shome42

This is precisely the problem. It is possible to own these dogs safely by doing all the right things and training them in exactly the right ways, but how do we ensure people are doing those things?

For every other activity which could injur others if done improperly, the government requires testing and licensing. But with dogs this isn't the case. Any Joe Shmoe can get a doberman, train him improperly, and then no one knows until it's too late.

Viti

Shome42, I think requiring licensing is a reasonable suggestion...not blanket breed banning. Because my dogs were all rescues, we were scrutinized...much more so than had we bought a dog. We had to answer questions about our experience with big dogs, our preferred training methods, what food we planned to buy, how our yard was enclosed etc.

Now, if you could get people to require licesnces to have children it would be even better...

beth

LS, you raise a good point. Now I am not thrilled about the idea of pit bulls being breed, but I do not think that people should be forbidden from owning certain breeds. I would like nothing more than to have a lrge dog to accompany my medium size dog. I would feel much safer when I am alone with my children at night, especially if my husband begins to work out of town. You should have every right to own your animals. It is obvious that you are a responsible owner and that you would not allow a senseless tragedy such as a child maiming to occur.

shome42

Well then! It's nice to reach a compromise! I'd be happy with licensing as opposed to blanket breed banning.

BTW, I also agree with child licensing...but that's another issue.

MzNeko

Well then, perhaps that is what should be legislated rather than a blanket ban. Perhaps signing a contract agreement to properly train a large breed dog before one can legally purchase/adopt one. Or stiffer penalties for attack incidents if it can be shown that the owner never bothered to train them.

shome42

BTW, I know my orignal call for blanket bans was unrealistic and somewhat unreasonable.

I started this thread more to vent than to win an argument.

Viti

Pit Bulls are very popular here...the dog park is filled with them. I personally do not fear any breed more than other breeds...except small dogs, I am wary of them, nasty little things.

Anyway, the Pit Bulls I have seen are dog aggressive because that's what they were bred to be, but have yet to see one that is human aggressive. One unaltered male at the dog park kept bothering my dogs (who refused to fight back)...I had no problem hauling that dog off and dragging him over to his owners and telling them to leave with their rude animal. He didn't even snarl.

Viti

Licensing and requirements (certain size wall, ability to secure a dog away from others etc) would only be an inconvenience for those not willing to be responsible anyway...that could also help cut down on the numbers of bad breeders, puppy mills, and animals dumped at shelters for behavior problems.

Because I have a pool, I have to have a minimum 6ft high wall, self latching gate, it can't be viewable from the street etc, I see no problem with these kinds of requirements for large breed dog owners.

shome42

Oh, but I still maintain the fact that dogs sense fear is evidence that they were created directly by Satan.

I couldn't conceive of a better ability to give a monster in a horror movie...One than can sense your fear and uses it against you.

Wait, actually, the evil clown in Stephen Kings "It" did exactly that.

Evil things dogs are...simply evil...

beth

My grandmother has pit bulls. They raise them to be watch dogs and they are fierce. I will not get aroud a pit bull because of my experiences with them. Most of the dog attacks (maimings, deaths) are done by pit bulls. Perhaps Southerners raise them to be more aggressive.