General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Pitbulls Used to Be Considered the Perfect "Nanny Dogs" for Children -- [View all]MadHound
(34,179 posts)38 fatal attacks out of 75 million dogs owned. Far more people lose their lives each year due to human hands than due to dogs. Even if all 38 of those attacks were attributable to one breed, that breed would still be incredibly safe to be around, given the number of dogs. There are over 3 million pit bulls in the US.
However, the fact is, those attacks that you think are attributed to pit bulls are actually attributed to "pit bull type dogs". There are twenty five different breeds that are "pit bull types", so actually, the true number of attacks that can be attributed to pit bulls is unknown.
Meanwhile, the breeds that actually bite humans the most are cocker spaniels and poodles. These two breeds have ranked first and second for decades. The only reason that they don't get more bad press is their size. If they were the size of pit bull, we would be talking about how vicious they are.
The fact of the matter is that according to the American Temperament Testing Association, pit bulls are rating at 85.3%, meaning that the only dog breed less aggressive than pits are Golden Retrievers.
Furthermore the United Kennel Club states, "The APBT is not the best choice for a guard dog since they are extremely friendly, even with strangers. Aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable."
So you are simply succumbing to pit bull hysteria, an affliction that has gripped this country since the '80's. It is an affliction that has definitely been hyped by the media. Worse, this hysteria is sometimes based in racism, ie, "Look at the black man walking a mean looking dog down the street." Peoples' racism against African Americans carry over to prejudice against dogs that are associated with them.
I suggest that rather than falling for pit bull hysteria, you look at the unsensationalized facts about pit bulls. Pit bulls are wonderful family dogs, having been given the AKC's top rating as family dogs for years and decades, up until the '80's when pit bull hysteria took over. For the first half of the twentieth century, pit bulls were the most popular dog for families.
Better yet, go out and either get to know a family with a pit bull, get to know their dog. Finally, get a pit yourself. You will be infinitely rewarded if you do so, with a dog who is loving, intelligent and loyal, and whose only fault is that they will try to lick you to death.
Stop falling for the hype, stop buying into the hysteria. You are only making yourself look foolish.