Dangerous Dogs??

I was reading some of the comments in the survey section about what to do about pit bulls, and dangerous dogs in general, and thought it would be interesting to see everyone's thoughts on the problem and possible solutions. My thoughts on the subject of dangerous dogs is that there are no bad dogs, only bad owners. The dangerous dog problem isn't about dogs, it's about the irresponsible people who own the dogs and let them run off leash, encourage bad behavior from them, or just don't bother to control them. That's why breed bans don't work. The irresponsible owners will just move on to another breed. I live in Baltimore County, and last summer Baltimore City tried to pass a ban against all pit bull type dogs. This ban would have included American Pit Bull Terriers (APBTs), American Staffordshire Terriers (ASTs) , Staffordshire Bull Terriers (SBTs) , Bull Terriers, Miniature Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs (ABs) , and any other dog that looked like it had one of these breeds in it's lineage. That's a lot of dogs condemned for no reason except their appearance, name, and reputation. In defense of BSL, people often bring up the many "vicious pit bull attacks" and the bite statistics (especially CDC's). In reality, the pit bulls in these attacks are often mixed with other breeds, or don't even have pit bull in them. To be honest, pit bulls aren't even a breed, they are a group, or type, comprised of the breeds mentioned above. However, since the CDC counts all "pit bull type" dogs as one group, of course there are going to be a lot of pit bull attacks. You also have to take into account where the CDC gets it's records from; the media, hospitals, and animal control. How accurate are these sources in telling breeds of dogs apart? Not Very. There is no test that you can do to be sure, and there is such a variety in most breeds that they may be registered as a breed, but look completely different. This is especially true in APBTs, who's breed standard calls for dogs ranging in size from 30-65 lbs, however sometimes dogs may be as little as 25 lbs or as much as 80 lbs. Most "pit bulls" larger than that have mastiff or other large breeds mixed in. Even if the dog that attacks is proven to be a "pit bull type" dog, you have to take into account the environment in which the dog is kept. Too many of these dogs are kept outside on chains with little attention, or even worse beaten or fought. This kind of treatment will make most dog's (of any breed) good nature give way to fear aggression or unsound temperment. Sometimes people do breed dogs of unsound temperment, in order to make money, or because they like having a "mean dog", and then these irresponsible breeders sell their dogs to irresponsible or inexperienced owners, who either don't want to or know how to control them, and you have a tragedy in the making. Dog bites (especially serious or fatal ones) really are a tragedy for everyone involved, the person bitten, who has to live their life with scars (emotional & physical) and sometimes other physical damage, their family and friends, who see them like that, the dog, who is either condemned to a life in a cage or euthanized, and the owner. So there is my (very long   ) list of reasons as to why we need to regulate dog owners instead of dogs. But how do we go about regulating the owners? Here are some possible solutions:
1. Work to Make Sure That Only Responsible Dog Breeders Can Sell/Produce Puppies. Thousands of dogs die everyday in shelters across the US, many of them purebreds. Responsible dog owners carefully plan their litters in order to have the best match possible. They produce very few litters, and work to better the breed, and most are active in rescue and also compete in canine sports with their dogs. They also screen their dogs for health problems before breeding them, and offer lifetime guarantees againt genetic defects. Irresponsible breeders breed dogs indiscriminantly, often inbreeding, and often breed poor tempered dogs. They produce many puppies, often several litters a year, and don't really care if their dogs go to good homes or not, just as long as they get their money. They do not screen their dogs for health problems, and usually offer a health guarantee for one-two years, but many health problems don't begin to show until after that.
*I think that legislation should be passed so that dog owners must get a license before breeding their dog, and that the dog being bred must be free of genetic defects and have completed & passed at least a Temperment Test or Canine Good Citizen test.
2. Push for Tougher Laws Against Animal Cruelty. Currently, fighting dogs in the state of Maryland is a Felony, but it is only a Misdemeanor to be a spectator at a dog fight, and it is LEGAL to own dogs used in dogfights. Many times these laws aren't even enforced. My father works in Baltimore City, and has often seen people standing on the corner, cheering as they watch two dogs rip each other apart. This happens in broad daylight in plain view of passersby, but no one cares. Police often drive right by these streetfights without even stopping. It is supposedly illegal to leave an animal outside without shelter or food, or to abuse an animal, but if someone calls animal control about it, they just say they can't do anything until the animal has injured someone.
3. Hold Owners Accountable for Their Animal's Actions. If dog owners know they are responsible for their dog's behavior, then maybe they will be a little more careful about choosing their dog and raising it. It would definitely make having a "big bad dog" a lot less appealing to those who want one to scare people. The CA dog mauling case is a good example of this. I bet that if those lawyers had known they might spend the rest of their lives in jail, they would have thought twice about having dogs they couldn't control.
4. Educate Young People About Animals. Maybe if we educate the youth of today, then we'll have better pet owners in years to come. Many children don't know how to behave around a strange dog, which can cause big problems if they meet up with one on the street. Most people bitten by dogs are children, so if we teach them how to handle dogs, dog bites would probably decrease somewhat. Also, many children/teens today see older people abusing animals or fighting them, and end up following that path later in life. There is a pit bull rescue center in California that works with "High Risk" children and their "High Risk" pets in order to show the children the proper way to care for them and train them. Why not start something like that here in MD?
I agree with the recently proposed law, HB562 (with amendments), but though it protects the innocent animals, and does punish owners somewhat, I don't think it's enough to stop irresponsible owners. Here's a good website on Maryland's Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) : http://www.geocities.com/afopgc/  and if anyone's interested, I have a page about BSL on my dog's website : http://www.mel-dogs.cityslide.com/pages/page.cfm/1219118  Anyway, sorry this was so long, just wanted to get some feedback from other people in MD.
   mel

Suggestion, shorten the post.  No one is gonna read that whole thing.  

Now as far as the Pit Bull "Group"...I can't stand them and I think they should be banned.  Now I'm sure you have good reason to defend them but here are two situations for I have to bring up.  I have a friend who has a pit and she treats him great.  The dog is good with people and kids, no problem.  I took my dog over to play with it and the F-ing thing went right for my dogs throat.  My dog wasn't being aggressive (or submissive for that matter) just smelling the area out and this dog goes after it.  They are not dog friendly.  2nd situation is the same thing so I won't bore you with the details but it was when I was a kid and the dog got it's jaws on my dogs throat.  I was trying to kill it with a tree limb but it wouldn't let go.  

Recap:  they ARE people friendly but not sociable with other dogs.  

BAN THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

m bucker - do two bad experiences seal the fate of hundreds of dogs in this state? I think not. For every "bad pit bull" story I hear, I can counter it with personal knowledge of at least three well-behaved, well-socialized pit bulls. My former neighbor had a beautiful American Pit Bull Terrier named Lex. My golden retriever was only four months old at the time. The two of them loved each other dearly. They would wiggle with excitement each time they saw each other, lick each other's faces, and lay side-by-side eating grass.

Some pit bulls just will not get along with other dogs, but the SAME THING can be said of ALL DOGS. If you socialize your dog responsibly with other dogs from the beginning, you will be much more likely to end up with a dog that gets along with other dogs. Not a guarantee - some dogs just won't learn. It does NOT mean they should be banned, it means the owner has to recognize his/her dog's problem and keep it out of situations where it could injure a person or another dog. If the owner refuses to do that, then he/she should be held accountable for any damage the dog does.

Banning pit bulls won't solve the problem. Banning irresponsible owners would, to a greater extent, but that's not gonna happen anytime soon.

I'd agree with you if it was any other breed.  Both of my experiances were with pit bulls that did play with other dogs, but when there was a new dog it went straight for its neck like a cold blooded killer.  I mean, that's what they were breed for.  

How's this for a solution: Let people have them but get them all spaid or nutered.  That way, in 20 years they won't be common pets any more.  There will still be a few around with breeders and people who can train and handle them but for the average person who knows nothing about dogs it won't be an option as a pet.  

M Bucker,
I have a Pitbull and an American Staffordshire Terrier...and my dogs aren't dog aggressive, but very assertive.  Pitbulls are primarly very dominant dogs and they feel they need to run the show.  My husband and I use a firm hand in training our dogs, and they have never biten another dog.  Now that doesn't mean they never will.   ALL dogs don't always like ALL other dogs.  But that does not mean they need to be banned.  Do you like every person you come in contact with?  I think not.  And apparently the dog you speak of needs some form of training.  I don't think it's right for any dog to act out of control, but I would call it the owner's fault not the dog's.

Kara~

I understand the fact that you're defending the breed but the facts speak for themselves.  I also agree that most of the time the problem is with the owner.  So how do we solve this????  How about passing a law that you can not own one of these dogs unless you have been through a training course on how to handle them??  

That law would be fine with me.  That way people who are too irresponsible or want them for illegal purposes can't get their hands on them as easy.  But when you think about it, it should be mandatory for all dog owners.  Both of my dogs are fixed, and I think they need a law for breeders, as in, if you don't have a license you don't breed and your dogs should be fixed.

I love these breeds, and would never think of owning any other dogs.  I understand how people, like yourself, can get frustrated with hearing about pitbull attacks or bites, but I am a responsible owner, and I get frustrated too when people talk about banning ANY dogs.  My point is make the owner responsible, don't take an innocent dogs life.

Visit the PG County Animal Control in Forestville, MD and look at the innocent (most of them) dogs that will be put down JUST BECAUSE they are or look like pitbulls.  It is a sad sight

Kara~

I have seen 1st hand how tpitt bulls bulls get the rep that they do, but I got my pit to try to change the way ppl look at them. I will never fight my dog and I will try to the best of my ability to train him to be the best dog he can be!

I read a book on the APBT and it said that a man got bite by a dog(not a pitbull type)and when he reported it no one made a big deal about it. So jus to see what would happen, he called and said it was a Pitt Bull that bit him and about 3 news reporters showed up to take the story in the first couple hours! The media gotta love'em!!!!

Are you in here somewhere?

willie said:

Are you in here somewhere?

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That's cute.

FWIW....and this coming from a Rottweiler owner of 25 years, DOG aggression is a completely different issue than PEOPLE aggression. IMO a dog should be able to discern WHEN to lay tooth to human flesh, and do it quickly and without hesitation (this coming from a wife of a cop who WANTS to be protected if and when she ever needs it) Most if not all well socialized and TRAINED APPROPRIATELY *working breed dogs* will do just this. That same well trained socialized dog will be a good neighbor to other dogs (albeit with a few more rules of engagement) and MUCH hard work along the way - plus neutering/spayng helps.

I will say though, the "pit" breeds and all working breed dogs as well, are different, and even play differently, using more teeth action, and with their powerful jaws inadvertanly do damage which they simply can't help. This coming from observation along the way, of even ACDs and Jack Russells. So be it. That's the way working dogs ARE. Don't ban a BREED ban the DEED.

M Bucker said:

;They are not dog friendly.  2nd situation is the same thing so I won't bore you with the details but it was when I was a kid and the dog got it's jaws on my dogs throat.  I was trying to kill it with a tree limb but it wouldn't let go.  

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The reason for that was that each dog was breed for certain purpose and pit bulls were bred for dog fighting. As for pit bulls attacking humans, they make the news since pit bulls like you stated do not let go when they bite. Other dogs, ie. rottweiller (spelling?) have stronger bites but they let go.

My family has had Pit Bulls and never had a problem with them being aggressive to other dogs or people. I have 2 Jack Russel Terriers and one of them is aggressive to other dogs (other than the other one I have). Dogs are animals and you can't always predict how they will react in every situation every time.