I am by no means a pit person. I have had to go get crazy abused pits when I worked for the shelter. I saw what people do to them. Have I met responsible owners with gentle dogs, yes many times. I think it isn't the dog as much as what people do to the dogs. With any dog you need to give it training and proper care. Pits should never be owned by someone who isn't going to do this. I don't believe all should be wiped out.But if they are aggressive and can't be trained or they bite I personally would put that dog down. What has happened with the pits in past years is people get them , think they can make some money breeding them and sell to anyone who has the money for one. Thats what I hate. I would certainly agree with restricting pit bull ownership to people who know how to handle them. How do you feel about akitas and dobermans? Do you feel they are a danger too? They also have gotten bad reputations over the years. I think too many people buy dogs without understanding the needs and care of the dogs. A good breeder won't sell a puppy to just anyone.They will screen the person before selling. Many of the problems you will see in all breeds of dogs these days are due to poor breeding and puppy mills and its a real shame.
The two that have the highest incident of maulings, bites & killings are pit bulls and rotweilers. Something evil about those two breed mixes.
Yes, I too have seen loving people taking good care of pits / rots, but i have also seen this beloved, well cared for animals turn on other dogs and/or children in a heartbeat. So it isn't just "nuture" -- it's "nature" as well.
The world is scary and evil enough. Children have so many things to be genuinely afraid of. Why in God's name would we deliberately use our freedom to own whatever animal we want to ignore the realities of what these particular breeds/mixes are capable of, that other breeds are not very likely to do? I just don't get it.
Our freedom cannot be ill-used. Freedom isn't free. It is a huge responsible entrusted to us by our Creator. It's wrong to not walk wisely and conctiously with this gift we have to choose. NO ANIMAL is worth sacrificing the health or life of anyone, especially children who are most vulernable in a battle with an animal.
Just my op...
Amen. Have you ever seen Cesar Millan in action?