As a 10-year volunteer at three animal shelters, I have fallen in love with the pit bull breed. They are lovable and eager to please. However, I am well aware of the risks involved in having them around, and support banning them.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009, The North County Times reported attacks on animals in the Sunset Vista area of Valley Center. I'm not surprised that Spike, a miniature horse, was attacked on his face. Pit Bulls were originally bred to latch on to the faces of bulls to hold them for slaughter. Once they were used for fighting, they were specifically bred to be gentle toward handlers and yet vicious toward other dogs. We see many dog-aggressive pit bulls at the shelters.
They are even more dangerous when they operate in a pack. They know their strength, prey on the weak, and seem to be fearless. When I see Pit Bulls running loose, I cringe. I am not as afraid for myself, as I am for my older and smaller dogs.
Last week, a parole officer shot a menacing-looking pit bull in the face because the dog charged him. The dog survived, but required surgery because the bullet went up his nose. The owner went on the news and said the officer shot first and thought later. If a 60-pound dog that looked like that came at me, you bet I'd shoot first and think later. The chihuahua down the street charges me and I laugh. I wouldn't be laughing if he was a pit bull.
Breed does make a difference and you can't legislate common sense. People are frequently afraid of pit bulls because of their looks and it's unfair to bring them into this only to be victimized and stigmatized.
Pit Bulls were bred to have a high tolerance for pain. But they break down fast in shelters. According to www.pitbullrescue.com, seventy percent of America's shelter dogs are Pit Bulls or Pit Bull mixes. Due to their stigma, it is difficult for them to find homes. At times, they are kenneled for so long, they spread their feces around the kennels like an insane person in an asylum.
If you are a dog rescue person, do not call any shelter to complain about this blog. If you are capable of reading, you would know that this is the opinion of a volunteer, and not the official position of any particular animal shelter. It is irresponsibe to allow them to continue breeding. There are many other breeds available that don't do the serious damage that Pit Bulls do. I support a ban on them for their sake as well as our own.
As a 10-year volunteer at three animal shelters, I have fallen in love with the pit bull breed. They are lovable and eager to please. However, I am well aware of the risks involved in having them around, and support banning them.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009, The North County Times reported attacks on animals in the Sunset Vista area of Valley Center. I'm not surprised that Spike, a miniature horse, was attacked on his face. Pit Bulls were originally bred to latch on to the faces of bulls to hold them for slaughter. Once they were used for fighting, they were specifically bred to be gentle toward handlers and yet vicious toward other dogs. We see many dog-aggressive pit bulls at the shelters.
They are even more dangerous when they operate in a pack. They know their strength, prey on the weak, and seem to be fearless. When I see Pit Bulls running loose, I cringe. I am not as afraid for myself, as I am for my older and smaller dogs.
Last week, a parole officer shot a menacing-looking pit bull in the face because the dog charged him. The dog survived, but required surgery because the bullet went up his nose. The owner went on the news and said the officer shot first and thought later. If a 60-pound dog that looked like that came at me, you bet I'd shoot first and think later. The chihuahua down the street charges me and I laugh. I wouldn't be laughing if he was a pit bull.
Breed does make a difference and you can't legislate common sense. People are frequently afraid of pit bulls because of their looks and it's unfair to bring them into this only to be victimized and stigmatized.
Pit Bulls were bred to have a high tolerance for pain. But they break down fast in shelters. According to www.pitbullrescue.com, seventy percent of America's shelter dogs are Pit Bulls or Pit Bull mixes. Due to their stigma, it is difficult for them to find homes. At times, they are kenneled for so long, they spread their feces around the kennels like an insane person in an asylum.
If you are a dog rescue person, do not call any shelter to complain about this blog. If you are capable of reading, you would know that this is the opinion of a volunteer, and not the official position of any particular animal shelter. It is irresponsibe to allow them to continue breeding. There are many other breeds available that don't do the serious damage that Pit Bulls do. I support a ban on them for their sake as well as our own.