Pit Bulls

[Anonymous]

Hearing about the 3 recent attacks by pit bulls does not surprise me at all! It is sad that these attacks even took place and I hope that all attacked have recovered or will recover.

I know that this subject of pit bulls is a highly sensitive one and alot of people are under the belift that these dogs are harmless. I am not one of them who believes this, these dogs are highly dangerous. Yes, there are dogs who become aggressive when they have been mistreated but pit bulls in general are not a “family dog” as a retriver or a springer spaniel. Any dog can and will become aggressive and even bite when harassed, or mistreated but anything can set off a pit bull.

I know there are people who claim these dogs are their baby and they are very loving, that may be when the dog is with you but not the way they are when encountering a stranger adult or child.

Every dog owner has the responsibility to see that their dogs are safe for the community, regardless of the breed of dog.

We just saw 2 pit bulls wandering around our neighborhood and now we are keeping our kids inside after school and supervising them more when outside. I called Animal Control right away and still do not know if this dogs are still wandering around or if they have been captured.

[JenV]

Any dog can be dangerous, lattemom. We had an adopted cocker spaniel when I was a teen who was the meanest dog around and would attack for no reason. On the other hand, my neighbor’s pitbull is the sweetest dog I have ever met- the worst that would happen is she would either lick you to death or beat you with her powerful tail as she was wagging it. It is unfair and inaccurate to lump all breeds of dog into one catagory. Yes, Pits can be mean, so can Cockers, so can Great Danes, etc. Like people, every dog is unique to its particular situation- nature and nurture both play a part.

[Anonymous]

I think I remember saying that any dog could be dangerous, but there have been alot of attacks lately by pit bulls. Most dogs are not aggressive by nature, only due to mistreatment.

This is my opinion, respect it and I will respect your opinion. Both very different but that is what makes the world interesting.

Every house has different rules and our house rule is to never approach any dog, espcially a pit bull without the permission of the owner and the onwer being present. It is much easier to be cautious even overy so than to spend time in a hospital due to an attack. Our kids are not allowed to be at any house where there is a dog without my husband or I meeting the dog first and then we make the decision is playdates can be only at parks, etc…

And yes, there are some really mean spirited people out there and we do our best to stay away from them too!

We owned a beautiful brittany springer/spaniel for over 15 yrs and she would have have bitten us more than a pig flys, but if someone she didn’t know caused any harm to us we know she would have protected us.

Sadly I think the attacks are a huge reminder to every dog owner to be responsibile and to make sure their dogs have their shots and are secure in their yards so these attacks do not happen. The latest attack is another example of dog owners being irresponsibile and innocent persons and animals pay the price for their ignorance.

[JenV]

lattemom, we are on the same page. I just tend to get a hair trigger when people vilify Pits in particular when every dog (and owner!) has the capacity to be rotten. Truly irresponsible pet owners will never learn their lesson no matter how many people are hurt. They simply don’t care.

[Anonymous]

Very true JenV!!! If there wer more responsibile pet owners life would be easier. As for the pit bulls we saw in our neighborhood they weren’t picked up soon enough and did bite someone and they are still on the loose.

I get my dander up when anyone who is a pet owner denyes that their pet is incapable of being dangerous.

When our daughter was just 3 she and I were going to a yard sale in our neighborhood just afew blocks away from where we live and there was a large dog redish in color and our daughter wanted badly to pet the dog so we asked permission fromt the owner who was sitting on her porch and she said ok. I asked if the dog was used to children beforehand and she said oh yes the dog loves kids. So our daugther pet the dog, the dog flipped our daughter over by her ear tearing it and biting her 3 times. The owner just sat there watching, I was screaming and her room mate came out wanting to know what the noise was all about, I said someone get a damp cloth because blood was dripping fast from her ear. Both owner and roommate stood still. I grabbed some linens on the table for sale and held them to her ear. The owner told me she would get some aspirin for her, I said aspirin don;t you know children under age 12 can not have aspirin. She tried to tell me she was a medical emergency person for ski lodges. I said give me your name, address, phone number and insurance info and we are out of here to go to the hospital. She did. We went to Highline where we stayed for 8 hours, they gave our daughter a shot (very painful) and taped up her ear. She remained on the antibotics for 1 week. I called Animal Control and The Police to file a report. The dog owner was mad at me for doing so and claimed her dog never bite anyone before. Animal Control knew otherwise and the dog was quarantined for 10 days. She eventually moved out of our neighborhood. Found out from Animal Control the dog had biten 2 other persons in the last 3 years.

Also, I might add when I was getting her infor she told me oh, by the way I lied the dog hates kids. Thanks for being so irresponsibile lady!

In short I found out that per City of Seattle law a child under the age of 5 was not responsible and we could have sued, but we didn’t.

[vincent]

This is my opinion, respect it and I will respect your opinion. Both very different but that is what makes the world interesting.</blockqoute>

um, I don’t know how you got to this skewed entitled view of the world but its pretty messed up. Look “lattemom” you can hate on pits, or whatever’s got you in a tizzy all you want, but don’t trot out your ill thought out experience bias as some sort of universal truth and then hide behind “everyones gets an opinion.” Thats the laziest most passive aggressive tack I have ever seen at arguing.

If you have an issue with pits usually belonging to people who fail to train, license, or control them, then figure out how to get more money into the hands of animal control ( they have what two trucks? ), ask your city council for tougher licensing laws, mandatory neutering for dogs that aren’t being bred, or stiffer, enforced fines for unleashed dogs.

Going off on some inflammatory rant about how your springer spaniel is the bestest dog in the world and a bunch of incohernet yammering about saving your children and how you run your house, on a internet forum no less, helps no one.

[JenV]

lattemom, I am so sorry to hear about what you and your daughter went thru…how frightening! Assuming she had homeowners or renters insurance- did you file a claim?

[Anonymous]

Vincent: Geez! I sure got you in a tizzy! Calm down!! Maybe you are so argumentive you got biten by a pit bull?

This blog is for everyone Vincent whenver they agree or disagree and I have as much right as you do to post my opinions.

And yes, our dearly beloved Springer/Spaniel was the bestest dog!!

If you don’t like what I said about our house rules and my opinions, then don’t read them.

As for what in your words “got me in a tizzy” hearing the news reports, reading the paper and reading the news blog on this very website about another attack by a pit bull is something to worry about when you are parent no less a human being.

[Anonymous]

Hi JenV: Yes we did file a claim via Animal Control and also the Seattle Police. This dog owner called our house threatening me with injury because she was so worried her darling dog would be removed for good or put to sleep, she never ever asked how our daughter was doing, not one word. When she received word from Seattle Police and also Animal Control she went and called to harass me.

When the dog owner received the bill from Highline hospital she called to again threathen me with injury. 3 more calls from her and I called Seattle Police for harassment.

I thank you for your caring and undertanding. You are more understanding and much calmer than Vincent. No, the dog owner did not have renters insurance so it came out of her pocket.

Our daughter recovered from the dog bite all 3 of them with stitches and antibotics. She was afraid of dogs for wuite awhile afterward. She loves dogs now but will not pet any animal freely.

[barmargia]

So lattemom someone doesn’t disagrees with you and you say that they are not understanding or calm, it seems you are the one in the tizzy

[barmargia]

I meant someone doesn’t agree with you…

[Anonymous]

Dear barmargia,

Excuse me! But it is clear that Vincent is angry.

I am not angry. I am simply stating my opinions.

When someone lied to me that their dog was kid friendly and our daughter had to endure 3 dog bites no less, stitches,etc. then I guess that makes it a tizzy in your words. In my words it is called being a caring, and responsibile parent not wanting to be around people who are irresponsibile with their pets ast the expense of our kids.

Are you a dog owner? Are you responsibile?

[barmargia]

Dear Lattemom, I read anger from your comments, aren’t you the one that went ballistic because someone swore out on the street? Was the dog that bit your child a pit bull, and by the way I’m sorry about your daughter getting bit, I’m not a total b*tch, whoops I swore, and I was bitten by a dog as a child from my eyebrow to my cheek. I never said that you were not a uncaring irresponsible parent, and if you find where I said that then knock yourself out and call me a liar. I was a dog owner, but my dog has since passed away, and yes, I was responsible. I also have friends that have pit bulls who are also responsible AND have a small child who plays with the dogs. They have taken their dog to training and ALWAYS have the dog on a leash. Maybe you are reading deeper into Vincent’s comments and maybe he is angry, but I didn’t get that.

[Anonymous]

Dear Barmargia:

Read my lips: I am not angry. I am not an angry person. And yes I am the same person who wrote about people swearing, and your swearing does not offend me. I do have big issues with people swearing around children, and when asked to stop they continue. It is very offenseive to listen to someone use foul language when they have the skills and the no how to use language without swear words. I do not believe that it does a child any good to hear someone refer to someone as a A##h(le or worse.

And as if it was any of your business no it was not a pit bull that bit our daughter. I have not said anything to rant against pit bulls only, I ranted about people having dogs of any breed. I mentioned pit bulls because of all the coverage the attacks in recent days have gotten. I do have major issues with any person who owns any breed of dog that is irresponsible and allows that dog to wander the street and possibly attack innocent people or animals as what happened just last night.

All you picked up on was that I was the person who ranted about swearing and that I typed in the word pit bulls. How very ignorant of you!

I still stand by our house rule that we do not go near any dog of any kind period without permission of the owner and since the dog bite afew years ago we also ask many questions beforehand so we are assured the dog in question is kind to children so we avoid another trip tot he hospital.

[barmargia]

Hey, Lattemom, when you say crap like “read my lips” then you are angry. The remark about “and as if it was any of your business” was downright bitchy, oh and I have other words I could use, but that is what it was. I picked up on the “pit bull” thing because THAT WAS THE HEADER YOU PUT…and that was how you started your first comment. Have a wonderful night, and you make sure you keep writing mean comments because I don’t agree with you. Ciao

[Anonymous]

Good! I don’t happen to agree with you! The comment read my lips was to remind you that I already stated my feelings regarding pit bulls. As for being bitchy I would say that is you in a nutshell lady! And oh how eloquent that you read the heder of my posting and yes it is entitled Pit Bulls.

I do not write mean comments, just matter of fact. If you don’t like them, then don’t read them.

And lastly it was none of your business what breed of do bit our daughter. Does it lessen it any to know it wasn’t a pit bull?

I would much rather converse with JenV, at least she shows compassion and maturity.

Thanks for your well wishes I always have agood night and you do the same dearie.

[Anonymous]

Lattemom, you did start this thread with “these dogs are highly dangerous” ….. “any dog can and will become aggressive and even bite when harassed or mistreated, but ANYTHING can set off a pit bull”. That certainly sounds like you have it out for this specific breed and some might rightfully take offense to your over generalizations. On the home page where the news item about the recent attack is posted, check out the comments. There are some great links dispelling the evil pit bull myth.

[Anonymous]

I will stand by my belief that any breed can be dangerous, and the pit bull is dangerous as in the last few days via news coverage, this website, etc… A Pit Bull I admit is not my choice of a family friendly dog like a golden retriver, etc… Granted there are pit bulls that people keep reminding me are loving and great family dogs, I have yet to met one of those dogs. I am not saying I hate pit bulls.

[Anonymous]

Pit Bulls and dog bite related human fatalities

A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association in September, 2000 reports that in the 20 years studied (1979 to 1998) “Pit-bull type dogs” and Rottweilers were involved in one half of approximately 300 dog bite related fatalities in the US[3]. Another study of American and Canadian dog bite-related fatalities from September 1982 to November 2006 produced similar results, reporting that pit bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and their mixes were responsible for 65% of fatal dog attacks. [4] This study also noted: “Of the breeds most often involved in incidents of sufficient severity to be listed, pit bull terriers are noteworthy for attacking adults almost as frequently as children.”

[edit] Pit bulls as pets

In many shelters across the United States, pit bulls or dogs that appear to be pit bulls comprise a large portion of the shelter’s population and may be destroyed due to the stigma associated with the breed (or because of overcrowding). [5]

Nevertheless, they can and often do make wonderful family pets. Known to generations of American children as the dog from the Little Rascals and Our Gang shows, the pit bull has frequently been among America’s most popular dog breeds. The American Temperament Testing Society gives the American Pit Bull Terrier breed a “pass” percentage of 84.1%. The average of all breeds is 81.5%. [6]

Although friendliness and tolerance towards humans are traits of the breed [11], there are, as in any breed, those that are dangerous toward humans. It is the owner’s responsibility to be in total control of his dog, and it is the owner who, through intentional mistreatment or neglect, is frequently responsible for pit bull bites. Many attacks by other dog breeds are misclassified as “pit bulls” by media reports.[7]

Regardless of who they are, any owner of a pit bull must train the dog well. Lack of proper socialization and strong training can result in a dog with aggressive tendencies. Under the care of an overly-permissive or uneducated owner, pit bulls (or any other large breed) can become very dangerous dogs. [8]

Banning of pit bulls

This table shows places where Pit Bulls have been banned or where bans were proposed.

[edit] Global

Place Status Type Date Banned Details

Ontario, Canada[9] Active Province August 29, 2005 Pit bulls are not allowed to be imported into or brought through Ontario. Severe fines are in place for bringing new pit bulls into Ontario. Pit bulls owned prior to August 29, 2005 are grandfathered in. All grandfathered pit bulls of over 36 weeks of age are required to be sterilized immediately. Grandfathered pit bulls must be muzzled and leashed on a leash of less than 1.8 metres while in public. Sale of non-grandfathered pit bulls to residents of Ontario is illegal.

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada[10] Active City 1990 Pit Bulls are not allowed to be in Winnipeg by law.

Australia Active Country March 10, 2006 Legislation and implementation dates varies across the different states, but here is the start of a list of the legislation in the various states: New South Wales[11], Victoria[12], Western Australia[13], Queensland[14], Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania.

France[15] Active Country April 30, 1999 Ownership restricted; non-pure-breed animals resembling pit-bulls are to be surgically neutered

Norway Active Country 1991

United Kingdom[16] Active Country August 12, 1991 Specific breeds and similar cross-breeds banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Denmark Active Country Banned alongside the Tosa in 1991 along with any non-pure-bred dog where either of the races are among the parent or grandparent animals

New Zealand Active Country Must be microchipped, muzzled in public, and cannot be publicly advertised for sale

The Netherlands Active Country 1993

[edit] United States

Place Status Type Date Details

Delta, Utah[17] Active City

Independence, Missouri Active City 2006

Overland Park, Kansas Active City

Springville, Utah[18] Active City

Miami-Dade County, Florida[19] Active County 1989 Section 5 Code 17: “It is illegal in Miami-Dade County to own any dog which substantially conforms to a pit bull breed dog, unless it was specially registered with Miami-Dade County prior to 1989. Acquisition or keeping of a pit bull dog: $500.00 fine and County Court action to force the removal of the animal from Miami-Dade County.”

Council Bluffs, Iowa[20] Active City 2004

Royal City, Washington[21] Active City January 12, 2007

Denver, Colorado[22] Active City 9 May 2005 First banned in 1980s, but later revoked

Prince George’s County, Maryland[23] Active County 1996

Yonkers, NY[citation needed] Active City November 3, 2006

Springfield, Missouri[24] Active City April 13, 2006

Oklahoma[25] Proposed State June 21, 2005

Shelbyville, Tennessee[26] Proposed City November 18, 2006

New York City, NY[27] Proposed City December 28, 2006

Aurora, Colorado[28] Proposed City September 27, 2005

Youngstown, Ohio[29] Proposed City January 10, 1999

Richland, Washington[21] Proposed City December 21, 2006

Tupelo, Mississippi[30] Proposed City September 28, 2006

Parker, Colorado[31] Proposed City January 17, 2006

Chicago, Illinois[32] Proposed City November 17, 2005

Enumclaw, Washington Active City

Gresham, Oregon Active City March 3, 2005 Individuals found to be breeding Pit Bull Terriers are sentenced to 60 days community service at the local Humane Society. This can include kennel cleaning duty, no gloves provided.

Garfield Heights, Ohio Active City October 24, 2007 60 days in jail and or $1,000 fine if owner does not comply with city law.

Sparta, Tennessee Active City

Melvindale, Michigan[33] Active City April 4, 1990 $100.00 fine or 30 days in jail.

[edit] Legal issues in the USA

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published a study concerning deaths from canine attacks in 2000. [34] According to the study, between 1979 and 1998, one-third of all fatal dog attacks were caused by Pit Bull type dogs. The highest number of attacks (118) were by Pit Bull type dogs, the next highest being Rottweilers at 67.

A followup to the study published in 2000 by Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association suggested that “generic non–breed-specific, dangerous dog laws can be enacted that place primary responsibility for a dog’s behavior on the owner, regardless of the dog’s breed. In particular, targeting chronically irresponsible dog owners may be effective.”[35]

Just found this information online to further insight some folks on this blog. I am looking for information on other breeds as well, I am not singlely out pit bulls, I am merely providing information that anyone online could obtain.

[Anonymous]

Here is what I found online on agressive dog breeds:

What is the most aggressive dog breed?

Answer

Any dog breed can be aggresive or vicious. The bottom line is, if a dog is not properly raised and trained, it has the opportunity to becaome an aggresive dog. Unfortunatley, many breeds have been abused and have gained an aggresive reputation. I have known some Dachsunds, Poodles, and Chihuahas that have been more aggresive than Pitt Bulls or Rottweilers. It is a shame that a whole breed is placed in a category because of irresponsible dog owners.

Answer

wolf

Answer

the first answer is spot on!!! :) Dogs arent naturally an agressive animal, but they can be trained to be, for example by dog fighters or miss treatment.

A lot of people confuse a dog biting/attacking out of fright, as aggression, when in fact, in the dogs mind it is self defense, eg. person approaches stange dog, dog is wagging tail, person puts hand down towards dogs head to stroke it, dog bites hand. The person sees it as an agressive dog, but with understanding of dog behaviour it is self defense.

From the dogs point of view: –

hey, you walked up to my face (approaching from the front is agressive behaviour in dog language),

I showed you I was frightened but I’d fight if I had to (tail wag – a wagging tail can me happy, exited, frightened, ready for action),

but you still went for me (hand on top of head is a very dominating thing to do to a dog you don’t know).

This scenareo is the smame as 1 man running towards a stranger, shaking his fist, while the stranger says, please don’t hurt me, or I’ll be forced to hit you. The man still running so the stranger gives him a punch in the face. Most people can see this as self defense, but when a dog defends it self people call it aggresive.

Answer

Actually, fear is a type of aggression. This is called fear motivated aggression. Also, not all dogs are the same. Certain breeds of dogs tend to be more aggressive then others, no matter how they are raised, not that this is not a factor. The other types of aggression are dominance, territorial, possessive, protective, and redirected aggression.

Potentially aggressive breeds:

Llasa Apso: can be cranky with kids

Toy poodles: bite out of self defense

Dachsunds: not very patient

Rhodesian Ridgebacks: very dominant breed

Miniature Pinschers: “big dog” mindset in little body

Pekinese: intolerant

Chihuahuas: prefer adults, not tolerant of kids

Chow Chow: one-person dogs, bite without warning

Giant Schnauzers: very dominant breed, will even challenge adults

Old English Sheep Dog: very protective of owner

Cocker Spaniel: very protective of owner

Rottweilers: very protective

Typically gentle breeds that have “bad boy” reputations:

German Shepherd: great with kids

Bulldog: gentle, playful

Rottweilers: can be gentle, affectionate

Great Danes: gentle, affectionate

Boxers: good with kids

Mastiffs-very docile

[swimcat]

All of you need to calm down. I didn’t read into any anger in lattemom’s original comment. She was just posting her opinion, one that can be supported by recent news reports. There is no reason for anyone to take so much offense.

On another note, insurance companies will NOT provide renters insurance to people that own dogs such as pitbulls, dobermans, german shepards, as they consider these dogs a high risk. I’m not sure about homeowner’s policies though. So if you get bit by one of these dogs, the victimi doesn’t have as much recourse.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much m!!

[Anonymous]

Are You Liable for Your Dog’s

Aggressive Behavior?

The Answer is YES!

Please use the drop down menu above for information about specific insurance companies.

If you own a dog, you are liable for its behavior and whether you are a homeowner or a renter, you should make sure that you are a responsible dog owner and that your insurance policy covers that liability.

This issue is not just about dogs with aggressive behavior. As a responsible owner, you must be able to control your dog and protect people even from overly friendly behavior. We recently heard from a reader in Delaware who was being cancelled by her insurance company because her very friendly large dog jumped on a pedestrian and not meaning any harm, scratched the person’s arm.

If you think this is not a big issue, consider that about 20% of total homeowners’ insurance liability payouts in the United States are dog bite related. In 1999 that amount was $310 million. The total annual cost of dog bites is well over a billion dollars.

That is one of the main reasons why many insurance companies are refusing to insure specific dog breeds. And the lists are getting longer.

A number of insurance companies and the Insurance Information Institute provide serious and valuable information related to dog bite prevention and we hope you will visit the web sites linked in this article. If you need specific information about your state, click here for a list of state insurance offices.

WARNING! If you are a dog owner, before you purchase a home or rent a house or apartment, you need to find out about local dog laws as they relate to the breed of dog you own. You also need to investigate insurance companies to make sure you will be able to secure homeowner’s or renter’s liability coverage. Many companies are refusing to write new policies if you own a certain breed of dog regardless of the dog’s history and at this time, no two insurance companies seem to have the same do-not-insure lists.

“I am encouraged by the fact that some insurance companies seem to understand dog behavior and recognize that each dog is unique. They are working to educate their dog-owning policy holders about the importance of obedience training, kind and loving care and responsible ownership. But I am discouraged by the fact that some insurance companies’ are taking the position that aggression is breed specific and therefore are expanding their lists of breeds that they will not cover in homeowners’ liability insurance policies,” says Uncle Matty. “There are good and bad dogs in every breed. The education of dog owners and the training of dogs is the best way to reduce aggressive behavior and prevent needless tragedies and expense.”

If you have been denied insurance or are having trouble obtaining homeowners insurance, we would like to hear from you. We would also like to know about insurance companies that will write new policies if you have any of the pitt bull breeds, a Rottweiler, German Shepherd Dog, Chow Chow, Great Dane, Doberman Pinscher, Huskie or any other dog for which you were previously denied coverage. Please use the “Gazette Editor” e-mail icon at the top of this article.

Editor’s Note: Municipal and state laws that have been adopted or are being considered that declare a particular dog breed or breeds as vicious, means that you will most likely be turned down for homeowners insurance if you own one of the specified breeds, regardless of the insurance company involved. It is the position of Uncle Matty and the Woof Gazetteâ„¢ that aggression in dogs is not breed specific and therefore laws that are breed specific should not be enacted.

Canine aggression is the result of bad breeding and irresponsible owners. The risk of dog bites or dog bite related fatalities, is exacerbated by lack of training, socialization and abuse of any kind. The potential for a dog to be aggressive exists in any breed, therefore, a reasonable person would argue, “Outlaw one breed and you might as well outlaw them all.” It makes more sense to take action against bad breeding and any abusive treatment of dogs, including dog fighting. It also makes sense to enact laws that outlaw the breeding of dogs for the purpose of fighting.

If any dog shows signs of aggressive behavior, the owner should seek help immediately from a qualified professional who understands aggressive behavior and how to deal with it appropriately.

Please be aware of any pending legislation related to dogs and dog ownership in your community. If you disagree with the proposed legislation let your voice be heard by your state and/or local officials. Join the efforts of breeders, dog clubs and other groups. If your insurance company is proposing underwriting by breed, also let your voice be heard. Contact your local insurance agent and write to the company’s corporate headquarters. We also encourage you to let us know of any proposed legislation or the rejection of homeowners’ insurance based on breed of dog. Please use the “Editor Icon” at the top of this article.

[Bernicki]

May I make a very friendly suggestion? Extremely long cut-and-pastes placed into a forum from another web site are unlikely to be read. It’s not an efficient use of bandwidth. Might I suggest writing a brief summary of the page’s content, and posting the link instead?

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Wow! I just read the Police report regarding the attack by pit bulls, and I sadly saw a similiarity that the owner just asked about his pit bulls and never asked about who they attacked, how are they were doing, etc… Real class dog owner. NOT!! How would this dog owner feel if he was the victim and nobody asked about his welfare or that of of friends or family member that had been bitten?

We live in Arbor Heights neighborhood and we just saw 2 pit bulls traveling down 33rd Ave SW. Southbound.

[Author]

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