Another pitbull kills, this time a little girl

[Gio]

Thats why you alwqys see me posting that there is no such thing as a "pitbull"
Its just a blanket term

In all reality they are Bulldogs. The "Pit" was added when the were used in the fighting pit in days gone by.

The bull and terrier combined with pit made the American Pit Bull Terrier. UKC United Kennel Club registration name. And the American Staffordshire Terrier. AKC American Kennel Club name. Pete The Pup from Little Rascals fame was the first duel registered UKC/AKC bulldog.

Not to be confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or The Bull Terrier (Spuds Mckenzie) dog.

For anybody looking for info on the breed, there are several publications that have breed history from early days until now.

The Colby family was very influential in the early development of these dogs. There is a book written by one of the Colby's that I own and it's CO. authored by Diane Jessup, an animal control officer that trains and works with the breed.


What I find refreshing in many of the comments here, is that owners of pit bulls have not only a knowledge of the breed, but some basic knowledge of dog behavior. Using terms like "prey drive" "defense drive" "play drive" and other relatively unknown terms to the typical golden retriever owner who just buys a dog to have one and bases the decision on the hearsay that they are the best family dogs.

Responsible pit bull owners will normally be the ones OBEYING all of the leash laws, while others will let little fluffy run off leash and tell everybody how friendly he is while he barks and bites the ankles of the next bicyclist that rides by.

Having been involved in protection dog competitions with our dogs and training with others, I can tell you there is more diligence making sure the said dogs are in control and stable and bred to be stable than most other dog owners use. I'm applying this to ALL great breeds that work on a field. GSD's, Mals, Rots, Dobies, presas, pits, black Russian terriers, american bulldogs the list goes on.


This is our dog being trained by our good friends at Red Star Kennel.

He is very young here and in the basic stages of sport work. This is a presa canario also known as a "dangerous breed" LOL!

This dog is as friendly, stable and driven as the come.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1Tmj4w9Dyo

[RissaEst]

http://alldogswelcome.com/bully-breeds.html I stand significantly corrected. Here are 42 different breeds which are considered a "bully breed" which is clumped into "Pit Bull Type".

Edit: I'm sure there are more. Any mutt that is mixed and looks like a bully (even if it isnt) will be considered a pit bull.

[TessadasExotics]

Here is our vicious killing machine.


This was not staged.




Oh no she's gona eat one!










Yeah she is VICIOUS!!!!!!!


She is a 95lb American "Pit Bull" , an ADBA registered American Pit Bull Terrier. Also classified as an XXL American Bully.

She is dangerous........ To anyone who tries to harm her or anyone in her family. She gets along well with other dogs and people. That being said, she is a dog, she is BIG and she has sharp teeth. So she very well is a dangerous dog. As is any and all dogs, even the little ankle biters.

[artgecko]

I haven't read through all the responses, but I thought I'd post my thoughts since they seem to be slightly different perspective-wise

I believe the OP was saying that permits, rather than bans would solve these issues (i.e. idiots buying dangerous animals then causing havoc). If I"m wrong OP, I apologize.

What I think, is that "preventive" laws...Either outright bans or "permits" aren't the answer because they can punish the law-abiding person (responsible owner) along with the irresponsible non-law-abiding person.

I'd rather see laws that give harsher punishment to owners IF they behave irresponsibly and then someone gets hurt... This, IMO, would give pause to those considering getting said animal, while still allowing everyone access.

If we, however, give the government control over who can and can't own something (permits), what is to stop them from denying everyone the right altogether? They may jack up the permit "fees" to insane levels, require you to submit to home "inspections" at random times, etc.. Such things, I believe, would infringe on my rights. But if some idiot gets a pit, rott, or even lab or large snake and it harms someone due to their negligence I have no problem with them getting a huge fine, jail time, etc. This would punish their behavior while not infringing on the rights of responsible people. This wouldn't necessarily stop all "bad" people from getting animals, but there is no way to do that... Even with bans or permits people who want to can get around laws... i.e. criminals don't obey the laws anyway so why pass more?

Oh, slightly OT but btw GIO- nice presa! I was in love with cane corsos for a while but now consider them "too much dog" for me... When I do decide to get a dog, it'll probably be a boxer or doberman from stable working lines... I want a sound mind, good territorial instinct, but less drive than a presa or corso would have...I just don't have the time one would need at this point in time, plus there are NO good working dog kennels in my state that I know of (at least none in reasonable driving distance).

[TessadasExotics]

and by the way I would say that most people should not own any dogs as they are irresponsible and are the reasons for "bad" dogs. 100% of the time
That being said, they should not be banned.

[Raven01]

Its because you need a key for their "locking jaws"

Double dog dare ya to take a deer leg away from my Newfie-Lab when he decides he isn't done with it(I hoped for lab desire to please and Newfie laid back attitude, instead got Lab hyperness and Newfie stubborness, still adore the annoying mutt though). And I would bet some of the Turkish dogs have a higher bite strength than he does. A 4 foot hickory or ash pole won't work and I play with 320Lb wear parts at work all day.

[satomi325]

Common sense. Don't leave your child unsupervised with any animal regardless of size. Teach your child to respect the animal and not to antagonize it or whatever. Who knows if this particular dog was unsocialized with kids or just mentally unbalanced. Who knows if the child was provoking the dog or not. And always train your dog!

The reason why we hear so many 'pit bull' bite/attack stories is because there's just so many 'pits' out there. Especially since it's a group of breeds rather than one individual breed. I bet if there was a poll or statistic on actual true APBTs, it would be less than a handful total over the past decade. Most people have never even seen a true purebred APBT. Most are mutts or other breeds.

A few years ago, the Labrador Retriever made it to #1 breed for bites. But that's simply because they are one of the most populated breeds in the country. We all know they're not an aggressive breed as a whole. They've always been the top #1 or #2 registered AKC breed at least. There's just so many of them so of course the ratio of breed individuals to bites is going to be relatively noticeable. If all breeds had similar numbers, we'd notice their bite statistics too.


Many pit dogs are good dogs. They are loyal and please their owners. However, some are still genetically predisposed to be high driven animals since they are terriers . And high driven animals can be some of the most dangerous if unsocialized, unbalanced, or unstable.

And unfortunately, with all the back yard breeding going on, there are so many dogs that are unworthy of being bred that are being bred. Dogs that aren't properly temperament tested or health tested. Unstable dogs being bred simply because they have a desirable color or trait. Or folks just looking for a quick buck. This goes for all breeds, not just pits.

[Raven01]

A few years ago, the Labrador Retriever made it to #1 breed for bites. But that's simply because they are one of the most populated breeds in the country. We all know they're not an aggressive breed as a whole. They've always been the top #1 or #2 registered AKC breed at least.

This was one I had missed. I had noticed Golden Retrievers either at the top or very high several years running. As Nikki points out the sheer numbers of these dogs makes this a very understandable reality.
There is one other aspect I will throw out. And, I will warn it is not based on my knowledge of any scientific fact just simple observation.
That is the link to both puppy-mills and unscrupulous backyard breeders.
I have noticed dogs from such places exhibit higher than expected disease and behavioural issues(I cannot guarantee that a degree of this is not due to people looking to "save money on the animal" also being less prepared to properly train and socialise the animal). I've seen Labs and Goldens that were unusually food/toy possessive, requiring hours of training to rectify. And, other stellar animals being put down at the ripe young age of 3 due to cancer.
Perhaps, this is the reason although I understand line breeding with herps I do tend to shy away from anyone using extensive line breeding as opposed to a more limited version. Not to say if a gravid Desert fell into my hands and produced a viable clutch I wouldn't line breed to both prove out once and for a if it was incomplete dominant or simple dominant and to provide new options to fellow hobbyists.

[sorraia]

I have noticed dogs from such places exhibit higher than expected disease and behavioural issues(I cannot guarantee that a degree of this is not due to people looking to "save money on the animal" also being less prepared to properly train and socialise the animal). I've seen Labs and Goldens that were unusually food/toy possessive, requiring hours of training to rectify. And, other stellar animals being put down at the ripe young age of 3 due to cancer.

This hits very close to home for me. Best dog I ever had was put down at 3 years of age due to a tumor on her spinal cord. I adopted her from a local shelter as a 3 month old puppy. She was a rottie/shepherd mix, 100 pounds, sweetest dog you could imagine. Broke my heart when that happened.

And I've never really liked labs or Goldens. They can be great dogs, but I've met too many who were aggressive and poorly mannered, whether sure to lack of training, lack of stimulation, or genetics.

[Herpenthusiast3]

My 2 cents<---- irresponsible keepers and lack of knowledge by the general public pertaining to whatever animal Is in question is why particular animals get bad reputations. A hundred and thirty pound pit bull is possible but it really shouldn't be considered a pit bull anymore. Breeders call them "backyard bullies" and they are typically a product of poverty stricken urban culture. People from bad neighborhoods purchase these dogs and breed them for wider heads and chests and give them a on a dime protection type mentality. If they aren't being used for that someone is using them In dog fights were a vicarious mentality is sought after and therefore bred into future offspring. This is happening so often that many pits can have there lineage drawn back to either of these two examples. The true pit bull is a slender muscular working dog that was bred to be extremely powerful and loyal to its owner. It's a shame that the breed itself gets demonized for the faults of man. My deepest sympathies to the family of the girl who lost her life but I sincerely hope they do not use this as ammunition to chastise the pit bull breed.