What I love about Dan is that he pounds home a point so hard you suspect he may have come afterwards... still I have to agree with Dan; as someone who has watched a pet cat eaten/killed/mauled by an unleashed pit that jumped the fence and rushed into our yard I can say from my personal experience they seem to be savage killers, not pets.

Officer Tedford needs to work on his marksmanship if it took him 11 rounds to put down a pit bull.

behind every one of these attacks you will find an undereducated, testosterone-addled, lower-class dirtball pit owner. of virtually any ethnicity.

that's who owns these dogs (other than dog-resucing lesbians, god bless em).

heh... Savage killers, you say?

I've also changed my mind about Pits. I will still argue that most of the problem lies with the owner, but there is also an instinctive component that causes the dog to flip out. Sometime these dogs just snap.

Cute that the owner threatened to call the cops.

If a pit comes at my dog, when I'm done stomping in the dogs skull I'm going after the owner.

The Pit owners I've seen think their weiners get bigger when they stroll with their dogs. Image is everything.

@5 I think sometimes any dog, of any breed, just snaps. They are animals and not 100% under your control, no matter how well-trained. But, the difference is, when a pit bull snaps, it's more able to do serious bodily harm than many other breeds.

I do think there's something to the media bias, however. julie russell, in the comment thread yesterday, brought up this story of a Great Dane that attacked and killed its owner. It was a show dog, so most likely not owned by a "bad owner".

There were only a couple of media references to the attack when I googled, and yet you would think that a previously docile show dog that killed its owner would be big news.

Pitbulls were bred to be fighting dogs. Owning a pitbull takes at least quadruple the responsibility of owning most other breeds of dogs. Unfortunately the people that are often drawn to the breed are those who want a tough looking and tough acting dog to protect themselves and their property. These are often the people that leave their dogs chained in the yard to ward off possible intruders. They never give their dog proper training or the possibility of becoming a good dog. I volunteer at a shelter where at least 70-80 percent of the adoptable dogs at any given time are pitbulls or pitbull mixes. One thing the shelter makes very clear to possible adopters is that pit bulls are bred to do certain things and that you can never ever take your eyes off them. They suggest that pit bulls not go to homes with young children or other small or large dogs. Basically they are trying not to set these dogs up for failure. In reality there is only a small percent of the population that would actually make good pit bull owners. Dogs take a huge amount of responsibility, and I wish people would understand that if they are choosing to own a dog who is bred to behave in a certain way that they should do their very best to ensure that their dog is always under their supervision and control. It also disheartening to see so many pit bull breeders out there as well as many "backyard" pit bull breeders looking to sell their puppies on craigslist. If you really want a pit bull and are capable of that level of responsibility please consider adopting from your shelter first. I've met so many wonderful pit bulls in the shelter. No one deserves to get attacked by a dog...except their irresponsible owners.

@7 man that story still blows my mind actually. I mean, great danes are normally such docile lugs.

Also, a lot of times the media will call any mutt that they cannot identify a Pit Bull, because it drives the ratings up.

And on another note, no where in this person's letter does she state that they were at a dog park, just a public park, yet her dogs were off-leash as well (ie able to make a beeline back to the car without leash interference). SO really, it is just all around bad on both owner's.

Cat owners can be irresponsible, too. But it rarely results in anyone being harmed but the cat. Pity the same can't be said of dogs.

All forms of cat avitars united - we's hate's them's pits!

"perhaps very skilled handlers can own pits"

I agree with her on this point. It's the owners who refuse to acknowledge what their pit bulls are capable of that scare me.

Are all breeds of pit bull considered dangerous? American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier? Are we talking all of them? Some of them? How well are they identified in these attack cases? I have a tendency to not believe what the news media says because they are fuckwads who peddle in shock entertainment, not informative news. I would imagine it makes for a better story to say someone was brutally mulled by a Pit Bull than just some mutt. I'm not trying to defend Pit Bulls, I'm just attacking the american news media.

@15 I agree with you completely. I always want some one to show me the raw data. Here you go...the CDC don't lie.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/dogbreeds.…

@3
Right here, perfect example. The writer almost has to be making up that last quote, right?

http://www.gazette.com/articles/elmore-5…

#17 for the win. Dan - you should add that link at the bottom of each post in your new series "Every child deserves a puppy with really strong jaws"

I'm sorry...I still think that at one time or another a human was responsible, but I do agree..having the dogs in populated areas, or actualy areas where other people live at all may not be possible. I feel terrible for good owners of these dogs, because I know how attached you can get to an animal, but I ultimatly agree with you Dan. If I had a pet Lion in my backyard, the press and law enforcement would be all over it. I believe it is a similiar matter. Pit Bulls have been bread over the years for attacking, just like my little Shi-Tzu has been bread to lie around all day. In the end, I feel bad for the dogs because they should never be put in the situation. Would we be ok with having a wild wolf in our homes? It is similiar, both are breed to hunt and KILL. If a ban was to be inacted, I think it would be best to let current owners of the breed to keep their dogs, but not breed them. Make it illegal to breed new ones, or to buy a new one...and over time the breed would fade away from populated areas. However, then you get the underground market forming, just like anything is made illegal.

"Firsthand experience certainly does make the world look different."

I think that's called confirmation bias.

Dogs don't kill people. People kill people.

Sure, automatic rifles can do more damage more quickly than single shot models, but gee, my automatic rifle is well-behaved and never hurts anyone. It's just bad automatic rifle owners who are to blame. Instead of believing the press when it comes to types of guns used in violence, listen to the guy I know at the gun repair shop who works with automatic rifles all the time and says they are the most loving and loyal weapons he can think of.

Don't blame the breed. You people are just hysterical anti-gun nuts who believe the sensationalist stories in the press designed to sell more newspapers.

Why is it only pitbull owners who seem to defend these damn animals. A breed that was bred to fight and kill will not loose the instinct because you call him snookums. Thats not how life works. Yes the media may play this up, but as pointed out by #17 there is some good data to back up the assumption that Pitbulls are the most dangerous. All it takes is once, it's a lot like a gun. It doesn't matter what you do when it's safe and put away, once it kill someone it s a fucking issue. We have gun control, which is supported by over 60% of the populace. Keeping guns out of Pits out of thug hands is the same as keeping guns out of thug hands. I appreciate you and your gun or pit haven't done anything YET, but it's instinctual and a matter of time. You can't wish away instinct, just like you can't wish away the deadly nature of the aforementioned firearm, which I may need to purchase to shoot yoru fucking dog.

@25 whereas I agree with the overarching theme, owners need to take responsibility for their pets no matter the breed, ummm the whole gun thing is pretty stupid considering that dogs do have a mind of their own and can act without the provocation of their owner or any other person, whereas someone has to be the mind behind the gun in order to wield it at someone.

I lived next door to a family whose ex-juvie, crackhead son decided that the way to make a living was to breed pit bulls. With the first litter, all sorts of clearly nonresponsible future pit bull owners started showing up in the neighborhood. The dog was not very well-contained in the neighbor's yard. So the first time that dog showed up in my backyard, where my 3-yr-old son often plays, I beat that bitch to death with a 9 iron. (I know a driver was probably the correct club to get distance, but I grabbed what was handy.) So I solved several problems with just a few swings: fewer pit bulls to distribute, a safer yard, and my neighbors soon moved.

pit bulls:dogs::Critical Massers:bicyclists.

I was bit by a dog recently. It was a Jack Russell, so clearly not life-threatening in any way. The owner of the dog was the rudest person I've ever encountered (not on drugs). I very nicely did not kick the dog. I called animal control. They investigated, but I think it turned into a she said/she said thing.

Based on my recent experience, any dog can be a bitch, and any dog owner can, too. I'm less afraid of pit bulls than other dogs, but I wouldn't care if they banned the breed or required special licenses or something.

I'm a dog lover. I've never met a pit that wasn't submissive and friendly. BUT, people can't be trusted. One has to take special care with a big, powerful, aggressive, or whatever dog. This would include Rotts, Shepherds, etc. The next dog I get will be a big dog (I hate the little yappy things), but I'll take it to training, etc. I won't be getting a pit, unless it's a mix. I'm one of those responsible people who pick up their dogs' shit. Since there are so many people who aren't responsible, or are ignorant, I'm for doing something legally about it.

I was riding home the other day and a (fortunately leashed) pit bull being walked by a skinny guy leapt at me, growling. My heart skipped several beats. Thankfully the dog was on a leash, but the viciousness of the dog's temperament was apparent.

I donated to fight Prop 2 in Florida, and asked Dan this question: "Is there a later scientific peer-reviewed study supporting the efficacy of breed bans that forms (in part or whole) the foundation of your opinion?"

As part of my preamble, I explained that I have searched online for such a study, but could not find anything. I could only find the CDC study of 2000, which actually states that there is no such evidence. I was hoping that there might be a later study I could read.

Dan's response was

breed bans have worked in the UK, and they work well in Denver. i don't trust the studies you cite.

all the best,

dan

Now, I am ecstatic that he did NOT simply tell me off. However, he didn't really answer the question, as he doesn't cite any study in the UK or Denver. So I am left with the conclusion that No, Dan Savage does not base his opinions of breed bans on any scientific evidence.

What I find interesting is that he "doesn't trust the studies [I] cite." I believe there was a study in the UK that also concluded that there is no supporting evidence of the efficacy of breed bans. But he doesn't trust scientific research? What does he trust? His gut?

I find that his response, while deservedly terse, spoke volumes. His opinions on breed bans are simply that: opinions. He is neither more nor less correct than the rest of us. In fact, his opinions can be said to be faith-based, since he chooses to discount evidence that does not agree with his ideas.

@33 do you mind sharing your compelling evidence with the rest of us?

What I'd really like to know is a) how many of the "pit bulls" that are cited in these attacks are unneutered males? My guess would be nearly all of them - and b) are people who are attacked bringing the owner or the owner's insurance company into civil court for damages? Insurance companies could very quickly make it unattractive financially to own any kind of "dangerous" breed.

I've maintained for years that the solution is to ban UNNEUTERED and UNSPAYED individuals of potentially-dangerous breeds, unless you have a special breeder's license, which ideally would be very difficult to get - you'd have to prove that you were training the animals, properly securing them, treating them humanely, etc. But, frankly, I think no one should be able to own unaltered dogs and cats without such certification.

Any Monkey could find a bunch of pit bull attacks and post about them. Colleen Lynn has an entire website dedicated to just that: (dogsbite.org...likely where Dan got his info). She posts studies that have been rejected by the scientific community knowing they are fallacious (Merrit Clifton, etc...but whatev...)

It's no secret that there is a media bias towards reporting on pit bull attacks.Just check out the National Canine Research Council if you don't want to take my word for it.

I am just happy that people who matter (Lawmakers and such) are making good decisions based in FACT and REASON. Even news outlets that matter are beginning to turn...CNN has run a few Pit-positive pieces and it will only get better from here!

Keep shooting at fishing in a barrel,Dan.. I'm sure it makes you feel like a big man in a little sweater vest:)

@36
In 2007 there were 33 fatalities by dogs/ 26 involved unaltered dogs....you raise a good point about Spay & Neuter.

I have a side project separate from FABB where I befriend street kids and help them get their dogs spayed/neutered, get medical care etc....mostly pits but not exclusively.

@35, Google "CDC, breed, specific, legislation, study" and read for yourself. What I'm saying is that there is far too little scientific evidence out there, and people are resorting to faith-based arguments.

As someone who has actually had to stick my finger up a damn pit bull's but to make it let go of another dog's neck, I feel I have the authority to say:
Some people are dumb.

Still, the root of this campaign against pit bulls? Anyone?

Why doesn't it bother so many people when dogs maim and kill children? i dont' get it. I am in total support of anyone who wants to shoot one if threatened.

In the Bay Area Pits apparently kill their keepers in other ways.
From todays Chronicle
(06-04) 21:15 PDT HAYWARD, CALIF. -- A woman was struck and killed by an Amtrak train in Hayward on Thursday after the dog she was walking pulled her into its path, just hours after a man jumped in front of another Amtrak train in Berkeley, authorities said.

The woman was walking a pit bull terrier on Blossom Way about a mile north of the Hayward station around 2:15 p.m. The dog's owner, an 18-year-old man rode a bicycle around the crossing arms as the train approached, said Alameda County sheriff's Sgt. J.D. Nelson. The dog apparently began following its owner and pulled the woman into the train's path, Nelson said.

Both the woman and the dog died when they were hit by a Capitol Corridor train headed from Sacramento to San Jose, said Amtrak spokeswoman Vernaé Graham.

I Can Has Pitbull Cheezburger?

Signed,
Interwebz Kitteh

My neighbor tried to rescue a pit (she's neither a lowlife or stupid) puppy she found abandoned. She had him fixed and he was okay for about a year. One day the dog decided the matron of the pack needed to die (she had two other rescues) and once the attacks started there was no stopping them. My neighbor put the dog to sleep and breaks into tears at just the mention of that damn thing. Before it happened she also believed in a media bias, actually she still does, but she also believes that at this point the breed has been mostly ruined and for it's own safety should be banned.

The neighbors on the other side of my block are not mean but are totally ambivalent owners. They have a big pack of dogs (2 unaltered pits, huge furry thing, lab, dachund) that are fenced (so far). The pits attacked the huge furry thing day before yesterday when the mailman was walking by. The woman was in the yard trying to break up the fight but after about 5 mins of listening to them attack that dog I was in tears and called 911. By the time they arrived the fight was broken up and the fluffy dog was no where to be found. The pits were in the front yard and one had blood on it. The animal control person walked right into the yard, totally unafraid! Knocked on the door about 5 times and no one ever answered. She told me that she was familiar with the dogs and that "they're nice dogs, they're just animal aggressive, not people aggressive." She noted to me that it looked like one of the pits had some cuts but seemed to be okay. She then drove off and did nothing (that I'm aware of). I haven't seen the fluffy dog since and have no idea if it's okay or not.

Total insanity.

I don't know if we need a breed ban on pits, but perhaps we need laws requiring pits to be on a leash at all times.

@49
It is Law in King County that ALL DOGS must be leashed at ALL TIMES when off the owner's property. The problem is that few take this law seriously.
One aspect that FABB recommended to King County was to enforce this law and punish violators with heavy (200.00) fines. It would reduce the likelihood of attacks and generate revenue for King County.

Calgary has done this and dog bites are at an all-time low. They have a surplus of 4+ million dollars to care for the animals in their custody. Also their shelters never reach max capacity.In a recession, this would be a great way for King County to generate $$ and work towards public safety.

With the newly proposed law ANY dog(of any breed) that bites/acts menacingly towards a cat,dog or human off the owner's property will be deemed potentially dangerous & will have to adhere to:

1)Being muzzled in public at all times
2)Must be behind a six foot fence on the owner's property
3)must be spayed/neutered
There's more but I haven't seen it all.

The new law is harsh, but fair.

I think part of the dissilussion with pit bulls is that they may not physically displace that much space, but yes ... they are tougher and have higher energy than the space they occupy. You think they are apartment dogs, but they aren't.

Dumbasses.

And really, I can't get over how everyone is a critic and an authority on dog breeding. Dan Savage thought the Spud Mckenzie dog was pit bull.

jack asses.

Pit bulls and trash owners just make for sensational news stories ... period!

Ferral chuhuahua populations in Torrington CT. I remember my mother covered that story a four years ago. Vicious bastards in numbers. No one cared, and the link is now dead.

Sensationalism of pit bull attacks and their trashy irresponcible owners.

I still am suspect of the UNDERREPORTING of so called "calmer" breeds. A skittish dalmation bite. A collie, a shepherd, but these are family breeds settled among "good" families.

Spare me.

And next thing that is going to happen is that we are going to outlaw swimming pools because the number one cause of fatalities of children is drownings.

I think part of the dissilussion with pit bulls is that they may not physically displace that much space, but yes ... they are tougher and have higher energy than the space they occupy. You think they are apartment dogs, but they aren't.

Dumbasses.

And really, I can't get over how everyone is a critic and an authority on dog breeding. Dan Savage thought the Spud Mckenzie dog was pit bull.

jack asses.

Pit bulls and trash owners just make for sensational news stories ... period!

Ferral chuhuahua populations in Torrington CT. I remember my mother covered that story a four years ago. Vicious bastards in numbers. No one cared, and the link is now dead.

Sensationalism of pit bull attacks and their trashy irresponcible owners.

I still am suspect of the UNDERREPORTING of so called "calmer" breeds. A skittish dalmation bite. A collie, a shepherd, but these are family breeds settled among "good" families.

Spare me.

And next thing that is going to happen is that we are going to outlaw swimming pools because the number one cause of fatalities of children is drownings.

I have 2 ckc pit bulls and i have 2 kids they get along just fine. They are the best dogs i have ever owned. the pit bulls attitude reflects the owners attitude. a lot of times people believe what they hear or see on t.v. they believe the media, my mother-in-law for instance believes that they are horrible b/c of the media. the rottwilers, dobermans, and german shepards are never mentioned yet german shepards are trained to attack people.