Some People's Dogs

Just to clear up some confusion (I wasn't sure either):

"There is no breed with the name “Pit Bull.” When that term is used, it’s usually referring to either American Staffordshire Terriers or American Pit Bull Terriers, and sometimes to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a British breed. It’s also a label given to any dog who resembles those breeds, even if that dog is a Lab mix and has little or no “pit bull” in his background."
http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/american-staffordshire-terrier-american-pit-bull-terrier

A conscientious dog owner will know if and when letting a dog off leash is ok. In some cases, there's no doubt, like dog parks that are designated off-leash. But other places like most wilderness trails, not ok . Most parks- city, state and national, not ok unless otherwise stated. But beyond the legality, common sense should rule and a dog owner should know their animal well enough to know when it's ok.

We used a leash with our yellow lab that could be run out or reigned in. It gave her plenty of roaming room and us plenty of control.

"Pit bulls", in my opinion, never OK to be off leash. If for no other reason, because most people are wary of them. Have they gotten a bad rap? Maybe so, but blame the irresponsible owners. In any case, the fact is, many people are uncomfortable with "pit bulls" and if a person really has to have this bread (it's not like there aren't hundreds of other choices) then due to the legitimate concerns due to irresponsible owners (and possible unpredictable nature of the breed though I can't prove this), they would be wise to keep them on leash always.

rgambs said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

rgambs said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

Sore. And still pissed off.

The dog wasn't going to be on a leash in this setting- its out of town and in the mountain. If it had been on a leash, it likely wouldn't have gotten me; but that's not the issue in this situation.

We shouldn't come across dogs that need to be leashed or they will attack you.

The dog was out of its mind and consumed with whatever was in its simple f**king dog mind about me that motivated the filthy animal to bite me. I never startled the pair... it had seen me coming and was running away from its owner up the trail towards me. I had to slow down because it was running directly at me- to the point of stopping (where it began investigating my leg with its jaws and teeth).

I'm not surprised and neither were my friends. We all agreed the dog and the breed of the dog are a nemesis to society. For every proud pitbull owner (like this one prior to yesterday)... there's a child or a mountain biker bitten.

As I've said earlier... all the times we've biked... we've come across several dogs and even bears. None have taken the slightest interest in us. This f**king dog was completely different than the other animals though. Dangerous and needs to go. Sorry, but its the truth. People should not be in positions to be wary of dogs. Dogs should be respectful of people you know... the things that place food in their bowls.

I hike in the mountains all the time and my dogs stay on leash, it's for their safety as well as the wildlife and people we may come across.
The rest of your contribution is just an angry rant (justified of course).

You don't let your dogs run, RG?

The rest of my post might be an angry rant... but there's some truth in there. In particular, I don't want a society where dangerous- even potentially dangerous dogs- trump the safety and well being of people minding their own business.

Outside of prisons... we don't need dogs that require a leash to prevent them from chewing on people. WTF is that?

Kind of like guns, RG. Everyone's a responsible owner until their shit dog goes and bites someone: "Oh my Gawd. I'm sooo sorry. I don't know what came over her?"

Yah. Go have fun with Cookie now. Make sure she doesn't bite some kids face off riding a big wheel by your house.

I can't say I never let them run, sometimes I do, but not for long and only when we are in serious wilderness territory (at least a days hike from trailhead). They get to run in the woods at my house but I live in the serious boonies, and they get to run when I run with them. They are friendly, but you never know what will happen so it's better safe than sorry.
Any dog is capable of chewing on someone, that's why they should all be leashed, just like guns should be locked away properly.

I don't feel like any dog that has to be leashed to keep them from attacking people should be kept as pets at all. They shouldn't be near where any people are, ever. I'm thinking about that little kid who was killed by a neighbor's pit bull a couple of months ago. Yeah, the dog was in a fenced yard... but the kid went into the yard and got killed anyway. Shit happens. Accidents happen. Kid climb fences. Dogs escape yards. Owners drop leashes or decide it's okay to let them off here, where no one is... and then someone comes along.

PJ_Soul said:

rgambs said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

rgambs said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

Sore. And still pissed off.

The dog wasn't going to be on a leash in this setting- its out of town and in the mountain. If it had been on a leash, it likely wouldn't have gotten me; but that's not the issue in this situation.

We shouldn't come across dogs that need to be leashed or they will attack you.

The dog was out of its mind and consumed with whatever was in its simple f**king dog mind about me that motivated the filthy animal to bite me. I never startled the pair... it had seen me coming and was running away from its owner up the trail towards me. I had to slow down because it was running directly at me- to the point of stopping (where it began investigating my leg with its jaws and teeth).

I'm not surprised and neither were my friends. We all agreed the dog and the breed of the dog are a nemesis to society. For every proud pitbull owner (like this one prior to yesterday)... there's a child or a mountain biker bitten.

As I've said earlier... all the times we've biked... we've come across several dogs and even bears. None have taken the slightest interest in us. This f**king dog was completely different than the other animals though. Dangerous and needs to go. Sorry, but its the truth. People should not be in positions to be wary of dogs. Dogs should be respectful of people you know... the things that place food in their bowls.

I hike in the mountains all the time and my dogs stay on leash, it's for their safety as well as the wildlife and people we may come across.
The rest of your contribution is just an angry rant (justified of course).

You don't let your dogs run, RG?

The rest of my post might be an angry rant... but there's some truth in there. In particular, I don't want a society where dangerous- even potentially dangerous dogs- trump the safety and well being of people minding their own business.

Outside of prisons... we don't need dogs that require a leash to prevent them from chewing on people. WTF is that?

Kind of like guns, RG. Everyone's a responsible owner until their shit dog goes and bites someone: "Oh my Gawd. I'm sooo sorry. I don't know what came over her?"

Yah. Go have fun with Cookie now. Make sure she doesn't bite some kids face off riding a big wheel by your house.

I can't say I never let them run, sometimes I do, but not for long and only when we are in serious wilderness territory (at least a days hike from trailhead). They get to run in the woods at my house but I live in the serious boonies, and they get to run when I run with them. They are friendly, but you never know what will happen so it's better safe than sorry.
Any dog is capable of chewing on someone, that's why they should all be leashed, just like guns should be locked away properly.

I don't feel like any dog that has to be leashed to keep them from attacking people should be kept as pets at all. They shouldn't be near where any people are, ever. I'm thinking about that little kid who was killed by a neighbor's pit bull a couple of months ago. Yeah, the dog was in a fenced yard... but the kid went into the yard and got killed anyway. Shit happens. Accidents happen. Kid climb fences. Dogs escape yards. Owners drop leashes or decide it's okay to let them off here, where no one is... and then someone comes along.

If that's the case, then you feel that dogs should not be kept as pets at all.

PJ_Soul said:

^^^ No, that's not what I'm saying at all (obviously). I mean specifically. If someone specifically feels like they have to leash a dog to keep it from attacking people, it shouldn't be kept where people are (muzzling is an option too, but I think that is cruel to the dog, so shouldn't be done either). I think that is just common sense.

I see what you mean by specifically, I sort of thought you were talking about my dogs since you quoted me, but I should have given you more benefit of doubt.

I think that responsible dog owners should always keep their pets leashed. Any dog can attack or bite under the right (wrong) circumstances, and some people are simply afraid of dogs. It is common courtesy and decency, like not blowing smoke in someone's face.
I don't think my dogs would ever attack someone, but I am not taking the chance. It's also important for their safety, unleashed dogs get hit by cars, and attacked by other dogs, bears, possibly humans. I have heard stories of dogs "chasing bears off" only to have the bear return in full attack mode when the dog pushes it too far or nears the den.

PJ_Soul said:

I think it's cruel to always keep a dog leashed. They need to run around free IMO. I don't know anyone who would consider keeping their dog on leash all the time. Surely you let your dog run off-leash somewhere?? I thought that's what dog parks and dog friendly beaches and stuff are for??

I think it's a bit cruel to have an athletic breed dog in urban areas at all, so I understand what you mean.
When I speak of being on leash, I mean in public and public lands.
Where I live, there are more coyotes than dogs, probably more coyotes than people lol. Certainly more deer and turkey! My neighbors (only 2 of them) know my dogs and my dogs know them. My acreage has road frontage which they do not cross, woods on all sides, and the back is uninhabited for many miles. They run free plenty lol

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/1743747_1768148500077577_3605168060325823107_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=42c1a67b17258a95e628a3b167972a21&oe=566E8679

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

So RG...

Let's put you on the spot for a second.

Let's say you let your dogs off the leash for the moment- as you say you do on occasion- and one of them attacks a guy riding his mountain bike (single bite like mine).

You said you keep them on the leash partially for the protection of others when out in the woods. Would you be completely surprised? What happens next? How does a responsible dog owner respond? How should Cookie's owner respond?

Don't mind being on the spot, that's what we are here for!

I know this is a hypothetical situation and the point is my response to it and not the circumstances leading to it. I do want to start by saying that it is very highly unlikely, as I don't often come across people that deep into the wilds, and bikes literally can't go where my family goes lol
But let's assume they slip loose or yank free and get a biker or hiker.
Would I be surprised? Yes surprised, not shocked though. I take precautions because I know anything can happen, but I don't expect it to happen. I guess that's how safety works in general.
The response depends on what the victim wants. If the victim is understanding, a monetary transfer to cover medical expenses and a decent addition for the trouble and trauma.
If the victim wants to press charges, I should be held criminally responsible for assault to whatever degree the dog attacks. Part of that would of course cover the payment aspect.

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

rgambs said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

So RG...

Let's put you on the spot for a second.

Let's say you let your dogs off the leash for the moment- as you say you do on occasion- and one of them attacks a guy riding his mountain bike (single bite like mine).

You said you keep them on the leash partially for the protection of others when out in the woods. Would you be completely surprised? What happens next? How does a responsible dog owner respond? How should Cookie's owner respond?

Don't mind being on the spot, that's what we are here for!

I know this is a hypothetical situation and the point is my response to it and not the circumstances leading to it. I do want to start by saying that it is very highly unlikely, as I don't often come across people that deep into the wilds, and bikes literally can't go where my family goes lol
But let's assume they slip loose or yank free and get a biker or hiker.
Would I be surprised? Yes surprised, not shocked though. I take precautions because I know anything can happen, but I don't expect it to happen. I guess that's how safety works in general.
The response depends on what the victim wants. If the victim is understanding, a monetary transfer to cover medical expenses and a decent addition for the trouble and trauma.
If the victim wants to press charges, I should be held criminally responsible for assault to whatever degree the dog attacks. Part of that would of course cover the payment aspect.

Wow.

US mentality at work here. It's interesting you are coming at this from a compensation angle. I was wondering what you would do with the dog knowing it's capacity to attack a person? What precautions do you take knowing your dog likes people's legs? You're not suggesting people pay for their dog's bites like speeding tickets are you?

After getting bit and with the dog restrained... I just wanted to go. I didn't want the beast breaking free and having another go at me. Exchanging information out in the bush didn't even enter my mind. It wouldn't have mattered anyways- she could have told me she was Minnie Mouse. How would I know differently?

* I'm not mocking your response- it's appreciated. It's just not what I expected.

I am not suggesting it be handled like a speeding ticket, I am suggesting it be handled like an injury that occurs from negligence.
If a biker slammed into you and injured you, what would the outcome be? How do you handle a person who has shown the capacity to injure others?
What do you think the responsibility should be? Do you think the animal should be put down for biting your leg?

Not mocking either, just asking.

That is funny!
Dr G always tells me Maxi kisses me on the forehead with his bunghole while I sleep lol

rgambs said:

I thought you meant what do I do in regards to the victim, not the dog.
The dog would need to be muzzled from there on out.

I would suggest finding a pit bull sanctuary for it to go live at.
I know that muzzling is generally considered an acceptable way to deal with this kind of thing, but I don't agree with muzzling. Locking the dog's mouth closed so that it can't properly vocalize or even pant properly doesn't seem humane to me.