Quote: alec s. garrison

DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS GO OUT AND PLAY UNTIL THIS DOG IS PICKED UP. STRAY DOGS ARE DANGEROUS AND STRAY PITS CAN BE DANGEROUS X 10. DOGS CAN VIEW CHILDREN AS PREY. THEY ARE OF THE SAME EYE LEVEL AND IF YOU WATCH THE WAY KIDS MOVE WHEN THEY PLAY IT TRIGGERS A DOGS PRAY DRIVE. EVEN IF THE DOG JUST COMES RUNNING TO PLAY IT WILL SCARE THE KIDS AND ONCE THEY RUN THEY BECOME PREY. BAD SITUATION.

Whoa whoa whoa. Please don't persecute this dog because of its breed. I would be concerned not because this dog is a "pit bull" but because any stray could be dangerous. The only concern I would have is if this dog was used for dog fighting and was kicked to the curb because he lost. And even then he may only be dog aggressive. But please, please, please don't fear this situation because this dog is a Pit Bull.

Jerren,
I agree with you but consider this. First of all I have no prejudice when it comes to pits. Take a look at Jeter. He is a 80lb.Pit. I also have another Pit (female). They are wonderful dogs and very people friendly.

Having said that you would have to agree that there are some extra concerns when it comes to this breed. If this dog was a fighter and has a high prey drive he can be more dangerous by virtue of the fact that he might have been trained to kill anything he see's as prey. He might be fine with adults but kids present a diffent thing.

Both my dogs love people. One day I had a yard sale and had both dogs sitting outside with me. They were great all day with people coming in and out of my driveway until a couple came out of thier car with a young child. This kid began to dart around my driveway the way kids dart around. Fast jerky erratic movements. Jeter attacked. Luckily he was tied up and couldnt get to his target or I would have been in big trouble and this kid could have been seriously hurt.

It was explained to me that Jeter probably felt threatened by this kid or saw him as prey and acted accordingly. Of course it was my mistake that I didn't handle the situation correctly from the start but we have to consider that because this is a Pit the odds that this dog has a bad history is much more likely then if he was a different breed. Not the dogs fault. Just reality. They don't use Labs or Cocker Spaniels for dog fighting.

Alec, I do agree with you there about the point about if the dog had been a fighter. I just wasn't sure if you were one of those people who thought pitbulls were killers. but i see you are not. thanks for clearing that up.

I would keep the dog seperated from my kids and my dogs as you do not know anything about this PB (or any strange dog for that matter). As far as the kids are concerned, PBs are used as "catch" dogs, they chase down prey and hold onto that prey for the hunter....if it runs a PB will chase it, at least that what my two tend to want to do.

Valerie,

Exactly what I am saying. And Jerren, I would never be one of those people. In fact I applaud you for jumping on me when you thought I was. I would have done the same thing.

Pits are great dogs. Smart as hell, strong , loyal and they love their humans. I do have some issues with Jeter and other dogs that I am trying to work through.

he got into a dog fight with two English Bulldogs when he was about a year old. They started it. Since then I have been afraid to bring him to the dog park so he has developed some dog aggression issues.

Even though it was 2 against one I thought he was going to rip these bulldogs to pieces. I had to pull him off. If he hurt or killed another dog and they sue me, as soon as the judge see the word PIT he will immediately be taken away from me. I can never let that happen so I am overly cautious.

So back to the OP, I would rip the city a new one. Too busy? So when somebody gets mauled by this dog, will they be too busy to scrape up the peices from all over the street?

I do realize you said he appears friendly but you know the point I'm trying to make here.

I have caught 2 strays and just put them in my garage for the shelter to get them.

Which reminds me, so this dog has no collar/id? Perhaps you can get him in your garage or in a crate, and care for him until your local American Pit Bull Terrier rescue shelter can come and get him. Thats what I'd do.

But I'd definitely complain about the animal control folks and demand that my taxes don't go to them.

Well, Sorry it took so long to get back online. I don't have access at my desk. Any way when I got home the dog was gone. I do not blame the breed, but do have respect for what damage any dog with teeth can do and not knowing the dogs background in no way was I going to chance my child with it. Thanks for all of your in put.

I don't live in a neighborhood. 3 miles outside city limits, but we did call the local vet and asked them, but they didn't know of the dog.