'City Banning Pit Bulls'

City Banning Pit Bulls

Courtney from Amarillo, Texas, USA!! -

In the city I am from we have had a huge Pit Bull problem. People are breeding them to fight and now the dogs are biting mailmen and kids or pedestrians walking down the street. Our city has had meetings and they have come to the conclusion that if it does not get any better then it could come down to banning pit bulls here in our city. I think that is crazy, but I am sad that so many people are getting hurt.

Comment #1 Jeanette from AZ -

Oh my goodness. People are breeding them to fight? That's terrible. It's no wonder my daughter is afraid of dogs!!

Comment #2 Big Dog from The Woods -

Remember who is in charge... and it is not the humans!

Comment #3 Lucy (66.24.100.217) -

Unfortunately people are ruining it for other people who love the breed by training the dogs this way. In my opinion I don't care what the breed is it is how they are treated and raised that makes a dog the way it is as far as aggression. You could have the sweetest pit bull and you could have the meanest poodle. Hopefully your city will do the right thing for the people that live there because people should not be afraid to walk down their own street because of bad dog owners.

Comment #4 BadGRRL from the pound -

It's sad to hear that this horrible "sport" is making a comeback. This is actually where Pitbulls got their name, but it's a cruel and horrible thing to watch. It's also the origin of docking the tails and cropping the ears, as those were vulnerable body parts a rival dog could grab. The dogs are almost too smart for their own good because they can be trained to be anything the owner wants and often the owners are cruel and train the animals to be mean. I used to have a purebred and she was the most loyal and loveable animal. She saved my life once - and not by hurting anyone, but by knowing something was wrong and getting my neighbor. They really are smart. If you train them to be friendly unless there is danger then they will be. Dogs of any breed are not inherently cruel - it's the human (and in some cases I use that term loosely) owners.

Comment #5 najdoyza from the mountains -

This is so sick. Once again bad owners trsining dogs to do things they shouldn't training them to do has caused problems for good owners. I had one very wonderful Pit and she was the best most loyal dog I have ever had. When she died I was afraid I would never have another dog that was that much of a joy. Her ears and tail were intact so I never had to worry about people's reactions, she looked like an ordinary terrier and they reacted that way to her and she didn't have to deal with their fear. Some people just should not be allowed to have pets. Bad people make bad pets out of any animal they own.

Comment #6 Shandra (208.154.154.201) -

Any dog can attack its not just pit bulls u people are stupid i have a pitbull and hes the sweetest dog i think it just matters how their raised. The people that want to ban them are probably cat loving freaks get a life omg!

Comment #7 Heather (1) from Youngstown -

I do not think it is fair that the dogs have to be banned but it is for the better of the people. I hate the fact that people are just breeding the dogs to fight. I wish people would think of the benefits and negatives for the animals rather than themselves. I know people like to have the dogs have freedom but if they are not chained up to the porch or something that may help some of the problem. Also, if being in the front of the house is problem then they should be at the back of the house. Here is another option you can suggest rather than banning the pitbulls maybe some training is required. Anyone who has a pitbull should be required to get a certified certifcated that the dog has been trained. I hate to make them pay the money to train them but if they really love their dog it is better than getting rid of the dog. Also has anyone considered that if you ban the dogs then people will find an illegal way to breed them, sale, and have pitbull fights.

Comment #8 jorge anchondo (72.1.102.240) -

Banning is idiotic. If I breed chihuahua's to fight and one of them bit a mailman or a kid, would we ban the breed. Chances are we wouldnt. Dont punish the breed, punish the deed. Go after the owners who do this. I have a pitbull and he is the most gentle and kind dog that I have ever had. I have seen Chows and Poodles meaner and more violent than my pit. But the fact remains, that because Poodles do not look violent, same goes for Chows, the would not be banned. There have been several reports of these dogs attacking people...Pits are dogs and part of families as well. So when you vote to ban a breed, your taking a loved one away. Look at your own dog, if you care enough, you would not want it to happen to your family.

Comment #9 Kalyn Allen (66.142.13.235) -

I would like to say that I have 2 pitbulls and they are very good family dogs. And if the city really thinks that banning the breed will help they are highly mistaken. If you think about it the people who are breeding them to fight aren't exactly law abiding citizens. So the city putting a ban on the breed will just cause these people to find more creative and dangerous ways of doing what they do. What the city needs to offer is more information on the breed and what to expect of the temperament and such. There is actually an organization in Amarillo that was givin FREE obedience training to pitbulls of any age. So I think what should really happen is for more people to come forward and support the good in these dogs and not the bad. Cause after all for every bad one ..there is one that is a beloved pet. Like mine, what would I tell my 3 and 6 year old if they banned our dogs and we had to put them down? These dogs have never been mean a day in there lives. So instead of giving up I think the city should work harder to find a resolution instaed of punishing the people that actually take care of and love there pitbulls. THANK YOU

Comment #10 SCOTT DAILEY/ SALEM,OHIO (65.25.15.12) -

Mayor Jay Williams wants to ban Pitbulls in Youngstown, Ohio. This failed in 1999. Now with a new mayor it is being brought up again. Here is my letter to him over Breed Specific Legislation

TO:..Mayor Jay Williams

FROM:..Scott Dailey, Salem, Ohio

Dear Mayor Williams

To be useful, legislation must be effective, enforcible, economical, and reasonably fair. Recently I was informed that yourself, city council etc. is talking about a Pitbull ban that would fail all of these tests. This legislation is motivated by fear and lack of relevant knowledge. .

The media and the inexperienced would have you believe that this breed is vicious and should be prohibited. However, these very breeds as a whole have proven their stability and good canine citizenry by becoming 'Search & Rescue dogs, Therapy dogs working inside hospitals, professional Herding dogs and family companions for years.

Our Country was not founded on the restriction and punishment of the masses based on the actions of a few....when has this changed?

A five year study published in the Cincinnati Law Review in 1982, vol. 53, pg 1077, which specifically considered both Rottweilers and "pit bulls", concluded in part that:

..statistics did not support the assertion that any one breed was dangerous, ..when legislation is focused on the type of dog it fails, because it is ... unenforceable, confusing, and costly. .. focusing legislation on dogs that are "vicious" distracts attention from the real problem, which is irresponsible owners.

In light of this and other studies, we urge you to take the following actions:

1. Reject the current legislation, which is contrary to fact and distracts from the real issue, that of responsible ownership.

2. Actively pursue legislation that would render owners liable for the actions of their pets, such as a good non-breed specific dangerous dog law.

We suggest that the appropriate policy should be "blame the owner, not the dog." Owners can and should take responsibility for their pets.

Bottom line: the legislation proposed will not only be unfair for responsible citizens but it addresses the wrong problem. Voting for this proposal as it stands only harms the law abiding responsible dog owner.

Thank you for your time - Scott Dailey

Comment #11 Sara Dailey (198.187.154.33) -

I'm doing reserach on Banning Pit Bull Dogs. I'm from Oklahoma, and as of currently, it hasn't passed, but if on the floor for review. I'm just surprised that the American Veterinary Medical Association's policy is so messed up... they won't support breed specific legislations to outlaw breeds such as the Pit Bull. Oklahoma's decision has hinged on their standards as well as the veterinary's standards, it's ruining out state. I'm actually proposing a law that will effectively ban Pit Bull Dogs. It's an assignment for my speech class, but who knows... I even have a local police department wanting to review it. And heck.. I'm only a freshman in college... 18. What the heck do I know... =D But if you're passionate, you can accomplish anything. I'm rooting for Oklahoma to pass the BSL laws.. it be the best thing that ever happened to Oklahoma.

Comment #12 Fred Farkle (74.132.12.20) -

I like pit bulls. They are best cooked at 350 degrees for approx. 1 hour. Served with gravy poured over them, and with corn on the cob and mashed taters. Yum.

Comment #13 DV (71.117.190.70) -

The problem is not the Pit Bulls, the problem is the people who are breeding them and not taking care of them. It doesn't matter what kind of dog it is, it can still attack the mail man or anyone who is walking on the street. Anyways, who lets their pet unleashed? Anyone who has their pet unleased in public should get a fine. People who have a pet should supervise their pet. A pet shouldn't even be out loose and running around. I hope your city makes the right choice because I think it is stupid for them to even think of banning Pit Bulls. Always remember the problem is not the Pit Bulls, its their owners.

Comment #14 brit (24.107.243.254) -

I believe that the owner should be the one that takes responsiblity for their dog. Pitbulls are the most loving dogs and they are only made to fight by the owner. and there are many other small breeds that do more biting than any pitbull. But the of it is you dont hear anything about a small dog biting everyone only cause they are small dogs and havent been inbedded into everyones mind that this dog is a fighter. they have just gotten a bad rap. and thats one of the things that really upsets me most. cause people are only hearing the bad that comes from theses dogs but dont consider that they were only doing what their owner had wanted them to do. So i believe that banning any dog would be the dumbest thing that any city could do.

Comment #15 Barbara Rohl (67.86.179.241) - Sun Aug 31 16:34:01 2008

for Sarah who is actively striving to ban pit bulls.

perhaps you should go back in history and read about the breed and how certain people over a hundred years ago selectively bred their terriers to fight. and how they did this through GENETICS

if you will remember the dogs confiscated from vicks the dogfighting group?, most of them are adopted and doing fine.

and if you remember also, most of them WOULDNT FIGHT when tortured and tormented to do so. this is why some were beaten and destroyed by their human creatures.

aggression is ALL ABOUT GENETICS. just as with people you have extremely undesirable traits, pedaphiles, molesters, and monsters. as a matter of fact the GENETIC trait for aggressive behavior is established now and it is this that is responsible for the thrill of wartime behavior that at times overwhelms humans.

wolves are basically SHY creatures, they fear people and confrontation. BUT a most interesting reason for the prevalence of this GENETIC TRAIT. amongst wolves released in the wilds years ago, was a special one, a wolf WITH ATTITUDE, basically full of courage and fearless. and of all of them, that wolf was the only one whose genes were not passed on. he was killed as some hunter found him an easy target. he didnt run away and hide, he was bold in his approach to life. the shy and fearful ones THEY lived on to pass their natures on.

the same with todays dogs. you need the gene responsible for this behavior to be passed on, and the gene that inspires a dog to act aggressively towards another dog is NOT the one that makes them violent towards HUMANS. dogs LOVE people!!!

plus, even the aggressive gene was usually tempered with a gene inspiring restraint, so there are miles to go before a dog is "out of control aggressive" and with todays neutering, spaying and very short life spans for canines, there is little left if anything.

dogs today are most of them tail wagging, dish water type creatures, dont sacrifice the only terrier breed with some life left to extinction.

Comment #16 B rent (170.40.160.25) - Thu Sep 18 11:54:23 2008

I think the thought of BSL just shows how shallow people are. There are plenty of other dogs that kill other dogs and they are not publicized. What about people killing people are we going to have a Race Specific legislature? Ban all the whites so they dont kill people, or the blacks, or the latinos. This is crap and its how you raise your dogs. Just like how you raise your kids.

Comment #17 Chelsea (65.60.235.228) - Fri Sep 26 02:27:22 2008

That's the reason they have a bad name is b/c's stupid people like that. i have a pur breed Pit and he's the nicest mostsweet loving dog you could ever meet.people need to stop giving this breed such a bad name. there's great dogs and they're just as nice as any other. i've come across smalled dogs more mean than Pit. People need to open there eyes and punish the people doing this not the breed. its not there fault!

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