I've really been wanting a discussion on the matter of dangerous breeds (meaning dogs in this case) and how authorities handle it, and how you think it should be handled.

The spotlight breed for this in today's world seems to be what is commonly referred to as the Pit Bull. Some places have banned the breed entirely, others have age restrictions for handling them. What is the policy in your area (if there is one) and what do you think it should be?

Is there a viable way to address the issue that is fair and reasonable for all parties involved?

Pit Bulls in Georgia are still being treated as any other dog. If properly trained and controlled, they are just pets.

However, if the dog is trained to be a guard dog, it must be properly licensed and the property at which it lives correctly marked as housing an attack dog.

The problem, as with any other breed, is that many pit bull owners "train" the dog with no knowledge of what they're doing. The result is neither an attack dog nor a guard dog, but a poorly trained animal that is unpredictable and just plain mean. If such a dog bites a person, it will be impounded for observation and, if returned to the owner, labeled as a 'dangerous' dog. Second or subsequent incidents involving the same dog almost invariable result in heavy fines for the owner and the euthanization of the dog.

The reality of the situation is that the owners are at fault, not the dog. Too many want to claim the 'status' of having a trained pit bull without incurring the expense of having the dog properly trained. The results are predictable.

Persons who are involved in multiple cases of possession of a dangerous animal can face felony charges and prison terms.

quote Keiichi

Pit Bulls in Georgia are still being treated as any other dog. If properly trained and controlled, they are just pets.

However, if the dog is trained to be a guard dog, it must be properly licensed and the property at which it lives correctly marked as housing an attack dog.

The problem, as with any other breed, is that many pit bull owners "train" the dog with no knowledge of what they're doing. The result is neither an attack dog nor a guard dog, but a poorly trained animal that is unpredictable and just plain mean. If such a dog bites a person, it will be impounded for observation and, if returned to the owner, labeled as a 'dangerous' dog. Second or subsequent incidents involving the same dog almost invariable result in heavy fines for the owner and the euthanization of the dog.

The reality of the situation is that the owners are at fault, not the dog. Too many want to claim the 'status' of having a trained pit bull without incurring the expense of having the dog properly trained. The results are predictable.

Persons who are involved in multiple cases of possession of a dangerous animal can face felony charges and prison terms.

Yeah Pit Bulls. I had to get one pass away (needle thingy at the vet)

Unfortunately most people don't understand that pitbulls/rottweilers/company are really good natured dogs, and that the only reason they have a reputation for being vicious is that anybody who wants to make a tough dog, so to speak, is going to choose a breed that is strong and durable.

Vocabulary is failing me tonight, but most of the vilified dogs score higher on temperament tests than a lot of breeds.

I'm glad to live in California as I feel that there are enough animal rights activists that nothing could ever happen to ban these dogs from being pets, and as I intend to own one that's a good thing for me.

Unfortunately, this kind of common attitude also means I won't be able to have it off leash around the neighborhood and that kind of thing without a lot of people freaking out.

That's an excellent point. I spent some time as an animal control officer. It was amazing to me that the top three biters by breed were cocker spaniels, chihuahuas and dalmatians. These are not breeds typically associate with biting.

The rotts, bulls, shepherds, dobies and other maligned breeds were not among the leaders.

quote Keiichi

It was amazing to me that the top three biters by breed were cocker spaniels, chihuahuas and dalmatians.

Chihuahuas do not surprise me as being one of the top as they are very possessive of their owners and tend to "attack" people who come near.

I hate those little rat dogs.

Yep, agreed. Purina Leopard Chow.

quote Angyles Cerddoriaeth

quote Keiichi

It was amazing to me that the top three biters by breed were cocker spaniels, chihuahuas and dalmatians.

Chihuahuas do not surprise me as being one of the top as they are very possessive of their owners and tend to "attack" people who come near.

I hate those little rat dogs.

I have never met someone with a trained chihuahua or similar sized dog.

quote Tumbles

quote Angyles Cerddoriaeth

quote Keiichi

It was amazing to me that the top three biters by breed were cocker spaniels, chihuahuas and dalmatians.

Chihuahuas do not surprise me as being one of the top as they are very possessive of their owners and tend to "attack" people who come near.

I hate those little rat dogs.

I have never met someone with a trained chihuahua or similar sized dog.

It is not that they are trained per se, more that they become possessive of their owners and if you come near their property, they will attack. More instinct then anything I guess.

Happened to me. My fiancee' had a chihuahua. Even after we'd been dating for months, little moron would nip at me. Finally bit my leg. First and only time I've ever kicked a dog.

Not that I'm proud of it, mind you, but for a smart dog that thing was a moron.

Part of the reason why Cocker Spaniels are on that list is because too many people view that as great dogs for families with small children. How they came to that conclusion I do not know since Cockers do not tolerate people messing with their ears (and something about long floppy ears just make them so tempting a target for kids) and they are frequently food aggressive, so if someone tries to muck with the while they are eating bites will occur.

People tend to overlook Cockers as a biting breed (if they are even aware) because they appear so harmless, while Dobbies, Rotts, and Pit Bulls et al... all look dangerous and therefore must be capable of greater damage. Not always the case, but there you have it.

My girlfriend and I have a Boxer and an English Bulldog. It's amazing how many moms keep their kids away from our dogs when we have them out. Our dogs are the most laid-back, gentle dogs in the world, especially the bulldog, but there is definitely a perception about them.

I think one of the reason the so-called "Dangerous Breeds" get such a reputation is because they are capable of doing a lot more damage when they DO bite. With jaws as strong and powerful as they have it only takes a little nip and it's gonna be a lot worse than if you were nipped by a chihuahua or a cocker.

Point well taken, Aggro. Many so-called 'dangerous' breeds develop that reputation based on their appearance, not their actual temperament. The English Bulldog is a good example. Has to be one of the most laid back breeds in existence, but the low-slung body and massive head/jaw combination make it look dangerous.

quote Aggro

I think one of the reason the so-called "Dangerous Breeds" get such a reputation is because they are capable of doing a lot more damage when they DO bite. With jaws as strong and powerful as they have it only takes a little nip and it's gonna be a lot worse than if you were nipped by a chihuahua or a cocker.

I agree. Perhaps it is just the media involvement in my area [Denver] but I've only heard of serious attacks, a few resulting in death, occurring from the larger "dangerous breeds." Obviously other breeds bite, and attack, but the result is less devastating.

Pit Bulls in particular are banned in several parts of the city and suburbs, and to my knowledge, these bans were made after a very tragic attack that resulted in a couple deaths. I am undecided about the validity of specific breed bans, since often times attacks result from negligent and irresponsible owners. Dogs can be protective without biting. It is as much of the dog's fault as the owners'. Many of the dogs involved in serious attacks have a prior history of biting and attacking, and it was only a matter of time before a "serious" attack occurred.

I have no respect for owners who do not deal responsibly with their dogs that show unwarranted aggressive behavior. Owners that make excuses for their dog's aggressive behavior, regardless of breed are a recipe, for disaster.

There is a lot of truth in what you say. However, what you're missing is that a lot of bite cases occur when a human intentionally provokes a problematic dog.

Infants, toddlers and young children who don't really understand the risk of an aggressive dog can't be faulted, and such incidents are truly tragic.

However, many of the bite cases I've investigated have involved teens and adults teasing, harassing or just flat provoking a known aggressive breed. That's not the dog's fault or the owner's fault, just some selective stupidity being displayed.

Perhaps the best answer to such cases is to sterilize the idiot provoking the attack so that he or she can't breed additional morons.