[LakeLady]

Here's one point of view on banning Pit Bulls and other "vicious" breeds. What do you think?
Are there no bad dogs, just bad dog owners or are some breeds inherently dangerous regardless of environment and care?

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All Because of a Name
From Krista Mifflin,
Your Guide to Dogs.
FREE Newsletter. Stay up to date!

Oct 24 2004

Hypothetically Speaking ...
Copyright ©2004 Krista Mifflin

Imagine a conversation between an American businessman, and an Ontario border guard. Just change the name, and see what happens.

"Good afternoon sir, welcome to Ontario. Please state your name and duration of your stay."

"Robert Smith, I'll be here for a week on business."

"I'm sorry sir, you won't be allowed over the border."

"Excuse me?"

"That's correct Mr. Smith. There's currently a ban on all Roberts in Ontario."

"What?!"

"I'm sorry Mr. Smith. The government has decided that all men named Robert are hazardous, and in fact, nothing more than criminals who just haven't been caught yet, and so have issued a legislation prohibiting all Roberts from entering the province, and all existing Roberts have been placed under house arrest."

"That's ridiculous! Who thought up such a stupid law?"

"Our government officials, after they saw that thirty percent of all violent criminals in our prisons have 'Robert' in their name somewhere."

A moment of stunned silence ... "What about children?"

"Well sir, as soon as they turn six years old, they are pulled from the school system, and placed under house arrest. There will be no new children born with the name Robert, unless parents are willing to pay a fine of ten thousand dollars."

"Even if it's a middle or last name?"

"Mr. Smith, all families with the last name Robert or any variation thereof, have been removed to Manitoba. A middle or last name of Robert, sir, is still a Robert."

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Breed banning affects us all.

The term "pit bull" is an umbrella that encompasses at least five different dog breeds: American bulldog, Staffordshire Terrier, American Staffordshire, Bull Terrier, and American Pit Bull Terriers (although, this is not even a "breed" according to the CKC).

Imagine you are looking at banning Retrievers, ALL Retrievers: Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling, Flat-Coated, Curly-Coated, etc. Do you see how quickly bite statistics can be twisted? If we look at it like that, is it any wonder that suddenly Retriever bite incidents far outnumber the incidents of any other single breed?

[LakeLady]

Here's a bit more from Ontario on the subject:
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From Krista Mifflin

Ontario : Scarier Still

October 16, 2004
Ontario : Scarier Still
If your "pit bull" so much as growls at a person stepping on it's tail, did you know that according to Michael Bryant, he is a "menacing dog" and could be destroyed?

If your neighbor dislikes your pit bull mix, he could be seized by animal control officers and destroyed. Even if your dog is not a pit bull, but looks like it might be in danger.

Ontario! We have just lost the right to have quality canine companions of our choice in our homes!

What breed will be banned next?

[Jack Deth]

Hi, LakeLady:

To quote my Mom... "There are no bad dogs... Just bad owners!"

I've shied away from some larger breeds. Not due to their reputations. More the way children and others may behave around them. If a dog senses fear or anger, especially in a child. Things may go South in a hurry.

Just being cautious for all concerned.

Jack.

[CindyDawg]

Morning. JMO but all dogs not suited for all owners or homes. I raised a pit bull from a puppy. She was very gentle around me but eventually became a concern around others dogs and children during feeding time. I gave her to a good home where she would be the only dog and around adults with distant neighbors. The last I heard was that she was doing fine.