I like this article because it corresponds with my world view. How's that for honesty?
This article acknowledges that the real problem with pit bulls are owners, not the animals themselves. True, they were once bred for aggression, but a competent, understanding owner can raise a pit to temper its fighting spirit. It's hard work, but the real problem is clueless pet owners who don't understand what they're bringing home from the pound. Them and the jackasses that fight dogs for fun.
3 comments:
The question I have is why do we even need the breed? Or, more practically, should they be registered as exotic animals? Based on their massive bite radius, power, temperament and superior killing ability, overall they are by far the most dangerous breed. Sure, they can be good pets, but given dog overpopulation, why do we need pit bulls?
Whether we "need" them or not, they exist. I'm not sure it's practical to say getting rid of the breed is the answer. Besides, who is to say we can eliminate an entire breed simply because some people are ignorant enough not to see the long-term negative effects of dog fighting? Dumb people are the issue here. We don't need them, either. Maybe we should get rid of them. But that's not practical either, I guess. Perhaps we could settle for educating them?
By increasing regulation of owning pit bulls, inherently the most dangerous dog, we may be able to phase them out. Other regulation adding more responsibility to dog owners should also be considered. And educating owners is less practical, as many of the owners relish the killing capacity and toughness of the breed. And, since the US currently kills thousands and thousands of dogs each year due to overpopulation and limited resources, the pit bull breed should be the first to be eliminated in areas where no-kill shelters do not exist. This may sound harsh, but in kill shelters, for every pit bull relocated, another dog is killed in its place. There's only so much room in those shelters.
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