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Pit bulls are innocent
State proposals to ban pit bulls reflect society's worst fears and prejudices. As the Michael Vick scandal has made clear, it is humans and not the dogs who are the criminals.
By Ken Foster [2007-08-20]

  • That's why they're called "Breeds"

    It does actually mean something. The word - "breed".

    The dogs were "bred" to do things.

    Hounds BARK (or bay).

    Terriers CHASE vermin.

    Labradors RETRIEVE.

    Pit Bulls FIGHT.

    I know, I know - this doesn't mean that humans can't control the bred behaviors.

    But dogs bred for a behavior will tend towards that behavior.

    I wouldn't buy a Border Collie, for example, unless I had lots of space for it to run and lots of time to excersize it etc. Because they need it. And if they don't get it, they may get antsy.

    I wouldn't buy a hound if I wanted a quiet dog.

    And I wouldn't buy a pit bull unless I KNEW I had the time and inclination to ALWAYS exert PHYSICAL and BEHAVIORAL control over the dog.

    Problem is most people don't understand this.

    It's disingenuous to imply that it's just the owners. It's not.

    Pit bulls have a higher POTENTIAL for violence. And that's enough to warrant a breed ban in my book.

    -- dawdler
    [Read dawdler's other letters]
    Monday, August 20, 2007 05:09 PM
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