Letters to the Editor
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@ Alvador
While it is true that "pits" jaws don't lock, nor are their jaws even as powerful as a German Shepherds (pounds of pressure per square inch), it is absolutely true that dog fighters breed their pits not to have that "safety catch." Often they let them fight to the death and they will kill any dog that stops fighting. As the result of that culling, they are breeding into their fighting dogs a lack of normal restraint. To think otherwise is just naive.
It is almost as naive as letting your child kiss strange dogs.
Folks, do you never do any research?
The "pit" that many people use for fighting may not be a registered dog at all. They are not as closely related to the Stratfordshire as they are to the the American Pit Bull, which is not registered with the AKC but with the UK. There are very pricey dogfights and very cheap dogfights. In the cheaper dogfights, any dog that will fight is acceptable. It is the fight that counts and this is secondary to bloodlines.
Here is a short list of dogs bred for fighting that are currently fought:
Ca De Bou
Dogo Argentino
Cane Corso (sometimes called Corso Cano)
Presa Carnio
American Pit Bull
Bull Mastiff
American Bull Dog
Alano Espanol
Fila Brasileiro
Alaphpha
Dogue de Bordeau
and many more
Did you know that the little Boston Bull Terrier was originally bred for fighting? And that the Pug and the Boston Bull Terrier may have a close relationship? And that many Pugs can't even give birth normally because of a small birth canal and a big head. There is more than one way to abuse dogs.
There are also many ways to abuse or skirt the law. Designer dogs are all the rage now. Well, dogfighters have been making designer dogs for years now and the pit your neighbor has may have no close relationship at all to these designer fighting dogs.
Whatever the problems with the dogs of various breeds, it's the people that are the problem. Your chances of encountering a genuine dangerous fighting dog are pretty slim. Your chances of encountering an ill-trained off-leash sharp shy dog of any breed are much more likely. Dogs are not as likely to hunt you down and eat your liver as they are to nip out of fear when you approach them without using common sense. All that Breed Specific Laws will mean is that people will send good animals to the pound or hide their dogs. The most likely result will be a bunch of little kids crying because they can't have their beloved dog anymore.
Best way to be safe outdoors: Avoid SUVs during peak traffic times and wear your seatbelt.
All this other stuff is just a tempest brewing in a teapot.
Canine with the most bite of pressure per square inch: Wolf -- and they are nothing compared to crocodiles.
Kill all the crocodiles. While we are at it, let's just rid of every living thing that scares us or inconveniences us. No more fear, no more poop, no more nature, no more people!
Oh yes -- one more thing -- the predator most likely to attack your child is a relative.