Letters to the Editor
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take 'em to the country....
Just a note on this idea that seems to have popped up.
First, Pits usually have light skin which sunburns easily, leading to skin cancer. At least that's what I've read. They are not outdoor dogs, at least that's not the suggested environment for them.
Second, the idea of removing Pits (or any dog perceived to be agressive or dangerous by breed characteristics) to the country is a bad one, IMO.
I have lived in extremely rural environments and densely populated cities like San Fran. I can honestly say I see more dogs running loose in the country than in the city (and personal experience with my redneck relatives confirms this). And the LAST thing you want to see is an (potentially) agressive dog unleashed. Track back through these posts and most of the attacks discussed re: Pits v. human are when UNLEASHED dogs attack. I took a quick peek at some dog attack stats and there were quite a few Pit attacks... the ones that stuck in mind were the Pits left to roam, or who managed to get loose from an unsuitable enclosure.
Bottom line - there are certain dogs that are just not suitable for everyone. Pits are a prime example. Pits should only be posessed by responsible owners, educated in the breed and respectful of their nature and needs. Anything else IS dangerous. Goodness, I turned down about five people because I could tell they didn't know a thing about Pits, didn't want to learn about Pits, and just wanted my foster Pit because she was "so pretty". One idiot even wanted to breed her and make more Pits (like there aren't enough put down every day in shelters!!!).
And this is coming from someone who had a great experience with a Pit(mix).
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my pit bull story
it was night. it was summer. i was sitting on a bench next to a HUGE pit bull the size of a small bear between me and the owner. he was licking my face. maybe he liked my alcoholic breath (my wife didn't, that, and that i am talkative as well as fearless when drunk made me go to the nearby projects where people sit out on hot summer nights and talk). suddenly the pit bull stopped licking my face. he went into high alert. no movement except for electric tension in the air. i got up. i'm no cesar millan. i am not going to dispute who is pack leader. i see the owner looking downcast. i ask him what is wrong? he says i didn't thank him for the cigarette i had asked for, before. that was all it took for the dog to go into kill mode. i told him, my kids tell me that all the time and we shook hands. i went back to my seat, more to prove something to myself than the dog, who wasn't kill ready anymore but no face licking either. a few minutes later i left, having learned something. these dogs can make mistakes. after all they aren't human, they can't be reasoned with or begged or bribed or simply left. i think "dog love" is something we should have gotten rid of when we left *our* packs, but so many people love them, you just have to accept them. but realize, if you want a big dog, what you really want to do is to intimidate. if you are that fearful it's more honorable to buy a gun and do your own dirty work, not hire a hitmandog to do it for you.
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To Grad Student and JTD:
Grad Student: Those are good suggestions. The only one that I really object to is muzzling 'big dogs'in public. when I was in Europe last year I was not surprised to find that dogs had a lot more latitude that they do here. It was common to see them hang out in cafes and go into stores with their owners. However, there were strict rules about muzzling your dog in areas where the general public were in very close contact with them; like subways, buses etc. I have no problem with that. But to just muzzle a dog when you are out walking it on the street when you already have it on a leash is neither neccessary nor humane. Muzzles make it harder for the dog to breath and like people they don't appreciate a cage on their face.
I also don't understand the prejudice against big dogs. The only dogs I shy away from are the insecure little yappy ones that always seem to be nipping people. If I have to muzzle my Malinois in public then I don't see why some owner of a crappy little pekingese should get a pass on the muzzle; especially since their dog is more likely to bite someone than mine is (my appologies to pekingese owners. I live in China and in the past six months two of the awful little, bug eyed humunculi have attacked my very docile and friendy so called 'attack' dog).
JTD: I don't think you understand dogs very well. Dogs are happy wherever they have a loving, caring owner that gives them regular exercise, affection and discipline; whether it be the city or country, an apartment or a ranch. To suggest that we dog owners have to move to the country if we wish to own a dog is pretty nervy. Dogs have been an integral part of the city long before you were around and will be long after you're dead and gone. I guess what I'm saying is get use to it or perhaps move into one of those souless, gated communities that have draconian lifestyle rules that fit your particular pathology.
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Do pit bulls fight fair?
In my very limited experience of dogs fighting, they are short and sharp. As soon as one dog submits, the other one stops. Quite chivalrous really.
From what I hear of pit bulls, they fight to kill, and if the other dog submits, it kills it anyway. Is this true? Have you ever seen a pit bull fight by the rules?