Is it wrong to Euthanize pit bulls simply because the county has a ban?

[LynneSin]

First, I'm not a big fan of pit bulls. My friend lost 2 of her beloved pet dogs because the one dog (a pit bull) went crazy on vacation and mauled the other pet (a Labrador/dachshund mix).

But I was watching 'Miami Animal Police' on Animal Planet yesterday. It seems that in Dade county there is a ban on all pitbulls. If you're caught with a pit bull you get a fine and you have 48 hours to get rid of the dog or they'll take the dog and euthanize it.

We need to find better ways of dealing with these dogs, but I'm just really bothered by any animal rescue system that puts a dog to sleep simply because it's the wrong dog. Plus it seems that Dade County is the only county in the area with the ban on pitbulls so I could see folks dumping their pitbulls into other counties creating more of a problem

Personally, from seeing all the pitbulls in my neighborhood, I think that anyone who wants to own a pitbull must be fixed. The reason our animal shelters are so filled up with pit bulls is because there are too many unfixed pitbulls out there breeding.

What do you folks think about this ban in Dade County? BTW I watched 2 shows. In the first show they found someone who owned a pitbull. Mind you, the guy was an asshole but what right does someone have to come into a home and tell them they have to put a family pet to sleep. The second episode, the animal police found a stray pitbull and her puppy. The police had no problem capture both mother and puppy, but since the mother was 100% pitbull she was put to sleep. Fortunately the puppy was a pitbull/border collie mix and they allowed that dog to be adopted.

[MercutioATC]

1. Heeeheeeheee! I agree!

"Personally, from seeing all the pitbulls in my neighborhood, I think that anyone who wants to own a pitbull must be fixed."

I just spit Pringles all over my keyboard...

[sbj405]

2. The county I live in is considering lifting their pit bull ban

For one thing, it's obviously pretty difficult to enforce. The type of people that are going to breed and fight dogs aren't going to fear the county animal enforcement officer. I see plenty, so I know they are around. And they are legal in the surrounding areas. The county is thinking about opting for a less breed specific ban on aggressive dogs. Not sure how this one will be implemented as it's usually too late when we find out a dog is aggressive.

I have met plenty of sweet pit bulls, rottis, dobies, etc. and hate to think about the nice ones getting put down simply because they ended up in a shelter in the wrong county. On the same token, I've met some pretty aggressive little dogs (bichons, lhasas) as well as labs and goldens. While some breeds were originally bred for fighting or protection, I think their upbringing is the primary factor in their behavior.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

10. The only dog I was ever VICIOUSLY attacked by was a...

Lhasa Apso. It belonged to my next door neighbor. That dog was just MEAN, it would show aggression even towards it's owners. I remember the one time when it attacked my father and he punted it across the yard and it just came back. They eventually put it down because it attacked their daughter causing her to get her face stitched up. The dog went after me a few times where it had to have it's jaws pried off. Fortunately, it was only my jeans and not my face that bore the brunt of it.

[testing123]

3. It bothers me because the dog could be a pet

There should be a law passed that all pit bulls have to be fixed until the breed can be altered with a more docile breed and the killer instinct is bred out.

[achtung_circus]

4. From the inside

One of the reasons there are so many Pitties in shelters is that we seize so many from their owners. Pit owners include some of the scummiest people you could hope to meet. No, not all of them. We seize the dogs, if they pass the temperament test they go up for adoption. Few are adopted.

The law here does not focus on any one breed. If a dog demonstrates that it is dangerous a Justice may order that the dog be kept under certain conditions (i.e. wearing a muzzle when in public, mandated fence height) or may order the dog destroyed. Other jurisdictions without outright bans use measures such as requiring 2 levels of containment (i.e. leash and muzzle or 2 fences) plus a legislated level of liability insurance. The need to maintain $500,000 liability insurance in a country with universal health care convinces a huge number of people that they could own a different breed.

[Rowdyboy]

5. Far too many of the elderly and children have been mauled and murdered

by these animals. They are bred to be killers. I am a very strong dog person, but I would never allow a pit bull in my home. There are too many wonderful dog families to continue this destructive breed.

[LynneSin]

6. I agree that pit bulls are not the best pet for most folks

But something should be done other than euthansizing simply because it's the wrong breed. Mandatory fixing and requiring muzzles are a good start

[MisterP]

7. yes

[Jim__]

8. I don't think any dog should be killed because of its breed

Not all pit bulls are killers. Most of what I've heard is its the owners that turn them into killers. A dangerous dog has to be killed. But, I don't believe a dog's breed makes it dangerous.

[Liberal Classic]

9. Thank you

For bringing some sense into this thread.