I want to point out virtually every time a pit bull kills a child, the owner moans about what a"gentle, loving creature" the beast was. There have been several maulings and killings by pit bulls this spring. I don't live in the city, but the next pass the dog made at me or my kids would be his last.
I lost a calf to a pair of pit bulls last spring, and of course, when confronted the owner replied that "it couldn't be my dogs!" I explained that indeed it was his dogs, and further explained my "shoot on sight" policy. He agreed that it was reasonable, and to his credit, has so far kept his dogs off our farm. Perhaps our using our farm lane a quarter mile down the road as our shooting range has reinforced the idea.
We are not surprised when a herding dog instinctively herds, nor when a hunting dog instinctively hunts. Why, then, would anyone not expect a dog that is bred to fight and kill to do exactly that. I have no patience for pit bulls or their owners. I consider crossing my property line ample reason to use a lead injection device and turn a pit bull into a "good" pit bull.
The American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS), an organization that promotes uniform temperament testing, has found that the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Terrier all had a higher than average passing score, which is 83 percent, and did better than many other breeds, including Golden Retrievers, when it comes to stability, aggression and friendliness, among other traits.
Well, the reality is HR if your dog ran across onto my place and did what the dog did in the OP, threatening my daughter or whatever, then I guess you and I would have some problems. Any person is more important than any animal. Don't care how you feel about 'em.
Yup, I like good beer too.
I just want to point out that this post terrifies me.
In actuality, Pit Bulls are naturally extremely well-tempered.
The American Pit Bull is actually above that, scoring 86%. Higher than Goldens, higher than Corgis, higher than Collies. American Temperament Test Society, Inc. | A sound mind in a sound body <--Sause
I'm about to move, and I'll be putting up some very sturdy fencing to keep my Boxer and Boxer-Pitt contained. That being said, in the 3 years I've had the boxer-pitt, she's gotten out of the yard twice, and both times she immediately ran over to the nearest neighbor working in their yard and proceeded to roll over onto her back begging for belly rubs.
The reason I'm putting up fencing to keep my Dogs in isn't to protect you and your kids from them. They're excessively friendly, and well-acclimated to playing with small children. It's to protect the dogs. To protect them from running out into the road, to protect them from getting lost - and to protect them from people who think that my dog escaping from the yard to go and greet his new neighbor and new friend (provided he knows how to rub a belly) is ample excuse to shoot him dead as soon as he crosses the property line.
I understand your property rights and will do whatever I can to respect them, but my dog can't see your property line. What it can see is someone who might want to be friends. Does that mean it deserves summary execution, without trial, preceding an imagined potential attack? Before you can even tell what it's intention might be?
Why did this thread become about pitbulls and HR and less about the OP's real question.?
Pit bulls always come up.
Yes, I have known of many even tempered pit bulls. But, spend a bit of time in and around the hood and you will soon see what they are capable of with the wrong owner/training etc.
With what any dog is capable of with the wrong owner/training. I've had to deal with a Collie that'll bite a man sooner than looking at him, as well as several of the unassuming "toy breeds" that are more vicious than a coon with rabies. Pit Bulls, as a breed, are naturally even-tempered and friendly.
I guess I just get butt hurt when someone says they have a zero tolerance "shoot on site policy" involving what amounts to a member of my family. I'll finally be moving out of the city soon, and if the sellers accept our offer we'll be surrounded by farms like Bandsaw's. I'll be putting up fencing to keep our pups in place, and it's not the first time I've put up a fence, but accidents happen. My dog has been by my side for even longer than the woman I asked to marry me - through some really tough times, no matter what. The thought that she could be shot dead by a neighbor because the wind blew over a tree branch, knocked over a section of fencing, and she saw someone she wanted to be friends with? It makes me feel physically ill.
Edit: I mean, look at the Michael Vick dogs. Where the Former Michael Vick Dogs Are Now | Modern Dog magazine
All these dogs knew was abuse, and being forced to fight other dogs. After a little care, they are now all (except for one who passed away under anesthesia during treatment) in loving homes, around other dogs and small children, with no problems at all.
If a poorly trained dog attacks you or yours, by all means take whatever steps are necessary. I'm not saying I wouldn't. But a "shoot on site" policy? These aren't yotes - these are domesticated animals, loyal friends, even beloved members of the family. My family.