by Angela S. Young

Created on: July 28, 2007   Last Updated: February 19, 2011

While Pit Bulls certainly can be man's best friend, they can turn quickly into a murderous beast. Of course, this is true of other dog breeds as well.  Those who own Pit Bulls swear that they are gentle creatures who would never hurt someone else. Then the dog gets out and kills another dog or even a child. Recently in the news, an elderly woman was killed by two dogs who got out of their fenced in yard.  While I am sure there are many arguments on the con side of this debate, but this article will focus on the negative aspects of this breed.

All dogs will bite in the right circumstances, but some breeds are more likely to bite over territory issues, etc., and it's difficult to determine or prevent, because they may decide in a moment that this is the time to strike. A Toy Poodle or a Terrier will bite too, but they are too small to crush a bone or tear a child to pieces. Pitts have very powerful, massive bodies and very strong jaws.  Good treatment by an owner will go a long way toward making a Pitt Bull less likely to turn on someone, but it is not a guarantee.  The aforementioned elderly lady was killed by two dogs who had often got out, but never attacked before.  There is speculation the cause was the time of year:  Spring and female dogs in heat.

Your pet may live his entire life without biting anyone, but you have no guarantee, even with good breeding, training and care, that your Pitt Bull will not turn on someone with no notice. It happens all the time, and when a person is attacked by a Pitt Bull, there's a lot of damage. Pitt Bulls are not the only breeds in this category, but they are one of them, and as such, they are a menace to neighborhoods where small children may inadvertently set off an attack.

I do not advocate never owning a Pitt Bull, if you want to take your own life into your hands, that's your right, but I do advocate that they be forbidden in neighborhood areas where children could become victims. Then again, maybe forbidden is too strong a word. I believe dog owners should be held responsible for the acts of their dogs. If you own a Pitt Bull, and it has ever caused problems of any kind, the penalty for an attack should be severe because the person knowingly kept an animal that has been known to be aggressive, and they kept it despite problems. 

Another factor in the keeping of Pitt Bulls and other powerful dogs, is owner responsibility.  When a person owns a breed that could have problems, that person is responsible for making sure the animal remains contained within the house or the yard.  If your Pitt gets out and you do nothing about it, you are responsible if the dog hurts or kills.  While all dogs should be contained (or leashed) so that others do not have to deal with their dogs, the damage with a Pitt or other powerful breed is never minor.  If you own and love a Pitt Bull, be responsible for making sure it never has access to others.

I know there are people out there who own and love Pitt Bulls, but ownership comes with responsibility. One wrong move, one attack, and a person's life can be over, or they can be scarred for life.  The dog will be put down and it's owner may face charges as well.  It is not worth the risk.

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