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Unidentified Hacker,
I agree that I think Denver went too far in banning pit bulls entirely. I think that's taking public safety one step too far and setting a bad precedent. However, I see "power dogs" all the time on the city buses and people either try to pass them off as service animals or don't even bother coming up with an excuse. Either way, the dog often ends up in the aisle, where it's blocking other passengers and creating a potential threat, or it takes up a seat. My main concern is that it creates a hazard. Dogs do feel threatend in a strange, enclosed environment, and owners like to be in denial about what their animal is capable of, but the fact is, no one can say with absolute certainty that a breed that is bred to be aggressive and protective (and certain breeds are known for their aggression like pit bulls, chows, dobermans, etc) will not attack if it feels threatened. It's up to the owner not to put the animal in that situation.
Also, I have been attacked by dogs (in a space of about 2 years, 4 or 5 times), just walking down the street minding my own business. In one case, while a Cocker spaniel was salivating to get its teeth into me, the owner was trying to chase it around and explain to me that the animal was harmless. I said, "I'm afraid I can't take your word for that." I've been attacked by a rottweiler while walking home from work, and the neighbors did nothing and lied to Animal Control that the dog was restrained when it wasn't. They let it roam around our street.
Which brings me to another point. People keep "power dogs" for a reason, to feel safe and powerful, and to be badass. It's like their own inner animal run amok. "Gee, I just couldn't stop it. Bad dog. How did that happen. He's never done anything like that before."
There's a to-do in the local papers, that a woman whose cat was killed by her neighbor's Chow sued and won $54,000. On the surface, that may seem excessive, but if you look at it more closely, she asked her neighbor several times to build a better fence to keep his dog in, and to keep his dog from roaming the neighborhood. He didn't and she came home to find her beloved cat mangled and mauled beyond recognition. He was neglectful and Chows do have aggressive dispositions. It's what they were bred for. So, I agree, if it takes a huge lawsuit to get dog owners to wake up and take responsibility for their badass dogs, then so be it.
posted by
Blanche.
on May 12, 2005 at 12:00 PM
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sassyass
Exactly. I suppose the people who get attacked are partially to blame as well. Maybe people just don't know that if you see a dog who isn't familiar with you, it's not in predator mode. It’s not going to lash out at you unless it feels threatened. The thing to do is to kneel down so you look less intimidating and not make quick moves. Or hell, just walk away from it. The domesticated dog isn’t like a wild animal; retreating doesn’t make it chase you. Unless of course the dog has had special death squad training, but in that case the responsibility falls on the owner.
posted by
Unidentified_Hacker
on May 11, 2005 at 2:50 PM
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It is ridiculous
and I agree that responsibility should lay in the hands of the owners. Any animal will bite if provoked, but owners can stop this type of aggressive behavior with proper training. Its not just Pit Bulls. Great post.
posted by
Sherri_G
on May 11, 2005 at 2:43 PM
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