The problem then is that bad dog owners frequently acquire breeds that can be very dangerous.

The breed that bites the most in US = German Shepherd.
The breed that holds second place = Pitt Bull.

Why invite problems? Why keep these kinds of dogs in residential areas? Even the nicest dog of these breeds can snap; and the owners know this but elect to take on the liability of ownership anyway.

http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-myths.php

All pit bull groups are going to defend the pit bull. I think you need to see both sides to get an unbiased opinion. My friend adopted a Pit Bull and he truly is a sweetheart, however, most of the people I know who have adopted pits make sure no one goes near their dog. This is even after they have been trained. Unfortunately, not everyone is a responsible dog owner. I agree with the poster who said you should be required to get a license to own one of them. It could help weed out potential irresponsible owners.

My step father had a friend who owned an Akita. He was familiar with this dog and never had a problem with it. One day, for some reason, my step father moved in a way that the dog did not like and lunged at his face and tore his cornea.

No matter what type of dog you have, there is always the potential for getting bitten. However, a bite from a yorkie, and a bite from a pit bull are very different.

It's not the breed, it's the owner. It really is. There isn't enough data out there to support breed-specific ban legislation.

Most dog bites are from unneutered male dogs of any breed. Also, most dogs involved in dog bites/attacks have not been kept specifically as pets, but rather as guard dogs or specifically for fighting. That's really what people should focus on.

I have a neighbor with two pit bulls. She lives in a teeny little house with no yard. Four times a day these poor dogs get to tramp around outside to go to the bathroom. She can't let them off the leash. I tell you what, if they get loose and hurt someone's pet or kid, this woman is going to have a furious mob on her doorstep. Crazy dog lady.

The problem is not the dog, it's the owner.

Signed, Scared face - attacked by a Chiwawa when I was a child.

Anonymous wrote:Because it's bad owners who make them this way; the dogs are not this way inherently. In fact, they are such intelligent dogs and so eager to please, they will quickly learn to do whatever their trainer or owner asks, and mean people take advantage of this tendency and make them fight each other.

Pit bulls used to be known as family dogs and "America's babysitter" and in fact the RCA dog was a pit bull and so was the Little Rascals' dog, Petey, and the Buster Brown dog. Educate yourself:

http://www.ywgrossman.com/photoblog/?p=676

http://www.dontbullymybreed.org/

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/pete.php

My point is when I see a woman walking around neighborhood with this rescue who obviously is very mentally scarred and he seems to have no control of her dog, or thinks it's ok for it to play with my 20lb toy dog I have a problem. So don't tell me to fucking educate myself.

Because dogs are people too!

The dog in this case is NOT a pitbull, but an Argentine mastiff. Some breeds of mastiffs, such as Neopolitan mastiffs, were specifically bred to be aggressive. As for pitbulls, it is a myth that they're aggressive dogs. Most are sweet and loving animals, who wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone a human. Even pits that were made to fight can be rehabilitated into good family dogs. I'm surprised at the ignorance on this board. Then again, from previous postings here, I gather about 75% of you are dog haters.

Anonymous wrote:Well, to be fair, a lot of the people you see with them didn't purchase them...they rescued them. That said, I think you should have to have a license to own a "dangerous" breed. This is the case in Germany. To many stupid owners out there that don't take proper precautions with animals that are essentially as dangerous as handguns.

Not quite true. It varies by state in Germany. In Switzerland, all dog owners (regardless of breed) need one.

Because it's bad owners who make them this way; the dogs are not this way inherently. In fact, they are such intelligent dogs and so eager to please, they will quickly learn to do whatever their trainer or owner asks, and mean people take advantage of this tendency and make them fight each other.

Pit bulls used to be known as family dogs and "America's babysitter" and in fact the RCA dog was a pit bull and so was the Little Rascals' dog, Petey, and the Buster Brown dog. Educate yourself:

http://www.ywgrossman.com/photoblog/?p=676

http://www.dontbullymybreed.org/

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/pete.php

Absolutely agree whole heartedly OP.

Well, to be fair, a lot of the people you see with them didn't purchase them...they rescued them. That said, I think you should have to have a license to own a "dangerous" breed. This is the case in Germany. To many stupid owners out there that don't take proper precautions with animals that are essentially as dangerous as handguns.

I agree. I call them "power" dogs because the only reason someone would purchase one is to feel powerful.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/rescued-dog-bites-nbc-anchor-face-during-feel-141755422.html

I hate it when I see people in DC walking with pit bulls and other aggressive breeds.