by Cudedog » Mon Jun 11, 2018 11:27 am
Velda, thanks for posting this.
I have owned - and loved - and trained - "pitbull" type dogs for over 40 (forty) years.
Those of you who were at the Eagle Lake get together last August met my sweet boy Big Joe (who is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier).
This story does not surprise me in the least. All of the dogs that I have owned over nearly a lifetime (my children grew up with them) have, without exception, been wonderful dogs. And, yes, they are strong enough, and smart enough, and determined enough (they are a very smart and determined breed!) to recognize the danger, and to carry a baby by the diaper - I'll wager even my 34 pound boy could have done it.
I might tell the story of when my UKC-Registered American Pit Bull Terrier probably saved my life. This would be well over 30 (thirty) years ago, now. I might write that one, once I don't have so much on my plate as I do at the moment.
There are, of course, dogs of incorrect temperament of every breed. Unfortunately, and to my great dismay, pit bulls, and pit bull type dogs, are the "dog du jour" these days so far as the media is concerned. It is generally not news when these dogs just go along generally enjoying their lives, and the lives of their families. They are just. . . dogs. As this story amply illustrates. They are not killing machines.
It is only "news" when something untoward - or downright awful - happens. I am generally attracted to these "news" stories, and always look for photos of the dog in question that goes with the story, to make my own verification. About 95% of the time, the dog pictured as the culprit is not of the breed described. Why might this be, do you ask? The simple reason is that "Lab bites owner" or "Chihuahua bites owner" is not news - thus does not sell newspapers, or television advertising. "Pit Bull bites" hits the headlines every time - whether or not the dog in question is actually of this stated breed. Most often, it is not.
Because of this, it is becoming more and more difficult for me to travel with my dog. Many - if not most - of the private RV campgrounds do not allow my breed. If I should show up anyway with my dog, I can be refused and my pre-paid deposit forfeit. Fortunately, at least so far, the state campgrounds in California and Oregon do not have breed restrictions. Just rules that one's dog be leashed, and poop picked up. This is fair and reasonable.
This is not a sob story, or a "woe-is-me" story. This is only a request that the ladies on here, and the public at large, try to understand what is going on. If my breed goes, your breed may be next.
Stopping now. I have posted this kind of thing before, and likely will sometime again.
Thanks for reading.
Anne