Pit Bulls

[javasaurus]

The world is really getting stupid. Again.

How many of you have heard the horror stories of pit bulls killing, maiming, and just plain scaring people? Because of such stories, congressmen (and other law-makers) have been trying to ban pit bulls. There's a problem. There is no such breed as a "pit bull." The American Kennel Club recognizes two breeds that are often considered pit bulls. The first is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the second is the American Staffordshire Terrier. Both are considered to be excellent family pets.

Another group, the United Kennel Club recognizes a breed called the American Pit Bull Terrier, which again is typically friendly and good with people. But even this dog, with its name, is not what most people and legislators think of when they say "pit bull."

Can you identify a pit bull?

Comments

[xpioti.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Michigan, I think it is, has a zero-tolerance law for pit bulls; any that are reclaimed by animal control must be destroyed. There is enough of a problem with dogfights that to do otherwise would be unsafe. Unfortunately, what they're not taking into account is that a psychotic Chihuahua can do a lot of damage as well, even without the double-hung jaw that's so distinctively "pit bull".

If you really want dangerous, though, look at kids who haven't been raised to know respect, discipline, and caution. :(

[cozit.livejournal.com]

Generally speaking, most places will have a dog put down if it's proved to be dangerous... no matter what the breed.

Michigan might not be the only one with the zero-tolerance... though for Animal Control to have seized a dog, it has to have been either given up voluntarily (in some areas that means the dog *may* be adoptable still, depending on circumstances), or been seized because of a broken law (neglect, or other statues... IIRC, there's a law in Detroit (at least) requiring that people be of a certain age before being permitted to be be on their own with pit bulls/fighting breeds). In most cases, if a dog's actually been seized, chances are that it's not ever going to be considered a "safe" dog anyway in those situations (well, there are quite a few breeds, including Rotties (another fighting breed) where they might still have decent, reliable temperments).

*g* Between what I picked up years ago, and too much Animal Planet while stitching or cleaning, it's amazing the trivia I've picked up.

[blueeowyn.livejournal.com]

The problems arise when an individual breaks into your home. If your 'gentle breed' (Lab, Goldie, St. Bernard, etc.) dog bites the person, it is considered justifiable and a provoked bite. The dog may be put on restriction or observed for a while but usually gets to return home with no problems.

If your 'agressive breed' (Rottie, Bulldog, Staffordshire, Dobie, etc.) dog bites the person the dog is obviously vicious and is forceably removed (think neck choke on a pole), shoved in a crate, yelled at, etc. They then 'observe' the dog and usually declare it dangerous (many dogs will snap and lunge when you hit the door of their crate with sticks and yell at them).

Note the difference in the perception of the dog just due to breed, which leads to very different handling, which leads to a different result.

Hmm, I need to re-read "Bandit, Dossier of a Dog" in which a lot of this happened.

[javasaurus.livejournal.com]

Xi--quick question. Double hung?