Should pit bulls be regulated or banned?

[Novus America]

Actually something interesting. Given a shortage or traditional police dog breeds, many police are actually looking into Pit Bulls as police dogs.

Which is interesting. Will also ensure proper training, police dogs by nature are large and potentially dangerous dogs, but very well trained.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/dogtime.co ... -units/amp

Which is why I do not support outright bans, but large powerful dogs need to be trained, housed and supervised properly and carefully.

[Great Minarchistan]

god yes we do need more bureaucrats around to enforce a ban on pitbulls

[Hammer Britannia]

This is the dog equivalent of the "despite making up 13% of the population" meme.

In other words, taking blind statistics and saying "Welp, pitbull bad" would be pretty wrong on your end.

[Gormwood]

Better question.

Should Pitbull be regulated or banned?

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

With put bulls is mostly an issue of their owners. I’ve met owners with pit bulls and have been around pit bulls who were incredibly sweet and gentle.

[The Free Joy State]

In the UK, pit bulls are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act and -- last year -- there was a debate on banning the similar Staffordshire bull terrier.

Having come across some very sweet Staffordshire bull terriers, I was opposed to banning the breed, and think it's a shame that pit bulls are outright banned. The problem -- with Staffies, as with pit bulls -- is not with the dog, but the owners. In the UK, there's a real problem with irresponsible owners buying Staffies for fighting, protection and -- generally -- to walk around with a 'macho'-looking dog. In places that allow them, pit bulls seem to suffer the same fate.

Owners that mistreat their dogs, encourage aggressive behaviour, badly socialise their animals (deliberately or through neglect), or engage in any illegal behaviour with their animal should be prosecuted -- their animal removed (with at least a chance of being rehomed after rehabilitation) -- before the animal becomes a danger. Likewise, dangerous dogs should be euthanised, and the owner that failed to train and control them prosecuted (and face a similar sentence to causing death by drunk driving -- as it was them who refused to train their animal, leading to it being out of control and killing or maiming someone).

[Katganistan]

It's down to training. Many people with toy or teacup dogs think they don't need to be trained or socialized, or that it's 'cute' when they growl or bark because they're tiny precious angels who can't do serious damage.

Yup
9 out of 10 times we get a wee lapdog at the shelter, it's because its owners treated it like a cute little prop, rather than an actual animal who does animal things, and then eventually, surprise surprise, the dog's behaviour goes south, and they don't want it anymore and it becomes our problem.

It's why I am waiting until I am retired to adopt a dog from a shelter -- so I have plenty of time to train and socialize it.

[The Rich Port]

The problem isn't pit bulls, the problem is shitty pit bull owners.

Granted, yes, owning dogs in general is a major responsibility, and people who abuse animals should be heavily regulated and monitored.

Any large dog can be potentially dangerous. They were BRED to be trained to be that way.

[Juristonia]

Yup
9 out of 10 times we get a wee lapdog at the shelter, it's because its owners treated it like a cute little prop, rather than an actual animal who does animal things, and then eventually, surprise surprise, the dog's behaviour goes south, and they don't want it anymore and it becomes our problem.

It's why I am waiting until I am retired to adopt a dog from a shelter -- so I have plenty of time to train and socialize it.

I don't know what it's like over there, but over here, the socialising bit at least gets (to an extent) done before a animal's even allowed to be put up for adoption again.

[Giovenith]

From what I've read, it seems to be a self-perpetuating cycle. Pitbulls do seem to have a certain degree of genetic aggression, but that's because they're being brought up and bred specifically for that trait by assholes, and even then it's not so bad that most can't usually be trained out of it. The threat that pitbulls pose as opposed to any other dog is negligible, and if anything, banning them would make more aggressive as now the only people raising and breeding them would be the criminals making them aggressive in the first place with no counter by people raising loving and gentle ones.

On a related note, I do have a huge pet peeve for people who defend pitbulls — "It's not the breed, it's how you raise them!" — yet also shit on small dogs as irredeemably vicious. What happened to "it's how you raise them" then? I've met plenty of sweet, friendly small dogs. Yes, even Chihuahuas. I also used to stereotype them as "yappy" brats, but then once I adopted one and met other people with them, I realized I was just buying into a stupid mentality of hating on "cutesy" things because they're cutesy.

All dogs have unique challenges, but it's generally not a problem if you bother to get off your ass and teach them right.

[Neutraligon]

From what I've read, it seems to be a self-perpetuating cycle. Pitbulls do seem to have a certain degree of genetic aggression, but that's because they're being brought up and bred specifically for that trait by assholes, and even then it's not so bad that most can't usually be trained out of it. The threat that pitbulls pose as opposed to any other dog is negligible, and if anything, banning them would make more aggressive as now the only people raising and breeding them would be the criminals making them aggressive in the first place with no counter by people raising loving and gentle ones.

On a related note, I do have a huge pet peeve for people who defend pitbulls — "It's not the breed, it's how you raise them!" — yet also shit on small dogs as irredeemably vicious. What happened to "it's how you raise them" then? I've met plenty of sweet, friendly small dogs. Yes, even Chihuahuas. I also used to stereotype them as "yappy" brats, but then once I adopted one and met other people with them, I realized I was just buying into a stupid mentality of hating on "cutesy" things because they're cutesy.

All dogs have unique challenges, but it's generally not a problem if you bother to get off your ass and teach them right.

Most of the issues people have with small dogs is because owners do not properly train them due to them being cute/small.

[Giovenith]

From what I've read, it seems to be a self-perpetuating cycle. Pitbulls do seem to have a certain degree of genetic aggression, but that's because they're being brought up and bred specifically for that trait by assholes, and even then it's not so bad that most can't usually be trained out of it. The threat that pitbulls pose as opposed to any other dog is negligible, and if anything, banning them would make more aggressive as now the only people raising and breeding them would be the criminals making them aggressive in the first place with no counter by people raising loving and gentle ones.

On a related note, I do have a huge pet peeve for people who defend pitbulls — "It's not the breed, it's how you raise them!" — yet also shit on small dogs as irredeemably vicious. What happened to "it's how you raise them" then? I've met plenty of sweet, friendly small dogs. Yes, even Chihuahuas. I also used to stereotype them as "yappy" brats, but then once I adopted one and met other people with them, I realized I was just buying into a stupid mentality of hating on "cutesy" things because they're cutesy.

All dogs have unique challenges, but it's generally not a problem if you bother to get off your ass and teach them right.

Most of the issues people have with small dogs is because owners do not properly train them due to them being cute/small.

Yes, I understand that. My qualm is more with people tending to not realize that it's a result of lack of training when it comes to small dogs and instead blaming the breed, yet flipping the script entirely when it comes to pitbulls and other large breeds.

[Katganistan]

It's why I am waiting until I am retired to adopt a dog from a shelter -- so I have plenty of time to train and socialize it.

I don't know what it's like over there, but over here, the socialising bit at least gets (to an extent) done before a animal's even allowed to be put up for adoption again.

Well, plenty of time to work on having good doggy manners, and to bond with it, then. And also to adequately meet its needs.

I don't think it fair to leave a dog at home for eight hours without walks and expect it to hold it that long.

[Katganistan]

From what I've read, it seems to be a self-perpetuating cycle. Pitbulls do seem to have a certain degree of genetic aggression, but that's because they're being brought up and bred specifically for that trait by assholes, and even then it's not so bad that most can't usually be trained out of it. The threat that pitbulls pose as opposed to any other dog is negligible, and if anything, banning them would make more aggressive as now the only people raising and breeding them would be the criminals making them aggressive in the first place with no counter by people raising loving and gentle ones.

On a related note, I do have a huge pet peeve for people who defend pitbulls — "It's not the breed, it's how you raise them!" — yet also shit on small dogs as irredeemably vicious. What happened to "it's how you raise them" then? I've met plenty of sweet, friendly small dogs. Yes, even Chihuahuas. I also used to stereotype them as "yappy" brats, but then once I adopted one and met other people with them, I realized I was just buying into a stupid mentality of hating on "cutesy" things because they're cutesy.

All dogs have unique challenges, but it's generally not a problem if you bother to get off your ass and teach them right.

Yes, people need to teach their small dogs as well. I said that earlier.

[The Free Joy State]

From what I've read, it seems to be a self-perpetuating cycle. Pitbulls do seem to have a certain degree of genetic aggression, but that's because they're being brought up and bred specifically for that trait by assholes, and even then it's not so bad that most can't usually be trained out of it. The threat that pitbulls pose as opposed to any other dog is negligible, and if anything, banning them would make more aggressive as now the only people raising and breeding them would be the criminals making them aggressive in the first place with no counter by people raising loving and gentle ones.

On a related note, I do have a huge pet peeve for people who defend pitbulls — "It's not the breed, it's how you raise them!" — yet also shit on small dogs as irredeemably vicious. What happened to "it's how you raise them" then? I've met plenty of sweet, friendly small dogs. Yes, even Chihuahuas. I also used to stereotype them as "yappy" brats, but then once I adopted one and met other people with them, I realized I was just buying into a stupid mentality of hating on "cutesy" things because they're cutesy.

All dogs have unique challenges, but it's generally not a problem if you bother to get off your ass and teach them right.

Most of the issues people have with small dogs is because owners do not properly train them due to them being cute/small.

Not training them, and also -- in the case of some miniature breeds -- not allowing them to act like a dog (instead dressing them up and carrying them in a bag, rather than walking them and giving adequate mental stimulation). Bored dogs can become destructive.

[Katganistan]

Most of the issues people have with small dogs is because owners do not properly train them due to them being cute/small.

Not training them, and also -- in the case of some miniature breeds -- not allowing them to act like a dog (dressing them up and carrying them in a bag, rather than walking them and giving adequate mental stimulation). Bored dogs can become destructive.

I feel bad for pocketbook pups.

[Juristonia]

Well, plenty of time to work on having good doggy manners, and to bond with it, then. And also to adequately meet its needs.

I don't think it fair to leave a dog at home for eight hours without walks and expect it to hold it that long.

That's the kind of responsible nonsense that would put us out of business if everyone did it.
(no, but really. Good)

[Kowani]

Well, plenty of time to work on having good doggy manners, and to bond with it, then. And also to adequately meet its needs.

I don't think it fair to leave a dog at home for eight hours without walks and expect it to hold it that long.

That's the kind of responsible nonsense that would put us out of business if everyone did it.

Common sense is the most rare sense of them all.

[Katganistan]

Well, plenty of time to work on having good doggy manners, and to bond with it, then. And also to adequately meet its needs.

I don't think it fair to leave a dog at home for eight hours without walks and expect it to hold it that long.

That's the kind of responsible nonsense that would put us out of business if everyone did it.
(no, but really. Good)

I mean, I don't want to put you (personally) out of a job, bur if you're going to commit to the well being of another creature that might live anywhere from 7-20 years depending on what breed you choose, you should really think about what that will actually entail.

[The Free Joy State]

Not training them, and also -- in the case of some miniature breeds -- not allowing them to act like a dog (dressing them up and carrying them in a bag, rather than walking them and giving adequate mental stimulation). Bored dogs can become destructive.

I feel bad for pocketbook pups.

So do I.

A lot of those small dog breeds are smart, active little dogs. And their owners wonder why they become frustrated and start mauling their shoe collection. At which point, the dog gets dumped (local rescues always seem to have Chihuahuas, as well as the odd Pomeranian, Maltese and Bichon Frisé -- along with plenty of the cousin to the locally banned Pit Bull, the Staffie).

[LimaUniformNovemberAlpha]

But you haven't demonstrated any need for these things. Clearly they should be banned as well. Is there even any need to have dogs at all? Or any kind of pet?

Yes.

We're all addicted to cuteness, and some people, if they weren't allowed to have a pet, would instead have children they cannot afford. I'd file this under "harm reduction."

Do we need the internet?

Well, yes. It's the only way to circumvent corporate image control and government censorship at the same time.

[Valentinaa]

we need to stop breeding them

there should be a control on the numbers of pitballs, being created. I think if there is a pregnant female pit ball they should be sprayed and neutered, and anyone being found breeding them should be charged.

i think there should be a pitball termination program to eliminate the species of dog, they are not pugs, they are not golden retrievers, they are a danger to the daily lives of other animals and humans aswell, and if charges dont work and people keep having them i would say shoot them and have the government give you a reward for shooting them, but of course these would only be used in cases where the spraying and criminalising didn't work to decrease the numbers of these aggressive beasts.


[b]And i know I know these views are unpopular, but this is just how i would deal with these creatures. [/b]

[Fahran]

we need to stop breeding them

there should be a control on the numbers of pitballs, being created. I think if there is a pregnant female pit ball they should be sprayed and neutered, and anyone being found breeding them should be charged.

I support licensing for all breeders. There's no particular reason to target pit bulls and pit bull breeders exclusively, especially given how broad the categorization (pit bull refers to three breeds and mixes that have a similar appearance) is.

i think there should be a pitball termination program to eliminate the species of dog, they are not pugs, they are not golden retrievers, they are a danger to the daily lives of other animals and humans aswell,

The statistics suggest that pit bulls, meaning here the two most common breeds classified as pit bulls, have better temperaments on average than other breeds of dogs. There's also some doubt about self-reported bites from pit bulls given the difficulty many have in identifying them, and, even if we move beyond that, the issue is very likely owners rather than dogs since that explanation doesn't contradict the available statistical information we have.

and if charges dont work and people keep having them i would say shoot them and have the government give you a reward for shooting them,

That's gross.

but of course these would only be used in cases where the spraying and criminalising didn't work to decrease the numbers of these aggressive beasts.

We know pit bulls are less aggressive on average. Their pass rate on temperament tests is 3% to 4% higher than the average for all dogs.

And i know I know these views are unpopular, but this is just how i would deal with these creatures.

Call them dogs. You shouldn't get the luxury of avoiding the emotional warmth that word evokes while advocating for their murder on the basis of how they look.

[Ors Might]

we need to stop breeding them

there should be a control on the numbers of pitballs, being created. I think if there is a pregnant female pit ball they should be sprayed and neutered, and anyone being found breeding them should be charged.

i think there should be a pitball termination program to eliminate the species of dog, they are not pugs, they are not golden retrievers, they are a danger to the daily lives of other animals and humans aswell, and if charges dont work and people keep having them i would say shoot them and have the government give you a reward for shooting them, but of course these would only be used in cases where the spraying and criminalising didn't work to decrease the numbers of these aggressive beasts.


And i know I know these views are unpopular, but this is just how i would deal with these creatures.

Ah yes, I was in such danger when that pit bull at the dog park came up to me, put her head in my lap, and whined until I gave her butt rubs. Truly I was terrified from that vicious, sadistic beast.

[Mettaton-EX]

all "pure breeds" of pets should be regulated or banned