Any dog can "snap", this isn't just a pitbull thing, I agree that certain breeds are not as prone to this behaviour, but it's simply one facet.
I just spent the holidays with my sisters family and her bluenose and man that is one of the most gentle dogs with kids I have ever seen, and very patient too. I would NEVER leave it unattended with my children though, because the other risk factor with these attacks is capability and pitbulls have this in spades. It is a tenacious dog in how it plays, it has a powerful jaw and is incredibly muscular. I played tug-a-war with a rope with this dog until my arms were numb and it was no where close to done. My boxer of the same age loves the game but isn't nearly as tenacious and doesn't grasp the rope nearly as hard. My sister said she can swing the rope around with her pitbull on the end until she gets dizzy and it will literally hang on in flight through it all. They are amazing and powerful creatures.
I have met countless terrible mean little shih tzu and schnauzer type dogs that would be seriously dangerous if they had the tools. I think that the pitbull is simply the trifecta of what makes a dangerous pet (in general)
"Snap" Factor = HIGH
Tenacity = HIGH
Physical Threat = HIGH
Add in poor training and DB owners and you have a recipe for disaster. I still think education is key to correcting some of these issues. If everyone has to take a dog ownership course before they can own a pet, this would go a long ways. I would also like to see more responsibility placed on the owners of pets, as they really need to take responsibility for the actions of their pets.
|