There was a book published recently about pits. I THINK it was called "Fall of an American Icon" detailing hot the pit bull went from being considered the paramount of the american dog breeds to pariah in a centuries timespan. The references to former presidents that owned them, as well as the little rascal's and Mack Trucks mascots are all prominently featured in it.
As was mentiones, in the 1970's, it was the doberman, then the shepard, then the rottweiler, now pits.
While I do not own a pit, i have a show worthy boxer that is often called a pit by the unknowing public. He is amazingly vicious, and attacks repeatedly unprovoked... oh wait... no those are my ferrets, who terrorize my dog at every opportunity.
EVERY pit I've ever encountered was friendly, and the only one I ever saw attack anything attacked my last boxer when a bitch in heat was present. Sadly, that pit's "locking jaws and imperviousness to pain" didn't serve him well as my dog proceded to technically "whup his ass", and send him cowering and whining back to his yard.
Yes admittedly some dogs are prone to more violent tendencies, JUST as some people are prone to violence, too. Yet amazingly, not every 6'5 300 lb strongman whips people for fun, though i'd wager someone of that disposition is likely to inflict more damage than a 92 lb computer nerd.
Perhaps we need laws banning large people from coexisting with others?
Better yet, maybe we should hadle the problems as they arise, rather than try to blanket law every potential problem before it arises....
Oh and I've been hospitalized twice for unprovoked dog bites. Collie and a german shepard.... let's make them illegal, too... See ya Lassie and Rin-tin-tin!
Not sure what this post or it's poster are attempting to establish that wasn't covered earlier in the thread. I see the sarcasm ,but it's not intelligent. No one here has said that their should be laws against pits. It's when people start making this type of contribution in an irrational attempt to make people think they're being irrational. Myself and others have said "Hey you want to own a pit their can be consequences and have shown reported facts concerning this. If/when pissed pits can kill or really do damage. They've been known to be aggressive and territorial. Pit lovers say it's the owners. In some cases that's true and others it not. Again you need to examine why you want any breed before purchase. If the neighborhood is shaky and your nervous about that don't get a lab get a protection oriented breed. You live around a lot of small children don't buy a little dog because it will bite them! It's true most small dogs don't like kids:biggrin:
No one here has suggested they by any means be put down , but they do have their doubts about them being good family pets. Which given some unflattering incidents gives them reason.