Man's best friend - a friend in need ...

[Swamp Fox]

The terrier died trying to protect children from pit bulls. (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4044905a11.html) I presume this is a true story, so I'll say that the terrier is the children's best friend.

[Arc]

The terrier died trying to protect children from pit bulls. (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4044905a11.html) I presume this is a true story, so I'll say that the terrier is the children's best friend.

Ah yes, Pit Bulls. What if anything should be done about them. Unfortunately I've yet to see a civilized intelligent discussion on the subject. It ranks right up there with religion, gun control, and abortion, just on a smaller scale only because the population interested in the subject is much smaller than for the other topics mentioned.

I actually was once on a popular radio talk show pontificating about this subject. The host liked me and I got mixed reviews from the callers who commented on what I said. Gee, kind of like GA!

Careful now on what you post, I don't want to be accused of "bitch slapping" anyone with a rebuttal post. Only kidding! I've not planning on posting any further than this! :)

[MNeedham73]

And in a similar story from Tennesee (http://www.wsmv.com/news/13237957/detail.html):

FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- Residents said an elderly basset hound saved the life of a child Monday.

They said while the owner of a pit bull was walking the dog through the Franklin neighborhood, the pit bull broke its leash and went after a 2-year-old child that was playing in a yard.

Neighbor Jolita Nemeth said the basset hound, Elvis, got between the child and the pit bull and saved the child’s life.“Elvis the dog was just an old basset hound that was minding his own business in his own yard. The pit bull had drug Elvis down to the ditch and was mauling him,” Nemeth said.Elvis was killed in the attack.

Neighbors said they tried to beat the pit bull away.“The dog could have turned on me, her, the child (and) any of the kids that were in the yards. I mean, it was just terrifying,” Nemeth said.

Employees from Williamson County animal control captured the pit bull and said Elvis was a hero.“Elvis. I feel that he went out with a dignity that he lived with but still he didn’t deserve,” said Debby Leddy of Williamson County Animal Control.

More detailed accounts have been posted on a basset hound message board that my parents post on. Elvis was pretty much disemboweled and had most of his face removed by the pit bull.

[Domh]

The breed of dog is immaterial.

If it is left unattended (bound or unbound) and attacks and kills or maims the person or property of another, the owner of the dog should face extremely harsh criminal penalties.

You buy or adopt a dog... you are responsible for it's actions. Period.

Oh... right... sorry... forgot for a second... silly Domh!

:yougottabekidding:

[ethics]

The breed of dog is immaterial.

Enough said.

[MNeedham73]

The breed of dog is immaterial.

Agreed. Although, the more and more reports I hear of Pit Bulls (I think a lot of "Pit Bulls" are actually American Staffordshire Terriers, but anyway) that their owners say have never, EVER, hurt anyone before, then just snap and go on a rampage, makes me think that there *might* be something up with them.

Certain breeds have been reported to have a rare problem called "Rage Syndrome." Springer Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, and a few others are the breeds mentioned the most. I've seen it happen with a Springer Spaniel. My dad has the scars on his hand to prove it. Dog was perfectly fine, out of nowhere bit the hell out of him, and was perfectly fine again 5 seconds later. Was a bizarre thing. The ONLY aggression was the actual bite.

It just makes me wonder if Pit Bulls possibly have a similar issue.

[tke711]

Since we just got a pup a few weeks ago, much of the research I did is still fresh in my mind.

From my reading, it's being reported that MANY breeds are having various issues right now, including Rage Syndrome, due to over/poor breeding. Breeders aren't taking enough care to make sure that family members aren't being bread together, which is causing many genetic problems.

These problems can be physical health issues, or metal issues like neurotic dogs or dogs with rage.

[MNeedham73]

I'm constantly reading up on dogs. Especially since the two breeds I have in my house (Husky and Akita) are two breeds that a lot of people are afraid of, and both show up on the CDC's dog bite list.

To be fair, my Akita *is* a large, powerful dog. When I walk him, people cross the street to avoid getting too close, which I think is a tad much. But *shrug* whatever.

Thankfully, he has the temperament of a marshmallow lol.

[tke711]

LOL, that's a good temperament to have, especially for an Akita. :)

I've known a couple of Akita's in my life, and while beautiful dogs, neither was very friendly to anyone but it's owners. Very protective dogs they were.

However, I've always believed it boils down to how you raise a dog. If a dog is raised to be violent, it will be violent. If it's raised to be a marshmallow, it will be a marshmallow. :)

[MNeedham73]

He'll bark at people he doesn't know (which I definitely don't mind). I do 'introduce' him to new people. Once I do that, he knows that person is OK, and he's good to go.

Do I think that, if someone were to break into my house/attack me/whatever, that Ronin would protect me? Hell yes. No doubt in my mind about it. The husky? She'd probably try licking them to death, I think LOL.

[tke711]

LOL

Every single husky I've ever known was just like that. Beautiful and loving dogs who's bark is MUCH more scary then their bite...or lack there of. :)

[jfcjrus]

The breed of dog is immaterial.

If it is left unattended (bound or unbound) and attacks and kills or maims the person or property of another, the owner of the dog should face extremely harsh criminal penalties.

You buy or adopt a dog... you are responsible for it's actions. Period.

Oh... right... sorry... forgot for a second... silly Domh!

:yougottabekidding:
There ya go.
END OF STORY!
If you do not accept absolute personal responsibility for your dog, then you shouldn't have one!

ANY dog can be trained to socially behave ANY way you want.
(If you don't know how to do that, or can't afford to go to a good doggie school (for you to be taught!), then perhaps you shouldn't have bought a pit bull, you moron!)
[end of rant];)

Just more of the typical attempt to deflect responsibility, so prevalent in today's society, to me.

Regards,

[cdw]

Actually, I disagree. There are dogs, just like people, that are skitzy..there is just 'something' wrong with them regardless of how you train them. I do not think it necessarily has to do with the breed. But there are humans that are 'wrong', I don't think it would be a stretch to think there are dogs that are 'wrong'.