Pitbull Attacks

I have an American bulldog, which looks something like a Pitt in that she is extremely strong for her size. I have two jobs as a dog owner:

1. Establish myself as the alpha and elevate the status of our cats so Bulldog understands the pecking order as I see it.

2. Always keep her leashed or fenced. Period. I've never seen her get aggressive, but I live on the assumption that she has the potential do do a lot of damage. I never allow her the chance.

I like Pit Bulls, but I never trust any large dog that I don't own. Yesterday my neighbor's Pit Bull got out of their fenced yard and stopped by to say "hi" to me as I was gardening. This dog and I are on friendly terms, but I trust him not at all.

The most batshit crazy, aggressive dog I've ever owned was a diminutive Chocolate Labrador. She was absolutely sweet toward people but would attack other animals on sight. I got rid of her.

There is a lack of serious scientific study of the supposed aggression of American pit bull terriers. Dog fanciers and those who cater to the dog industry will tell you they are the sweetest creatures on earth. Of course, a place called dogsbite.org will tell you they are the devil incarnate. And the media has a heyday with any pit bull attack, no matter how unrepresentative an isolated incident may be.

Never met a pit or a rottie that wasn't an absolute sweetie. Education should be required before anyone can own animal. As a former horse trainer (and human educator) I can attest to the fact that many people these days have no idea how to behave around animals. Dogs have been bred for generations to serve a purpose (like protection) and then people all of a sudden expect them to "overcome" that and be chill in highly populated areas with no direction. It's absolutely absurd. It's not that it can't be done, just that it takes effort and some education. Breaks my heart to see working dogs like collies and shepherds in an urban environment. Talk about a fish out of water.

Like antivaxxers, a lot of you are spreading a bunch of bullshit. Pitbulls aren't inherently meaner or more violent dogs. People abuse them and make them that way.

More than 400,000 people die from homicide each year [world wide] link

In the United States, more than seven people per hour die a violent death. In 2019, more than 19,100 people were victims of homicide and over 47,500 people died by suicide. link

The absolute number of war deaths has been declining since 1946. In some years in the early post-war era, around half a million people died through direct violence in wars. In recent years, the annual death toll tends to be less than 100,000. link

Yes animals can be dangerous and I believe prevention is a good measure. Some places have banned certain breeds. I believe other places require insurance for specific breeds. I've owned both a pit and a Rott. They were both amazing and wonderful friends. I went to dog training classes so mine were both well disciplined. But yes they are animals. The pet raccoon I had was the meanest pet I ever had.

But what are we going to do about humans?

Until it does show aggression. Sometimes they just seem perfectly fine until they're not. And when that happen, it can get traumatic real fast.

Mr. Monster and I have friends who found a dog that they determined was part pit bull. She busted through the baby gate when they weren't home and murdered a kitten that they had also found. I thought she should be put down, but she wasn't. Not long after that, they heard a yelp coming from the back yard. They determined that that dog had gotten her collar caught in something, freaked out, thrashed around, broke her own neck and died. I was so relieved! I never felt safe around her. They have another dog who appears to be full pit bull that they also found. The vet determined he was likely used as a bait dog. But he is the sweetest thing, never showed any sign of aggression at all.