Don't Condemn All Pit Bull Owners

[Shon]

Don't Condemn All Pit Bull Owners

BRIAN McGRORY makes several sweeping generalizations in "Muzzling the misfits" (City & Region, June 25). It is unfortunate to see a thoughtful writer like McGrory buy into the hysteria surrounding pit bulls, American Staffordshire terriers, and bull terriers. Raised humanely and properly cared for, these dogs are among the most loving and most eager to please. Like any other large dog, though, when raised to be aggressive, they can be dangerous.

The common theme linking sensationalized media reports of pit bull attacks is the fact that most of these dogs are unregistered and unleashed. If public safety officials would enforce dog laws as they exist, it would greatly decrease these attacks. Pit bulls and their relatives have the unfortunate distinction of being the dog of choice for dog fighters, drug dealers, and thugs who raise them to be aggressive and do not worry about registration or leashes. They also happen to be the dog of choice for law-abiding owners who value loyalty, friendship, and playfulness in their dogs.

Before McGrory condemns all pit bull owners as abnormal and all pit bulls as the equivalent of AK-47s and Uzis, I urge him to spend some time with pit bulls that are properly raised and loved. And before the mayor and the City Council create laws that take away the rights of responsible dog owners and their well-behaved pets, I urge them to figure out a way to enforce the laws that already exist.

[CRG]

glad to see someone with common sense

[Bdks lady]

I agree completly with him and I wish that people would take this mans words into consideration.

[Deep south]

here here I agree

[hawk]

I agree for the most part except for two points.
Like any other large dog, though, when raised to be aggressive, they can be dangerous.
Pits are not large dogs. And since many of the bites come from look alikes real pit bull owners take the blame. Now the new breed of pits may be larger than game bred ones but for the most part pits are medium size dogs. My point is most of the public does not know what a true pit looks like.

Pit bulls and their relatives have the unfortunate distinction of being the dog of choice for dog fighters, drug dealers, and thugs who raise them to be aggressive and do not worry about registration or leashes.
I don't agree with what he said about the game dog breeder. First off a game dog breeder breeds for gameness not aggression. Especially not people aggressive dogs those type of dogs were of no use to the game dog breeder and were usually culled. And a game dog breeder who does not worry about leashes....his yard would last ONE night!! And a true game dog breeder could probably tell you about dogs in his dog pedigree from the turn of the century. Also if you are going to blame the "thugs" and drug dealers let's not forget all these irresponsible "pet" bull breeders as well.

[BlueCrush]

good posting