# Pit Bull Attacks Go On? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 11, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188 "2012-01-11T18:35:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/61 "2012-01-12T00:45:25Z")
I like cats. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/62 "2012-01-12T00:52:11Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Can we stop pretending that a pit-bull couldn’t kill me just as easily, if not easier, than a poodle? Pussy. (Where’s the “snort of derision” smilie when I need it? 😉 ) Yes, they are tough and strong and have loose skin under their throats so you can get a grip but not a useful one, but you are bigger and have two opposable thumbs. I might count YOU out but not someone who is less of a pussy. (yet another 😉 ) Had a disagreement with a 100# Malamute once. He played the “loose skin” gambit and, because I wasn’t really in a position to get him on the ground, twist it some more, and remind him that he was a step down on the Top Predator list, I had to remind myself that neighbors resent it if you kill their dog because it got shirty with you. And no, I was sober. Just didn’t like that dog. He barked at my children. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/63 "2012-01-12T00:52:20Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I like cats. 38.5% of all historical genocides have been committed by cats. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/64 "2012-01-12T00:54:36Z")
Only the bad ones. Bad cat! ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/65 "2012-01-12T01:01:34Z")
In these threads the dog defenders always want to talk endlessly about exact breeds and misidentification. It’s their way of tying up the topic in endless obfuscation. Let me give you some news: nobody but you gives a fuck. Every single large dog that is or could be mistaken to be (I couldn’t give a rat’s arse which) of a breed that might hurt or kill someone (and which it is not absolutely utterly necessary to have for some utilitarian purpose) could be put down tomorrow and I wouldn’t shed a single tear. We could do this tomorrow. Can’t do anything about lightning, so it’s not relevant. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/66 "2012-01-12T01:05:34Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > In these threads the dog defenders always want to talk endlessly about exact breeds and misidentification. It’s their way of tying up the topic in endless obfuscation. > > Let me give you some news: nobody but you gives a fuck. Every single large dog that is or could be mistaken to be (I couldn’t give a rat’s arse which) of a breed that might hurt or kill someone (and which it is not absolutely utterly necessary to have for some utilitarian purpose) could be put down tomorrow and I wouldn’t shed a single tear. > > We could do this tomorrow. Can’t do anything about lightning, so it’s not relevant. Do you have a point, other than “I’m a moron who hates large dogs”? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/67 "2012-01-12T01:05:54Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I’ve got a nasty little Westie (who, despite constant training, continues to be dominate and stubborn) for you, if you wish. She probably wouldn’t hurt you, but she can be viscious when she wants. 😉 You want a dog that’s really hard to train? Get a Westie. Wife recommends throwing a TV Guide at it, but that doesn’t work as well now that TV Guide is larger and harder to find. You just don’t get the fluttering. Our Shi Tzu/Westies spent their first three years in a box so small that one wore a patch of skin bald. They had little human interaction because Mom worked two jobs, Junior and Sis weren’t interested, and Grandma was sick of cleaning up after them. A couple days of short rations consisting of individual Cheerios if they were good and they are now the sweetest dogs I’ve ever known. Still not all that housebroken, though. Our carpet was crap when we bought the house in '83, but we keep getting another dog. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/68 "2012-01-12T01:11:12Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > All dogs are liable to attack. No, they aren’t > [@](#): > > The problem with Pit-bulls, and Rottweillers, and other breeds that are bred for aggressiveness, No _breed_ is currently bred for aggressiveness. There are lines that are, but not whole breeds. > [@](#): > > And that all said, it seems to me that most dogs in this country, regardless of breed, aren’t trained particularly well. Well, this is true, most likely due to the owners being without a clue. > [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I refer you back to my first sentence, though: “all dogs are liable to attack.” And they attack viciously. Now, wrong x2. > [@CarnalK](#): > > Sorry, dogs killing people makes the papers regardless of breed. Why would you make such a ridiculous statement? He said it usually does not make the papers. > [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > an untrained 35 pound pit-bull is more dangerous than an ill-trained 50 pound standard poodle. No difference between untrained and ill-trained? > [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > All I’ve said about dogs in this thread is that all of them are liable to attack if they are ill-trained. Even with the change of story, still wrong. > [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > My contention is that pitbulls, rottweillers, fighting breeds, are harder to train, Also wrong. > [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I know plenty about dogs, including how to train them, Teaching your pet to not mess on the carpet doesn’t qualify you as “knowing plenty” about training dogs. > [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Granted - I’ve never trained a fighting breed. Yet, you try to pass yourself off as an expert on them? > [@](#): > > I would put powerful breeds - pitbulls, rotties, whatever - in a more guarded arena when it comes to training, because they are powerful. Well, actually, that’s a good thing since no one should try to train anything they are afraid of. > [@](#): > > I don’t trust dogs, unless I know they are well trained. Another reason why you shouldn’t be training anything. > [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Large powerful breeds: They are large and powerful and should be trained, and it’s probably more difficult that training one than a kick-me dog. Again wrong. > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I take your point, and it’s a valid one, but [not all pit bulls look the same, either.](http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americanpitbull.htm) 😕 Except for ears and color, those dogs all look alike to me… ? ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/69 "2012-01-12T01:14:10Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Every single large dog that is or could be mistaken to be (I couldn’t give a rat’s arse which) of a breed that might hurt or kill someone (and which it is not absolutely utterly necessary to have for some utilitarian purpose) could be put down tomorrow and I wouldn’t shed a single tear. > > We could do this tomorrow. Right after we eliminate every shred of whatever you care deeply about. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/70 "2012-01-12T01:14:25Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Do you have a point, other than “I’m a moron who hates large dogs”? I don’t hate them, I’m indifferent to them. I’d rather see any that might rip some little kid’s throat ripped out gone, than see any little kid’s throat ripped out. And whether the dogs in question are pit bulls, or look like pit bulls, or are such that they are misidentified by people as pit bulls, or are better described as mutts, greater spotted hooting wibblerdogs or whatever the fuck, I couldn’t care less. All posts about misidentification are a waste of electrons. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/71 "2012-01-12T01:16:51Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > Right after we eliminate every shred of whatever you care deeply about. I do not have any single thing that is or could be mistakenly identified as anything capable of ripping my neighbour’s toddler’s throat out that (1)does not have an absolutely essential practical purpose, or which (2) my neighbour and I have mutually agreed to be an acceptable risk. If you are capable of identifying anything I own or care about that fits this description, it will be in my garbage tomorrow. Have at it. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/72 "2012-01-12T01:24:32Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > I do not have any single thing that is or could be mistakenly identified as anything capable of ripping my neighbour’s toddler’s throat out that > > (1)does not have an absolutely essential practical purpose, or which > (2) my neighbour and I have mutually agreed to be an acceptable risk. > > If you are capable of identifying anything I own or care about that fits this description, it will be in my garbage tomorrow. > > Have at it. You would fall into that category. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/73 "2012-01-12T01:30:05Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > I don’t hate them, I’m indifferent to them. I’d rather see any that might rip some little kid’s throat ripped out gone, than see any little kid’s throat ripped out. Some little kids grow up to be serial murders, child abusers, etc. Shall we round them all up and kill them to make sure we get the ones that will end up bad? > [@](#): > > And whether the dogs in question are pit bulls, or look like pit bulls, or are such that they are misidentified by people as pit bulls, or are better described as mutts, greater spotted hooting wibblerdogs or whatever the fuck, I couldn’t care less. All posts about misidentification are a waste of electrons. The issue with mis-indentification is that pits are currently the breed of choice for idiots and the general public isn’t very good at telling the difference between a pit and any of the other bully breeds - or really, any medium sized short haired dog. So vast numbers of completely innocent dogs get branded as “potential killers” and in some places their owners are lucky if they get to maintain the right to own one as a pet. Remember, this means in some cities you are not allowed to own a Bull Terrier, an AmStaf, a Boxer, any mix that might make someone think it’s a pit, etc. > [@Princhester](#): > > I do not have any single thing that is or could be mistakenly identified as anything capable of ripping my neighbour’s toddler’s throat out that > > (1)does not have an absolutely essential practical purpose, or which > (2) my neighbour and I have mutually agreed to be an acceptable risk. > > If you are capable of identifying anything I own or care about that fits this description, it will be in my garbage tomorrow. > > Have at it. Immaterial. You are calling for the destruction of hundreds of thousands of dogs for the sins of an extremely small fraction. Also, what are you going to do if your neighbor decides that your car or your kids are no longer an acceptable risk? Would you be comfortable with allowing someone that knows less than you telling you that you cannot have a car/kids? ---
**Author:** ![brittekland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/74 "2012-01-12T01:40:49Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > All dogs are liable to attack. > > No, they aren’t Based on what? ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/75 "2012-01-12T01:50:53Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > Some little kids grow up to be serial murders, child abusers, etc. Shall we round them all up and kill them to make sure we get the ones that will end up bad? No, it’s too high a price to pay. Taken to its logical conclusion this would if it had been implemented some time ago mean neither you nor I would exist. > [@](#): > > So vast numbers of completely innocent dogs get branded as “potential killers” and in some places their owners are lucky if they get to maintain the right to own one as a pet. Remember, this means in some cities you are not allowed to own a Bull Terrier, an AmStaf, a Boxer, any mix that might make someone think it’s a pit, etc. So what? This is important why? > [@](#): > > Immaterial. You are calling for the destruction of hundreds of thousands of dogs for the sins of an extremely small fraction. You were the one who started down the line of implying I was being hypocritical. Now that it turns out I’m not, you think this is immaterial. Go figure. > [@](#): > > Also, what are you going to do if your neighbor decides that your car or your kids are no longer an acceptable risk? Would you be comfortable with allowing someone that knows less than you telling you that you cannot have a car/kids? As to your first sentence, campaign about it I guess. Move to somewhere that my neighbours aren’t insane if necessary. It’s such a stupid proposition that it’s never going to happen. As to your second proposition, no. But so what? It’s never going to happen because it’s such a stupid proposition. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/76 "2012-01-12T01:55:01Z")
Much like your suggestion: stupid, and never going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/77 "2012-01-12T01:57:35Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > \ > 😕 > > Except for ears and color, those dogs all look alike to me… ? The various colours and varieties of pit bulls look a lot like some of the dogs that are mistaken for pit bulls in the previous link. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/78 "2012-01-12T01:58:39Z")
Really what it comes down to is that I value human life higher than I value my neighbour’s wish to own some dog that might have an effect on me or mine. Attempting to change my opinion about the topic of this thread by suggesting I should place equal values on these things isn’t going to work. You no doubt have your own values and consequently your own different opinions. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/79 "2012-01-12T02:03:14Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Really what it comes down to is that I value human life higher than I value my neighbour’s wish to own some dog that might have an effect on me or mine. Attempting to change my opinion about the topic of this thread by suggesting I should place equal values on these things isn’t going to work. You no doubt have your own values and consequently your own different opinions. Yeah, and I value my children’s lives more than I value your wish to own a television. Sucks to be you, I guess. Don’t try to change my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188/80 "2012-01-12T02:06:07Z")
I recall the last time this came up, someone posted a link to [this interesting story](http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot/pit-bulls-surprising-past-nanny-dogs-195612543.html) of how “pit bulls” were formerly known as “nanny dogs” because of how trusted they were around children. > [@](#): > > But back to the breed’s history as a family dog: Helen Keller had a pit bull. Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote “Little House on the Prairie,” owned one, too. And Petey, the mascot pup with the black eye patch in “The Little Rascals?” Pit bull. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-attacks-go-on/609188.md?page=5)