To wonder why people keep pitbulls when they are so often in the news attacking people

[Whitethorn]

I saw this re a little girl in Derry. The poor thing was attacked by 2 pitbulls. I am aware that the owners are responsible for the dog but why is it always pitbulls who seem to be in the news - whay not labradors, mongrels etc

www.independent.ie/national-news/girl-9-attacked-by-pitbulls-2346711.html

A dog thread. It's going to get ugly.

Sorry am new here. Is this bad, I love dogs, I have one but its a geniune question.

My dog is a mongrel and i just dont get why anyone would want one of these dogs.

Well, the article says they were 'pitbull type' and not pitbulls. It also says they 'locked on' to the girl, but actually dogs cannot lock their jaws and the term is scaremongering nonsense.

Could you pick out the pitbull from the following link: (I doubt most could, tbh)

www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html

Most of the dogs in these attacks are not pitbulls at all.

The reason these types of dog are in the news is because of the stupid twats who buy them and don't socialise or train them properly. The sort of people who want 'status' dogs to try and look big and tough and a labrador wouldn't fill that purpose or a big, leahter studded collar quite so well, would it? It's also to the stupid twats who breed them and sell them to anyone who will hand over the cash. It has nothing to do with the dog breeds themselves.

Midori1999
Thanks, No I couldnt pick one out but would have said they are all pitbulls and would be scared of them all - maybe that is because of irresponsible owners giving the breed a bad name.

Should have added that i meant the ones that actually look to me like pitbulls - 22, 25, 13, 15 - obviously not all the dogs

To guard their drugs.

I know plenty of people who own PBTs and who have never had a problem with them.

I also know a very snappy Jack Russell, a stroppy arsed Collie and 3 or 4 Labradors who I wouldn't trust with children.

Have you ever heard of the organisation "Deed Not Breed"?

(Reassurance to regulars who are fed up with me stating the bleeding obvious speaking in defence of dogs - I have visitors soon so you won't have to put up with me all evening).

Val - independent network dog/other animal rescuer, dog rescue volunteer, dog fosterer, person who is fed up with stupid generalisations about dog breeds.

Dog owner myself - cairn terrier. Pick up poop, keep away from other peoples dcs, not left outside barking, blah blah.
I approve of Valhalla's canine defence, its just same old, same old

Most dangerous dog in the world is apparently the chow chow.

This breed is number one because of its quick temper and the enjoyment it gets out of bullying. If you show any fear this dog will act on it, and has been known to back people right on out of an area. A strong hand will not work on this dog it will not hesitate to give you a bite to let you know that is not expectable. This dog has long fuzzy hair that young kids might pull and cause an unwanted response

Personally i think any dog with a bad owner is dangerous! Including my uncles horrible little thing, looks like a big fluffy lamb, but has bitten all the faces of his children. Broken my oh finger nail, and bitten everyone its come into contact with ever!

I am pretty sure I can find the pitbull in those pictures. I don't understand the term "pitbull type"

Because they can be brilliant dogs, same as any other breed. You get dogs that are easier to train than others or more laid back than others but its irresponsible owners (of which there are unfortunately far to many) that cause all the problems, not the breed itself. All dogs have an individual personality, I know several labradors that I wouldn't leave children anywhere near, but they are always considered a 'safe breed'.

I got the pitbull right , though I admit if I just saw a dog in the street rather than side by side I would probably mistake one or two of the other ones for them, even though I do generally know the difference.

Usually because people who own pitbulls are nutters.

...and scum.

theincrediblesulk1
Am at the fact that your uncles dog who has bitten several people is still alive. All our family had/have dogs and once an uncles bit a cousin, that was it for it. Why risk it happening again. Said uncle was a vetern dog owner and just knew that the dog wasnt for turning. We all still cried obviously.

I am the same! one bite and my dog would be gone! they make me so angry, especially as they take offence when i tell the if that dog comes near my children i will kick it so keep it out of the room.And they act like i am unreasonable for not wanting my children near it. Its funny as i have a big powerful dog, and its that thing that frightens me.

My next door neighbours have an American Pit Bull. It's well trained and well behaved, and a pleasure to have around kids. There's a mongrel that's owned by another family around here and the kids are scared of it; I've kicked it when it went for me and will have no problems whatsoever getting it put down if it ever bites any of my kids.

I'm a firm believer in that it isn't the dog's fault, it's the owners fault for not training them.

Not again! havent you dog(breed) haters got anything better to do.

I've often found that it's not the 'dangerous' dogs that make me nervous, it's small, yappy, supposedly nice dogs that can be vicious! I'd be more wary of a Jack Russell than a Rottweiler, but that's just me. :)

I have known some lovely pitbull type dogs. It is the misfortune of this breed to attract an unfair proportion of unsuitable owners.

don't think that is just you lool my oh is the same, only dogs he doesn't like are Jack Russel's

agreed BeerTricks,

I blame the media a lot, it always makes me laugh when they have pics of very well trained dogs snarling on the front page with titles like "devil dogs....."

According to the profile of a staffordshire bull terror owner, i should be a drug selling, tattoo covered asbo sporting hooligan. lool

I am not like that, honest! lool

It's the media- my mum had a 3 legged toy poodle that 'turned' and he was the cutest thing ever.

Like a wise lady has said before (valhalla!)
you don't not have a husband incase he turns out to be a peadophile

but to answer your question, twyre one of the cheapest breeds going

I think us 'dog haters' are more pissed off with irresponsible owners than dogs. Keep them on leads away from my children, or even better, muzzle them. Perhaps then we can feel less anxious about any breed being given 'free rein'.

OFGS.