POLL: Are Pit Bulls Really Violent?
The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that pit bulls are dangerous.
A ruling last week in Maryland's highest court puts certain dog owners and landlords on a tighter leash.
The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled in a case involving a pit bull attack that it is no longer necessary for those attacked by a pit bull or a pit bull mix to prove that the dog is violent—the owner or landlord "is strictly liable for the damages caused" by nature of the breed.
The decision's author, Judge Dale R. Cathell, wrote that in the last 13 years, "there have been no less than seven maulings by pit bulls upon Maryland residents resulting in either serious injuries or death that have reached the appellate court of this state, including the two boys attacked by the pit bull in the present case."
The case that prompted the ruling involved a pit bull that escaped from its pen in Towson in 2007 and injured two boys in one day, causing one to undergo one year in rehabilitation and multiple surgeries for wounds.
In the past, a victim would have to prove that an owner knew the dog was dangerous to file suit, said WBAL.
A judge who disagreed with the decision wrote that pit bulls have not been proven to be more dangerous than other dogs and noted there is no standard for determining mixed breeds, complicating the ruling's enforcement.
"There is no evidence from expert witnesses to support the proposition that pit bulls or pit bull mixed-breeds are inherently dangerous," wrote Judge Clayton Greene Jr., in a dissenting opinion, which two of his fellow judges signed.
"It appears that the media has demonized pit bulls as gruesome fighting dogs and has not revealed the long history of pit bulls as family dogs with passive behaviors."
In February, a Howard County police officer shot and killed 8-year-old Yayo, a pit bull that ran toward an officer outside the dog's home in North Laurel, reported the Howard County Times, which said Howard County police can shoot a dog "if doing so will prevent the officer or another person from substantial harm."
In the past three years, the Howard County Police Department has reportedly shot, in addition to Yayo, an Autralian cattle dog in Elkridge and a lab mix in Columbia.
Do you think pit bulls are more dangerous than other dogs? Tell us in the comments.
AGOTTESMANN
1:32 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I have a pit who we've raised since 8 weeks old and she is as loving and gentle as any dog I've ever had if not more. She is a wonderful dog and would never hurt even a fly. She would rather lick you to death then ever think of becoming aggressive.
Jane Clarke
2:36 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
That's what all the pit bull owners say until their "loving and gentle" dog kills or badly injures someone, or someone's pet or livestock.
Brook Hubbard
3:51 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
@Jane - No, that's what all PET OWNERS say until their "loving and gentle" PET kills or badly injures someone. Don't single out a breed for what can happen with many types of pet. Animals are animals, no matter how domesticated; they all have the potential to react in an instinctive manner.
greenfrog
2:56 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
We raise alpacas. A neighbor's pit bull mix, neutered, which everyone considered an outstanding family dog, running unleashed came onto our property with his companion pit bull mix, and in a matter of minutes mutilated and killed three male alpacas, peaceful, nonaggressive animals. Tell me what that says about the capacity and instinctive predatory possibilities of the dogs' breed and innate bloodlust. The pitbull is an unpredictable breed because its origins and physical characteristics were tailored for blood sports. Don't take your family dog's genetics for granted. Be responsible and aware, not sentimental.
Why doesn't anyone ask the question publicly: why are the majority of dogs in rescue pit bulls? Is that a coincidence? If they are such wonderful family dogs, where are their families? Do we see labradors and goldens, very popular dogs in numbers, overwhelming rescue shelters? Come on people, stop putting on blinders. If you have a dangerous dog type, don't pretend your darling Rottweiler or pit bull is not capable of doing serious damage in an uncontrolled or unexpected situation. Dog breeds are not people races--they have been bred for specific reasons and are still being bred for specific reasons, some of which are violent. And once a predatory instinct is unleashed, you're not going to get it back in it's envelope.
Brook Hubbard
4:01 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
It tells me that the DOGS were predatory and uncontrolled, not that the BREED is.
"The pitbull is an unpredictable breed because its origins and physical characteristics were tailored for blood sports."
So were Akitas, Mastiffs, Shar Peis, and a vareity of Terriers. Should we ignorantly brand all of these breeds with the same labels? Last I heard, there were a variety of working dogs that faced the same backlash, including German Shepherds and Dobermans. Yet somehow these dogs were given a chance to prove that they are more than their ancestor's genetics.
Brook Hubbard
4:02 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
"why are the majority of dogs in rescue pit bulls?"
Please provide a report from shelters showing this. Even if they are a significant portion, it is a fallacy to say their ~supposed~ temperament is causal for their situation in a shelter. Ever think it is the prejudice of society and its laws that drives people to abandon the breed, out of fear for repercussions? Perhaps if the laws weren't based on ignorance and bigotry, then people would be more inclined to hold onto their pets.
Brook Hubbard
4:05 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
" If you have a dangerous dog type, don't pretend your darling Rottweiler or pit bull is not capable of doing serious damage in an uncontrolled or unexpected situation."
And this shows me your ignorance right there. The Rottweiler is a working dog, bred for herding and other farm work. It has not been legally declared a dangerous breed and according to breeder standards is considered good-natured. According to your completely unsupported standards, any dog that has ever been used in a guard capacity should be labeled dangerous.
Tom
3:15 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I have a pit bull boxer mix, and she is extermely loving and gentle. The key is spaying and neutering, and having them SOCIALIZED... I take her to dog parks, and frequently arrange for her to be around other people, animals, (all shapes and sizes), She was rescued from the Alabama tornadoes. The other key is to have them as a PET... if you have them as a watch dog, leave them outside in a cage all day with little food, water, or social interaction. Then you could turn a hampster into a violent animal.... OK, not a hampster, but you get my point... Bottom line ANY breed can become violent, you just do not read about the labs, or other breeds in the news, because for some reason they do not find it as interesting.
I will say that Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Dobermans, have the potential to become violent.. if they are trained that way, but for the most part if you love your dog, and give it the correct social surroundings, and train, train, train. They will never bite, nip, or attack.
Tom
3:30 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
@ Jane Clarke, You are singleing out the breed... Do you know how many dog attacks are by other breeds? There dogs will chase rabbits, squirells, and other animals... There is no such thing as a bad dog, only bad owners.
Tara Guardado
3:34 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Fear eventually becomes ignorance....
My husband and I are proud, responsible pit bull owner that has trained and raised our pit bull since 8 weeks old along. He is a family dog and well loved in our family and community. The media has indeed demonized pit bulls. Pit bulls are no more any dangerous than any other breed that is ill-trained or taught to be aggressive. The fault of any mauling or attack from any breed is that of the owners. There are so many pit bulls in shelters because of irresponsible humans. Media reports, irresponsible owners, and governments quick to pass breed specific legislation have caused many problems with the breed today. American Pit Bull Terriers die every single day in shelters around the world not because they are vicious. Rather because they were born, thrown away, or some all knowing government decided it was easier to kill them or regulate them than it was to address the real problem. Irresponsible selfish, ignorant, dog owners! Educate yourselves about the true nature of the breed before passing judgement
C.A.G
3:51 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
It's unfortunately neither of you are educated enough about Pit Bulls to understand. If you ever owned one and gave it the correct training and love you would understand better. Truth of the matter is that I've seen attacks of several different breeds of dogs. Not just Pit Bulls. Pit Bulls unfortunately have always been associated as fighting dogs and unfortunately that because of their human owners.
Any dog can be made into a fighting dog. It's all a matter of you raise them. Not lets be honest Pit Bulls are muscular and strong which is why those people use them.
C.A.G
3:51 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I don't think saying “the majority of dogs in shelters are pit bulls” is an accurate statement. That may be your perception. I can tell you this. Yes, there are Pit Bulls in Shelters, but not for the 1 reason everyone tends to believe. They are there for many reasons. I known of pit bulls left at shelters because the owner couldn’t afford the allergy medication the poor dog needed. I know of pit bulls left because the owners moved and so on and so forth. So making an assumption that all pit bulls in shelters are vicious is completely wrong. Don’t get me wrong I’m not oblivious to the fact that some of the pit bulls in shelters can be vicious but that’s generally because of the owners. A lot of irresponsible owners get pit bull puppies and start mistreating them at a young age to start prepping them for fighting. When they realize the dog doesn’t seem to put the weight and build the owner wants they discard the dog to the shelters. It’s unfortunate but true. Also pit bull dogs are not for any owner either. I’ve seen people get pit bulls and the owners don’t walk the dog, don’t play with the dog and they get tired of the dog wanting to always be doing something. Pit bulls require a lot of exercise because it is how they are bread. They are working dogs by nature.
C.A.G
3:51 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I know I’m not going to change your particular way of thinking and that’s ok. I just hope you don’t clump all pit bulls in one category. Just to get a quick brief history on pit bulls you should know:
American Pit Bull Terrier- Stubby- first decorated canine war hero and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant, served beside Conroy in the 102nd Infantry 26thYankee division, during WWI, in the trenches in France. There Stubby would seek out wounded soldiers, which were significantly less, because Stubby could hear the whine of incoming artillery shells before the humans, and became quite adept at letting his unit know when to duck for cover.
American Pit Bull Terrier- Sir Thomas- owned by Helen Keller
American Pit Bull Terrier- Pete- Owned by PRESIDENT Theodore Roosevelt
American Pit Bull Terrier- Nipper- Served as RCA’s trademark
American Pit Bull Terrier- Petey- 1922 television star on The Little Rascals
Know your facts:
http://whatapittie.org/proud-history-pitbull.html
Tom
5:41 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Thank you C.A.G... Could not have said it better myself. Also, a reason you may find Pitt Bulls up for adoption is because they were rescued from people who used them as fighters... These animals will likely be destroyed.. My friend and colleague rescued his Pit of 12 years (May she rest in peace)... she was smaller, and they used her to "Spar" with other fighters, her face had tons of scars and she was really abused. Enter my colleagues house, after 4 months of rehibilitation and love, this Dog lived out 10 wonderful years, never hurt anyone, always greeted you with a wagging tail, and would always jump up on the couch (when invited) and just snuggle with you. They just want to be loved. People who buy them to intimidate, or put them outside to frighten people, do NOT know how to correctly respect the breed, and should consider getting ADT, or having guns in the house if they are so paranoid about robbers.. When I walk my dog, most people come up to her, and I put her in the down position, and allow them to approach her, and they just think she is great.. then I get the other type that will cross the street, or walk in the grass by 35 yards to avoid her.... So misunderstood.
Amy wiedefeld
6:31 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
What most of us pit bull advocates want you civil minded, equality striving, upstanding citizens of Howard county to know is this... Pit bulls are an elite breed. Most of the dogs you "deem" a pitbull today are actually a cross of numerous things. Many pitbull advocates can't even spot on identify a pitbull. Having said that, know that almost all of the studies on "numbers of bite cases" are baseless and inaccurate to say the least because they lump multiple breed types into one category.. Many "vicious attacks" occur in this county by creatures other than pitbulls. I know of two attacks personally that we're horrific but because they weren't a pitbull, they weren't news worthy and were handled without the public hearing light of it. And to top that off, pitbulls rank third on the list of BEST temperament. Yup. That's right. Third. The positives can go on and on here about this wonderful breed, but I am too busy actually saving them and learning the truth to debate with the closed minds I am encountering on here.
Alicia Fielding
7:22 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Amy Wiedefeld is an eloquently spoken advocate and I second her opinion!
Art Ross
11:14 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I'm sure I won't change anybody's opinion with a short message. I know people have short memories but not too many years ago the same arguments were bandied about pertaining to Dobermans or Rottweilers, even German Shepherds. Think what would happen if any of this rhetoric was applied to humans.
greenfrog
1:01 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012
Why do people insist on comparing dog breeds to human races? Are humans being bred by aliens to have breed-specific standards?!
Humans are individually responsible to society for their actions. Dogs do what they are born, trained to do or find positively reinforcing, which includes mauling and killing sometimes, to be honest. They do not make moral judgments. I firmly agree that the final responsibility for a dog's actions lies with the owner. The laws should reflect that with serious consequences for the owner. Some dogs have been bred to be the biggest gun in your arsenal. If you're down with that, keep your dog and your neighbors safe. And buy insurance.
But why put only one breed on the list?
I have owned and trained many of the most "dangerous" breeds--Rottweiler, Doberman, Dogue de Bordeaux, Akita, German Shepherd, English Mastiff--they are wonderful breeds, if you get one with a great temperament, but I have seen even the sweetest and most well-trained of every one of those breeds have it's moment of violence, unprovoked or for good reason. If someone tells you that these powerful working breeds can be owned by anyone, that person is unethical.
Unfortunately, the reputation, availability and more convenient size of the pit bull appeals to a violent, fearful cultural attitude. I have seen shelters for myself in NYC--it is appalling--with 85% pit bulls or pit mixes. Were they the ones that wouldn't fight?