Pit bulls as pets

[Drd]

What a horrible start to the year,my sympathy to this poor family

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/m...de/6222319.stm

But when you see statistics like these then why does anyone choose to have them as a pet?

[Woodywizz]

Originally Posted by Drd

What a horrible start to the year,my sympathy to this poor family

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/m...de/6222319.stm

But when you see statistics like these then why does anyone choose to have them as a pet?

Couldn't agree more - I would not let my kids anywhere near a Pitbull, to have one in the house - with a young child - is, in my opinion, madness.

Sympathies to the family.

[la gran siete]

I thought Pit Bulls were banned in the UK.If not, they should be

[Pat_C]

Originally Posted by la gran siete

I thought Pit Bulls were banned in the UK.If not, they should be

I agree that they should be banned and there have been many calls to do so, but I think there would be problems with the legal definition of a Pit Bull that had been cross bred.

They seem to be popular with drug dealers, and - as with the keeping of large snakes, tarantulas etc. - people with severe personality defects. I suspect the way that they are treated is as much as factor as the inherent nature of this breed.

I believe that many pet insurance policies exclude Pit Bulls, certainly as far as third party liability is concerned. It isn't difficult to see why.

Having said that, I wouldn't leave any dog alone with a child.

[Lawrenzini]

Originally Posted by Pat_C

I agree that they should be banned and there have been many calls to do so, but I think there would be problems with the legal definition of a Pit Bull that had been cross bred.

They seem to be popular with drug dealers, and - as with the keeping of large snakes, tarantulas etc. - people with severe personality defects. I suspect the way that they are treated is as much as factor as the inherent nature of this breed.

I believe that many pet insurance policies exclude Pit Bulls, certainly as far as third party liability is concerned. It isn't difficult to see why.

Having said that, I wouldn't leave any dog alone with a child.

They are illegal, Dangerous dogs act 1991:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welf...estic/dogs.htm

[Joe90sDad]

Originally Posted by Drd

But when you see statistics like these then why does anyone choose to have them as a pet?

I suspect it's a macho thing for many people. My dog's 'arder than yours.

I used to visit an old mate who lived above some shops and the only entrance was via a back alley. But half the time I had to watch out for this Japanese Tosa that a neighbouring family let loose there. Scared the crap out of me.

[Joe90sDad]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

They are illegal, Dangerous dogs act 1991:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welf...estic/dogs.htm

American Pit Bulls are, I think, but other breeds of pit bull are not. As far as I understood it, anyway.

[Pat_C]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

They are illegal, Dangerous dogs act 1991:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welf...estic/dogs.htm

Well that does address my point about cross breeds: if it looks like a Pit Bull then it is a Pit Bull. But this law does have exemptions, and doesn't seem to be very well enforced (although I don't envy anyone with the job of doing so).

[Mr_Wistles]

This was my understanding also.

[gosties]

I have always thought that type of breed of dog should be kept well away from kids. In my opinion they are no more than "a shark on leash". My condolences for the family concerned.

[LFC_SL]

My condolences to the family

I would also like to add, for people to not only look at the dog but alos their human owners

[Singh400]

This is why I don't own cat/dog. No matter how much you train it, its always going to be an animal. Once those animal instincts kick in you've had it.

Really sad

[la gran siete]

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americanpitbull.htm

Hmmm still wouldnt have one

[la gran siete]

Originally Posted by Singh400

This is why I don't own cat/dog. No matter how much you train it, its always going to be an animal. Once those animal instincts kick in you've had it.

Really sad

we alway had cats without any problems other than scratching furniture ,carpets etc. Much easier than dogs just not so respnsive

[Adrenochrome]

Originally Posted by Pat_C

Having said that, I wouldn't leave any dog alone with a child.

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

I would also like to add, for people to not only look at the dog but alos their human owners

Originally Posted by Singh400

No matter how much you train it, its always going to be an animal. Once those animal instincts kick in you've had it.

Quoted as the three most sensible statements on the thread.