*sigh*
Another story in yesterdays news… a 93 year old woman was bitten by a pit-mix, says the media, while out walking in her neighborhood. Ofcourse what follows is an ugly comment war between pit bull haters and pit bull supporters, and I’m sure you guessed it ……. you-know-who just can’t help but interject.
Here’s my stance. I think pit bulls have gotten a really bad reputation, unjustly so. Are they capable of inflicting BIG harm to a person? You betcha. Anything with teeth is capable. Any breed of DOG is capable of attack and biting. My seven lb. dachsund bit a UPS Driver with the ferocity and intention to lay that sucker down! What has to happen is, anyone who owns a dog needs to be responsible for their proper treatment, care, socialization. If you’ve got a big dog, you need to have it under your control at all times and if you’re not ready for that responsibility, then it’s not for you.
Here’s a truth – Pits have a powerful jaw and they can do serious damage, even causing death in some circumstances. Another truth – There has been mauling and death with other breeds as well, it is not just a pit bull thing. At the hands of certain ill-intending groups of people, The PIT bull, however, has been exploited and bred and trained to fight and kill, earning it the most feared and ugly reputation in the dog world. Those particular dogs have issues, as would any abused soul, and need rehabilitation if they are rescued. Some are beyond help after being so horribly abused, tortured, maimed. That’s a sad fact too.
Years ago, when I was young, it was the rottweiler, not the pit, who had the bad rap. I’ve raised two of those with my children, never was there a moment that I couldn’t trust them with my kids or even strangers, but I was denied homeowners insurance because we had a rotti in the house.
Another truth – because I am in dog rescue, I see many pits around here. I have yet to come across one that is aggressive. Strong, energy packed ? Thick headed with training sometimes? Absolutely, and any adopter thinking of becoming a pit owner should know they have an athlete on their hands. But they are also incredible family members and children and grandchildren are raised with them. Pitbull ownership isn’t for everyone…. I’d tell you the same about my Dane, Ben. At 190 lbs., he weighs more than me and is stronger. I keep that in mind whenever I take him in public and I do not let strangers approach, just because it’s smart to do so. Common sense. There it is.
The hysteria and hyperventilating and name calling and accusations that fly in the comments of that story today are awful. It’s not just the cries to euthanize all pits because they are dangerous, or the nasty name calling and sarcasm and opinions not based on fact.. it’s the way we talk to each other when we don’t agree. How can there possibly be a solution if we can’t be civil in discussing a problem or crisis or issue or claim? And Lord, when will prejudice not be a word in our vocabulary?
*sigh* Just…. sayin.