Val,
I'm not dissagreeing with you about a putting a dog down for attacting innocent children. It is not just the Pits that will attact. My problem is that PEOPLE are usually the problem children included. I have lost count of the times I've told children to stay back or get away from my yard and when asked "will the dog bite" my answer "is all dogs will bite please leave him alone" and yet they don't listen. I get stupid come backs like "we have a black dog at home so I want to pet it". I have done a lot of the educ. talks with kids and some parents. Weird as it is to me most just dont get it. Most have never seen a working dog or pack behavior. Sadly the thinking amoung the averg. American family is that they can make this dog a human member of the family or they chain it outside and forget about them. Bad dogs come from bad people.
There are some breeds I like better than others and some I would not want to have at all. But most people don't understand dog behavior.

I'd be curious to find out how many of these attacks were truly committed by the American Pit Bull Terrier, and how many were various, unidentifiable mixes that the media would rather call a pitbull than admit they don't know what the heck it was. Let's not forget that in some areas, the GSD is considered the most dangerous dog. I wonder if part of the seriousness of these attacks doesn't come from the fact that most people are terrified of pitbulls, or any dog that they think might be a pitbull. They're much less likely to dive in and save a child from a pitbull than a poodle. JMO

Valerie and Jenni I certainly understand what you are saying, and people are the root cause. My concern is a human aggresive Pit Bull is not right, all the way back to the breeder, the circumstances it was raised and so forth. Folks are concerned about what can be done, I feel cleaning up the breed is in order. I have to say the Pit Bull is probably better suited for a rural environment and I say this with much thought as I have Pet Bulls in the suburbs. So many here are right when they say most folks have no idea what they are getting themselves into when they decide to own a Pit and it has gotten out of hand. I love both my dogs, but I have to admit they would be better off in a different environment which I plan to procure once I am able, sometimes it just isn't that easy but you have to be as pursistant and as dilligant as the Bulldog themselves...and you have to really want to.

I think the point that was being made was that anyone can drag someone into court, regardless of if the suit will be dismissed or even lost. Our system is the best system in the world, but it can still get better by blocking lawsuits such as the ones discussed as possibilities when going to save someone being attacked by a dog. I would save someone if I could without even a thought to any possible legal repercussions. I hope someone would do the same for me, or someone else in need. Sometimes you have to do what's right, no matter what the outcome will be, just because it's the right thing to do, and the right thing to do makes it the only thing to do.

Andrew and Trent, I'm sorry if my post was offensive to you. It wasn't directed at you per se, but at some of the disgraceful things I've seen. I've spent time in Beaumont and I can say the atmosphere isn't like that of NYC or Long Island. I've also spent a lot of time in Canada, and noticed a totally different mentality. Maybe this transcends to your courts there. I went into the legal thing unconsiously just assuming it would be fair and just, but what I've seen here where I am was jaw dropping. I would even go as far as to say criminal.

Valerie T-K, there's a thread on a bulldog board about two bulldogs who attacked a child. They raise some of the same points you do, even if you're talking apbt, and they're talking ab. Same idea. You might find it interesting if you have some time to read:

http://members5.boardhost.com/DOGMAN1965/msg/1136140769.html

Debbie <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> If a situation should present it's self then some times I will intitiate a conversation on why I don't allow a behavior with my dog. never 'You should' but always
"Why I..." Seems to me people are a little less defensive with that approach. But like you and others have said there are those who know everything from birth and don't want to hear what you or anybody else have to say.

Mike A. I agree with you, ones dog or dogs are an extention of themselves. Aren't yours? A pack will only react to the way the alfa wants it too...no? If a good trainer is a bad element aren't there laws on the books already to cover a sitiuation should they abuse their alfa status <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Valerie and Jenni my thoughts exactly

My opinion the only thing wrong with the judicial system is that most of the judges and magistrates don't have the guts to stand up for what is right, but bow to public opinion and or their own feelings an beliefs. (aren't they elected officials) And if they change the system to a loser pays then Lawyers better pay 40% of the bill! That ought to make 'em think twice before taking a case.

Rob, I know all those tricks too. Believe it or not I really am a fairly nice person! Most of the time anyway. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I treat people the way I want to be treated....with dignity and respect. I'm just a little blunt at times.

The bottom line is that there are ignorant, narrow-minded redneck people that don't want to learn a better way of doing anything. Even if it can make their lives infinitely better. Not trying to sound like a snob, I just know what I've learned and seen in my life. I am more than willing to give my time, effort and energy for as long as it takes to help someone that wants and accepts my help. Otherwise, forget it!

Here is another one here locally. Am I just more aware of it or do these pitbull attacks seem to be happening more often? http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15860897&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=532241&rfi=6

If they reported bites by toy dogs with the same zeal that they report pit bull bites it wouldn't be as exciting.
This case also comes down to people's stupidity. Based on the fact that they had to run in the house to see why the 3 year old was screaming it sounds like they left a 3 year old alone with a powerful dog. It was a disaster waiting to happen.

People can be very ignorant when it comes to kids and dogs. The other day, a small kid wanted to pet my very large GSD. I said OK, because he is VERY reliable with kids. The mom said nothing to the kid, and the kid threw her arms around the dogs neck. He was fine, not a hint of a problem, but when I suggested she be more careful in the future, the Mom said "I don't want her to be afraid of dogs." Of course I was thinking that if the next dog bites, that might change the kid's mind a bit. I explained how dogs should be approached, but I don't think she was listening.

Another favorite is when people bring their young children to the dog park (I kid you not!). This is not allowed, of course, just as we are not allowed to take our dogs to kid's playgrounds, but you can imagine the "discussions" that occur between, say the owner of a border collie and the parent of a small child who has just been herded. Recently, some guy came in with two toddlers, but when a friend of mine came in with two very well behaved Rotties, he practically vaulted the fence with the kids.