My Pitbull Arguement with my Sis
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
United States
November 29, 2007 7:26am CST
Me and my older sister were talking about dogs we wanted (I started it) and when I told her I wanted to get a pitbull she kind of laughed and said "the girls [my nieces] are never going to come to your house."
That kind of upset me and I started standing up for pits. She was like, "Have you seen what those dogs can do?!" And I said any dog can do bad damage, it isn't just pitbulls.
She got it in her head that she made me see that I was wrong when she brought up a child being attacked, and I told her I didn't want to hear about it. I just don't like hearing stories like that, it has nothing to do with me thinking I'm wrong.
So I started listing off other breeds that have attacked people; labs, collies, golden retrievers, etc. But the whole time I was talking she was just nodding her head and smiling really condescendingly! In her mind she already won, it annoied me so much!
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
30 Nov 07
Some dogs are more prone to attack humans, especially children, than others. Pitbulls are one of them. I am sorry to tell you that your sister is right. I would not risk my child's life by having them around that breed. These are animals and that is what they act like. You can not get an animal to be tame like a human being.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
2 Dec 07
I know a lot of people believe that pitbulls are more prone to attack, but I'm not one of them. I appreciate your opinion though, as I hope you do mine. And I wanted to add that people aren't the easiest to train either ;p lol.
1 person likes this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
29 Nov 07
Pitbulls are violent dogs. They are involved in many fatal attacks on other dogs and on humans. Even if you do a good job raising the dog, that dog still has powerful jaws that could kill a child. I know other dogs can be violent, but much less people own pitbulls, yet you hear about so many more attacks. I don't think I've ever read articles about viscous beagles or basid hounds.
I know the media blows things out of proportion, but you have to be extra careful when dealing with children. This isn't just about pit bulls, it's about keeping your children out of harms way. I wouldn't have a newborn around a golden retriever either and they are some of the friendliest dogs I've ever seen.
I think the most reported dog attacks are actually German Shepherds, but more people own them than pit bulls so statistics are really difficult to analyze.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
30 Nov 07
Wow! I was surprised to see a story about a beagle attack! lol. I was going to say we prbably don't hear about beagle and basset hound attacks much because they are small and can't do much damage. Obviously I was wrong.
But I think there are tons of breeds out there more dangerous then pitbulls (because of strength, not aggrression)...Rottweilers, Dobermans, Shepherds, Mastiffs, Great Danes...but for the record I wouldn't mind owning any of these dogs either. And Great Danes are just the biggest lovers! lol. I have worked with all the breeds mentioned above, and every dog I met was the SWEETEST thing.
I once worked with a Pitbull mix...he was HUGE! Easily 2 or 3 times the size of a pure pit. Well, one night I brought him into the kitchen with me (door shut so he couldn't get out) and I sat on the floor with him. Well, he ignored his size and thought it okay to sit in my lap! lol. He wa smuch bigger than me! =P He gave me kisses all over my face (not once was I sacred of getting bitten-that might be stupid but I just don't have that fear of dogs who don't show aggression). He was just a big love bug!
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
30 Nov 07
That Akita one really surprised me. Akitas are suppose to be one of the sweetest breeds, close to Golden Retrievers and labs. I'm guessing that he only bit because the child ran into him and scared him (like the owner said).
Oh geez! three more Akita attacks! That really suprises me. Just shows that all dogs are dangerous and mysterious.
I'm mad at the one about the Bull Mastiff who killed the 8 year old. That dog had a historty of attacking people! I would never let my dog around any child if it already attacked someone.
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
30 Nov 07
I have heard of a good number of attacks by Akitas. My neighbor has one that is all cuddly and friendly and even my birds aren't afraid of it. I'm not saying other dogs can't be violent. I even heard of a child being attacked by a Pomeranian once. I'm just saying that pitbulls can do alot of damage and I can't blame your sister for being concerned about the safety of her children.
I know we get forcefed alot by the media, but why do you think it's always pitbulls? Did some exec decide to start a crusade against pitbulls and ignore all other breeds? There has to be something to it. I know ownership is a large part of the problem, but pitbull owners can't be the only ones who fail to properly secure their dogs.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
2 Dec 07
Other dogs such as German Shepherds and Doberman Pinchers may bite people just as much as Pitbulls, but the pitbull mouth and teeth are designed to hang onto its prey and that is what makes them dangerous. When another dog attacks a child, or grabs your arm defending its owner, then someone can easily pry the dog's teeth, but a pit bull cannot let go.
They were bred to attack bulls and since a bull is a dangerous animal and would shake its head and get rid of the what was attacking it, then they had to come up with one that would hold on for dear life. Only when the something being attacked is a child, then that holding on results in for more injury than the cocker spaniel or even your part wolf part German Shepherd. Because of that, they are considered a dangerous breed.
@MakinMoney129 (231)
• United States
4 Dec 07
i agree. they were bred for hunting wild boars and fighting bulls. of course they need to be strong! that's why they need to be trained properly. like if you had a greyhound, bred for speed, you probably need to teach him not to run away from you right? or people who have dogs bred for herding, i've hear a million of them say they actually have to teach them not to herd, because they herd the kids! i hate when people say pits have locking jaws, because it's not true! they're just more powerful, like you said. kind of like if you were drunk at a bar and there was a fight. who are you gonna try and fight with, the tiny little guy sitting by himself in the corner, or the big huge guy with 50" arms who looks like he just got out of prison? obviously the bigger man will be stronger and can do more damage to you, even if he's not a mean person! the locking jaw thing makes me laugh. i wonder if people are going to start saying that great white sharks have locking jaws as well, simply because they aren't strong enough to pry their jaws open!
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
30 Nov 07
I have been around several tame pitbulls. I understand that how the dog is raised is a big factor in their demeanor BUT haven't you seen the heads on those things??
It truly is a pointless argument. It's one of those things that people are going to believe what they believe and nobody is going to change their mind about it.
I've been around them. I've had my children around them, but I wouldn't leave my small child in a home with one.
Call it ignorant if you want, but when it comes to the safety of my children. It's way better to err on the side of caution!
AS for your sister. She has every right to be cautious when it comes to the safety of her children.
As far as her condescending nod. I can live without people who are condescending.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
30 Nov 07
I'm with you about leaving a young child alone with a dog. I wouldn't do that with any breed. But I wouldn't be worried if I was watching as a child was with my pit.
@MakinMoney129 (231)
• United States
4 Dec 07
Yay! Smart people! Yay! I love people who aren't closed minded! Bravo to you!
@MakinMoney129 (231)
• United States
2 Dec 07
For all you Pit haters out there, go read this. www.dogbreedinfo.com/americanpitbull.htm
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
2 Dec 07
Thank you for the link :) Zepplen is a beautiful dog! I can't wait until I can get my own! :)
