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Listen, a lady left the door to her house open while unloading groceries and a couple of loose pit bulls -- the ones in question in this thread, in fact -- found their way into her kitchen and started growling at her.

Not all that long ago, I was walking down a public street and a loose Rottweiler growled at me and was shortly joined by a loose pit bull. I could have been killed or permanently disfigured.

A postal worker from Santa Ana was attached by a loose Rottweiler and a year later, her leg is still healing.

You can toss all those nice, sensible statistics at me all you want, but it doesn't change that fact that a LOT of ordinary people, including me, are mortally threatened by certain dog breeds. Dammit, a lady should be able to unload her groceries in her own house without being threatened by pit bulls or any other breeds that have the demonstrated ability and will to kill humans. The more I read from so-called "responsible" pit owners like kanawa, the more I am leaning toward simply banning breeds like pit bulls and Rottweilers, even though I think it is VERY unwise to do so because it is morally dubious and will certainly snowball to other non-lethal but bad-temptered breeds and eventually infringe on many other rights. But you know what? SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE and so-called "responsible" pit bull owner are too feminized with regard to their "kids" to be man enough to exert peer pressure on people who have no business owning pit bulls.

Hell, as you've seen, they won't even cop to the fact that pit bulls, and Rottweilers (if you research my past posting history you'll see that I pretty much lump them together), pose a greater risk than any other breed. Their mantra is "It's the owner, not the breed!" Stupid, blind, and feminized. They are 50 percent right 100 percent of the time with that mantra -- a bad owner in combination with a breed that has killed dozens of humans in the past decade msans "It's the owner AND the breed." I have lost all respect for them because they are as stupid about their dogs as my old poodle-loving Aunties, but unlike my Aunties, THEIR dogs threaten lives, not ankles.

>Hell, as you've seen, they won't even cop to the fact that pit bulls, and Rottweilers (if you research my past posting history you'll see that I pretty much lump them together), pose a greater risk than any other breed.<

I'm sorry to have to disagree with you. Do a bit of research. Begin with the Presa Canario, the Fila Braziliero, and the Tosa Inu. At this point in time, the ONLY thing keeping these breeds from topping the pit bull and rottweiler statistics, is their relative rarity (thank the Good Lord).

For starters, here is the discription of the Presa Canario's "ideal" temperament. Imagine this beast on the doorstep of the average thug teenager (shudder):

The Canary Dog requires a very dominant owner who understand the alpha nature in canines. No member of the family can be uncomfortable around the dog. Canaries make outstanding guard dogs. Just their appearance is a deterrent not to mention their ability to confront any intruder. In the wrong hands this dog can be dangerous, but with the right owner it can make a nice, devoted companion. This is not a breed for first time dog owners.

Let's have Sluggo the thug teen buy a Tosa Inu:

The Tosa is a brave, fearless and bold dog. Very attuned to his master's wishes and greatly sensitive to the tone of ones voice. Protective and loyal. Exceptionally quiet, calm and patient. The Tosa has been bred to be a very quiet dog because Japanese dog fighting rules require the dogs to fight silently. They are highly intelligent and do not need repetitious training, but do require an equable, consistent, friendly approach. The dog is very affectionate towards their family members and more reserved with strangers, but will accept newcomers if properly introduced. It places its family first and foremost, but known visitors are usually happily greeted. Both males and females make excellent home and family protectors and companions. The sheer size of the Tosa and his deep bark are effective deterrents. Tosas show remarkable acceptance of children and will not snap or bite from fear or pain. However, due to the Tosa's size, he should not be left with children unsupervised. The owner must learn to control the Tosa, as the breed is too large and strong to be unmannerly. Good with other dogs and pets only when raised with them from puppyhood. They tend to be fairly dog aggressive. Keep the Tosa away from other dogs that may want to fight, because the Tosa will most certainly win. They are not recommended in a home with other dogs of the same sex, size and temperament. They have a very high pain tolerance due to their fighting origins. This breed requires a strong and experienced owner capable of dealing with a large, powerful animal. With proper training and control, the Tosa can be a good family companion. Self aware, a very good guard and watchdog. This is not a breed for beginners.

And let's have Sluggo's fellow gang member add a Fila to his household:

The Fila Brasileiro is a courageous, powerful Mastiff. It is amenable with its human family, making a very loyal loving companion. Extremely dedicated to his owner. A Fila will protect you without a moments hesitation. He feels that is why he is there. Once you bond with your Fila you and your family will become his whole world. You do not teach your Fila to protect you, as he does this on his own. It is the breeds nature to be loyal and protective of his family. This trait of the Fila is called "Ojeriza". They love kids in their own family and take a lot of abuse from them. Ask anyone who has kids and Fila's and they will tell you how unbelievable it is how gentle they are with the children in the family. Fila's make great family pets and are gentle, loving, loyal and very protective. They will also bond with other pets in your home. Bold and very wary with strangers. This breed makes a wonderful guard dog. It needs a dominant owner who understands the alpha pack instinct. Proper socialization and understanding of the breeds instincts are the key to successful ownership of a Fila. At anywhere from 2 - 5 months of age you will notice that your Fila does not like strangers. You do not teach him this it is bred into him. He will only make up to people that he feels you trust.
Some breeders breed the Fila to have a temperament in which they say is more like the original Fila Brasileiro temperament. One breeder who claims to breed to the original Fila type states, "You cannot socialize a Fila to like people. You can obedience train them so that you are in control, but you cannot socialize them to like people. A Fila WILL attack a stranger. Period. If they have the proper temperament, they WILL. "Ojeriza" translates to "Hatred and loathing of strangers". You do not make them mean and vicious... they ARE... and there is no doubt about it. They are not a dog for a person who has an active social life."