Vicious-dog (Pitbull) law: Guide dog stands firm during attack by another canine

The Cincinnati Enquirer ^ | 9 Sep 03 | Jane Prendergast

[xzins]

The only question I have is if it should be legal to outlaw certain breeds of dogs.

I'm afraid it can be construed by activist judges as applying to the 2nd amendment.

I'd just as soon shoot them, myself, but outlawing pitbulls as a category before they've done anything right or wrong seems an overstep. (But I understand the sentiment.)

[AngryJawa]

Good boy, Sparky!

[xzins]

Yeah, really. You've got to wonder what kind of training would make a dog stay.

My fox terrier would be off for the hills only to be caught by a whippet.

[HELLRAISER II]

I disagree with your personal feelings that all bull dogs should be shot, however I applaud you for your understanding that they are not all cold blooded vicious animals that need to be outlawed before they've done something wrong. A little commonsense is greatly appreciated on these thread because the Kill all Pitt bull brigade will be here any minute.

[Protagoras]

The only question I have is if it should be legal to outlaw certain breeds of dogs.

Like certain breeds of cats? Lions, tigers, panthers and the like are all forbidden from being pets. They are dangerous just like certain breeds of canines.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

I used to train dogs for Guide Dogs of America.
I gave them a great one to pair with a wheelchair bound student.

They became best friends.
One day some trash tried to roust the kid and take his bag. The dog knocked the leader down and menaced him until someone got the cops.

No broken skin, no injuries, just a snarling set of teeth in the punk's face.

The guide dog people forcibly removed the dog from the kid.
He cried for days.

I've never spoken(pleasantly) to them since.

[Protagoras]

I don't think we should kill all of them, just keep them in cages or zoos where they belong. Alternately all of them should be required to wear muzzles whenever out of doors. And the owners should be required to carry 10 million in liability insurance and sign a contract which would commit the owners to prison for long spans if their animals ever attack anyone.

No, we don't have to kill them.

[netmilsmom]

That story is just pitiful. Didn't they understand that the dog was a dog to them but to the kid it was, not only a lifesaver but an extention of him?

[xzins]

Wild creatures seem to be different, but if you pressed me to define it, I simply couldn't do it.

Keeping a wolf would be more similar to keeping a lion than would keeping a pitbull.

Unless someone has an "attack Siamese" I'm inclined to see it differently than you do.

The pit bull's jaw strength makes it an inherently dangerous dog in a way that other dogs are not. I understand they have a couple thousand pounds of pressure per square inch coming from those jaws. I've heard they're far above any other breed in jaw strength. And they have a brain that locks in the "off" position when their jaws lock in the "on" position.

Maybe surgery could be performed to disjoint their jaws in some humane manner.

[xzins]

Great story....should be in Reader's Digest.

Any idea how to make a fox terrier learn how to come?

[Snowy]

I've never spoken(pleasantly) to them since.

Two questions. 1. When did this happen? 2. Name and address of organization?

[dirtboy]

Any idea how to make a fox terrier learn how to come?

Yeah. Put one of those retractable leashes on it and reel it in like a fish.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

Gee, these 'pet owners' kept this (apparently vicious) dog on a property in close proximity to Clifton Elementary School...would the pit bull defenders be as vocal if this had happened during the school day? Say at recess? There has to be some kind of indemnfication (millions in liablity coverage) for anyone who licenses a 'dangerous breed.' Owners who don't license should face criminal charges. Period.

[rintense]

I'd outlaw the idiot owners first.

[BSunday]

So, Sparky's not gay after all.

[xzins]

I mean when it isn't on that leash.

I live in the country. It has plenty of room to run on our place. Getting it to come when called, though, is a different question.

[xzins]

I could support required insurance before I'd support an ownership ban.

[xzins]

Yep. Why was it off the leash? Clifton is in the middle of the city near the university. You WILL run into people. Lots of them.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Actually the reason pit bulls are more inherently dangerous is that they have a (often, genetic) built in lack of tolerance for pain.

A slight twinge may send them into shock. Once in a state of shock, they don't feel anything but murderous rage.
it varies from dog to dog, but it is/was bred into them intentionally.

A Bouvier has far more powerful bite, so do quality Rotties and bullmastiffs. But they have far more stable personalities.

[Protagoras]

Maybe surgery could be performed to disjoint their jaws in some humane manner.

How about we just defend the rights of the people and treat them like the dangerous animals they are. Ban them or muzzle them.