How Not to Advertise Your Alma Mater

Parent Cafe
61

<p>

</p>

<p>I disagree. I live in a tough part of town, and the “family pet” can often be a pitt bull or other attack prone animal.</p>

<p>I was bike riding around my neighborhood, and the “family pet” ran up to me barking. I thought no big deal. Then it sank it’s teeth into my leg. Went straight through my jeans and gave me two puncture wounds. I knocked on the owners door, and he clearly was puzzled as to why I would ride my bike in his neighborhood in the first place. Then I saw a 4 year old daughter walk up behind him.</p>

<p>So, I sadly cannot say that the “family pet” is safe and innocent.</p>

<p>The puncture wounds took about two months to heal.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Prior to this incident, I was a dog lover and saw nothing bad about dogs. Since then, I have a hard time when a strange dog runs up to me. I have a hard time because this strange dog ran up to me barking and acting like the hundreds of other dogs that haven’t bit me - except this one proceeded to sink his teeth into my leg (while on a bike). So now when a strange dog runs up to me barking, I’m a little apprehensive.</p>

<p>Is this a “rational fear” or “irrational fear”?</p>

62

<p>OP again. Alumn T-shirt was intended as tongue-in-cheek, I know it’s not a reflection of the entire student body. Please.</p>

63

<p>Also want to note that this particular lab ran about 150’ towards us; we weren’t yet in front of his property. Secondly, when I was nipped a month ago by another young off-leash lab, its owner was at least 300’ away and not near owner’s property.</p>

<p>I don’t understand this notion that it’s ok for a dog to charge towards and circle a person in a public way. This obviously isn’t a ******* or tresspasser situation. This also didn’t occur on a 5’ wide sidewalk; it’s a +50’ publicly-owned right-of-way. And I’ll also now disclose that it’s a beachfront. Don’t get me started on the off-leash dogs’ pooping in the sand without owners’ retrieval. I’ve confirmed relevant ordinances and state statutes too.</p>

64

<p>My S was bitten by a dog who ran from inside someone’s house (they had just taken him in but not yet closed the door) straight across the street and bit my S on his leg. The dog had just had a muzzle removed. This family had kids too–I can’t imagine what their thinking is to keep such a dog.
A neighbor has a fenced yard but her dogs got out on a regular basis by digging under the fence. Three of them formed a pack and killed the neighbor’s cat (they went through a porch screen). They appeared to be nice dogs but were actually dangerous. You really can’t tell by breed how a dog will react when it charges you.</p>

65

<p>

I don’t, either.</p>

<p>

It’s not accommodation; it’s obeyance of leash laws.</p>

66

<p>Engineer4life, ‘pitbulls’ are not “attack-prone” animals, ESPECIALLY not to humans. Yes, it’s sad and really unfortunate that a lot of people get them to look tough and train them to be aggressive (just like people used to do with other breeds). But there is nothing in their nature to make them aggressive to humans. In fact, it was bred out of them for centuries, since when they were made to fight, a human had to be able to step in and separate the dogs without being bitten.</p>

<p>Also, most dogs you see that look like pitbulls are eitehr mixes or not even pitbulls - there is no such breed as a pitbull, so you are putting a whole lot of different dogs and mixes into that definition.</p>

<p>I have an adult mix who looks like a pitbull. I don’t know his origins; he is a rescue. I didn’t even raise him since puppyhood. All I can tell you is that they are the sweet, very cuddly, affectionate, and loyal. If I ever decide to have kids, I would never hesitate to have him next to my child.</p>

67

<p>My point is that people in my part of town raise animals to be tough, and raise animals that look tough, and like to own animals that the owner feels give them more respect. Dogs are tougher where I live today than they were in my hometown, where people raised nice dogs.</p>

<p>However</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>That is exactly how the owner of the dog who just bit me clearly felt. It was obvious that he didn’t understand why his dog bit someone, and likely thought that I did something to antognize the dog (which I hadn’t). And he clearly saw no reason why his 3 old year shouldn’t be around the family pet that just left me with puncture wounds through my jeans.</p>

68

<p>Engineer4Life: I actually am very wary of dogs that are with their owners when there are small children present. It is the situation that, in my experience, makes a dog most likely to behave aggressively toward another dog or other people. The parents are protective of the child–of course–which in turn causes the dog to be protective of the child, and dogs are often not the best judge of how to protect a child. </p>

<p>I will NOT allow a child to pet one of my dogs if the child’s family dog is present; I’ve seen too many near-dogfights erupt in that situation.</p>

69

<p>acollegestudent: the American Pitbull Terrier is, in fact, a recognized breed–just not by the American Kennel Club. It is a UKC breed: [United</a> Kennel Club: American Pit Bull Terrier (Revised November 1, 2008)](<a href=“http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/Breeds/AmericanPitBullTerrierRevisedNovember12008]United”>http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/Breeds/AmericanPitBullTerrierRevisedNovember12008)</p>

70

<p>dmd77, let me clarify. I know American Pitbull Terrier is a breed. What I meant to say is ‘pitbull’ is not a breed. It’s just a word used to refer to a lot of dogs with a similar ‘look’, not just American Pitbull Terriers or even Staffordshire Terriers. It’s used to refer to mixes of these breeds, as well as a whole lot of other dogs that have a certain look but may be American bulldog mixes, mastiff mixes, boxer mixes, etc. and may or may not have American Pitbull in them. These dogs all have different personalities and are not some group of animals prone to aggression.</p>

<p>engineer4life, clearly that owner didn’t know his dog. That happens with owners of all breeds. Dogs of all breeds bite. That doesn’t mean that owners of ‘pitbulls’ specifically shouldn’t trust their dogs with their kids. In fact, in my experience, these dogs, that often come from shelters, are very grateful and affectionate towards humans. I have stuck my hand in my dog’s bowl many time, while he is eating. He doesn’t so much as growl.</p>

71

<p>

</p>

<p>I never said that.</p>

<p>What I said is that in my part of town, a lot of people like to own attack prone dogs. There are a lot of people who like guard dogs, dog that look tough, and dogs that growl at people rather than lick their face…</p>

72

<p>

</p>

<p>So you don’t have kids, do you?</p>

<p>I’d like to share something with you. As a parent, I am far more protective of my children than I ever thought that I would be. It’s because it’s my job to protect them, to look at their environment and make sure that I’m providing a safe environment for them. </p>

<p>So when someone walks their pitbull up to my kid so the dog can lick my kids face, I don’t allow it. Maybe that pittbull never has bitten anyone before. But if it gets the idea to that, it could do serious damage and it’s not a risk worth taking. I don’t think non-parents get it…but I take my job seriously.</p>

<p>A person I know was viciously attacked by the family pet when he was young…resulting in permenant scars and plastic surgery. I discriminate against that breed of dog. I keep my kids far, far away from that breed of dogs (not a pittbull) because they are prone to attacking. </p>

<p>Once a woman wanted to me to pet her dog, and I obliged. The dog bit my hand. The woman swore “it’s never bitten anyone before.” I guess I was the first. Will I put my child in a situation where it can be the first person some strangers dog has attacked? No way.</p>

<p>Am I overprotective? I don’t think so. We take a lot of chances with our kid. I try to take chances that I feel are controlled enough situations that we can protect our child. But dog bites can occur so fast, and do such permenant damage, that they are something I never want to risk.</p>

<p>Do I like pittbulls? No. When I’ve read in the paper about numerous attacks, that city councils are banning them because of their danger to others, when I read that insurance companies refuse to issue homeowners insurance policies to people that have pittbulls, it’s clear to me that it’s a breed that is more dangerous than others. You may disagree. Fine. But I will not risk my safety or my child’s safety simply when data indicates otherwise.</p>

73

<p>My SIL got rid of her pit bull once she had kids. Her “sweet, loving” dog whom she always assured everyone wouldn’t harm a fly became not sweet nor loving. In fact, it was totally unpredictable in its behavior.</p>

74

<p>No, I don’t have kids. My dog does stay with a family when I go away that has a 6-year-old. He has never even met these people before we made the arrangement. They also say he is the sweetest dog they have ever pet-sitted. Their little girl cuddles next to him, and he follows her around. Again, he never even met these people until I hired them - he just lives with them while I am on vacation. I may be cautious with other people’s dogs (of any breed), but I would trust MY dog 100%.</p>

<p>Data? No, there is no data, not any meaningful data, at least. There is, however, public hysteria. It happens every decade or so. First, it was Dobermans; then, Rottweilers (I grew up with one, by the way, and my parents never had any problems leaving me alone with the dog - I used to sleep next to him); now it’s pit bulls; in a decade or so, it will be another large dog. Except in the case with pit bulls, it’s not even a breed. All these laws you are talking about outlaw a dog that LOOKS a certain way - it doesn’t even have to have American Pit Bull Terrier in it - it’s THAT VAGUE. And because there is no definition, whenever a dog that vaguely looks that way bites someone, it gets reported as a pit bull attack. Not to mention the fact that people get them and train them to be aggressive, precisely because people are scared of them - it’s a vicious cycle.</p>

<p>No, they are not any more aggressive than any other dog. They ARE, however, very smart and INCREDIBLY dedicated to their owner, so, yes, they will do anything for you, which is how people train them to be aggressive. It’s not in their nature.</p>

<p>gouf78, it’s a well-known fact that dogs in general can react poorly when there is a new baby in the family. It is NOT breed specific.</p>

<p>And just as an aside, pit bulls were the quintessential family dogs during World War II and that time period. I highly double people were stupid back then and didn’t see that they were overly aggressive.</p>

75

<p>If anyone is curious, try this link:</p>

<p>[url=&lt;a href=“http://www.pbrc.net/poppysplace/games/AdultFindabull/findpitbull_v4.html]findpitbull_v4[/url”&gt;http://www.pbrc.net/poppysplace/games/AdultFindabull/findpitbull_v4.html]findpitbull_v4[/url</a>]</p>

<p>You can try to see if you can figure out which of these dogs is an American Pit Bull Terrier (an actual pit bull, if you will). There are over 25 breeds of dogs that can look like a “pit bull”, especially, mixed-breed dogs. </p>

<p>That why the news reports and statistics about “pit bull” attacks are pretty meaningless - the dog is identified by how it looks, NOT what it actually is. This is also why the legislature against them is ridiculous. You can have a bulldog/terrier mix that will look like a pit bull; a bocer mix, etc - many dogs you see can be of completely differenct breed.</p>

76

<p>

</p>

<p>The only laws that have been discussed here are leash laws, which apply to all dogs.</p>

<p>I am noticing you have a habit of hearing/reading what you want to hear/read, not what is actually written.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>When a strange dog runs up to me, I can only judge it based on how it looks. </p>

<p>So I think what you are saying is that the news reports say if it looks like a pittbull, it’s prone to being aggressive. And if something that looks like a pittbull (or Doberman, or Rottweiler) runs up to me, I don’t want anything to do with it because it’s a breed that is more likely to attack than other breeds (Labrador Retriever).</p>

<p>Works for me.</p>

77

<p>"The only laws that have been discussed here are leash laws, which apply to all dogs.</p>

<p>I am noticing you have a habit of hearing/reading what you want to hear/read, not what is actually written."</p>

<p>Let me make it clear, I was referring to your statement that “city councils are banning them because of their danger to others.” I have no problems with leash laws, just with you saying that city councils are banning them because they are dangerous.</p>

<p>If you believe certain dogs are more likely to attack you, that’s your choice, even though it may stem from lack of information. I have no problem with what other people choose to do or not do. The ONLY reason I even got involved in this thread is because you made a statement that you live in a part of town where the family pet “can often be a pitt bull or other attack prone animal.” You later explained that people in your area train dogs for aggression. I understand that. However, I do have a problem with a pit bull being defined as an “attack prone animal.” You didn’t feel it was enough to say that people have attack prone dogs. You chose to specifically single out the pit bulls, making it sound like the breed is somehow attack prone.</p>

78

<p>

</p>

<p>I don’t like dogs. To some extent, I guess you could say there is some fear there. It’s not irrational to afraid of what an animal that you don’t know might do. Are you okay if I stand next to you with an AR-15 assault rifle or would you be “irrationally afraid” of what I might do?</p>

79

<p>I have a rationale fear of dogs that bite me. </p>

<p>Seeing a dog with a leash, and the owner/handler/walker on the other end of the leash, indicates that the dog is under sufficient control that it is not likely to bite, and therefore, I do not fear being bitten by a dog with a leash.</p>

<p>Dogs without leases, and the owners around, are probably not going to bite. But that’s an assumption, and little that I (or the owner) can do if it turns out to be incorrect. More importantly, by not taking the care to put the dog on a leash, the owner is indicating he is less concerned of others (writes off their fear as irrational) and more concerned about he and his dogs enjoyment of the day.</p>

<p>Unknown dogs without leases, and without owners present, are the worst. You don’t know what the dog will or won’t do. That is what I found out when the one ran up and bit me for no reason.</p>

80

<p>I was consulted on a case involving serious dog bites (Yes - it was a pit bull.) Interesting research. Owner’s comments typically are “He’s never done anything like that before.” “He’s always been the sweetest dog.” </p>

<p>Often the bite victim is blamed.</p>

<p>Fear of dogs is never “irrational.” Any dog can hurt you, and there’s no reliable way of predicting if any particular dog will. Every dog owner sincerely believes “not my dog.” But they’re the irrational ones. Pit bull owners are particularly prone to being in denial about the substantial data about the prevalence of serious injuries arising from (unpredictable) pit bull attacks. (I guess you kind of have to be.) <a href=“http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf[/url]”>http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Having said that, I’m around dogs all the time, and size them up like most other people. If a large dogs runs up to me I just stand still and wait for the owner to call (or, as often as not) pull the dog away. If I get bit I guess that will change my approach; as it is, I just think the owners of the loose dogs are inconsiderate jerks.</p>