Pit bulls can make great pets, but saying they aren't more dangerous than other breeds is like saying a Reticulated python isn't more dangerous than a ball python.
The argument about bite frequency is also completely irrelevant. Pit bulls are genetically different than other breeds. They have the ability to inflict significant damage. Is a nippy ball python that always bites more dangerous than a tame 15ft retic??
Let's get real. In the grand scheme of "dangerous dogs" (and we all know any dog can be dangerous) pit bulls overwhelmingly top the charts on factual data. In the 9-year period from 2005 to 2013, pit bulls killed 176 Americans and accounted for 62% of the total recorded deaths (283). Yet they made up 4% of the dog US population. Because of bad owners? German Shepards have the same population, and are actually referred to as a dangerous breed as well being responsible for 3.5% of dog attack fatalities from 2005-2013. You are 18 times more likely to be killed by a pit bull than a German Shepard. Is it because German Shepard owners are more responsible than pit bull owners? Does the breed make an owner feel less inclined to be responsible? Does it matter?
Untrained dogs and abuse happens to all breeds, and even more so to most populous breeds. The difference is the ability of the breed to cause damage, thus highly increasing the chance for victim fatality. Would you rather be bit, than killed?? The majority of pit bulls responsible for deaths aren't abused fighting dogs either. They are pets.
I completely understand there are perfect pit bulls out there. Wouldn't harm a fly. I also know of a pit bull that were perfect for years and was quoted as "lick you to death" pit, than ended up killing a grown woman. This was completely unexpected and I have to ask myself how?
I like to see things without rose colored glasses on. I always felt it was healthy to be honest with myself even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear. I was an athlete growing up and my parents would be the first ones to say "Brant, you sucked today." I love all dogs. I own a Bulldog named Toby and my family owns a German Shepard named Rocky, Golden Retriever named Mason and a Pit mix named Lucy. The Pit mix is probably the nicest one. However, I can still read facts at the end of the day and understand that Lucy has the highest potential to cause serious and fatal injuries on someone else based on her genetics from her breed.
Just as large constrictor owners should know their animals are more dangerous, so should dog owners with pit bulls. Doesn't mean you can't own them, it just takes a higher responsibility than your average dog owner, much as owning a 20ft snake would. I'm sure people aren't going to see things exactly the same way as me, and that's cool. I think it's important with all things to take a step back and critically think unbiasedly.
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