>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."
The PROBLEM is people who choose certain breeds that have the demonstrated will and ability to kill or seriously maim human beings. We can either regulate ALL dog owners on the ridiculous premise that all dog breeds pose equal dangers, or we can prioritizes and regulate much more heavily owners of breeds that have the physical capacity to kill humans. I'm all for adding Presa Canarios, etc., to the list.
Listen, most people who own dogs have asshole dogs that are ill behaved and a pain in the butt. However, those dogs mean an awful lot to those people and enrich their lives immeasurably, so I am VERY MUCH WILLING to tolerate a lot. Crap in the neighborhood, the risk of being snapped at or bitten, or the risk of being licked, sniffed, and affectionately mauled to distraction -- these are things I can put up with because I believe in "live and let live" and think its the best way to be free.
Jerknozzles who insist on having "kids" in the form of dogs who can and will KILL or MAIM humans and/or other people's harmless pets, are "live and let die" people. They need to be dealt with. Personally, I'd like to see the dog-owning community police its own rather than bring the government in, but above all, I'd like to be able to walk down the street or unload my groceries without fear of being killed or sent to the ER because of some dickhead's loose Rottweiler, pit bull, Presa Canario, or other attack dog. My neighbor's spaniel is hardly likely to send me to the ER even if it "snapped." My neighbor's pit bull, on the other hand ...