Most of the tragic stories in the news about pit bulls are about dogs who were "total sweeties" until the moment they weren't.

Sorry, OP. I would be really upset as well. The broken fence doesn't exactly scream Responsible Dog Owner, either.

Are they getting an adult with a checkered past or a puppy that is basically a blank slate? Is it a purebred or a mix with something else?

I wouldn't purposely adopt a pitbull with children in the house and I understand your concerns about your kids going over, but otherwise this isn't really your problem.

Anonymous wrote:I would definitely want to supervise any time your kids are spending with the dog, especially at first. A rescue DOG adjusting to a new home with a bunch of excitable kids running around sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Fixed that for you.

I hate pit bulls. So many of my neighbors have them and they're aggressive, growling, chasing people around, always off leash etc. I sympathize and I wouldn't let my kids over there either and I'd tell them to stay away from the dog.
Sorry to all the pit lovers on here, but I have seen way too many incidents involving pits.

I would definitely want to supervise any time your kids are spending with the dog, especially at first. A rescue pit bull adjusting to a new home with a bunch of excitable kids running around sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Does it hurt from clutching your pearls so hard? Dogs are only as bad as their owners…as are children. I don’t think the neighbors will be losing much by losing you as “friends”.

OP I agree. Pits have a bit of a background and breeding matters. My labrador loves water and carrying stuff in his mouth because generation after generation was bred to have those characteristics. Pit bulls were bred to fit bears, among other things, in a pit. Bears, other animals, and ultimate other pit bulls. So fighting and aggression are as much a part of their breeding as my labrador's love of water. Then add in that it is a rescue. If it is a puppy, they have a good chance of creating a lovely dog but definitely one I would be cautious around. If they rescued it, you cannot know how it was socialized, what experiences it had, etc. Many rescue dogs of all kinds are poorly socialized and a poorly socialized pit bull is a potentially dangerous dog. I definitely sympathize.

I'd put up a good fence for your yard, OP and host playdates, dog not invited.

It does suck, I hear you.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, way to assume the worst. Pit bulls have a bad rap. I wouldn't get one myself, because that's not the type of dog I'm into, but I've known several and they've all been total sweeties who just want love and someone to play with them.

Totally agree! They're not my kind of dog, but I have known many very, very sweet and loving pit bull rescues. Close friends have a pit and a small super cute rescue dog. The pit loves their two kids more than life itself, and the little one snaps and bites. You have to watch ALL dogs, especially new dogs, and especially when your child is in another dog's space/house. You should absolutely talk to your neighbors about the plan for the dog when other kids are over...because it's a DOG not because it's a pit.

Anonymous wrote:So you haven’t met the dog? You’re assuming these people that you normally like I assume because your kids play together, would rescue a dog that is going to attack their/your children? You need to take a breathe and relax.

I'm not a huge fan of the family for several small petty reasons but this definitely is the nail in the coffin of our relationship. It just suvms for my kids.

Getting a pitbull is irrational and irresponsible, particularly as a parent to young children. I can guarantee that I won't be the only one that will stop allowing my children to play at their house on account of the dog.

Pitbulls might be fine and sweet until they're not. They have a unique ability to maim and kill due to their jaws. And the inbreeding/generations of poor care and training.

I sure hope their kids will survive the new dog.

Anonymous wrote:I am so angry and annoyed. My young kids are very good friends with their young kids. There aren't too many kids in our neighborhood so this family was their main playdate. Now I won't allow my children to go over to their house and I'll have to be hypervigilant anytime we're outside in our own yard. They have a busted fence which I doubt they'll fix first and I can absolutely see their dog getting loose often.

What compels people with young children to make such stupid decisions?

You are angry and annoyed? Well, that's too bad because you don't get to choose how other people live. People like you make me annoyed. Get over yourself and give the dog ( and your neighbors) a chance for pete's sake~!

You need to relax.

Pit bulls can be some of the sweetest dogs out there - I know, I have a 90lb one with a 2 and 5 year old and have never even thought to be worried. Our dog's nickname is the gentle giant because she is so peaceful, tolerant, and low key. I've never even seen her bark at another dog nonetheless a person. Just because some people train their dogs to be aggressive doesn't mean all are. Talk to your neighbor about their training plan, let them know kindly that you're a little hesitant about a dog (not specifically a pit bull), but don't put out that harsh judgement before even meeting the dog or knowing the situation.

Any dog can be aggressive with the wrong training and any dog can be kind with the right training.

Wow, way to assume the worst. Pit bulls have a bad rap. I wouldn't get one myself, because that's not the type of dog I'm into, but I've known several and they've all been total sweeties who just want love and someone to play with them.

So you haven’t met the dog? You’re assuming these people that you normally like I assume because your kids play together, would rescue a dog that is going to attack their/your children? You need to take a breathe and relax.

I am so angry and annoyed. My young kids are very good friends with their young kids. There aren't too many kids in our neighborhood so this family was their main playdate. Now I won't allow my children to go over to their house and I'll have to be hypervigilant anytime we're outside in our own yard. They have a busted fence which I doubt they'll fix first and I can absolutely see their dog getting loose often.

What compels people with young children to make such stupid decisions?