We receive numerous pitbulls at our shelter, and the vast majority are highly adoptable: affectionate, loyal, sweet, and gentle. A small minority are problem dogs, and made that way by people. It is sheer nonsense and hysteria to ban breeds. Banning bad owners does make sense.
The media machine likes to sell hot news, but not always true news. Many of the times the American Pit Bull Terrier is blamed for crimes that did not involve a pure bred APBT. Focus on the person not the breed. Let's put these bums behind bars where they belong, not pursecute a breed. I have show dogs that are great family pets and I have never been bit. My old dog is a U.K.C. Grand Champion show dog and is fourteen years old, if he is going to bite someone he had better hurry before he passes away!!!!!
Pitbulls are in fact the most loving, loyal breed I have ever known. The bad rep that they get is getting out of hand and needs to be stopped. FOX is the way to do that.
the blame must be put in the proper place- it is the gang bangers who have persecuted this breed mercilessly- keeping them chained up in backyards with no socialization. this could make any dog aggressive. we must fight the root of this problem- the people who keep this precious breed in abusive and neglectful situations. I have been working with dogs for over a decade- and am simply blown away by the love, devotion, and sweetness that this breed has.
I am against all dog breed bans! It is the owner, not the dog! I am not a pit pull person ... I prefer sheep dogs ...However, people who obtain pit bulls because of their bad reputation, & who encourage their dogs to be aggressive, will just get another breed to mistreat if pit bulls are banned. The government needs to put in legislation to make people responsible dog owners!
There are always two sides to a story. Why is it we've only heard one, and it's always been the opositions? It's time someone else stood up and told the truth.
When media create 'Boogymen' or Boogydogs in this case you get backlash. Some people who have no idea what a Pit Bull looks like will identify Any dog bahaving badly as a Pit Bull. The same person might be petting a Pit Bull, & until they are informed that it is a PB, they are not afraid! It's irrational fear!
they are the most loveable and loyal of all breeds.that is why they have their bad rep.their owners who these dogs dont have the choice to pick in the past and sadly the present.that should not be blamed on this wouderful breed.
Pitbulls are like any dog they are what you make them they love there owners and will do anything to please them. So the answer is the owner not the dog.
Pitt Bulls, just like all dogs, can be wonderful pets when they have caring owners. I am personally acquainted with many Pitt Bulls, and Pitt mixes.
I'm a pet sitter and have no problem with going into a home with a Pitt Bull, feeding them or walking them. They are sweet, loving dogs who love human interaction.
ANY dog can be aggressive -- especially when an owner encourages that behavior or doesn't curtail it in their dog. As a child I was attacked by a medium sized terrier who chewed ankles and legs. An unleashed lhasa apso attacked my dog last year while we were taking a walk. We have a nasty lab on my block, which goes against what you are lead to believe about that breed. Obviously all the owners of these neighborhood dogs never curtailed the aggressive behavior in their dogs, and some owners actually encourage aggression. Pit bulls have a bad reputation because some owners have bred, baited and trained these dogs to fight. They also have the capability, like any other dog, to be loving and loyal pets. We need stronger legislation to clamp down on owners who are NOT responsible in the training and socialization of their animals. Too many animals are paying with their lives for the sins of the people who own them. I have seen many more pit bulls that are good family pets, than the ones that are getting bad press. I'm old enough to remember a time when shepards were considered a threat, as well as dobermans. I was warned by people that my shepard would be a threat to my young children because of the bad press shepards were receiving at the time. I had a very large shepard while I was raising my children who was raised with kindness and fairness and love and she was a fantastic playmate for my kids as well as patient and loyal.Unfortunately it's pit bull season this time around, and another breed is paying the price for people who use their dogs to make money and/or pump up their ego,brandish them like a weapon.We need laws with teeth to stop cruel pet owners and a better educated populace in general, not an easy scapegoat. Give pit bulls a chance -- banning an entire breed is expedient but not smart.. . or fair.
i feel this is the beginning of loss of rights for canadadians and canada as a democracy...weshould have the right to own in a responsible manner that is not a danger to anyone else...it is another part of the erosion of canada as a free country...and i believe that a lot of this fear mongering is a smoke screen covering up the inability to govern properly...we have young offenders...teenagers swarming...all this is just another example of the irresponsible people NOT being made accountable...regardless of age...stop blaming the television, stop blaming the teachers, start being responsible and NOW we blame the dogs...dear God where is this country heading ....
It will be a different breed that everyone will be afraid of next year because of attacks. Let's get to the root of the problem instead of attacking one breed.
PLease legislate "dangerous dog" restrictions, an individual restriction regardless of breed, rather that a breed ban, which is wrong, and punishes responsible owners and innocent pets.
I own a 3 1/2 yo purebred female APBT. I show her in UKC events and she is fully health tested. Once we are done in the show ring she will be spayed. She is my pet and the love of my life. I would be devstated if she were taken from me because of bad owners. Punish the bad owners! Not the breed!
I personally am not a "Pit Bull" breed fan, however many of my friends are and I know they have loving dogs. These dogs need a lot of attention and just like any other animal, teach them not to be aggressive. They are not differant, it is the name and the "Bad Owners" that have set this bad name up for the breed. Other breeds can be just as aggressive or even worse because of size, do more damage when they are raised in such a manner. Pitt Bulls deserve a chance to show they can be very happy and freindly with the right owners!
I own a 2 year old, neutered male, pitbull/lab mix,adopted from a local shelter. He is without a doubt the most loving/sensitive dog we have ever had. Most dogs regardless of breed can be trained to be vicious. The owner & irresponsible breeders should be punished not the breed.
BSL-must be stopped responsible ownership is the only answer - education is a must.Governments must enforce dog laws that are in place. cruelty laws must be updated and strictly enforced.
My province has recently put a ban pn pitbulls.Our Attorney General Michael Bryant really had no idea what he was talking about.
The claim: "... a neighbouring pit bull knock[ed] her fence over and a 150 pound beast charged her kids." - Michael Bryant
Response: 'Pit bulls' do not exceed 100 pounds - most are in the 40-80 pounds range. In other words, Michael Bryant did not even use real 'pit bull' examples for his news conference. This proves the fears of pet owners are valid - any shorthaired, medium-to-large sized cross bred dog cannot be distinguished from 'pit bull' crosses and will be affected by this ban. This would include most boxer crosses, many labrador crosses, rhodesian ridgeback crosses, mastiff crosses ... many, many dogs.
The claim: "The bull terrier is not captured. It is not a pit bull. Boxers are ugly dogs too [laughter]. I boxed for years, so I can say that and I'm showing it right now. So no, Don Cherry's dog is safe [laughter]. Which means I am too [laughter]." - Michael Bryant
Response: Again, the Attorney General demostrates his ignorance. Don Cherry's new dog is no longer a Bull Terrier - it is an American Staffordshire Terrier, one of the proposed breeds that will be banned if Bryant's law is passed. And Don Cherry's daughter owns Staffordshire Bull Terriers, yet another breed on Michael Bryant's hit list.
I completely believe that agression is learned--these dogs are not born bad. It's so unfortunate what people have done to these dogs--please show America that pit bulls are just as loving as any other dog if given the right home. Thank you!
I totally agree with what Carol Hroncek has written. Please tell the truth about pitbulls, they are not the monsters that the media is telling us they are. The Media is so powerful, how about researching the facts. Pitbulls are loving, loyal and very devoted to their family. Any dog in the wrong hands can become dangerous. This breed is no different than any other breed, treat it with love and respect, not cruelty and there will be no problem. Come on Fox News, please tell the truth about pitbulls. The Media is causing hysteria. Pitbulls are wonderful dogs. Why doesn't the Media and the Government listen to the people that really know about these dogs, vets, Humane Societies, animal trainers, groomers, people who own and love their pitbulls?? I challenge you to tell the truth.
So many people are mislead to believe that "pitbulls" are aggressive dogs...I stand as living proof that this is not true. At age 7, my first dog was a "pitbull" puppy and was my best friend for 10 years. I now own another "pitbull" and he has become a joy to have around as well. He is excellent with my daughter and nieces (Ages 10, 8, 6, & 1); great with visitors and friends; and is more polite than most people I know.
Scan the news across JUST North America for JUST one year and you will find dozens upon dozens of reports of dog attacks and NOT by pit bulls. Anyone can own a dog; dogs are NOT humans and in the wild they will fight for survival. And yet there is no law that forces people to educate themselves and their families on dog behaviour BEFORE they get a dog. No law exists forcing the owner train the dog, socialize it, treat it humanely, and NOT abuse it. And societies wonder why dog attacks exist? Every single dog that leaves a shelter, breeder, pet store or rescue group is a potential loaded gun. In the wrong hands ANY dog has the potential of biting/attacking. Humans claim to be superior to all other creatures on earth and yet when something goes wrong we put full blame on the "inferior" animal. Let's take some responsibility people. If your dog is dog aggressive, don't have it off leash. If your dog is not properly socialized with children, don't have it off leash and don’t leave it unattended with a child. Don’t train your guard dog to kill and then let him off leash. Don’t chain your dog up and leave it outside to fester. Don’t beat your dog. Considering just how ill prepared and uneducated so many people seem to be about dog behaviour its a miracle more dogs haven’t attacked. Let’s start acting like the supposed ‘superior’ beings that we are and take some responsibility. And one last thing. It really would be nice if the government spent as much time, tax payers dollars, and effort, and in such a miraculously expeditious manner, to address things that actually may be of real danger to our children like perhaps sex offenders, pedophiles, drunk drivers, gang violence and drugs. At this point I wonder if people should not be more offended that THESE issues are NOT being addressed.
I have a pit mix who is a great with everyone. Legislation/responsibilit y aimed at the owners, not the breed, is needed. I work with rescue dogs and most dogs will bite if not brought up correctly.
It's NOT the DOGS fault it has bad owners. The new channels do not put out anything good to say about dog's as well. The law's should be drivin towards the OWNERS being responsilbe-not the dog. What is the #1 dog for dog bites-it's not a PITBULL-Z
I am currently raising a 15 month old pit bull together with my 8 year old. They have a bond that cannot be put into words. I've owned many different dogs throughout my life and this dog is one of the most loving, loyal dog I've ever known. It is only because the media portrays them as killers that people see them as killers. A show telling the true nature of the breed is needed to show people the true nature of these dogs. Education and responsible ownership is what should be put into law - not banning breeds. There is good and bad in all breeds just like there is good and bad in all people!
BSL will not work. Make all dog owners more responsible with training and education etc. The bad owners won't do this...go after them not the responsible owners.
