To want to tell others to do their research before judging!

Doing research on the breed would not help your argument, I'm afraid.

A quick google reveals "They are responsible for more child deaths than any other breed of dog and following lobbying in many countries have now been banned in most countries and are therefore illegal to own or breed."

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull

Yes I agree. I do not have dogs but when I grew up we had a range, Dalmatian, Staffie and a Pit cross. They were the most loving dogs ever. Where as DH family all have Jack Russells, the most yappy dogs ever, they shake when the children are around them and growl I always ask to have them put in another room if we are visiting.

I honestly believe it is the way the dog is raised and ALL dogs are capable of being vicious and can attack regardless of the breed. It's just some people see a "bullied breed" dog and assume they are vicious and illegal.

Are you in the UK? Because I believe one of the conditions of owning a pit bull (which is a banned breed but there can be exemption) is keeping it on a lead and muzzled at all times in public.

www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/banned-dogs

Savage reply

And in the very same link

2014 literature review of dog bite studies, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states that breed is a poor sole predictor of dog bites.[29] Controlled studies do not show pit bulls to be disproportionately dangerous. While pit bull-type dogs are more frequently identified with cases involving very severe injuries or fatalities than other breeds, the review suggests this may relate to the popularity of the breed, noting that sled dogs and Siberian Huskies compose a majority of fatal dog attacks in some areas of Canada.[24]*

People go by the media, which is always the bad stuff.

We have a GSD and two Rotties. The latter are pups and not going for walks yet, but I know that when they do there'll be some people making comments. We'll counter the comments with our well behaved and gentle dogs' responses. Sadly those that want to see a problem will always see a problem.

Pressed wrong button. Meant to add - very well done for being kind and compassionate.

I think pit bulls are beautiful. But I'd never have one with kids, so on the face of it; I'd be aghast at seeing someone in a park with one accompanied by little kids.

Said with the greatest respect, but YABU.
You know or rather believe that he won't hurt anyone, but people in the park with their children don't know that, I'm sure he is a lovely dog, but Even the loveliest of dogs can turn without warning. Plus are they not banned breeds
I don't like to see dogs off the lead either. They are Intimidating.
People will pass judgement due to all the devastating dog attacks on children.
You won't be saying people should mind their own business. If your dog ribbons a child and you end up facing the law, and I stress the word IF.

You did a kind thing that a lot of people wouldn't do.

BTW there's a reserved place in hell for whoever mistreated that poor dog

And how many times on the news has the owner said 'the dog never showed any signs of aggression before and was a loving member of the family before it attacked the child and killed it' yes terriers etc can bite however your kid may loose a finger, get a scar, if a pit ball or staff goes for your kid the kid is going to die. Just look at the news, how can you be surprised that people don't want your dog near them and surely you can understand that and should keep your dog on a lead at all times when near other people.

In my opinion the problem is not pitbulls (which I have an enormous spot for) it's the type of person who tends to buy a pitbull. Often people who want a fierce looking, tough dog.

They're like plane crashes, air travel is safe but when it goes wrong it goes very wrong.

Mumzzy88 calm down a little! It's clear you love your dog and you did a lovely thing taking him on. However you have to understand that other people don't see him the same way you do as they don't live with him day to day. They see a Pitbull running free around children and, potentially, around themselves. That's frightening. It just is. Do the right thing and keep him on harness in public places.

People make judgments based on what they see in the media. We have a staffy x boxer and people make assumptions about her, despite her being on lead when I walk her (her recall with me is crap, she'll only come back for DP). She's about as fierce as a fly, but demonisation in the media combined with twats making staffs "status dogs" hasn't helped with negative assumptions.
Like any responsible dog owner, I don't leave her alone with my kids, but that's nowt to do with her breed. I wouldn't leave any pet alone with kids.

If this is why your dog must be registered , neutered and chipped then he should be on a lead when in public. And muzzled. (As a PP said)

Index of Exempted Dogs (IED)
If your dog is banned but the court thinks it’s not a danger to the public, it may put it on the IED and let you keep it.

You’ll be given a Certificate of Exemption. This is valid for the life of the dog.

Your dog must be:

neutered
microchipped
kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public
kept in a secure place so it can’t escape

I am frightened of all dogs since one bit my brother through his cheek and scarred him for life.
My children are scared of dogs as on three separate occasions as toddlers they were bowled over by neighbours dogs running up and jumping on them and on another occasion sat on a rug having a picnic in a park a dog came up and ate food they were holding in their hands and ran all over the food.
Perhaps dog owners should do their research before they critisise people who don't like dogs! (And also keep their dogs on leads in public places.)

I judge I'm afraid, purely because of the disproportionate potential for severe Injury from dogs with that type of jaw compared to say a Jack Russell. But then I'm not a dog lover and don't think they should be around young children full stop. I guess you've just got to suck it up and be happy that you are minimising the risk by training your dog well, unlike many people.

Well I am petrified of dogs and I think dog owners expect people to love their dogs as much as they do.

I would shit myself if I seen a staffie not on a lead.

Ah you're one of those aren't you? The ones who blithely say 'oh, he's a big old softy, wouldn't hurt a fly' whilst he bounds around off the lead terrifying everyone in the immediate vicinity? The ones who tearfully appear on the news saying 'but he didn't MEAN to maul that baby, if you knew how sweet he was...' Having a pet means taking responsibility for it, understanding that not everyone wants your animal (whatever it is) running around their kids when they don't have any idea what it's temperament is, and accepting that yes, they CAN be dangerous to small kids, even if they don't mean it.

""People go by the media, which is always the bad stuff.""

Not everyone does. I had GS. I've mixed with people who have different breeds and understand them.

Every dog is bred for certain qualities, possibly with the exception of greyhounds etc.

Pitbulls have a bit missing (to put it simply) that makes a dog sociable and predictable. This was done deliberately during the initial creation of the breed.

It would be best to let them die out as a breed.

The qualities they have are available in other breeds, which they've been bred from.

You should have him on a lead if other dogs are about and especially if your 10 year old is out with you.

As should the owners of a few other breeds.