What Kind of Dog is This?

[Baz]

FWIW, I don't think the linked article provides enough information to help anyone come to a rational and educated decision on exactly what happened and who's "fault" the lady's death was.

This is a very polarizing subject (not unlike various firearms debates) and one that we have certainly embarked (npi) on here on occasion.

I think almost everyone here appreciates how wonderful dogs in general are so not surprising this subject brings out strong emotions and passion. That's a good thing, IMHO.

My position is - and always has been - we could always use more dialogue on the subject --- but even more so - education.

Lots of videos on YT that advocate FOR the breed. I find that most are just trying to set the record straight against what the media has sensationalized. If the media did a better job covering pit bull in the news events, I think it would help no matter what side you are on.

That said, I respect Jeff's position, regardless of what my position is - as I said - this is a polarizing subject and we could use more facts and a lot less sensationalizing.

And just because many humans who are owned by the breed have had wonderful experiences....doesn't take away from the fact that there are those who have not. I do blame the human for many of those unfortunate situations....too many who just shouldn't own this breed....period.

[billybek]

Were they rescue dogs or did had the young women owned the dogs since they were puppies?
Was there a boyfriend involved with the raising of these dogs?

I have seen some great Pits and Staffs that really were very nice and gentle dogs and I have seen others that I wouldn't approach with a loaded shotgun.

The reason there is so much dislike and distrust towards the breed is the tremendous amount of damage they can cause. Their bite strength is incredible compared to other breeds.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by billybek

Were they rescue dogs or did had the young women owned the dogs since they were puppies?
.....

The reason there is so much dislike and distrust towards the breed is the tremendous amount of damage they can cause. Their bite strength is incredible compared to other breeds.

I've been around 17 of them...most mixes. All since they were weeks old puppies and in absolutely "normal" dog lover's care.

Don't know what "triggers" them, but when it's "on", there is absolutely no quit in them and they are vicious fighters....it's been bred into them for eons at this point. Sucks...because I loved 'em all and they me, but I just don't trust them (around other dogs and kids)...YMMV.

[Jeff Higgins]

I cannot believe the lengths to which some of you will go to defend this breed.

The officers must have been "psychic" to determine that it was her dogs that killed her? There is not enough information given in the article to determine if it was really her dogs or not? Do you guys even hear yourselves?

The dogs were still there. The investigating officers determined they had killed her. No news article is going to go into much depth to explain exactly how they determined that. My guess - and hoo boy, this is gonna be a long shot - is that maybe those dogs were covered in her blood? Maybe signs of a struggle? I dunno, call me crazy...

And no, Tobra, I would not even have to "try harder" to come up with an endless list of verified, witnessed, documented attacks by pit bulls. You have to be kidding me.

[cabmandone]

I have seen both sides of a pit. Had a friend with one as a pet, his always barked at me and seemed aggressive. It chewed the hell out of his sons arm one night when it "snapped". My niece and my brother both have them and they are great dogs.

[Crowbob]

Well there you go.

Only one of three pits chewed a kid's arm off.

What more do you need? Great dogs!

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

I am pretty sure my dogs would eat me,

I fear the day I die and my wife is out of town... I would be cat poop in three days.

[Por_sha911]

I read an article that said she had defensive wounds, "body was found guarded by “two very large, brindle-colored pitbull dogs" "Stephens had defensive wounds on her hands and arms. But the first traumatic injury she suffered was to her throat and face," and "it took at least eight hours for investigators to collect over 60 pieces of evidence" (or in other words she was shredded to pieces by the two dogs). Of course, it could have been a Bigfoot attack and the dogs were preventing it from coming back... It wouldn't matter if the bite wounds match that of the dogs mouths.

[fanaudical]

Here's another article with some additional info:

Sheriff: Woman mauled to death by dogs had puncture wounds to skull | WTVR.com

Horrible way to go.

[vash]

I don’t know jack about pit breeds. But I do know and admit I’m prejudiced against them. And only from the stories I read and hear about. Not my usual way of doing business.

There are to many other mixes and breeds for me to adopt I won’t take the chance. I’ve come close.

[scottmandue]

IMHO it is not the breed but the potential harm they can do.
I kid you not people have been attracted by there Pomeranian or Silky Terrier (look it up) but you don't hear about it because no one dies.

I have had cats and dogs (mostly cats) and I have had cats go bonkers on me... now imagine if that had been a mountain lion. As beautiful as the lion is I would not want one in my house.

[M.D. Holloway]

It is genetics. Absolutely. Why wife's seeing eye dog has to be the sweetest thing in the world. Smart as any dog I have ever met but she would starve herself before she would nip at any of us. Its genetic.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

It is genetics. Absolutely. Why wife's seeing eye dog has to be the sweetest thing in the world. Smart as any dog I have ever met but she would starve herself before she would nip at any of us. Its genetic.

Yep. Pit bulls are the breed that is well-known for snapping and attacking humans and other animals after behaving just fine for a long period of time. I don't know how many stories some people need to hear before it sinks in, I did not have to hear many.

And of course there are nice pit bulls. I've seen tons of them. The problem is that most other breeds absolutely never snap and attack people after behaving well for years and even if they did, not a fatal deal. If some toy poodle starts attacking me, I'll just kick it through the goal posts.

That's a joke; it would never happen. The attack or the kick.

[DanielDudley]

Fascinating topic. Covers new ground.

With blood.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by vash

....

There are to many other mixes and breeds for me to adopt I won’t take the chance. I’ve come close.

Exactly....I've come VERY close, but after much soul serrching I have reached the same conclusion. I won't put others (kids and animals...mostly dogs), that I am around in a potentially bad situation. Unlike any breed I've ever been around....genetics is spot on. Anyone who thinks it's all on the owners is simply kidding themselves for "some" PBs....and it's a significant percentage.

[ckelly78z]

Exactly why would you, as a responsible parent, introduce a new Pitt puppy into your family with the documented history of this breed ? I just can't fathom putting my family/freinds to the possible risk of something/someone triggering the "kill" mechanism in these dog' brains. I have been around dogs all my life (including raising large wolf hybrids for many years), and have never felt vulnerable to attack like I have around Pitt Bulls. Many of the defenders claim it is all in how the dogs were raised, or treated, but why don't you hear the same story about different breeds that attack ?

[AFC-911]

I don't trust pitbulls. I love all dogs. My ex had two very sweet Pits. My older brother has a (kind of) sweet pit.

I still don't trust them.

[crb07]

Bread of Peace.
I live on a street with 7 houses. 2 Golden Doodles. 2 Black Labs. 1 yellow Lab. 1 Golden Retriever.
2 neighbors bitten by pits while walking thier dogs.
All of the dogs on my street except for 1 of the black labs have been attacked by pits while on a leash.
2 of my neighbors now conceal carry when walking the dogs.
Always the same story. Pit was rescued or owner is tatted out and likely does not have a job. In South Florida these dogs are a trash breed for trash people. Yes I have met nice pits and hear a hundred stories of "mine would never harm a thing". To me they are time bombs and not worth the risk.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by vash

There are to many other mixes and breeds for me to adopt I won’t take the chance. I’ve come close.

That's the part I will never understand. With literally hundreds of breeds from which to choose, why take a chance on one that is even questionable? Especially with kids in the house, or in the neighborhood. There are just so many breeds without this awful track record from which to choose. It's not like anyone has to own a pit, or they don't get to have a dog. Granted, there is little doubt as to why some folks choose pits, but I'm talking normal, well adjusted family men and such. I don't know - maybe they aren't as normal and well adjusted as they would like to appear.

[varmint]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

That's the part I will never understand. With literally hundreds of breeds from which to choose, why take a chance on one that is even questionable? Especially with kids in the house, or in the neighborhood. There are just so many breeds without this awful track record from which to choose. It's not like anyone has to own a pit, or they don't get to have a dog. Granted, there is little doubt as to why some folks choose pits, but I'm talking normal, well adjusted family men and such. I don't know - maybe they aren't as normal and well adjusted as they would like to appear.

Usually we don’t choose our dogs. Either the neighbor dog has puppies and we get stuck with one. Or something wanders on to our property without tags.

This a been a good system so far. But have never wound up with a pit bull. Don’t know what I’d do then.



People wh o have to have a pit sort of remind of the guys who have to have the model of gun used in the last big shooting.