Question:
Does anyone think that dog attacks are breed specific or do they think that its the owners who raise the dogs that make them attack?

Which breed are they going to bann next?


Answer:
Any dog has the potential to bite. The breed has nothing to do with it. I think that Ontario needs to adopt a 'dangerous dog act'.. b/c there are alot of dogs out there (not just in Ontario but everywhere) that shouldn't be in society. I work in a shelter and today, of all the stray dogs in the kennel.. 75% of them were either unpredictable or downright nasty.. the few nice ones got claimed by their owners. I would like to see a law that if a dangerous dog ends up in a shelter or pound, and the dog is deemed dangerous (a temperment test would have to be done) or the dog has bitten someone.. the dog would be euthanized and not released to the owner. Also all dogs would have to be sterilized (no matter the breed) unless you are a registered breeder.
I don't really believe that owners can raise their dogs to attack.. if you have a dog with an excellent temperment, I don't think the dog would obey and attack.. people that want an attack dog get dogs with a dominant/aggressive temperment.. do their thing and end up with a nasty dangerous dog.


Answer:
I think that a lot of dog attacks are precipitated by bad/irresponsible ownership. Yes, some dogs will have a less than perfect temperment. One rottie that I know HATES other dogs and doesn't really care for people other than his owners. They are responsible and keep the dog in a secure yard and on secure leads if they go out. They avoid popular dog walking locations and busy places. It's that simple. I was walking Taz (on lead) one day and this dog comes out of no where, haunches up, like he's going to attack. Me, being as smart as I am () protect my dog and try to fend of this other dog. The owner finally shows up and says she was letting her dog for a run and that he doesn't like other dogs. Huh? So she has the dog off leash, he obviously doesn't know the "come" command, and he doesn't like other dogs? The dog was quite pleasant to me after his owner had him on lead. I'm sure he was a nice dog...but this could have been a potential attack on me or my dog.

Anyway, I feel that a lot of "bad" dogs are the product of poor socialization. And when an owner has done all they can to socialize, and the dog is still nasty, they should be very vigilant in keeping that dog under control or have it euthanized if it truly does not respond.


Answer:
I very much agree with you guys, I think it is a dumb move on Ontario's part to ban an animal. People arn't going to stop owning them anyway. So it should be an agressive dog thing not a breed thing.

Thanks for the input!


Answer:
Does anyone know exactly how the new law works? I thought I read somewhere that if you currently own a pit you'll be allowed to keep it, but it will have to be spayed/neutered. Is that the case? What happens is someone decides to move here from another province or the States and has a pit? Will they be allowed to keep it?

I've already stated how I feel about the breed ban. I think it's stupid. There are thousands of pits out there that are friendly and loveable, just as I'm sure there are thousands of cocker spaniels (or whatever) that are mean. It's not the breed's problem, it's the irresponsible owners who want a pit bull because it's "cool" Well, now those people are just going to get a different "cool" breed like a rottie or a doberman, and we'll be no better off. Sigh.


Answer:
I don't exactly know how the new law works either. And that's definately a valid point, would current pitbull owners be able to move to Ontario from somewhere else with the ban in place?

I know that in Singapore you are not allowed to bring in any dogs that are banned, even if you are moving here from another country and already had them for some time. You'd have to rehome them before moving.


Answer:
I know that if you live in Ontario you can own a pit bull if you have already had one. The dog needs to see a vet and can't have a vicious temperment. The dogs need to be spayed or nutered. You can't breed or sell them in Ontario anymore. As for moving from another place to here with one that you have already it might be allowed. I'm not sure but they probably will allow you to do so, as long as they pass the vet and that.

I should look and find out for sure.

Going to post again. Going reading now............


Answer:
I belong to a forum for the city of Airdrie, and we are discussing this kind of issue right now. You guys should check it out. Feel free to post, you don't need to be a member to do so. On the forum my name is Courtney (I know, I am so original). Anyways, here is the link:

http://airdrieonline.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=pets&action=display&num=1106535262


Answer:
I love pitbulls... and I really don't think that any of the attacks are JUST the pits fault... the owner usually has something to do with his agression. Watch this movie... it says that pits were 4th from the bottom out of 100 breeds of dogs likley to attack a person, and that labs and cocker spaniels were more dangerous. You just don't hear about it because no one wants to do a report on a "sweet family dog", only the "vicious" ones... http://www.deviantart.com/view/11454716/

IMO, I don't think that any one breed should be banned... but I also think that the states/people who do ban the dogs are trying to do what's best for the people... But I love pits, and plan on having a pit rescue when I get out on my own...


Answer:
I think the breeder/owner makes them like that. It is not in any breeds "nature..." And I heard about them trying to do this my mom told me...and to answer your other question...probably Akitas. My mom told me they are trying to ban Akitas. Some of the sweetest most loyal dogs! Even though most dogs can be like that and I may be bias because I grew up with them 110% of my life...My mom got her first Akita a year before I was born and we've had them and litters ever since. You can see pics. of them on my site.