.

 

Girl mauled by dogs comes home from hospital | Local News - WLWT Home

From 2005 to 2013, pit bulls killed 176 Americans, about one citizen every 18.6 days, versus rottweilers, which killed 33, about one citizen every 99.5 days (pulled from dogbite.org).

 

Last year, 78% of dog related fatalities were the result of pit bulls.

 

Argue against all you want, say it is the owner, but even people who raise these dogs from the beginning, train them as well as they can, and love them the same way I love my english bulldogs, don't know when they'll snap or why. I'm sure 98% of the time the dog is a calm, loving, and loyal breed. But when they flip, it's dangerous (same can be said for any dog, and I get that. But it's far more dangerous with this breed. Putting children in an environment with pit bulls is too risky and too dangerous, IMO.

From 2005 to 2013, pit bulls killed 176 Americans, about one citizen every 18.6 days, versus rottweilers, which killed 33, about one citizen every 99.5 days (pulled from dogbite.org).

 

Last year, 78% of dog related fatalities were the result of pit bulls.

 

Argue against all you want, say it is the owner, but even people who raise these dogs from the beginning, train them as well as they can, and love them the same way I love my english bulldogs, don't know when they'll snap or why. I'm sure 98% of the time the dog is a calm, loving, and loyal breed. But when they flip, it's dangerous (same can be said for any dog, and I get that. But it's far more dangerous with this breed. Putting children in an environment with pit bulls is too risky and too dangerous, IMO.

 

Does the article say how many of these pit bulls were trained family housepets? Many of these pits are not raised as family dogs. I don't know how to post a pic but here is a link to the article of the grandma killed this week. The pic shows the pit with what looks like about a 5lb chain link collar around his neck. You do not do that to a dog no matter how strong it is.

 

Cindy Whisman, grandmother fatally mauled by dog in front of 2-year-old grandson in Butler County - Story

Here's my thing (admittedly, I lived in Price Hill, I saw hardened criminals panic like no other if a pit was running wild.) Pits, and other big dogs are dangerous. I don't think they should be owned, by anyone. Namely because the first pit i ever saw up close and personal was running through the streets of Price Hill, striking fear into everyone i knew, then it latched onto a German Shepherd and three grown men were trying to wrestle the Pit away. (I know, that one wasn't raised right, but those things are strong, and capable of serious damage)

 

My wife and I own a 5 pound pekignese poodle mix. He is the kindest, nicest, most mild mannered dog you will meet. Our kid pulls and yanks his tail, he just takes it. But, there is always an exception. Last year, he was out with us, and some kids were running around and playing with him. Again, he doesn't snap, doesn't hardly bark, never growls, but for some reason, a little girl tried to pick him up by his hind legs and he snapped. He growled and lurched like he would have "attacked." Luckily, I was right there and was able to swat him to correct his behavior (that's another thread, i guess) and she wasn't bit.

 

But, here's the thing. Switch that up a little. Change pek-a-poo to Pit Bull. Imagine a mild mannered, happy, friendly dog getting angry, just one time, at a little kid, at a grown man, and imagine trying to correct it!? No matter how well you raise or train a dog, every single breed is capable of getting angry, it would just seem as if none are as capable of as much damage as a Pit.

I have never promoted people owning Pit Bulls, and there are many who should not have them. I don't believe anyone inexperienced with dogs should have a powerful breed including Pits. I have children and now grandchildren. I am ALWAYS vigilent with the children around dogs. But part of this has been bringing up the children correctly also. The worst thing a child can do is jump around in front of a dog (ANY DOG!) or scream and run away. I taught my children that early on. I absolutely can assure you from the times I take my dogs out that there are many who do not train their children.

 

I do not believe Pit Bulls should be indiscriminately bred, and they only should be bred for their gentler qualities, not those with fighting tendencies. However, this is not the case I am sure. Also, I have said many times, unfortunately Pits appeal a lot to some of the seedier people in our society who want the dogs to be intimidating. If many other breeds were managed in the same way that Pits are, we would be reading about xxx mauls xxxx as much or more than Pits.

 

As for Pi's comment....there are a number of dogs as capable of damage as the Pit. For example: the Navy Seals Belgian Malinois for a reason. They have no natural human bite inhibition, and they are strong and agile. They just have more responsible owners than many pits.

No...but one could argue that the irresponsible ownership of either leads to no good.

 

I agree, somewhat. The owner isn't always the blame. The pit bulls are unpredictable and can bite anyone, anything, at any time. How many times have we heard about kids playing with pit bulls only to have someone get torn apart by the very same dog?

 

As for ATV"s, it's stupidity that causes the injuries and deaths. Irresponsible ownership has little to do with it. The owners aren't the only ones riding these things when the accidents happen. (JMO)

I agree, somewhat. The owner isn't always the blame. The pit bulls are unpredictable and can bite anyone, anything, at any time. How many times have we heard about kids playing with pit bulls only to have someone get torn apart by the very same dog?

 

As for ATV"s, it's stupidity that causes the injuries and deaths. Irresponsible ownership has little to do with it. The owners aren't the only ones riding these things when the accidents happen. (JMO)

 

I can't agree with you regarding the first paragraph. It is way to broad a stereotype and generalization, but I am sure nothing I type will change your mind, and that's ok. We all have different opinions about different topics, and that is what makes the conversation interesting.

 

And I brought up the ATV example, because I was guessing I would get some ATV defenders. But to me, they are unnecessary and dangerous and like guns. Why have them around if they are unnecessary and deadly?

 

They are to me as the Pit Bull would be to some others.

I saw the thread title and thought "Wow. That is disgusting on way too many levels."

 

Then I read the thread and discovered it's not about the rapper at all.