Pit Bulls kill woman. (Is this happening too often?)

http://video.knbc.com/player/?id=199042

Do you think its time that we took a concrete stand on these dogs now, given these attacks on PEOPLE are becoming more ferocious and more frequent? Is it time the Pt Bull Terrier is wiped out to prevent such further incidents such as these? Your thoughts.
Dawn.

Interesting point Dawn.

Will it work as far as pitts are concerned then yes it would,would it prevent dog attacks,like the DDA was supposed too,sadly no it won't.

The idiots will move onto another breed,so is wiping the pittbull an answer....No I don't believe it is.

In part, I agree with Sal: people who want a 'dangerous dog' will only move onto another breed which has characteristics that can be exploited.

I think the problem that we face in this country, relating to dog/human, dog/dog attacks is compounded by two main facts:

- many people forget, or are oblivious to, the fact that dogs are animals, with animal instincts, expecting them to be a family member with humanistic traits

- People aren't held responeible enough for the actions of their dog(s), ie positioning of responsibilities and the legal ramifications aren't enough/appropriate

IMO anyway, XjX

No i dont beleive it will make the slightest bit of difference by banning this particular breed. I think in the states the main problem with alot of attacks is that many dogs are chained 24/7 thus when they escape or are released they have little or no socialisation- it must be very frustrating to be chained all the time - like a zoo animal am sure it would drive them mad.

I think the only solution is cracking down on irresponsible owners and for them to be held accountable for their dogs actions, at the end of the day they are animals. We domesticated them so therefore are responsible for ensuring that they are not a risk to the public.

i feel very strongly against banning pitbulls as they are fantastic animals in the right hands and like staffies are true people dogs, there are far less pitbull attacks than you think its just that they are the only ones reported. it makes me really sad.

I think there needs to be a crack down on breeders and owners. I agree with Sal that idiots will just move onto another breed or cross breed their own dangerous dog so I don't think it will actually have any impact on dog attacks by wiping out Pitbulls.
People need to have greater accountability for their dogs and when something like this happens they need a harsh sentence.
Becky

Punish the deed, NOT the breed, is my opinion.

I don't think it would make a difference personally as has been said, they would move onto another breed. But how exactly could a certain breed be 'wiped out'? Is it possible? How would every single owner/breeder be found. Wouldn't people continute to go 'underground' to breed. Wouldn't people continute to pass them off as other breeds. I know for a fact that sometimes staffs are bred for their papers only....

Is it a fact that some dogs, because of their breed and inbred instincts, are more likely to attack than others whatever their training and treatment?

My cocker, for instance, will retrieve until i stop throwing for her, cos that's in her nature.

I just say this because, whenever I try to defend the reputation of some dogs (esp rotties and staffies) I am met with this argument. Thoughts welcomed on this point.

Staffords are known as the nanny dogs because of their fantastic nature with kids & people.They are a very people orientated breed.The downside is that they are known not to tolerate other dogs,some do some don't regardless of early socialization with other dogs.

I have two opposites Tyler is really dog friendly,Meg isn't so good....Both have been brought up exactly the same.

personally i think its the same as saying all labradors are desturctive, all gundogs can hunt and that all retrievers retreive - thats not the case.

sharpei's apparently were fighting dogs yet they are generally soft as muck.

i genuinely think its nurture not nature, yes in cases on ibreeding /bad breeding you will get exceptions to that of course, but i dont think you can just go by the breed and say that it will be a fighter etc just because of its name.

many people argue that - i mean i have a dog aggressive staffie - BUT and its a big BUT these dogs in their past were fought with each other - yes we know that but it does not make them human aggressive and same can be said for the pitbull, it was not bred to fight humans. it was used for baiting, hunting and then dog fighting became the sport - it was never bred to kill humans. Thus its not following its genetic instincts is it?

i do believe that they are strong minded dogs and not for evrybody, anybody who wants to have a pitbull and train it and socialise it can expect a loving dog in return. Its the other owners that are the problem