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Permalink Reply by igz on January 6, 2012 at 6:56am

this is a clear case of a responsibility of the owner. there is a difference in the cause and in the fault.  people seem to forget that distinguishment all the time. just like if your shoe lace gets wrapped around your crank arm - its not the shoe lace's fault, not the crank's fault, its your fault for not checking your damn laces.  these dogs cannot be treated as criminal, but they should be recognized as a liability due to their capabilities - a responsibility of the owner. they should be trained, they should be restrained, they probably should be fixed, they should definitely be tagged - again, all a responsibility of the owner.  i dont know all the circumstances of the dog chase, i can only assume, the dogs were loose, near their property, they see a man, think he may be suspicious, see him running, must be up to no good.  in their mind, they probably thought they were protecting their owner, their territory.

 

its also clear that proper socialization of the animal is not present, also a fault of the owner.  i happen to have 145lb pit mix.  he runs the yard. he is completely secure.  but i have made sure to socialize him from the very beginning, because i know of the consequences if i do not.  it was actually a concern of mine, bringing him home as a pup in the fall, that he would not have the necessary socialization over the winter months.  alas, his cuteness prevailed and people were drawn to him, and he was great with other animals.  he is protective of the house, when in the house. but its more of a symbolic thing. so many people come by all the time that he is sure its a buddy coming over.  he has made friends with people and their pets in the neighborhood.  people always stop by at the fence to greet him. he slobbers on everyone giving them big licks.

this is not an anomoly.  this is my second bully breed.  i didnt have any issues with him either. only time anything of concern happened was when he was watching me eat a bagel.  a dog walked up behind him and startled him.  he snapped at the dog. but i had him on a leash. i pulled him back, and nothing happened.  he was once again fixated on my bagel.  i gave him a piece.  it had salmon cream cheese on it.

 

hearing the myths, hearing the proposed legislature, hearing people say that the owner is not at fault - drives me nuts.  i will agree, this is not a chihuahua.  a chihuahua is a million times more aggressive than a pit.  it largely acts this way of fear, due to its diminutive size. our family chihuahua attacked the shit out of my little brother.  it was really funny, actually.  now if it was a pit, sure, it wouldnt be as funny.  but these dogs have a much better disposition than most small dogs.  poodles are known to be much more aggressive.  there are areas where the owner must take precautions, be responsible.  it is basic dog ownership responsibilities - of any breed.

 

i guess the phrase im looking for is - its not that they are willing, but capable.

 

a tree is capable of falling on your head.  should we chop em all down?

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Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on January 6, 2012 at 6:56am

Plus, it sounds like all the commotion of the night got to your dog, too.  For example kids running around and rough housing can excite them and they may nip or bite in those situations, especially depending on if they were exposed to that type of stimuli as pups during the critical development phase. 

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Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on January 7, 2012 at 1:51pm

Look at this little guy.   We're all capable of "evil" and good.     

Remember we are all born with a chance, especially man's best friend.  If you use positive reinforcement correctly and consistently, and are mindful of your body language, it is hard to go wrong, imo.  

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Permalink Reply by Linda Boyack on January 30, 2012 at 12:35pm

I know a cyclist that was attacked by a pitbull in fall. He spent at least 3 days in the hospital with multi injuries including broken ribs & a punctured lung. I personally carry pepper spray. It's either in my bento bag or under the band of my shorts when I ride.

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