Quote: rick miller

The recent increase in pit bull attacks is not real, the perception is simply insinuated by the media to stir the pot, IMO.

Hmmm. Three possibilities here:

1.) Pit Bull are becoming more vicious.
2.) The media is causing this image.
3.) All of the above...it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I think that the recent increase in pit bull attacks is amplified by the media, but I do think that there may be an actual increase in pit attacks. There is a reason why a breed that was specifically recommended for children has suddenly become one you "should never have around children!"

The vicious circle:

PBs become a status symbol for those wanting to look 'tough'--> they encourage/reward 'tough' behavior from the animals---> they breed the animals for that aggressive quality---> they produce more aggressive animals through selective breeding---> those improperly bred and cared for animals attack---> the media hypes them up and perpetuates and distributes that 'tough' image---> that image starts to define the pit bull in the public's eye---> the good owners who may have considered a pit in the past will now shy away from them and the bad owners who want a status symbol will pick a Pit Bull---> they will encourage/reward the 'tough' behavior from the animals---> they will improperly own and train, contain and breed those dogs---> they will attack---> the media will hype up the attacks---> RINSE AND REPEAT.

SO...it is possible that selective breeding by the same idiot owners that are allowing and causing these attacks to happen can be creating a new, more aggressive pit bull....one who is no longer the good-tempered dog described in the breed standard.

Anyone with half a decent eye can tell the difference between showline GSDs and workingline GSDs. When it's temperament and not only physical attributes you're breeding for, it would be harder to tell. Breeders of the quality Pits may shy away from it now. Can you imagine how much crap you must get as a GOOD Pit breeder now, just because of someone's knee jerk reactions:

"You breed Pits? Don't you know they're monsters?!?!"

OR

"You breed Pits. Cool, can I have one who matches my bad-ass car?"

I mean, I can't get over the preconceived notions people have about my GSD as a man-eater, I can't imagine how much crap I would get as a Pit owner!

It's possible that because of the media attention, there is a rise in unethical breeders of Pits, and a decrease in ethical ones.

I think it IS possible that a new line of pit bull is being created: Perpetuated by the media. Aggravated by the media. Inflated numbers of attacks by the media, and misrepresentations by the media. But that doesn't mean that the pit bull attacks aren't on the increase at all.

And it all comes down to the people who don't deserve these dogs and only want an 'image.'

 Quote: Steve Behnam

Until ALL owners show that they have enough individual responsibility and control over their dogs, laws should be in place to protect us up to and including mandatory spaying/neutering and breed limitations and bans.

What makes you think that the people causing the problems are going to follow these laws you're suggesting?

 Quote: Steve Behnam

In order to register your dog or take to the vet for the first time, etc., this certification should be mandatory. And if you fail to provide this information, the other party should be required by law to contact the authorities and report you.

What this will do is NOT prevent people from 'unlawfully' owning these dogs. It will only prevent them from taking them to the vet...further mistreating these animals.

My solution is PUNISH THE OWNER. Without penalties to the owners, this will keep happening. Right now the worst thing that can happen to people in most places is that their dog(s) will be taken away and euthanized. Punishments should be flexible based on offense, but I have no problem with the owners of dogs who are 'repeat offenders' being jailed and losing their right to own dogs.

That is taking the dog-ownership privilege away from someone who has DEMONSTRATED that they cannot live up to the responsiblity both to society and the dogs in their care. It is NOT taking the privilege away from someone who has done nothing wrong and simply owns a certain breed of dog.

Like it or not, society runs not on moral values as we'd like to think, but on fear of punishment. If the prospective owners of ANY breed of dog knew before they purchased a dog that they will be accountable for their dogs actions, they may either choose a breed that suits their experience level or to get the appropriate training. As it is, they have almost zero culpability as long as they don't specifically send the dog on an attack. At least from what I've seen.

Amber, by selective breeding, you mean inbreeding. These morons breed father to daughter, sister to brother, etc, if they have the "fire." Neat. They must be really tough. It couldn't possibly be that they're genetic mutants and totally off their rockers (with good reason.) Another thing I have to point out though is that when you state that attacks are becoming more prevalent, are you considering the huge jump in the population of Pit Bulls? If you look at how many there are, and how many are a problem...it doesn't look so bad. If you only have 5 poodles in a city and 3 are dangerous, well, 3 doesn't sound like a lot, but in a city of 5, that's pretty bad. So, if a city has 3 Pit Bull attacks in a given period of time, and there are 1000 Pit Bulls in that city...get my drift? Most idiot owners have several to dozens. Keep that in mind.

"Make it well known and law, that if serious injury happens, the owner of the dog will be jailed...."


I agree, it has to be made known, hense the first sentence in my statement above.

If people are warned about the new legislation, and choose to ignore it by NOT keeping there dogs under control, they should be behind bars.

If you fail to pre-register your dog, you will be fined and/or punished. Then, once you own your dog and something happens, the dog owner, under the law but maybe not in reality, can not claim ignorance.

Much like if you own a gun and have been pre-certified and have received training and move to a new city and fail to re-register your gun. You can't claim ignorance because you learned that before buying your gun.

Dog's are property that can cause harm- regardless of the breed. You must receive training before buying the dog and you will be held responsible once you own the dog.

I have just a big a problem with the nice family down the street who has a terror Lab or Jack Russel as I do with underground pit bull owners.

 Quote: ted efthymiadis

"Make it well known and law, that if serious injury happens, the owner of the dog will be jailed...."

I agree, it has to be made known, hense the first sentence in my statement above.

If people are warned about the new legislation, and choose to ignore it by NOT keeping there dogs under control, they should be behind bars.

How would you go by warning these people of the new legislation?? Just because it's available to read, doesn't mean it's going to be read. OTOH, if you are in the process of buying that new pup, and you have to follow certain rules to get that new pup, people will take the time to learn and if and when their full grown pup hurts someone, they should be accountable.

I agree with what Steve says, if you buy something that can potentially cause harm, you should take the time to learn about it. Not saying you have to get a CDX, but some kind of effort on the potential owner's part.

 Quote: Jenni Williams

Another thing I have to point out though is that when you state that attacks are becoming more prevalent, are you considering the huge jump in the population of Pit Bulls? If you look at how many there are, and how many are a problem...it doesn't look so bad. If you only have 5 poodles in a city and 3 are dangerous, well, 3 doesn't sound like a lot, but in a city of 5, that's pretty bad. So, if a city has 3 Pit Bull attacks in a given period of time, and there are 1000 Pit Bulls in that city...get my drift? Most idiot owners have several to dozens. Keep that in mind.

Yes, but why has the pit bull had such a huge jump in population considering their new bad public reputation? Who's increasing their numbers so drastically? The good breeders or the bad?

But I see what you're saying. I read a study once that claimed that German shepherds statistically bite more often than any other breed. However, further research showed that they were including working dogs, police dogs, military dogs and guard dogs...NOT just pet dogs as the study implied. You just can't trust statistics.

Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, et al are fashionable right now. Watch any special on athletes, rap stars, etc. and they will all have these types of dogs. Also, it's a matter of economics, not a matter of race. People who live in dangerous or economically opressed areas purchase dogs as protection. Too difficult to legally get a gun, but very easy to adopt a pitbull.

Also, i'm sure people here have read or read Dog Fancy magazine, but the majority of the ads for breeders are for GSD's, Pits, Dobermans and other "protection" dogs.

Yes Amber I remember chatting about that & I agree with you. Also, I think the mere fact that the GSD is such a popular breed link , it makes sense on why they have the highest bite stat. I don't think it has anything to do with the breed itself. It's the amount of dogs of that breed, whether its a PB or GSD.

Idiots are getting them now simply because of the bad reputation-that is true. And if you have 10 Pits in the possession of one idiot, what do you think the odds are that they'll find their way into trouble? The odds of his 10 are much higher than 10 independently, separately owned Pits. That was more my point.

If I had to approach an unknown dog, and I could choose between a Pit Bull and a German Shepherd, I gotta say I would still try the Pit. They still are not, as a whole, human aggressive.

 Quote: Alex Corral

I don't think it has anything to do with the breed itself. It's the amount of dogs of that breed, whether its a PB or GSD.

This is exactly what I was saying in my earlier post!