Just got a call from my middle son. Seems he has just received eleven stitches in his face complements of someone's Pit Bull.
Now I don’t know what the circumstances were and frankly I don’t care. The damn dogs are a menace and so are the people that own them.
I have always owned retrievers. There is no doubt in my mind that these dogs will retrieve and continue to retrieve until they fall over in exhaustion. That’s what they were bred for and that little genetic code in their head won’t have it any other way.
Same thing applies to a Pit Bull. They were bred for aggression, stamina and a no quit attitude. I don't care how gentle and loving you raise them, that little genetic code will do its trick. What are these people thinking? Just listen to the news on any given day and you will hear of someone getting mauled or killed by a Pit Bull.
Yes, they are real cute little puppies, but so are wolverines. You don’t want to be there when it matures and the hormones kick in. And the damn thing won’t do it once; it will do it over and over until it is finally put down.
If I was there I would have kicked that dog to death on the spot – The “kid” is thirty-five years old but that doesn’t matter to me, he’s still my kid. OK, I’m on a rant and I am one of those out of control fathers. Get me a Pit Bull, any Pit Bull will do. I just want to take a bight out of one right now…..
Back to a moment of sanity – Please don’t own one. If you do own one try to have the courage to part with it before there is a tragedy. I don’t care if you’ve had it ten years without an issue, the thing could go off like an old bomb anytime. If you see them on or especially off a leash be prepared for trouble without warning. It's in the genetic code.
I couldn't agree with you more, RJ. My brother owned one and one day he came to visit with his pit the damn thing grabbed onto my sons hand and I grabbed what ever was closest and that was at first a broom he let go right away and next because I wasn't done, I grabbed the a bottle of disinfectant and sprayed his eyes to hell and back. Although my son only ended up with a scratch my problem was with my brother. Those dogs should not be around any kids. So rant and rave all you want because I've been there! Your anger is justified. I feel bad for your son though. Hope he fills better soon.
I agree with Debra 100%... RANT ON!!!! Rant until people listen and understand. My daughter was attacked by a Pit Bull when she was five and it left her with several scars on her face that are still visible 12 years later.
We found out later that my daughter was not the first person that this dog had bitten, and was not the last. It was allowed to continue biting people because whenever the authorities would go to the door inquiring about the dog, they`d say that they had had it put to sleep and they were taken at their word.Luckily some things have changed over the years to give innocent people some protection from these "land sharks"
#3 by Bernadette Louise, Dec 1, 2008
First, sorry about your son. Second, though I am avid animal lover I could not agree more about Pit bulls. Third you have every right to rant!! Does not matter how old your son 3 or 30 its still your child
Grant sorry to hear about your son, and ya Iam a Mom and no matter how old they get they are still our kids. Pitt Bulls are dangerous and I do think owners also play a role on this. My daughter was attacked by a black lab when she was 18 months old and had a zillion stitches in her head and face. I never had heard of such a thing with a lab back then nor now for that matter. The dog was owned by my landlord and when we returned from the hospital there was an eviction notice on my door. The dog had even attacked his own kids and was put to sleep after this happened to Winter. Any animal in my opinion can be very dangerous. I hope your son gets well soon and if you need to rant keep on ranting, we will listen!
#6 by Wench, Dec 1, 2008
I am sorry to hear about your son, but it is due to the ignorance of humans, not the animal, that they become vicious like this.
This is just sad and such a common sterotype. ANY dog can be vicious. Maybe people should not approach ANY animal they do not know, because the animal will defend themselves if they feel threatened.
I go to a dog park with my beagle where there is a mostly pit attendance and they are the sweetest dogs I have met. That is not to say that there are some rotton apples in the bunch. My best friend has a pit and she jumps up on us and licks our faces because she loves us so much. She could care less to associate with other dogs, she is a people person and would NEVER EVER do anything mean or harm ANYONE!! She loves kids too!
If a child is young, they too can do things to aggrivate the dog, such as pull tails, and toment the dog. IT IS NOT ALWAYS THE ANIMAL'S FAULT AND NOT EVERY ADULT/CHILD IS AS INNOCENT AS THEY WANT TO MAKE YOU BELIEVE.
Please, I am only saying this in general, please to not take any personl offence.
Once more, I am sorry about your son.
#7 by Wench, Dec 1, 2008
To add to that real fast, I know some moron that saw a stray beagle on the street and bent down to "give it a hug" and the dog bit his lips and he needed several stitches and will need minor plastic surgery. The animal was frightened, this person I know, on the other hand, is a FREAKING moron. He had what was coming to him.
Grant, sorry about what happened to your son. I don't know a whole lot about pits but I have known a couple of people that owned them and never seen one attack anyone that didn't have it coming to them. But, I also know that any dog that is not properly trained can be a handful and also be unruly.
When I was a teen, we raised Doberman pups(another known "vicious" breed). The only times I ever saw one of our dogs attack anyone was once when we had a breakin and once my dog grabbed my dad by the arm one night when my dad and I were wrestling, because Dad raised his arm and I screamed.
He didn't break skin but he did scare my dad. What it comes down to there though is that the dog thought I was being threatened and was protecting me. I think breed has much to do with the way an animal is predispositioned but training and being raised with a firm and loving hand, not abuse, definitely makes a big difference in their behavior as a grown animal.
My cousin got attached by a pit when she was five, it pulled her around by half of her face, to this day you can still see her stitches, but atleast she's alive.
I'm sorry for your son.
I beg to differ. A domestic animal will act as it is raised. If it is raised to be obedient it will be obedient, if it is raised to be aggressive it will be aggressive. I live on an 100 acre ranch and I actually have 20 dogs. They are some where between aggressive and obedient. They have not bit anyone who has come to my home, but I, my mother, and my brother have been bitten numerous times breaking up various fights or by accidentally startling them. It would not be in a dogs or any animals nature to not bite. We know that and except that. They have not just attacked for no reason, and I do not believe that any dog would. If they do seem to then as I stated before, they were raised that way, whether it be by owner or lack there of. I would also like to mention that a neighbor of our (before we moved to our ranch) had pitbulls and they are very friendly with the neighborhood children and on occasion would come over and "visit" me and my family.
Shocked to hear the news! If dogs are known to be agressive, then it is the responsibility of their owners to keep them somewhere where it won't be a menace to anyone.
There are different opinions about Pits. That is to be expected and is also accepted. Different opinions are what we often write about here on Triond.
The circumstances of the bight were as follows: Sitting on the couch with the dog on the couch next to him for about a half hour. Had petted and interacted with the dog during this time without incident. Leaned forward to stand up and the dog went for his face.
I have owned a German Shepard and a Siberian Husky in past times. I had total control of the animals. However, outside my presents (if I left the room) all bets were off. I had to give them up for the safety of others. I loved those dogs and they loved me but they were too aggressive and dominate to be trusted on their own.
Grant
You are right different breeds take on different traits no matter how they are raised. I had neighbors that owned a Pit Bull. To those he knew sweetest thing ever but if you ask the mailman that came by daily he would have a different opinion :)
#14 by gabbic1219, Dec 7, 2008
oh,very sorry to hear about your son.that is alot of stitches in the face.hope he feels better.on my opinion of pittbulls is very mixed for i owned one for a while for protection w/ me and all girls at home,i loved him dearly and he was the sweetest and kindest dog i ever had,he protected my kids immensely,i couldn't even disipline them he would sit in front of them as i raised my voice and when putting them to bed he followed them up and lay there til they fell asleep! there was a problem thou which i started to see from being so protective and w/ all girls,he did not like men for they were a threat to him,the only man i got him to really like was my brother and that is because he saw him alot but anyone else i had to rub their skin and let him smell and hold his leash and let him watch me interact so he wouldn't be scared...i agree alot that many turn and i ended up giving the dog to my brother for i was scared he possibly could hurt someone and when i got pregnant w/ my last child i knew he never met the baby so that scared me as well! great story and sometimes it is the owner and other times its genetic..i still love the pitt i had but there are chances in some of these dogs as there is w/ other breeds as well! gabbi
#15 by Gwendolyn Carter, Dec 19, 2008
I understand what you're going through and you have my sympathy. I have been a teacher for most of my adult life and if there is one thing that urks me it's grammar. The word "Bight" is spelled "Bite". That is the proper spelling when referring to a bite out of something.
I do not mean to be rude, just merely being a teacher. Great story.
I can understand what you are going through having a son who was attacked by a dog myself. But the dog was not a pitbull but rather a dalmation. The ones that are suppose to be good with children and family. Turned out that was wrong. He had to have eighteen stitches total in his face. We own a pitbull, a rescued pitbull at that. He is the most loving and caring and protective dog that I have ever had the pleasure to be around. I think that judging all dogs by their breed is the worst mistake someone can make. Much like judging a person simply because of his race instead of getting to know that person on an individual basis. I believe the pits that go bad are the ones who have been trained to be aggressive from the time they were puppies and were never shown any love or compassion. We are all entitled to our own opinions and I respect yours but I will go on loving our pitbull and any other that we may adopt in the future. Education is the best policy when choosing a pet. Without education you are left with only ignorance.
I'm in total agreement on this issue. I've witnessed cases where the owners raised the puppies up in a caring fashion with their children.No viciousness was taught,but they had to remove the dog as the tots had a tendancy of pulling the dog's tale,causing immediate growls from the pit. We need to face up to the fact that some animals'habitat is to be free and wild.
