Some People's Dogs

Terrible tragedy.
I saw this on FB and the comments under the article were ridiculous.
Tons of folk suggesting she was killed by coyotes and the dogs ran them off and then we're guarding her body, lots of people suggesting foul play because they were her dogs, like that's just impossible.
People only hear and believe what they want.

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

brianlux said:

Many people, my wife included, defend American Staffordshire Terrier (aka "pitbulls") as be such sweet and lovable dogs and it's true, they can be, but when I see one being walked by someone I think to myself, "Sweet dog or deadly beast?"  How can you know?  You can't.   Sorry to say, AST fans, but the reality is that some very irresponsible people have made this breed a high-risk, uncertain potential danger.  Besides, there are so many other good choices.  Why put others ill at ease?  I say, no more Staffordshire Terriers!

True (like it or not). If you aren't alert around a pitbull then you are an idiot.

And I've seen lions that have been raised to be sweet and lovable animals. The position that pitbulls can be very loving dogs if raised appropriately holds no water: the risk/reward is significant- especially when there are so many other dogs with far less history that can fill the role of 'pet'. 

The argument for pitbulls parallels the gun argument. Just like gun advocates defending assault rifles and bristle at the idea of gun reform... people that want pitbulls and advocate for them ignore the daily events where their breed of choice mauls a human or other dog. They blame 'bad owners'... they speak to their 'rights'... and they deflect by alluding to things like documented Pomeranian attacks to minimize the reality they don't want to acknowledge.

Exactly, Thirty.  And even though they may be right in many case- that there are cases of "bad owners" to blame and that maybe yes, they have a "right" to own these animals, the fact remains (and this is the part that cannot be well argued against) pitbulls create unease and often anxiety for others because there have been so many instances where these dogs have caused injury or death*.    That unease is legitimate.  No one can tell be I should not feel uneasy around these dogs.  Not even my wife gets to tell me that (and I respect here opinion on most things). 

*(And that alone, to my way of thinking, is reason enough to stop breading these dogs except for maybe rare circumstances.  There are plenty of other breads for companions, service and working dogs.)

HesCalledDyer said:

Weird, I’ve never met a pit bull that wasn’t kind and gentle. Boxers, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds on the other hand... every single one has been aggressive as fuck.

I wish I'd had that kind of luck as I do not like having any animal biases.  Boxers have been OK although I've nearly been slobbered to death by a few.  Rottweilers definitely fit into the scary Cujo category.  German Shephards are a mixed bag for me- some are scary as all get out, but my experience with old Shephards has been nothing but good- the ones I've known seemed sad, wise and world-weary. 

I knew of one fairly sweet pit bull but he was owned by my vet who both infuses love and draws love from his animals.  Most of the other pit bulls I've been in contact have been accompanied by owners who give off a kind of scary vibe that seems akin to their dogs.  There seems to be a subculture of viscous people who infuse that vibe into their pets.  I don't know- maybe they are just trying to keep people at a distance from them but the vibe is never good for me.  Maybe just bad luck on my part.

I've had bad experiences with Shepherds only.
My boxers duke it out all the time, if that's what horse shoes means.

And again..

Pit Bulls Maul Kentucky Couple On Christmas Eve. http://google.com/newsstand/s/CBIwlorInzc